Anonymous
01/16/2023 15:33
Subject: Re:Tropical destination in April
Anonymous wrote:OP, can you share which airline and how much you paid for flights April 1-8. Thank you.
Flights were rough because it’s spring break. Nonstop from DCA through to Vieques is $1450 on United. Flying into San Juan was $1100, then we could have taken another flight to Vieques for $300 or taken our chances on the ferry to Vieques. We opted for convenience.
Anonymous
01/16/2023 15:15
Subject: Re:Tropical destination in April
I love Belize! for many reasons, but first and foremost, the ease of travel there. It's very easy to drive from place to place (there are 3 main roads), the money exchange is simple, food is great, and most people speak English.
I also found it much less expensive than Costa Rica.
The beaches are not great, but river tubing is a fun alternative, and great snorkeling is a short boat ride away.
The rainforest isn't comparable to Costa Rica (no sloths) but bird watching is decent, and lots of creepy crawlers.
Also, they have some Mayan ruins that were very cool to visit. We could walk up to the top of the pyramid and see into Guatemala. It was awesome.
Good luck with your planning!
I also found it much less expensive than Costa Rica.
The beaches are not great, but river tubing is a fun alternative, and great snorkeling is a short boat ride away.
The rainforest isn't comparable to Costa Rica (no sloths) but bird watching is decent, and lots of creepy crawlers.
Also, they have some Mayan ruins that were very cool to visit. We could walk up to the top of the pyramid and see into Guatemala. It was awesome.
Good luck with your planning!
Anonymous
01/16/2023 15:09
Subject: Re:Tropical destination in April
I am one of the PPs. Glad you didn’t pick CR. That’s a bad suggestion for spring break. Latest I would go is by early March.
Anonymous
01/16/2023 15:08
Subject: Re:Tropical destination in April
OP, can you share which airline and how much you paid for flights April 1-8. Thank you.
Anonymous
01/16/2023 15:06
Subject: Tropical destination in April
Anonymous wrote:OP here reporting back. Thanks to all the great advice on this tread, we’ve booked our trip to Vieques, Puerto Rico. We found an amazing AirBnB and reserved our flights and rental car. Now we’re working on tours - nighttime kayaking to the bioluminescent bay, snorkeling in Culebra, and horseback riding on the beach. So exciting! I’m trying not to look at my credit card statement. Thanks all!
Are you basing yourself in Vieques? Maybe San Juan would be better as a base.
Anonymous
01/16/2023 14:57
Subject: Tropical destination in April
OP here reporting back. Thanks to all the great advice on this tread, we’ve booked our trip to Vieques, Puerto Rico. We found an amazing AirBnB and reserved our flights and rental car. Now we’re working on tours - nighttime kayaking to the bioluminescent bay, snorkeling in Culebra, and horseback riding on the beach. So exciting! I’m trying not to look at my credit card statement. Thanks all!
Anonymous
01/16/2023 08:55
Subject: Re:Tropical destination in April
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share their absolutely favorite hotels or outings in Puerto Rico? I found few interesting resorts between $200 and $900 a night…
I was actually planning a trip to PR but nixed it because the hotel options seemed so meh.
El Convento in OSJ. Really elegant and beautiful.
Anonymous
01/16/2023 08:43
Subject: Tropical destination in April
Anonymous wrote:Family doesn’t want a cruise. We want to hike, bird watch, photograph, scuba/snorkel. We’re a family of three traveling with another family of three - graduating cousin and my sister and BIL - one is a botanist and one a photographer. DD just requested exotic, tropical, and nature. No one in our group likes to sunbathe, but we do like to swim and adventure.[/quote
St. John has all of that.
Anonymous
01/16/2023 08:00
Subject: Tropical destination in April
OP the first week in April is difficult because it’s spring break for many schools and the Easter holiday. Your options may be limited FYI. I would just go to PR as you’re cutting it close on passports.
Anonymous
01/16/2023 07:42
Subject: Re:Tropical destination in April
Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share their absolutely favorite hotels or outings in Puerto Rico? I found few interesting resorts between $200 and $900 a night…
I was actually planning a trip to PR but nixed it because the hotel options seemed so meh.
Anonymous
01/15/2023 20:41
Subject: Tropical destination in April
Anonymous wrote:Family doesn’t want a cruise. We want to hike, bird watch, photograph, scuba/snorkel. We’re a family of three traveling with another family of three - graduating cousin and my sister and BIL - one is a botanist and one a photographer. DD just requested exotic, tropical, and nature. No one in our group likes to sunbathe, but we do like to swim and adventure.
Ok hear me out. To jeep this simple but still hit the above requirements, check out Hilton Head. Yes it’s not a tropical location, especially in April, and no you can’t go snorkeling, but it offers alot of treasures for nature and bird lovers. Pinckey island hikes, river and creek kayak tours, Audobon bird sanctuary, Honey Horn segway tour, shrimp boats and dolphin cruises. Walks and bike rides on the longest prettiest never-ending beaches. Warm water and affordable accommodations for large families, including beautiful beach homes with private pools, walking distance to a town center. Endless delicious dining options, perfect for large groups and even the pickiest of eaters.
This would be your easiest option to plan, IMO. And even though HHI isn’t tropical, all of the buildings are low rise and blend into the natural scenery of the island. It is the most relaxing vacation we take stateside.
Anonymous
01/12/2023 12:41
Subject: Tropical destination in April
Anonymous wrote:My first idea was Costa Rica, but I thought it was the rainy season during our dates of April 1-8. My in-laws are very wealthy and travel frequently, but we are frugal (why we rarely travel and usually camp when we do) so this is a stretch for us. Which is more expensive, CR or Belize? What kind of money are we talking? I need to prepare myself.
For this April? You’re going to have a hard time finding accommodations for that week at this point. But at least for much of the country (pacific coast) it’s still the dry season. Arenal/Monteverde have their own climates though.
Anonymous
01/12/2023 12:38
Subject: Tropical destination in April
Definitely St. John, stay close to Maho bay and go snorkeling with the sea turtles and manta rays.
Anonymous
01/12/2023 12:25
Subject: Re:Tropical destination in April
Anonymous wrote:Can anyone share their absolutely favorite hotels or outings in Puerto Rico? I found few interesting resorts between $200 and $900 a night…
We are staying at an AirBnB in OSJ-which is approx. $400 a night. Now deciding between staying at Embassy Suites Isla Verde (we need that space) or Wyndham Rio Mar for couple nights. Both places are around 450ish per night.
Anonymous
01/11/2023 21:27
Subject: Re:Tropical destination in April
Can anyone share their absolutely favorite hotels or outings in Puerto Rico? I found few interesting resorts between $200 and $900 a night…