Hi, I'm trying to plan a vacation in Latin America for 2/01/07 till 2/15/07 for about two weeks. The dates are flexible. It's for my father who is 41 and myself who is 19.

Originally we were looking at Tulum, Mexico as our destination. We're very liberal/hippie types on a shoestring budget. Our idealistic image was of living in a grass hut on the beach for something like 10 dollars a night. We know Tulum because a lot of our buddies have stayed there.

We looked it up online recently and are realizing that much like Cancun it is now heavily commercialized. So we are looking at other options.

I'd really appreciate suggestions on places in Latin America that have not been entirely commercialized and would be fairly cheap to stay at.

Not looking for a five star hotel, just somewhere to have some fun .

Thanks for your help.

Well I'm the same age as your father and loved Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. Looks right up your alley as a laidback/reggae Caribbean vibe place. Best part is, lots of budget places and eats there too. It's not touristy or built up so to speak, but enough to do and see to make it a great destination.

We've been looking at cost of airtravel to Belize.

Most of the quotes we've seen from Charlotte, NC (CLT) to Belize are in the 350 - 450 range for round trip, but on top of that they all have at least 250 USD in taxes!

Why is the tax so much? Is there a way to get around all that tax?

Thanks for the help.

There's a US$35.00 departure tax to fly out of Belize. Most airlines include it in the price, American Airlines doesn't.

I don't know where the rest of those taxes come from. I am a bit suspicious that all that $250.00 really isn't taxes. I say this partly because I have FF tickets on hold for Belize, and my total cost will be about $33.00 (I'll have to pay my own departure tax.) I always thought a person had to pay the taxes when they flew on miles.

Seems a bit odd.

That was kind of my thought. If you look here at this cheaptickets link (if it'll work) you'll see what I'm talking about:
http://www.cheaptickets.com/App/View...e=interstitial

Could you tell me where your finding your tickets? Sounds like a better deal than I'm seeing

Don't disregard Mexico. Though I think $10 for beachfront is a thing of the past in most places.

I think I inadvertantly midled you. I have no idea how to find cheap tickets to Belize. My tickets in May were 'bought' using frequent flyer miles on American Airlines.

My February tickets were almost $800.00 out of Cedar Rapids Iowa, via Dallas to Belize City. Rarely any bargains traveling from here to Belize.

Depending on where you're at, you could fly into Cancun cheaply and take the bus to Belize. Maybe even stop in Tulum along the way and see what you think of the place. The bus from Cancun to the Belize border is about six hours. Nice buses.