Anywhere other than Florida?
 

Hello, my wife and I have been to Ft. Myers, FL over 3 times in the last few winters. We are wanting to try something new for our 5 year wedding anniversary.

We love to sit on the beach, so we need nice warm weather. Nights we just enjoy going out to eat and then watching sunsets.

Any suggestions? I have thought of South Car., Miss, Ariz., Texas....anywhere but Florida for a change. Thanks in advance for your help.

When? Winter can be a long stretch of time.

I assume you realize there are dozens of other Florida beaches besides Ft. Meyers. What about the keys? Totally different feel. But in answer to your original question, there is no place else in the US that will give you weather as warm as Fla. What about the Caribbean or Mexico?

Sorry....anytime from November to March.

Where would you recommend in the Flordia Keys?

The Keys aren't really known for their beaches but everything else would work. If I had a week I'd drive out from Miami. There are a lot of recent Keys posts on here that are very current. Could you provide some additional info ? The SW would also be worth considering.

We went to the Scottsdale Arizona area a few years ago and was I surprised. Did not do a lot of sunbathing and had to go buy some warmer clothes, especially for the evenings.

Although, we were in southern California last January and it was warmer in the mid-Atlantic than it was there. Maybe it is just my bad luck.

LOA, LvSun. I was in Florida last January and one day it was warmer in Kansas City.

How about Cozumel?

Keith

The only other beach in the continental US that is going to be warm November through March besides Florida would have to be South Padre Island, Texas. It is the only one far enough south.

Do you have to stay in the US?

No, don't have to stay in us, we could look at the Carribean or Mexico....where would you suggest?

hands down anywhere in the British Virgin Islands. A close secong would be St John. It would be cheap in November, btw.

What about Aruba? The island is beautiful and there a plenty of beaches. There is a lot to do, but you can also relax if you want to. The winter is high season for them. I think it is around 80 all year round.

I love the USA and really enjoy seeing different parts of it. However, for warm weather in the winter, ya gotta head closer to the equator.

Give us more info on what you like to do, price you want to spend, when you want to go (Christmas is expensive and books up quick), etc. and I am sure you will get a lot of great advice.

Also check out http://www.doitcaribbean.com/. It's a nice one-stop place to go to get a feel for the various islands.

Mexico - I have never been to Cancun or that part of Mexico so can't comment. My impression is that it is busier than the type of places we like to go.

Baha Pennisula of Mexico - In winter the water is COLD both on the Pacific and Sea of Cortez sides. However, if you will settle for a dip in the pool, Cabo has become a vacation hot-spot.

Have you considered Playa del Carmen/Tulum Mexico. There are many all inclusives as well as smaller hotels. Compared to other Caribbean destinations, Mexico is reasonable. Very pretty beaches, but they are popular so they will probably be crowded in some areas. My husband and I stayed at the Iberostar Quetzel for our honeymoom which was an all inclusive and we really enjoyed it.

IMO one can't find a better place to viist than Buenos Aires for great food, wines, museums, shopping, entertainment, and yes water but not really beaches. There are many parks you could sit in and just enjoy people watching and soak up their summer sun. The favorable exchange rate makes this city an even better bargain!

I would suggest the Abacos or Eluethera(spelling) in the Bahamas. St. Lucia and some of the Caribbean islands would be fine. I would not suggest the Carolina beaches.

there is no place else in the US that will give you weather as warm as Fla.

Oh, please..it is called HAWAII...get on a plane and GO there!

I've been all over the world and find my very favorite island and it's beaches to be St John in the US Virgin Islands. It's breathtakingly beautiful with its clear, blue water. The secluded beaches and coves are quiet and peaceful. If you want a bit more action, you can ferry over to St Thomas.

I'm with dukey on this one. Hawaii!

Mexico

Nov thru mid Dec is low season in Hawai'i so you can probably get a good price on airfare and lodging, and we have had wonderful weather there traveling at that time of year.

dont do hawaii unless you have at least 10 days its too far. the bvi are fantastic. yost van dyke was awesome. can only get there by boat from st thomas or tortola. deserted beaches, very romantic and relaxing. also puerto rico has some nice places, and is very convenient to get to. there is an island just off puerto rico, culebra, can only get there by ferry or small plane. has nice quiet beaches, is very rustic, no resorts or anything. the weather is always perfect.

Last year we went to Ixtapa & stayed at Las Brisas. The Amazing thing about this place is the beach is remarkable and private - no vendors, nobody other than hotel guests. Each day you could find us by the ocean with a cold Corona. We took the bus into Ziwat-caught a water taxi to the local beach (not Ixtapa Island!!) and found Franco at Otilia's (further down the beach but totally worth the walk). Cold Corona's, snorkled all day, ate amazing food, got a message, all for under $50.00 that day. Can't go this year so we will hit SPI - but next year it's back to see Franco! Signed 35 below today in Wis.

Puerto Vallarta Mexico
any Hawaiian island
US Virgin Islands

If you don't mind the $$ and flight time, go to Hawaii and chalk it up to five year anniversary. Should be a totally different experience than Florida.

I vote for Aruba. Stay on Palm Beach in either the Hyatt or the Radisson. Both have great pools and wonderful beach access. Restaurants are all pretty reasonable. Weather is always great.

FL beaches are not too cold in the winter. I assume you must live way north to want to come to a warm beach in the winter. If so you should appreciate warm southern weather in the winter. You won't like the water temperature but you should like the beach and souther weather. A lot of Canadians do.

During the time that you have mentioned we have in the past experienced the following - Florida, South Padre, Arizona South Carolina- no promise of heat - that being said - the islands in the Caribbean are always warm, have beautiful sunsets and then you are down to choosing beaches. We have been to several islands but I am hooked on St Martin- it is a bit of Europe with warm beaches and is also very user friendly - French and Dutch and not too big. We have stayed on both sides and go back almost every year - in the winter spring or summer. The others mentioned are great too. The food in St Martin cannot be beat. There is something for everyone. Depending on where you live - it may be more accessible than Hawaii and if you are still thinking about Hawaii next week let me know- I am hearing that it is warm but it is also their rainy season when you want to be there and and from what I am reading the water is cooler too. We leave on Friday for Oahu. Hope it does not rain and that the water is warm - am anxious to do some snorkeling!

The Mexican Riviera may be what you want. Beautiful beaches, great food, inexpensive. Check out locogringo.com