How much did your vacation cost you?

[Anonymous]

I work from 7 am until 11:pm and still take care of my husband, child and house. We don't earn much but Ive been saving money for a really nice beach vacation. I want to keep it reasonable though. I'm thinking of going to Mexico or Costa Rico. Can you please give me tips on how to plan a great vacation on a budget please with my husband and child? TIA

[Anonymous]

The least expensive from DC area is going to be Dulles straight-shot to Cancun. It is 3 hrs. 20 minutes and you can find very reasonable rates, I'd say $250-$350-ish for a ticket. Do NOT stay in Cancun - pick a hotel in your price range in Riviera Maya or Playa del Carmen areas. These areas are much more charming and beautiful compared to Cancun. Search for reasonable hotels/resorts with good ratings on tripadvisor.com

I personally don't love all-inclusive resorts, but many people do and there tend to be some pretty amazing deals if you buy the vacation as a package this way. You also don't have to worry about how much you're spending every meal while there. Another option is to not do all-inclusive and stay close enough to Playa del Carmen to go into town for some meals. It is a very quaint town with an almost European feel to it, and you can find reasonable prices for meals.

I promise you and your family will love this area and the people!

If you're willing to spend a little more on plane tickets, Costa Rica is also fantastic - but will be more $ overall.

Have fun whatever you decide

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP for this great input!

[Anonymous]

Cancun is definitely the cheapest, hands down. Apply for passports now if your don't already have them.

I'm flying to a less cheap part of Mexico and the flights alone will run us $2500 (>.<. So yeah, go to Cancun or wherever the cheapest flight takes you!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't fly to Mexico right now, with all the problem related to drug violence they are having....

[Anonymous]

I think you can estimate around 4-5k for a week beach vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't fly to Mexico right now, with all the problem related to drug violence they are having....

FYI - Cancun has been mostly spared in the drug violence. It's heavily reliant on tourism, so they do a lot to preserve the peace there.

[Anonymous]

Cheap Caribbean.com frequently has great deals on vacations to Mexico as well as other islands like the DR and Bahamas. Keep seeing crazy good deals per person all-inclusive to the DR.
Personally I like to scuba and snorkel so I am looking at Cozumel, Turks and Caicos, and out islands a little off the beaten path. Problem is what to do with the kids, Gramma's, bring them and hire a sitter, or do a $$$ club type place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't fly to Mexico right now, with all the problem related to drug violence they are having....

FYI - Cancun has been mostly spared in the drug violence. It's heavily reliant on tourism, so they do a lot to preserve the peace there.

Yeah, but why risk it when there's a whole world out there?

[Anonymous]

We went to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic in May for about $3,600 total (airfare, all-inclusive resort). We loved it. Rates are higher in January-April.

[Anonymous]

I think $5,000 is a good estimate for most nice resorts. You can cut that down by renting a house instead of staying in a hotel. Lots of good websites like VRBO out there to help you find a place to stay.

[Anonymous]

You can spend less than $5k if you eat town or locally in playa del carmen or cancun. Puerto Rico also has some nice beaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't fly to Mexico right now, with all the problem related to drug violence they are having....

FYI - Cancun has been mostly spared in the drug violence. It's heavily reliant on tourism, so they do a lot to preserve the peace there.

Yeah, but why risk it when there's a whole world out there?

Because

1) There's not really any heightened risk;

2) She wants an affordable beach vacation and this fits the criteria.

OP, I assume you're leaving the kids at home with grandparents or something? Because if they are coming, that's not a vacation -- that's a trip. Big difference.