Anniversary trip on a budget
 

Looking for a romantic destination somewhere beautiful but not too expensive. Like the sounds of Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia, LaLuna in Grenada, and Royal Hideaway in Mexico but all are too expensive for us. Any suggestions for a romantic, yet afordable one week getaway?

Thanks!



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How about Villas Rolandi on Isla Mujeres? The rooms are fabulous, the town is fun, the beaches are beautiful.

It looks beautiful but is still rather expensive for us. We're coming from Canada so the US conversion is killer. This is our 1 year anniversary so we're just starting out, so to speak. Maybe there is something out there that is lovely in a chic, rustic way that we can manage. Not big on the massive AI's.

Thanks again!

Dear Travel lover,
What exactly is your budget... and do you have only a week or can you make it 8-9 days?
I live in Costa Rica and perhaps you weren't considering it as an option, but it looks like it may be a great destination for you, and since Costa Rica is not known for huge AI resorts but rather smaller hotels, it may be a good idea.
Please, feel free to write me directly for any more help or advice. I will gladly try and help you plan a great romantic gateway.
Pura Vida,
Neta Talmor

Costa Rica is a good suggestion and is a beautiful place. I've been there 8 times and making a 9th Trip in May.
If you still want Mexico, look at Hotel Secreto, also on Isla Mujeres. It's not All-Inclusive but is walking distance to MANY good restaurants and fabulous Playa Norte for sunsets. It is right on the water, with a beautiful pool. It only has nine rooms and is very popular so you'd have to book early. next door for even LESS is Playa Media Luna Hotel. It has the same stunning view and excellent location as Secreto but is just not as 'fancy' as Secreto.

We're independent travellers, and never go AI. Last year, as part of a 2 week trip in Mexico, we stayed in Sayulita for a week. It's a small town north of Puerto Vallarta. We had a fabulous place, with a huge wonderful private terrace overlooking the Pacific. It wasn't a hotel really - the owners have a few 'casitas' that they rent out. It was gorgeous, and cost about $65 USD / day. We had kitchen facilities, but there were several nice restaurants in town as well. I found it on vrbo.com (after someone else gave me advice).

Great suggestions, thanks! Secreto and Media Luna are more in our price range, and they look great. We would absolutely consider Costa Rica, or anywhere really. If we could keep the hotel down to about $100/night including breakfast, then 2 weeks would be possible.

Dear travel_lover,
if you write me directly, or publish your email address, I can sit down and design a tentative itinerary you could do in Costa Rica on your budget. Let me know if that is something that you would like me to do.
Pura Vida, Neta.