Key West is expensive, especially lodging. There are also limited flights. Try the Google flights explore feature to find somewhere in budget. Also, I find Allegiant air usually has the cheap flights to Florida if you can be a little flexible with dates.

Anonymous wrote:You're looking for cheap and you think Key West? Girl, no. Key West at that time of year is one of the most expensive places you can go in the US.

+1. You can check this, but I suspect it’s super high season there. I was there for New Year’s one year and it was very $$$. Puerto Rico is bigger and you might have a better shot at a cheaper hotel/AirBnB. But you can play with google flights -put in beach destination for your desired dates and see what comes up…

Exactly you can go to the keys for spring or holidays if you want cheap!

OP - everyone wants warmth in Dec. the question is budget and your definition of cheap. It's Oct now so you better book it ASAP. You're not going get a nice island in the Caribbean and let's face it, a lot of FL isn't a good idea. You will prob need to go far away as most people will go to islands or Costa Rica. Good luck! I have no advice as we don't ever find anything cheap over the holidays ourselves unless you go to a place either last min that's typically cold but more mild that travel time or go North in general.

You're looking for cheap and you think Key West? Girl, no. Key West at that time of year is one of the most expensive places you can go in the US.

Puerto Rico!

Delray beach - easy cheapish flight, walkable town so no car rental needed

I would play with google flights, putting in 'was' for airport and 'caribbean' for location and see what pops up. You can also do florida, etc.

Also if you fly out on the 25th an return the 31st, you might find cheaper fares. I see 450$ to san juan on those dates.

Anonymous wrote:Our family rarely vacations due to the expense but our only kid is graduating this year and we’d like to do something nice and warm from Dec 26-Jan 1. Hopefully not too expensive. I was thinking of Key West but I’m not sure if there are cheaper options that would still feel special. Any recommendations?

Key West is a warm but still very Christmas-y option and will definitely feel special. San Antonio is lovely during the holidays. Miami is also supposed to be nice at Christmas. And PR is a good choice if you don’t want to mess with getting a passport. Have several options and look for deals. Costco, Priceline, Expedia

Look at JetBlue package deals.

In 2019-20 We went to Colombia during that week.
We found cheap non stop flights on Avianca to Bogota and took a flight to Medellin for part of the trip too. Medellin has a big light festival for Christmas that was fun to go to.
Food and lodging in Columbia is relatively cheap.

Search air and hotel deals on southwest, American, etc. Also try package deals through Costco.

The best way to keep costs down is to drive rather than fly.

Do you have passports?

Why the obsession with warm? Go to one of the lovely, drive-able mountain resorts with an indoor pool and quaint shopping, etc. Getting on a plane is miserable that time of year.

Anonymous wrote:Don't be this cheap.

Seriously? Maybe they can't afford much but are hoping to do something nice as a family for their kid who is graduating.

OP, this an expensive time. I would also look for deals in Puerto Rico

Don't be this cheap.

Our family rarely vacations due to the expense but our only kid is graduating this year and we’d like to do something nice and warm from Dec 26-Jan 1. Hopefully not too expensive. I was thinking of Key West but I’m not sure if there are cheaper options that would still feel special. Any recommendations?