trip for under $2500

[eks6426]

I am posting this in this forum because brides are often into researching trips---I know i was just one in July. My husband and I are looking to take a first anniversary trip next summer and are looking for suggestions.

My husband and I are looking for a beach vacation in late June/early July for under $2500 for a week including food but not airfare. This is our wishlist:

1. Great beach for swimming/snorkeling--we are not great snorklers just need to be able to look at a few fish while swimming out from the beach.
2. Adults-only atmosphere where we can shed clothing & inhibitions privately...but not like Hedonism.
3. Cottage/boutique type accomodiations rather than high rise hotel.
4. Safe location...do not like to be approached by locals who sell things.
5. We are not into the large all inclusives..no Sandals, Couples or the large resorts south of Cancun

We went to Petit St Vincent in the Grenadines for our honeymoon and though it was perfect. So something similar (and slightly cheaper) would be great.

Any ideas hugely appreciated. Thank you!

 

[lmurden]

Costa Rica!!!
TheNorthern Guanacaste Coast

Places to stay at Grand Papagayo by Occidental, Liberia; Allegro Papagayo by Occidental, Nicoy; and
Fiesta Premier Resort & Spa, Playa Hermosa. Book the trip through Deltavacations.com. Go to tripadvor.com to get some ideas.

We are considering scraping Paris for Costa Rica for our honeymoon.

 

[elepri]

We went to Vieques a couple of years ago and it was amazing. It''s not very developed yet so no high rises and you pretty much have the entire beach to yourself. You might want to hurry though, i hear it''s starting to get developed now.

 

[Hunali]

Playa del Carmen in mexico is REALLY nice. It's about an hour south of cancun. It's more secluded, quieter, and newer than cancun. I loved it! The resorts are great there too. They're mostly all-inclusive. That trip would definitely run less than 2500 and that's including airfare!

The Bahamas is cheaper than the other carribbean islands, and it also has pretty water for snorkeling. It's also doable for less than 2500 for both of you.

Perhaps Hawaii might also be a good option if it's off season.

Have you considered a cruise to the carribbean? You can go to beaches at your ports. You can get either an oceanview room or a room with a balcony for the 2500, but you would have to pay for airfare.

Puerta Plata in the Dominican Republic is usually very reasonable with all inclusives. And it's nice there too. But the water isn't as pretty as in mexico and the carribbean.

In general, 2500 is plenty to get you a VERY nice vacation!

 

[ChargerGrrl]

How about Belize? They have the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world. Talk about amazing snorkeling/diving!

 

[MINE!!]

What about Bonaire?

 

[MINE!!]

Colorful, unpretentious, and fun- the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino is the perfect base for vacationers drawn to the sleepy island of Bonaire and world-class Caribbean scuba diving.

Spacious oceanfront and gardenview guestrooms and suites are gaily decorated in bright, tropical colors. Private balconies overlook the Caribbean Sea and invite guests to relax after a day of diving.

The Divi Flamingo Beach Resort offers Divi Dive Bonaire- a PADI five star dive operation with custom dive boats, equipment, and an experienced dive crew.

Bout 135.00 a night... restaurants ALL around and fod is amazing.. it is a little secluded island.. away from EVERYTHING!! and people are wonderfuL!!!

 

[MINE!!]

another of Kiwi Bonaire

 

[MINE!!]

mmmmm

 

[MINE!!]

How about harbor Village in Bonaire...
http://www.harbourvillage.com/html04/lazydays.html

 

[MINE!!]

Here is Bonaire''s wesbite... check it out..

http://www.geographia.com/bonaire/

 

[jcrow]

mine- is this where you went????

 

[MINE!!]

LOL... no Honeymoon for me... past travels...

Loved Bonaire... Loved Turks and Caicos.... Loved LOVED LOVED!! St. Lucia's Anse Chastanet.... and really want to go to Sandals Whitehouse on south side of Jamacia.

You really want some eye candy.. ahhh check out anse chastanet!!
http://www.ansechastanet.com
But for under 2500.. I think that Bonaire and MAYBE Whitehouse... for a shorter trip

 

[codex57]

How about a cruise?

 

[eks6426]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Mata--I never considered Bonaire before. We will check it out. Also, I''d love Anse Chastenat, but it is out of the budget this trip. Turks &Caicos also look great--just expensive.

Costa Rica & Belize are a possibility. So is Mexico south of Cancun. Specifically, I am interested in the Tulum area which is below most of the all inclusives. I''m not into the big resort complexes. If anyone has specific hotel recommendations in Costa Rica, Belize or Tulum Mexico please share! We''re looking for our own little cottage/bungalow rather than a room in a hotel. It can be a bungalow style hotel......

Crusing is fun, but it''s not private. We will take our kids with us when we cruise since there is always something for everyone!

 

[ChargerGrrl]

I wish I had specific/personal info on Belize, it's somewhere I've always wanted to go!
I went to the Fine Living website, and found a ton of info after doing a search for 'Belize'. Check out these "Honeymoon Hideaways": http://www.fineliving.com/fine/adventure_selects/text/0,,FINE_8069_19946,00.html
Turtle Inn looks like a dream!