Folks

I am looking for a place with the following diverse characteristics (my wish list):

1. Nice sandy beach, with clear blue water (like a few rare beaches in Cote d'Azur) for my son to swim in.

2. A quiet, preferably rustic and minimally developed place, rather than a major resort area. We would probably like to rent a cottage for about 3 weeks.

3. I like to practice, and possibly take some lessons, on my Spanish, so I am looking for a place that would have a common dialect of Spain or Latin American Spanish (I understand some islands, for example, have sufficiently varied pronunciations that will confuse my very basic level of Spanish even more)

I was thinking of either Spain or Latin America, possibly Costa Rica. I appreciate any suggestions and I realize that my above requirements may need to be partially compromised.

Thanks

I met recently folks from Uruguay who described miles and miles of sandy, clear water beaches, lined by small villages and environmentally preserved. Specifically east of Montevideo, the vast coast territory called the Costa de Oro (Golden Coast)starting about 15 miles east far from Montevideo has little villages with designated lodging areas.

Unfortunately what you are describing, a nice, sandy beach minimally developed, is rapidly becoming an oxymoron. Costa Rica is not a bad idea, You are also likely to find such a spot in the Caribbean (Cuba), Dominican Republic, and some spots along the Atlantic coast.

Akumal, caribbean side of Mexico around the Tulum area (use Cancun airport).

Although you will hear as much Catalonian as Spanish, try Calella da Palafrugell

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Eur...e_Palafrugell/

http://www.finquesfrigola.com/webcam.htm

Safa1, here's your other post

I second zeppole's recommendation to go to the Costa Brava: Beautiful beaches, lots of culture, fascinating cities and towns, mountains, good food, affordble prices (only avoid the high-rise tourist centers) .