Message: Any help is greatly appreciated! My husband and I are looking forward to a romantic getaway this summer. We would like beach side accomodations in a rich cultural environment. We would like to sit poolside and beachside, eat good sea food, enjoy a day or two of sightseeing, and get away from it all. We would like to be able to party and yet get away from the hoopla if desired. My husband hates crowds but will tolerate them if there is an escape. We are looking at going sometime in early summer. Please help!

Have you decided on a country or region that you wish to visit? <BR> <BR>The Mexican beach resort areas will be very hot and humid in the summer as will the Caribbean. There are several Beach resort areas in Mexico that will meet your expectations but the weather will not be very pleasant.

There is another choice. If you are looking for a hidden beach, I can recommend you one in Venezuela. I have just rerurned from there. Playa Medina is one of the most picturesque beaches. There is a small posada. There are no tourists, as this beach is not so famous.

Try Isla Mujeres - Beautiful beaches, good food, you can have a party or solitude there.

Isla Mujeres is great --we spend an month a year there. However you have to be part lizard to survive in Mexico in the summer months. <BR>Don't know where you live but our personal suggestions would be western US or Canada. <BR>The US Alps is a home base in Ouray Colorado and spread out from there or even better is Radium Hot Springs <BR> as a base to do Canadian Rockies--the ultimate mountain tour. Either place would satisfy your husbands needs for a not to touristy place next to great places to vist. If you want to do Isla Mujeres in decent weather (Nov-Apr) we have a 15 page travel document on the Island which we will e-mail at your request <BR>dan and ginny

Bocas del Toro in Panama. Caribbean setting, nightlife only in some areas, and all sorts of beaches you like: deserted, crowded, with waves, like lakes, you name it.

Try Mexico's Tenacatita Bay area: www.choice1.com/villamontana.htm

Look into Majahuitas Resort located about 22 miles south of Puerto Vallarta. Great food, romantic getaway, beautiful surroundings. They're located at www.mexicanbeachresort.com <BR> <BR>Richard

It will be hot but I beleive Playa del Carmen will meet your expectations. <BR>Visit: www.playadelcarmenvacation.com

Try www.laparios.com #2 on Conde Nast's list of top 15 small hotels in the Caribbean & Latin America. <BR>

Definitely Huatulco. It meets all your criteria. Clean, laid-back lots of tours and activities. June and July are low season so there will be no crowds. Check out www.aguaazullavilla.com

Can I suggest Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica? This area has everything, luxurious resorts, mid-range hotels and resorts and cabins. In addition we have <BR>plenty of nightlife in Quepos and out at Manuel Antonio Beach. The party goes on allnight, but in the mean time you are near one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, have rainforest, mangrove, tons of animals..We are famous for the quality of seafood as this once was a fishing village only,before tourism got it's start. The fish and seafood are generally among the finest in the world. <BR>This is called the "Riviera" of Costa Rica , based on the fact that there is not a single hotel over 60 rooms, all are small, mostly owner-run, have all the amenities that international travelers are acustomed to and we are both at the beach and in the rainforest! <BR> <BR>Whatver you decide, have a great vacation! <BR>Robbie

Sounds like Placencia in Belize might be what you're looking for. Smaller more intimate beachfront inns, great snorkeling, diving and fishing on the reef, day trips to the ruins in the Mayan villages nearby, boat trips up jungle rivers to see howler monkeys, manatees, crocs and waterbirds, guided hiking in the Jaguar preserve and there is a Creole and Garifuna fishing village on the peninsula. <BR> <BR>Katie Valk <BR>Belize

Dear Amanda, <BR> <BR>Please visit the web sites listed below for the vacation experience you describe. Casa Tropical located in Tankah, near Tulum Mexico, is the place for sun and solitude. <BR> <BR>Casa Tropical Tankah, is a romantic, beachfront villa, located on 1/2 acre with 82' ocean frontage, Tankah, Mexico. We are a 1 hour drive south of the Cancun airport, 3 miles north of the famous Tulum ruins. We have great views with barrier reef just offshore, and a cenote up the beach for diving, snorkeling or swimming, jungle style. <BR> <BR>Our villa's great location is within driving distance to many places of interest... Playa del Carmen (you take the boat to Cozumel from there) Xel-ha, Tulum and Coba ruins, and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve starts just south of the Tulum ruins. You can also drive to several other major archeological sites for a day trip. We have wonderful cenotes to swim, snorkel or dive in and the beaches are great. Check our web sites for pictures, info and links. <BR> <BR>Carole <BR>Casa Tropical <BR>http://CasaTropical.com <BR>http://sites.netscape.net/tankah3g/casatropical <BR> <BR>

buzos brasil

I agree that Bocas del Toro in Panama is a great place, but not for what Amanda wants! You won't be lounging poolside, and there is no sightseeing on that tiny island. There are beautiful beaches that you can access by boat, then with a hike through the rainforest and you'll feel you've landed on Gilligan's Island. but there are no hotels of any note, and no poolside lounging, and certainly no partying.You WILL relax, as there is little to do there. Certainly not a &quot;rich cultural environment&quot;. The area is being developed, however, and that may change. But for now, i'd urge amanda to look elsewhere!

Well, Spano, since Amanda posted her message in 2000, I think she has long since found her vacation spot.

Marek. If you can give me more details on Playa Medina, Venezuela I'd appreciate it.
Thanls