OT- Christmas Vacation Destinations
I need some input and haven't been satisfied with the digging I've done online. I am looking to book a 5 day vacation for the Christmas holidays with my gf. I want to go somewhere warm and tropical, and am between Belize, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica.
I think we'd ideally like to stay somewhere with clear beaches at a good resort. If possible, I'd like to stay someplace where there is something to do for a day trip around the resort/town. Of the spots above, has anyone ever been? Anyone know what's the best bargain? I have tried a travel agent but she wasn't really much help.
I haven't ever visited anywhere in the area, so all tips are appreciated.
would either go to Belize or Belize. Both are very nice.
Belize Navidad
You better Belize it!
Belize it or not geeeeooorge isn’t at home please leave a messaaaage at the beep....
Belize stop this nonsense and let's get back to talking football.
To DR and Jamaica. I liked Jamaica better. Try looking on costcotravel.com for good deals if your a member.
Thanks, will do.
hit Cozumel, Belize and Roatan or Cozumel, Jamaica and the Caymens - my kids works on cruise ships and has worked those routes before
Cruises are under rated. There is at least one that hits Cuba this year too. Bit expensive compared to normal that week though.
I randomly decided to take a cruise with my wife in 2013 and then became obsessed with them. My first one went to Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel. There is a lot of info out there, but the key is to get a balcony and you're set.
I can't help you as I will be stuck at 18 family get togethers at my mother in law's.
You'd think I'd stop getting invited after I killed her daughter and all.
I thought it was the one-armed man!!!!
Dude. I have to go to one at my mother in laws each Christmas and I nearly assasinate myself with a hangman’s noose made of Christmas Lights. May God have mercy on you for going to multiple events there....unless that is.. you enjoy it. If that’s the case, I’m happy for you.
....and you knew this before you married her or was this another one of those post-marriage surprises???
I always just wait to see where the bowl game is and convince my wife how great it would be to go there for a few days.
...Christmas celebrating the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl.
ought to be nice and toasty that time of year.
Go old school.
Drive out to the country, get your own tree...
Put up some lights and invite family over to enjoy them...
Oh my god, you're putting in a pool....
"I know that Eddie"
That ain't the friggin Christmas star, Griswold. It's a light on the sewage treatment plant.
WHere are you gonna put that tree?
Why don't you bend over and I'll show ya?
You gotta lot of nerve talking to me like that.
I wasn't talking to you
Aruba >>> Jamaica
and it's not even close.
Aruba >>> any other caribbean island.
I really like Aruba which I have visited twice. I have also been to Cuba (incredible beaches), Curacao (nice water, good but beaches full of shells), Barbados, St Kitts, Puerto Rico, the DR, and St Maarten.
When I was in Aruba, someone told me if you really like this place's beaches, you need to go to Anguilla. Was he right. Anguilla has the clearest, bluest water beaches of anywhere in the Caribbean. You fly to St Maarten and take the ferry over from there.
So if you want quiet, not a lot of activity, but gourmet food and the best beaches anywhere, head to Anguilla. It's a well kept secret among the jet set who fly in on their private jets. If you like really nice beaches, with lots of other things to do, and an "Americanized"/ non third world experience, go to Aruba.
As for the Pacific, Moorea in Tahiti is super nice, but pricey. Cook Islands (Rarotonga) is very nice too, at about 1/4 the cost.
Very informative, thanks
Customs is a breeze there compared to other countries, the US even has their own terminal.
It's much dryer and more comfortable than Jamaica. I'd compare it to Arizona heat. I never sweated and it was 90 and sunny the whole time. It's naturally a desert island.
Also, since its a desert island, they don't have fresh water. They have to desalinate everything, which means you shouldn't get sick.
If you're going all-inclusive route, Divi resorts does a 1/2 off deal on Cyber Monday.
....speaking of breezes, there is always a cool wind blowing so even when it is in the 90s+, it does not feel as bad as other tropical places.
....speaking of breezes, there is always a cool wind blowing so even when it is in the 90s+, it does not feel as bad as other tropical places.
Is great if you want to get incredibly sick at the end of your trip
Not a huge DR fan but that's based on only one bad experience.
You're traveling during a very popular part of the year, so definitely look at sites like Costcotravel.com if you're a member of Costco (I believe that Sam's Club has something similar). AAA Travel is also good for member discounts. There aren't usually many bargains over the holiday period, I'm afraid.
I would also compare the room rates at resorts against sites like Airbnb and VRBO. No, you're probably not going to be at a full-service resort, but the property you rent can be as nice as any hotel room (often better); it's definitely possible to find bargains, even over the holidays; and the amenities at condo developments or some rental homes are as good as you'll find at a high-end resort.
To your list of possible travel destinations, I would add Costa Rica and Panama. Both countries are exceptional.
This is helpful, thanks.
I would charter a yacht and definitely checkout St Barts
Cuba. It will get more touristy as time goes by (and you have kids and end up in Cancun).
Not Cuba. People forget that traveling there helps maintain a dictatorship afloat.
here so who are we to throw stones?
I have never understood why it's ok to go to China but Cuba is off limits.
The way I usually view it is - if a country is making positive strides then I want to support it (which may no longer be the case with China right now... or most of the world for that matter... sigh). As Venezuelan, I even stopped going back there 12 years ago.
Do something outside the box, go to Bali. Airfare might be 'expensive' but once you get there, everything is cheap, safe and beautiful.
I went last fall and it was simply the best place I've ever visted.
get there. Like a 13 hour flight to Seoul, then another 6 hour flight to Bali. And then you do it again coming back. With only 5 days, I'd look closer.
It's actually not horrible. Yes, 15 hours from NYC (for me) to Hong Kong and then another 4.5 from Hong Kong to Bali but they were surprisngly easy flights and on the way back getting the 12 hours back is nice. But you're right, too much for five days, didn't see five in the OP.
and done connections to Guam, Honk Komg, or Singapore a half dozen times as well.
That is one bitch of a trip and the jet lag is horrible. Love Asia but would never go for five days unless someone put a gun to my head.
Agree Bali is nice, but not for a 5 day trip. Lots of places in SE Asia that are awesome. But I recommend a MINIMUM of 11 days. 2 are lost to travel. 2 more to jet lag. But so worth the visit. Vietnam , Thailand and Cambodia top my list.
Yeah, I agree, five is too little. Always wanted to go to Thailand and Camodia and just explore, both look amazing.
Jet lag on my trip to/from Bali was almost non existant though. I think because of how we planned out our sleeping paterns on the flights to Hong Kong as well as the 12 hour time difference.
Depends on the person too I think. For me, my jet lag is usually much worse if I didn't sleep well before traveling. Like if I only got a couple hours of sleep because of packing and an early flight. I can't sleep on planes.