Warm vacation in December - where to go without spending a fortune?

[Anonymous]

I’m applying to go back to work after 5 years off to care for my kids. We’d like to take a family vacation to somewhere warm sometime between Dec 19 - Jan 1. My kids love the beach and they love hiking. They also like experiencing different cultures.

Our requirement:
- Inexpensive (under $250/night unless all inclusive)
- As COVID-safe as possible
- Ocean/beachfront
- Clean
- Quiet

I was thinking that Hawaii might be the most Covid-safe warm vacation but hotels on Kauai all look pricey. Puerto Rico might be cheaper but maybe less strict about COVID protocols? My kids are both under 12 so they might not be vaccinated.

I love St. Augustine State Park in FL, but I’m guessing it’ll be too cold and way too high risk for COVID.

[Anonymous]

Hawaii is currently asking people to stay away, so I wouldn't go there.

I don't think "quiet/oceanfront/under $250 in peak season" are reasonable things to ask. But I'd explore the Gulf Coast of Mexico.

[Anonymous]

What Covid protocols are you looking for when you'll be spending 99.9% outdoors when not in your hotel room? We went to Puerto Rico pre-Covid, and all of our activities were outdoors and pretty much every restaurant already had outdoor seating options. The only time we were in enclosed spaces with others was when we were taking a shuttle to activities, and you could rent a car to avoid that. If you up your budget to $300-350 a night and only travel Monday-Friday, you could get a room at the La Concha, which will check off all of your boxes.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think you are going to find those rates at a decent hotels during peak Christmas season. Either up your budget or change your desire for a beach location. Also, since you’re budget-minded, have you looked at airfare? It’s really really high for that period.

[Anonymous]

Definitely check state department travel info first. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

[Anonymous]

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-puerto-rico

[Anonymous]

Here are some ideas in the Caribbean (prob stay away from the Dominican Republic and other places where covid is running wild). If you speak French, Marie Galante is supposed to be AMAZING!


https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15249962?check_in=2021-12-19&check_out=2021-12-26&guests=1&adults=2&children=3&s=67&unique_share_id=1129bca1-15d7-4571-a2c5-3ef7bb613040

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24160328?check_in=2021-12-19&check_out=2021-12-26&guests=1&adults=2&children=3&s=67&unique_share_id=110a7196-3ac4-4ce8-ae24-81b86e062d92

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/18044189?check_in=2021-12-19&check_out=2021-12-26&guests=1&adults=2&children=3&s=67&unique_share_id=f7fc5c19-5ef7-4ed0-a671-281d7192302f

Marie Galante (FWI)
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/18044189?check_in=2021-12-19&check_out=2021-12-26&guests=1&adults=2&children=3&s=67&unique_share_id=621d41e4-a457-45f1-8f9d-e6922fd25f62
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/46856424?check_in=2021-12-19&check_out=2021-12-26&guests=1&adults=2&children=3&s=67&unique_share_id=5830ec79-13ad-4219-a771-631f248afbcf

[Anonymous]

I think 5-11’s will be vaccinated by then.

[Anonymous]

Cartagena. Hotels are very reasonable. Exchange rate is high for USD, you get a lot for your money.

[Anonymous]

Turks added mandatory vaccination for adults, maybe worth a look since people are cancelling.

Look at Anguilla, lots of testing hoops but may be able to work the prices out due to cancellations.

We are going to Antigua in November. I would stay away from Florida, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica.

Look at Aruba, Puetro Rico, St Thomas, Bequia…

[Anonymous]

That window is probably the most expensive of the year to travel. I always look at trips to warm destinations over Christmas and then decide it's not worth it. I don't think there are bargains to be had.

If you are flexible and can go in late Nov, after Thanksgiving, or early Dec, you can do very well.