Planning paradise in advance

August 3, 2008 7:16 AM

Searching for a beach destination in January for six adults (parents, children and significant others). We have many ideas, and would love the hive minds help narrowing them down or enlightening us on other paradise-like destinations.

Currently we're thinking about places like Tulum, other Mexico destinations, the Caribbean or the Florida Keys. We will likely only have 3 or 4 nights away, so it needs be somewhere easily fly-able from Texas/East Coast.

Wants:
Renting a house/villa/condo with three bedrooms. Does not need to be luxurious or have TV
Proximity to a beach
Outdoor activities (hiking, water sports)
Eats not solely meant for tourists
Activity/food options in walking distance
General feelings of blissful contentment with the universe

Don't Wants
The feeling of being completely ripped off by overpriced extras/food
Destinations for kids
Destinations for 20 year olds seeking tequila
Six flight/bus transfers
Requirement to rent a car for full trip
Pressure from hotel staff to do the limbo or drink a flaming cocktail
Perpetual anger at tanking American dollar

Neutral
All inclusives (only if they "feel worth it" - ie, awesome food choices, not blah hamburgers and chicken tenders)
Foreign languages - someone in the family can get by
Museums/historical sites - great but not required

Personal experience and insights would be great! This is our first true get-away as a family in years and we're very excited. We don't need to be constantly active (though we do have a perpetual "what's next"-er), but we likely won't be happy just sitting all day either.

posted by xaire to travel & transportation (6 comments total)

Puerto Vallarta

hillside villa just outside of town; your own swimming pool, etc. - so sorry I don't remember the name.
1. You CAN drink the water.
2. Accessible public transportation with plenty of nearby places for exploring
3. Top in-town restaurants that are not "too" touristy
4. Can bring a cook into your villa to cook for you -- a great treat and not too pricey.

A fun place with natural beauty abounding.
posted by peace_love_hope at 7:30 AM on August 3, 2008

I got married last month at the Paradisus Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and I would HIGHLY recommend it. Punta Cana is a tourist area on the east coast of the DR, but it doesn't feel crowded and "Americanized". We got flights from Louisiana for about $400, and you can get deals on the resort for well under $300/night. The resort is a 5-star all inclusive, but is not a huge high-rise type resort. The place feels like a tropical jungle with little bungalows spread throughout. The food was amazing and the drinks were strong and plentiful. I brought 26 friends and family members down for the wedding, and everyone from ages 4 to 60 had a great time. So much so, in fact, that everyone wants to plan a reunion trip in a few years.

If the Paradisus doesn't grab your eye, there are plenty of places in Punta Cana to choose from. It's an inexpensive and beautiful destination that I would return to in a heartbeat.
posted by tryniti at 8:53 AM on August 3, 2008

Anna Maria Island may fit the bill. There are vacation rentals, and it's beautiful there. Many other websites for this area, just Google it!
posted by 6:1 at 9:14 AM on August 3, 2008

2nd-ing Anna Maria Island.

We used to go there every year... and we lived in Florida.
posted by matty at 9:50 AM on August 3, 2008

I've recommended San Carlos, Sonora before. (Lots of info at link)
posted by carsonb at 10:35 AM on August 3, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Costa Rica or Dominican Republic won't break the bank and are pretty as well as relatively close.
posted by kirstk at 8:17 PM on August 3, 2008