chazz

We don't like all-inclusives or large hotels, and we'd like to vacation at one of the smaller hotels on or near the beach in Playa del Carmen.

But we can't find any package deals that include the small hotels. And airfare purchased separately (winter) is very high.

(We prefer to fly from Albany NY but can drive to Newark, NYC or Boston if necessary).

Any suggestions?

nina

chazz, I'm also looking to book airfare separately. I've found winter (February) airfare for $504 incl tax on orbitz from NYC. I don't know if it gets any lower than that, but I'd love to hear from those who've gone in the past!

Dori

Check FunJet or Apple Vacations. They sell air only charter flights and they're non-stop.

nina

It seems that Apples airfares for that week are even higher than the commercial flights! Yikes!

Greenie

also check vacationexpress.com they also sell charter air only. We've taken them twice to cancun. They use Pace Airlines and they are pretty good

Patty

Unless there is a substantial difference in price, I would always go with a commercial airline over a charter. Charters are fine until mechanical problems arise. Often that particular plane is the only plane available and you will have to wait however long it takes for the problem to be resolved. I've encounterd this on a couple of charter flights. Commercial airlines have more resources at their disposal.

Nancy

Chazz,
Patty is right. Charter flights can be a disaster, and there's not back up to put you on another plane.
Use travelocity.com to get the lowest airfare and hotel rooms.
Just keep looking - it changes from week to week...

Rick

I myself like charters to fly to Mexico out of Minneapolis because of their lower cost and they usually are non stop. I've only once had a delay of 1 hour, out of approximately 2 dozen trips.

smitty63

I just booked an all inclusive deal at Gran Porto in Playa (6 days - 5 nts.) for $1800 total (airfare, hotel, AI, transfers, taxes, etc.) - 2 people through American Airlines Vacations.

This same package was $2700 last week - keep checking - they change (due to airfare) constantly

bb

Smitty, when are you going? We are looking for hotels in that area? Did you get a recommendation for that hotel or just find it online? Any tips for us to help in our search? Would it be a good place for a couple w/ 24 yr. old daughter around Christmas? Thanks.