My partner and I are looking at travelling south for a week this January. We have a limited budget, and so I am looking for some recommendations. We have previously travelled to Aruba and the Mayan Peninsula. We just want to get away and relax for a week - nothing fancy, somewhere you can show up for breakfast in your swimsuit with sandy feet. We love to snorkel, and also like to experience some of the local area. We are currently considering Cuba or Costa Rica.<BR><BR>Any suggestions?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance,<BR>Lauren<BR>

Lauren, Cuba might be lovely but January can be very "iffy" for weather. It gets the same weather pattern as Florida and Florida can be quite cool/cold in January (might be extremely nice, too). A great budget destination is the Punta Cana area of the Dominican Republic....extremely beautiful with 26 miles of white sand beaches (voted in the top 10 beaches in the world!!). Go to this website for reviews/information:<BR>www.debbiesdominicantravel.com

The fishing village of La Manzanilla, Mexico on the Bay of Tenacatita.<BR><BR>www.lamanzanillmexico.info<BR>< BR>adios!<BR>mexicodan

placentia or caye caulker in belize.

Costa Rica is a great idea! Even though Jan. is peak season, there are plenty of places to stay at less than $100 a night where you can eat breakfast in your swimsuit! Harbor Reef Lodge in Nosara, Tropico Latino in Mal Pais, the list goes on and on!

Puerto Vallarta normally has great weather in January. Depends how "nothing fancy" you mean but there are still a lot of hotels in the south part of PV near the local beach with rooms in the $25-50US/night range. Food and drinks are reasonably priced (at local restaurants, the supermercado, the corner store ~ not the tourist spots along the Malecon).

CUBA - Lauren, I was under the impression US citizens could not go to Cuba unless traveling with a group that had received an invitation from Cuba.<BR>There was a story recently about a lady returning from Cuba who was fined $5,000. <BR>Rosemary<BR>

Rosemary,<BR>Lauren didn't say that she was American.<BR>Cuba is a very popular destination for Canadians....and also many Europeans go there. The beaches are beautiful, but I agree that it could possibly be a bit cool in January.<BR>Dominican Republic is very good for budget minded tourists, and another budget island is Margarita Island.<BR>We have also been to San Andres and loved it.<BR>

A agree with Diane's post.<BR>There are some great bargains in Dominican Republic. The web site she suggested is excellent... Debbies Dominican. Full of information on all hotels.<BR>Cuba has great beaches, especially Varadaro. ONe of the best I've seen and great for long walks.

Where is home? Especially with only 1 week... I ask because East coast vs. West coast USA or Canada or Europe... could influence your choice - considering travel time & cost of plane ticket, etc. to determine your "best budget destination".<BR><BR>Also are you willing to go to a resort or package-deal, if the price was right? Or do you prefer independent hotels, bungalows, etc.

I think many parts of Mexico would be cheaper than either Costa Rica or Cuba as a budget destination.