We have two free tickets on Southwest and plan to fly from San Diego to Florida in mid June for a 10 - 12 day getaway. Our tickets are only good for domestic flights, even though SW flies from SAN to Mexico!

Anyhow, we are planning to use FLA as a jumping off point and are wondering where to go from there. We've been to Europe a bunch, but never to So America or Eastern Mexico.

We don't plan on spending our time in FLA, but instead would like to immediately fly someplace relatively inexpensive where we can lay on the beach and just 'be'. We are thinking possibly Mexico or Costa Rica but are unsure of weather/humidity/rain and the like for this time of the year.

We don't need a lot to see or do and we prefer to stay in off the beaten path places (preferring boutique hotels to a large all inclusive resort) near small local towns/coastal areas.

I am hoping there are some Fodorites willing to give us some ideas. Thanks in advance! Heather R.

Eastern coast of Mexico is a good idea, the 'Mayan Riviera". You'd fly into Cancun but then can head south to somewhat less touristic places... Playa del Carmen, Akulal, Tulum. Nothing wrong with Costa Rica, but it's quite a bit further. June's not too bad a month for travel for Mexico. It's a bit more hot and humid but not yet into the rainy season. Prices are lower as it's is not high-season.

It will be hothothot on the Yucatán coast in June so pick places where you can cool off in the water or sleep with ac. We were there for a few weeks in June 2010 and had a blast, then returned in December/January. You can read about our trips (lots of recommendations - we loved every place we stayed and everything we did) here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

Let me know if I can help with anything. Happy trails!

spirit.com has cheap flights to Cancun Guatemala and Colombia
out of FLL got a free first class flight with them last fall to www.cartagenainfo.net. Historic cheap exotic. Sofitel nice new place or Catagena Suites more budget. booking.com for lodgings. Also the Caribe Hilton is very nice at a good price point there.

Less exotic more touristic HOT ecotulum.com hotelalcielo.com

Guatemal will have a fair amount of rain beaches suck but pretty. Camino Real Hotel GC spg.com or quintadelasflores.com lacasadelmundo.com jaguartikal.com nice at better pricepoints.

So any of the above would be pretty cheap and super nice.
One last thought Spirit.com flies cheaply FLL to LIM
also if adventurous might look into the Gringo Trail to
the Inka trail there incalandadventures.com from $300 to MP
with Flavio for me last. Not beachy but spiritual mystic exotic mmemories for a lifetime truly www.mysteryperu.com

Good luck!

Look into one of the out islands of the Bahamas if you just want to "be". Exuma, Eleuthera, etc.

Lots of options. I enjoyed Cartagena, although the city beaches were pretty ugly. Or, fly on to San Andres and/or Isla Providencia.

Or, Ambergris Caye in Belize. White sand beaches, blue water, no large hotels, good food.

Since you're in Florida, why not go somewhere in the Caribbean instead? That's be much shorter flights (like 2 hrs max) I like Negril Jamaica a lot.

How about Andros Island in the Bahamas? Largest island in the chain but still keeps a low profile.

If you want to go to Mexico or Central America, could you just fly to Houston instead of Florida? It seems like you're traveling pretty far just to backtrack.

I agree VG...didn't quite get that!

Thanks everyone. I will see about flying to Houston instead of FLA. I think my husband was hoping we could spend a night or two in Florida before or after our time in....well, where ever we might go, Mexico, Bahamas, Costa Rica??...Thank you all for the great ideas. I will continue to check each one out and please, keep 'em coming!!

We loved Victoria House in Belize. You might check out Tulemar Bungalows in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica too. Houston to Belize is only a two hour flight; it's three hours to Costa Rica.

You need to look at a map (seriously, I mean that kindly). Going from southern California, to Florida, just to fly back to Mexico of Central America doesn't really make any sense.

If you want a couple days in Florida, then why not consider any of many beautiful islands in the Caribbean? They would be a similar experience to Mexico or Costa Rica with a much shorter flight time and expense.

That's why I suggested the Bahamas. Very close to Florida!

Also...St. John is wonderful! Not sure about prices though...haven't been in quite some time.

We, too, had free domestic SWA tickets (did you do the credit card thing?) and we had to use them by the end of 2011. We kept debating where to go, where to go. We ended up flying to FLL (from the Bay Area, CA) and then taking a cruise to the southern Caribbean ... figuring it was practically as cheap to cruise as it would be for more flights, lodging, meals, etc.

We went to Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Grand Turk, and the Bahamas.

We're usually not the "cruise type" of travelers, but it was totally relaxing and we had a great time - and spent a couple days post-cruise in Ft. Lauderdale, too.

Deb, we love St. John too - so pretty.

You can fly direct from Los Angeles to Cancun Mexico. Do you have to fly to somewhere in the USA first? Since my husband and I have researched the Caribbean and flights till we were blue in the face I know if you want to go to anywhere in Central America, Jamaica or Grand Cayman - you are better off breaking up the flight and going into Dallas or Houston first. If it's anywhere in the eastern or southern Caribbean than Florida is fine. I personally would go to the Virgin Islands or St. Lucia if I had to fly to Florida first. Bahamas is ok for a super short flight.

yes yes yes...you are all right and full of great information. TOO much great information. Thanks!!

I've looked at the map (thanks Suze) and now realize that flying to FLA from SAN may be a bit silly. Now, we are thinking about the possibility of staying in Florida and driving to the Keys for a week long getaway. I will look at the Bahamas/BVI/St. Lucia as well.

Kristy88 - Yes, we can fly from LAX (or SAN for that matter) to Cancun, but that would cost us more than using our 'free' Southwest Airlines tickets to fly into Houston or Florida and then fly into Cancun/BVI/St. Lucia. We just want to use these tix before they expire.

Thank you all for your expertise. It is greatly appreciated.

Grand Cayman and Antiqua are great islands too, IMHO
Have a wonderful trip.