Looking to spend next January in the sun, but as we hope to be away for the whole month, we need to go somewhere that will be relatively cheap when we get there.Don't really do lying around a beach. Any suggestions welcome.

Mexico! Puerto Vallarta, Colima, and Guadalajara area. Or maybe the Baja. There's more to even the coastal destinations than laying around on the beach all day.

I haven't been myself---but I'm looking into heading to Buenos Aires in January or February next year. It's warm--really warm--and I don't really mind humidity. You should be able to rent an apartment there for relatively little.

Buenos Aires had come to mind but I thought the hotel accommodation would be pricey. Never considered the apartment.
Thanks!

I went to Buenos Aires last January and loved it. The temps were between 80-97 F everyday;the dollar went further than Europe and the food and wine is fabulous!

If you decide to go, there is a wonderful outdoor market on Sundays by the Recolleta(sp?) cemetary area when Evita is buried-food,fun,beautiful crafts,etc.Its quite big and has a great atmosphere.

Thursdays at around 3pm by Plaza de Mayo is a wonderful tribute to love by the "white scarfed mothers" in the square. Their children and loved ones were taken secretly in the night in the 70's by the military/secret police and never seen again-some dropped out of planes out in the ocean. A group of mothers started this protest in front of the presidential house for over 35 years. It is quite moving to see these little old ladies and others who support them protesting the government and what happened to their children. Each mother embroiders their loved ones name on their scarf. It lasts about an hour.

Another place to go in Buenos Aires-go to the Boca Stadium area and go on the tour to understand this "religion" of Argentina. I am not really into soccer and loved the tour and museum. There are some wonderful restaurants around the area too. Great steaks and Melbac wine! Have fun-

I agree with BA! What I remember well are those great steaks,wonderful sliced platefuls of tomatoes, and the wonderful Inca music, especially the street performers.

We rented an apartment on the beach on the Algarve (Portugal) one winter had had a wonderful time exploring the little towns and villages near (go to Sargres) and then coming home to our little space. Don't know how this breaks down now with the Euro vs. the dollar, but it was wonderful. I can find the data on this apartment if you are interested...

How about Costa Rica?
We were there about 10 years ago for 2 weeks and loved the combination of beaches, exploration and eco-parks.
Those were our pre-retirement years, but we met folks there who were retired and came down regularly in the winter.
Cost of living then was very low - maybe still is.
Not a terribly long flight either.

hi caryl,

how about South africa?

when we were there last July, everyone kept telling us how great the weather is in January!

there's loads to do, and the rand is doing even worse than the U$. so you'll find it cheap.

have a great trip,

regards, ann

We were in Thailand and Cambodia this year for Dec/Jan and the weather was great! Prices were good too.

Ooo...I love BA! Cheap and charming. But the airfare there is often painfully expensive.

If you do opt to go, don't miss the Caminito area, which is right near the Boca stadium. It's one of the purported birthplaces of the Tango.

Or, you can head over to Belize and Costa Rica for some ecotourism (aka: visit a cloud/rain forest). It can be quite interesting, plenty of sun (bring massive amounts of sunscreen), and relatively cheap. Plus, if you need a beach, one is not too far away.