On a budget
 

Hello, my husband and are in desperate need of a vacation. We are both 32, no kids, and would ideally like to go somewhere with a great beach, culture, good food and adults only. Our only travel experience is a cruise through the caribbean a few years ago and a stop at a few islands. We're not set on any particular destination, just whatever we can make work with a limited budget of $2000-$2500 canadian, (including return air from Ottawa, Ontario canada.) Am I being unreasonable, or is there any way we can make this work? Would love recommendations. Thanks!!

Cuba would probably be your best bet.

You might check into Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.

Are you looking for all inclusive, a package or a more independent trip? When do you want to go? I haven't taken any package trips for many years, but I think it's totally doable for a more independent trip, and if you're not looking to go during spring break, you should be ok.

In terms of packages, I'm seeing fairly inexpensive packages advertised to the Dominican and also Panama, at least from Toronto. (I'd love to go to Panama, but I'd want air only so I could travel around.) Another place that I'm kind of interested in is St. Martin, in the Caribbean and there are packages going there. I've looked at selloffvacations.com and they advertise packages from Ottawa.

In terms of more independent travel, we'v gone to Mexico many times, and usually try to combine some time in the interior with time at a beach.

At least from Toronto, we can usually get cheaper flights to Cancun and if you're looking to book your own accommodation, there are lots of alternatives (not in Cancun, which I don't like). Last year, we spent a week in Puerto Morelos (south of Cancun) where we rented an apartment.

We were also thinking of Sayulita the other day - it's just north of Puerto Vallarta and we spent a week there a few years ago. It was lovely and again we had rented an apartment.

Another place we've gone to a few times over the years is Puerto Escondido. That's a little more difficult to get to - you can fly into Huatulco (where I know there are charter flights) and go from there, or fly to Mexico City, then onto PE. We've rented places there and it's definitely been less expensive there.

Good luck planning!

I don't know offhand how much $2500 Canadian translates to in US dollars, but your budget will go a lot further if you wait until mid-April, when "high" season ends at many Caribbean locales.

I've been to St. Martin many times, and that can be affordable. With the Euro being so strong right now, you might fare better on the Dutch side. I don't usually recommend all-inclusive there, but it may work for you and then you could do a few dinners out. In my opinion, a trip to St. Martin is not worth it unless you have a car.

I agree that the Dominican Republic is in general very affordable, so if you're in to all-inclusive, check out Punta Cana.

My absolute favorite place on earth is St. John in the USVI's, but it is pricey. I could give suggestions, but I don't know enough about what you want.

Do you want a resort atmosphere with amenities on the beach, or do you want more of a natural, laid back setting?

Let me say two more things: 1. My husband and I are the same age as you, just so you know something about who's giving advice; 2. I realized my post sounded dumb b/c you're probably thinking "but the Dutch use the Euro" when I mentioned St. Martin. SXM is part-Dutch, part-French. The French side uses the Euro, the Dutch side still uses the Netherlands Antilles Florin (NAF) but mostly takes dollars.

Actually our CAD is about the same as the USD now - big change from past years when we went as low as 65 cents to the USD.

I've met many Canadians vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico who get good priced package deals.

Thanks for everyone's advice. I've taken some notes for future trips. Volcanogirl, thanks for the suggestion of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. This looks like my new dream destination and is on the list for a future trip (when I have a slightly larger budget for the airfare!)

You're welcome, TR - we use frequent flier miles, so sometimes I forget how expensive airfare can be. I hope you make it there someday!

If you are really interested in Costa Rica, look at ticket prices out of Detroit. We flew out of Toronto last October and are going again in April out of Detroit. Our tickets are basically 2 for the price of 1. Just the gas $ to drive to Detroit.