I am looking for some advice on where to travel with my best friends (4). We are in our mid twenties, college grads, working professionals, single... looking to escape the everyday routine and relax on the beach.
We are traveling from Boston and are looking to get somewhere warm, late January. I was thinking a short trip, Wed-Sunday that doesn't require too much travel (i.e. too many connecting flights/long drives)... maybe somewhere in FL or the Caribbean?
What I'm looking for:
BEACH AND SUN... and that's about it. We've all done the crazy spring break trips... so we are not necessarily looking for a huge party destination; obviously a night out and a few drinks will be on the itinerary... but not priority. This trip is going to be all about relaxing! Also, something economical for ladies with school loans to pay back!

Suggestions and ideas, please!

Southern Gulf Coast of Florida, St Pete Beach or Pass-A- Grille. Rent a cottage or little beach house.

San Juan, Puerto Rico. Lots of lovely hotels with pools, cheap using priceline.com to bid. Just make sure it is close to bus line or restaurants, etc. unless you want to rent a car.

A cheap 3/4 day cruise from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale: every thing included, nice pools, etc.
Check out what is available on vacationstogo.com 90 day sticker.

My favorite place is St. Barts. Not many tourists. I've been there several times.

From Boston, it's through Miami to St. Maarten. From there a puddle jumper to St. Barts. The puddle jumper eliminates a huge amount of tourists.

Peace, lots of sun and good restaurants.

You ask for someplace tropical and "inexpensive" and "economical" (both very nebulous terms without a point of reference) in January - that's somewhat of an oxymoron. To be of any help you have to define what "inexpensive" means to you.

Regardless of your budget you should know that anyplace "tropical" will be more costly in January than it will be in mid-summer. So, give us you actual dollar budget other wise we are just guessing how much you are willing to spend for your trip.

Some of the more moderately priced "tropical" destinations tend to be the Dominican Republic, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Belize and Roatan.

Can you get a nonstop from Boston to MontegoBay Jamaica? then you could head to Negril (gorgeous 7-mile beach with all kinds of lodging options varying prices).

Thanks for all of the feedback! I am a first time poster and quite frankly an inexperienced traveler; I wasn't sure what to write/expect in response... but some of the places that have been suggested are giving me a great spot to start planning from! I was most simply looking for a way to narrow down the list of endless places to visit. Sorry for the lack of details and please excuse my use of an oxymoron, so silly of me. Thanks for the great tip @roamsaround...

We are looking to spend between $800-1200ea for airfare and hotel for 4 nights (just beaches and warm weather! maybe 'tropical' wasn't the correct word to use). Sorry if this seems like a tall order, I honestly wouldn't know!

Since you are 4 people going together, and it's a very short trip (4 nights), it might be worth check travel packages. Get a copy of Budget Travel magazine and look at the ads. There are All-Inclusives in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic that might fit what you're looking for and your budget.

Look at onestopnegril.com to see what Negril Jamaica's all about. Check out someplace like White Sands (not AI) a reasonable hotel right on the beach there.

Check out the major US airlines(United,Delta,American,Southwest) and their special combo travel packages.