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$2000 to spend on a vacation..
DH announced that it's time for us to go on a real vacation alone- the first we've been on since our AI Riviera Maya honeymoon 7 years ago. We're looking to spend about $2K- not more than $3K. DH wants to do Hawaii (neither of us have been there). I'm skeptical because after airfare (close to $2K for both of us from the midwest) it seems like we wouldn't have much money left over to spend on a hotel or food. I'm looking to do something a bit more exotic- is it possible to go somewhere out of the country for under $1000 (air) and $1000 (5 nights hotel + food)? We'd like to avoid Cancun and cruises, although a cruise might be most economical. We've done one family cruise and were sortof lukewarm about it. I'm thinking of other places in Mexico, or Central America... if we have to stay in the US perhaps Key West or Miami. We go to California pretty regularly to visit family so that's out. WWYD?
Re: $2000 to spend on a vacation..
What airport would you be flying out of?
I would look to the Caribbean. If you belong to a warehouse club, I would look at their vacation specials. I would think of going during the summer months when rates are cheaper. Fi and I loved Turks and Caicos.
Where are you located?
H and I are going to Puerto Rico next month for 4 nights for under 1200- and we didn't really price shop for the best price on a hotel, but got a good deal on airfare (roundtrip, nonstop from BWI to San Juan for just about 350 a person, maybe a little less.) If you shopped for a better deal on a hotel I'm sure you could find someplace cheaper than ours and then you'd have money leftover for food, excursions, etc.
Minneapolis- and you're right, this all began when we got our Costco ad this month and DH was all over the Hawaii specials.. I just looked up T&C and it would be 12 hours of flying and $734 pp for the flight... I think this is why we chose Cancun/RM for our honeymoon- it had the shortest flight of the Caribbean/Mexico.
I know they get mentioned a lot, but for your circumstance and budget, I might recommend an all-inclusive in either the Caribbean or Mexico. All your food and beverage would be included, so that's a huge save. Plus, I know you can get airfare packages with AI's. I would definitely shop around though. A lot of people think "Sandals" when you say AI but I have found them to be overpriced. I've heard lots of good things about other AI chains, such as RIU and Dreams. A good friend also HMed at a Couples resort in Jamaica and spoke highly of it.
I think if you go this route, you could swing it for around $2000 total (excursions would be extra but are optional).
I've done Hawaii twice in the past 2 years and both times it was closer to $5k for 6-10 days of sightseeing, hotel, air, etc (although we flew out of Toronto, so flights were closer to 1000 pp roundtrip). Its very expensive even on a budget - keep in mind that almost EVERYTHING is imported, so food & everything I found to be 2x the price as the mainland US. I'm just not sure you could really do Hawaii for 2-3K.
I would recommend:
1) Puerto Rico - you could easily do either an AI or hotel & air and food for $2k total for the week, and have a bit of $ for tours, excursions, etc.
2) St.Lucia - ditto.
3) Costa Rica (haven't been, but we are looking to go and it seems to fall into your budget and looks fantastic).
All three are considerably more affordable and still interesting places to vacation.
Given your budget, I would look into Central America. I am not sure what flight prices would be from Minneapolis, but you can get relatively cheap accomodations and food in most places if you do your research. PPs already mentioned Costa Rica, but you could also check out Panama, Nicaragua, Belize...
Baby248 - ETA 1/10/13
As some others have mentioned, definitely look into Costa Rica or Belize. Actually, I know you mentioned avoiding the cruises but I believe you could cruise out of Galveston or New Orleans and visit both Costa Rica, Belize, and Cozumel within that price range.
However- avoiding cruises in the budget is easy too depending on what time of year you are going. As others have already said, you can fly to either Jamaica or the Bahamas on that budget and really enjoy yourself! From what I hear they are both beautiful! GL!
Caden Reese - 8/1/06
Mackenzie Jo - 10/9/09