Suggestions on destinations similar to Kauai north shore -- but closer to east coast
 

I think I may be asking for the impossible, but I'm wondering if any of you can suggest a vacation destination that is as lush, beautiful and peaceful as Kauai's north shore, but not such a long trip from the east coast.

Every place we've looked into either seems to be within guarded compounds, or guests are restricted from wandering because the local population is hostile, or there are drug wars, or kidnappings, or terrorists, and on and on. Sigh.

Your thoughts would be very welcome.

Costa Rica. Very tourist friendly and safe and only a 5 hour flight from the NE US. Try visiting the Osa Peninsula, a very remote area on the Pacific side of the country. You will be surrounded by foliage with scarlett macaws, monkeys etc. In fact, there are no roads in certain parts of the peninsula. I took a 15 min boat ride to get to my final destination - the La Paloma Lodge, a place I highly recommend looking into.

www.lapalomalodge.com

Thanks, kcapuani-- I've spent a few hours browsing the Fodors posts on Costa Rica and it sounds very inviting . . .

My husband and I also fell in love with Kauai. This year we didn't want the long flight-- spent a week in a private villa, with a private pool and hot tub on St. John. We loved it--the scenery is not quite as spectacular as the northshore of Kauai, but it is beautiful. We took a few hikes, relaxed and snorkeled at a different beach everyday, rented a dinghy one day, took a boat trip to the Baths, ate at some fun restaurants. It was an extremely romantic week.

Don't fight it.....go back to Kauai!!

LindainOhio: Thanks, I'll check it out

dfarr: LOL! This past Dec-Jan was our 5th stay on Kauai. Loved it each time and really hate to think we might not go back . . . but it's a LONG haul from Philly and maybe it's time to try something new.

I second Costa Rica. Went last summer and loved it.

NOTHING is like Kauai. PERIOD. However everyplace is it's own place and has it's own beauty. I travel ALOT and just when you think you have seen the most beautiful place on earth, the next spot is even more beautiful.
SEE IT ALL. Enjoy