Cheap holidat getaway for Christmas holidays?
September 18, 2011 9:22 PM Subscribe
Cheap Christmas getaway. Is an all-inclusive Mexico type thing our best bet, or is there somewhere local (Toronto area) we can drive to?
Boyfriend and I have decided against a major Christmas break trip as we are both trying to save money. However, we do want to go away for a few days without breaking the bank. We are in the Toronto area. Is some sort of all-inclusive Mexico-type thing a good deal if we book it now, or is there somewhere local (1-4 hour drive) where we could have an affordable but good experience?
We recently went to Niagara Falls for two days, and it was right up our alley (cool hotel room, places to walk, a few touristy things, lots to do) but not really very budget-friendly. I feel like for what we spent on that, an all-inclusive resort type deal might have been cheaper. But I have not been on many trips and don't really know what the options are. Ideas?
Boyfriend and I have decided against a major Christmas break trip as we are both trying to save money. However, we do want to go away for a few days without breaking the bank. We are in the Toronto area. Is some sort of all-inclusive Mexico-type thing a good deal if we book it now, or is there somewhere local (1-4 hour drive) where we could have an affordable but good experience?
We recently went to Niagara Falls for two days, and it was right up our alley (cool hotel room, places to walk, a few touristy things, lots to do) but not really very budget-friendly. I feel like for what we spent on that, an all-inclusive resort type deal might have been cheaper. But I have not been on many trips and don't really know what the options are. Ideas?
Depending on the type of traveller you are, the Mexican all-inclusive can be either a good or a bad bet. I didn't care for it. Meals were scheduled and not that good, the place itself was far away from anything of note, and the beer and drinks were pretty bad.
If you have a working knowledge of Spanish, you could probably do much better for yourself than an all-inclusive. When I went down, I ended up paying the equivalent of about 50 cents for a bus ride, when a cab ride (which the resort recommended) would have cost me about 5 bucks.
And don't even get me started on the add-ons. There are lots and lots of exciting adventures that you can participate in, for an additional fee. Everyone seems to take at least one or two of those, but I'm a cheapskate, and was not going to pay to be driven to a rainforest.
posted by Gilbert at 10:01 PM on September 18, 2011
If you have a working knowledge of Spanish, you could probably do much better for yourself than an all-inclusive. When I went down, I ended up paying the equivalent of about 50 cents for a bus ride, when a cab ride (which the resort recommended) would have cost me about 5 bucks.
And don't even get me started on the add-ons. There are lots and lots of exciting adventures that you can participate in, for an additional fee. Everyone seems to take at least one or two of those, but I'm a cheapskate, and was not going to pay to be driven to a rainforest.
posted by Gilbert at 10:01 PM on September 18, 2011
There are some really cheap Cuban all inclusives. Doing anything that involves leaving the hotel will cost a fair bit more, too. You basically drink, eat at pretty decent (but not opulent) buffets, and go to the beach. Tipping is expected and will bulk out your budget a fair bit. There are a few askmes about Cuba vacations worth reading.
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:18 PM on September 18, 2011
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:18 PM on September 18, 2011
A few years ago, I went to a resort in the Bahamas near Port Lucaya for 5 nights. It was not all inclusive. With airfare, hotel and food and drinks it came up to 1000 USD. I was lucky enough to win 600 at the casino down there which opened up a lot of other tours and activities.
The most fun I had was when I was snorkeling out on the reef. Later I met up with someone at our resort that talked a local into towing us behind his boat so we could go spear fishing. Locals are great, drinks are a little pricey if you don't like rum. and food isn't that more expensive if you were in Florida.
If you fly to Miami, you can also take a cruise to the island, which is cheaper but it takes about four hours to get there. They zig zag to make the trip slower giving passengers more time to take advantage of the duty free shop.
The locals speak English, but you have to listen carefully to what they're saying to understand. You can be taken advantage of but, it's a small island that works very hard to cater to tourists. I would do it again.
posted by Bridymurphy at 5:34 AM on September 19, 2011
The most fun I had was when I was snorkeling out on the reef. Later I met up with someone at our resort that talked a local into towing us behind his boat so we could go spear fishing. Locals are great, drinks are a little pricey if you don't like rum. and food isn't that more expensive if you were in Florida.
If you fly to Miami, you can also take a cruise to the island, which is cheaper but it takes about four hours to get there. They zig zag to make the trip slower giving passengers more time to take advantage of the duty free shop.
The locals speak English, but you have to listen carefully to what they're saying to understand. You can be taken advantage of but, it's a small island that works very hard to cater to tourists. I would do it again.
posted by Bridymurphy at 5:34 AM on September 19, 2011
Some friends did the Mexico all-inclusive type vacation last year and loved it so much they went again this year. Their interests were primarily lounging around the beach and pool, and boozing. Maybe got a massage or two, that kind of thing. I'm not sure if they left the resort or not. If your interest in a vacation is similar, with a focus on relaxation rather than activity, you'll probably have a nice time. But if you're primarily interested in exploring, seeing and experiencing new things, you'd be better served with a different type of vacation.
posted by 6550 at 6:52 AM on September 19, 2011
posted by 6550 at 6:52 AM on September 19, 2011
Cuba would be your cheapest option for getting away, as bonobo says-- cheaper than going anywhere local in Ontario, which doesn't make much sense but that's the way it is. Travelling around Christmas is a bit stressful, with airports very busy, flights full to capacity, and resorts operating in high season mode. I went to Cuba last Christmas. It was okay. If you don't like the idea of a beach holiday, you could try going to the city of Havana, staying in a hotel there. I booked my trip through www.tripcentral.ca- the advantage that site being that they always include the tax in the cost that they show (instead of leaving it as a fine print add-on figure they show later) and also that their grid format is easy to read. Last year, I found that the prices quoted drop as you get closer to the date, so what they're showing now for Christmas packages is likely to drop if you wait to book closer to the holiday.
posted by Paquda at 7:47 AM on September 19, 2011
posted by Paquda at 7:47 AM on September 19, 2011
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posted by demiurge at 9:51 PM on September 18, 2011