South Padre Island has temps averaging in the mid-50s to low-70s in February. Realize those are average temperatures, so you could see actual temperatures in the 40s or 50s during the day if it's really cold.

I humbly disagree with suze that it's virtually impossible right now to go to Hawaii from NYC in February for $1,800 for a week (or even for four days). Airfares alone will come to at least $800 that month, and that's if you buy the airfare right now. It's just completely unrealistic to think you could get by during the high season on that kind of a budget for a full week. I think the best you could hope for would be $1,500 for airfare plus hotel, not including anything else. If you want to spend that much money, then go for it. It will be a lovely trip. But bear in mind the real costs.

But I do think that since you live in NYC area you could swing something in the Caribbean for that kind of price if you follow the general thrust of suze's advice on how to keep costs down. That is quite possible and would allow you to spend a quiet, albeit frugal week in a warm place in the middle of high season.

If you can find a reasonable flight to Cancun, you can then take a ferry to Isla Mujeres. The beaches are fabulous and the island is safe and easy to explore. We love it!

<But bear in mind the real costs.>

<It's just completely unrealistic to think you could get by during the high season on that kind of a budget for a full week>

Well I just DID it, for 10 days, for under $1800. Granted not from NY but from Seattle & this person said they understand of course about the airfare being higher from back east.

Want to see my receipts, Doug?

I appreciate everyone's advice and Suze, I don't think that Doug was calling you a liar, I think he was looking at the cost difference of flights from NYC as opposed to Seattle. I've been looking and they've all been connecting not just once but at least twice and even then they've been pretty high, so while I believe you did it, I'm not sure it will work out for me in February.
AJ, I've been looking at Cancun and have been having similar problems with flights. Usually non-stop from NYC is pretty reasonable, but I'm getting only connecting so far. I think as it gets closer more flights will open up so we'll see. Thank you so much everyone. I'm still looking and I'll let you know what I end up doing.

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Or course I understand that flights from New York are longer and more expensive. And that the trip's I planned & took this year (Cabo in Feb and Waikiki in Nov) each for under $1000 air/hotel/transfers wouldn't work in February for you from NYC.

Although you were disappointed in that one particular resort in the Domican Republic, it does seem like finding a Caribbean island would be easiest for a warm & sunny do-nothing beach trip at that time of year.

wow i shouldn't type before having my coffee!
Of course
trips
Dominican Republic
:-)

How do you feel about Jamaica? That's my next up trip but I'm going to meet a group of friends. Have never been there solo.

Hey Suze, I've been looking at all the Caribbean trips and it must be a bad booking time because non stop flights are bringing packages up to $2000, no matter what island I pick. I'm going to wait a week or so and try again as flights are added. When I started looking a week or so ago, I was finding Caribbean AI's with flight for about $1300, so I'll wait it out. Thanks for your help. Jamaica is one I'd love to go to, but for some reason no matter when I try to book, I can never find a non-stop as part of a package. I'll keep trying.

What about going to Bermuda? You could even cruise there right out of NYC. Or go to Puerto Rico or wherever else Jet Blue flies direct. (I'm a skier so I don't know much about going to the Caribbean, sorry). Just skip South Padre-it's where kids go to get drunk during Spring Break!

For 2K what about a long weekend in Miami?

Unfortunately, there are no cruises to Bermuda in February. But if you want to go to a place that can be as cold as South Padre, Bermuda might actually not be a bad cheap choice from NYC in February. You can fly on JetBlue for cheap, and all the hotels are at their rock-bottom because it's the depth of the low season. Bermuda isn't a cheap destination, but if you get a self-catering accommodation, I think you could do four days there for your budget. It would be similar to what Suze experienced in Hawaii (and prices for food are actually fairly comparable).

A long weekend in Miami is probably doable as well, or you could save money and go to a place like Fort Meyers.

I think it depends how warm you're hoping to find it. If you really want suntanning, lay on the beach doing nothing weather, I think you need to be further south, than anyplace mainland US or Bermuda. One of the Caribbean islands or keep looking for a Cancun/Yucatan Mexico package.

Look in (Arthur Frommers) Budget Travel Magazine. They always have a feature '40 Top Picks' showing packaged travel deals, some usually islands/Mexico. Watch for the dreaded 'single supplement' in the pricing though.

Two suggestions on opposite coasts of Florida. On the east coast, 70 miles from Orlando airport is Melbourne Beach. A quiet beach community with local restaurants. Very pleasant spot away from the crowds. The hotels are Doubletree, Hilton, and Holiday Inn Crown Plaza listed by my preference.

On the west coast is Indian Rocks Beach, between Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Several restaurants in walking distance of the Holiday Inn. You can easily spend a week at Indian Rocks and not get in a car.

Thanks again everyone. I started looking towards Florida, specifically Marco Island. I was worried about the weather. Yes, I want suntanning all week. I priced Bermuda a few times and between the flights and hotels was getting very high prices. And now, I am going to look at Indian Rocks Beach. My family lived in Sarasota years ago and I remember it being beautiful. I'm just not sure February will be beach weather. Thanks again though everyone. Your suggestions are all being looked into and very much appreciated.

I don't think February is beach weather in Florida, not suntanning type weather anyways. You need to go further south imho.

DH and I took our son and his friend to Playa Del Carment for an inexpensive spring break two years ago. We stayed at Luna Blue, a modest, budget minded hotel a couple blocks from the beach with inexpensive restaurants nearby. I learned of it through it's many good reviews on Tripadvisor. Stop by the front desk each morning for a beach club pass(good for a free chair at the beach) and a beach towel. http://www.lunabluehotel.com/

That would be Playa Del Carmen!