Hi,

Need advise. Looking for a new place to vacation next winter. Stayed in Puerto Vallarta, Old Town, twice, last two years-loved it! You could just walk out of the hotel and be right in Old Town with lots of cheap places to eat and shop.-everything in walking distance or bus. Also loved Playa Del Carmen, with all the wonderful places to see like, Xel Ha nature park, ancient ruins. etc. but, is getting very expensive. Looking for someplace not too expensive. Don't like to party, or go to very expensive shopping malls. Would like a cheap/safe hotel on, or near the ocean. My worst vacation nightmare would be staying at a secluded, all inclusive, resort, with nothing to do but lay on the beach. Have read about Dom. Rep., Puerto Plata, Jamaica, but sounds like you are pretty isolated at your resort. Puerto Rico sounds expensive. Would like to find someplace SAFE, on the ocean, within walking distance of cultural sights, not too commercialized. I can only afford to vacation once a year, so is very important to me.

Thank you for any advice you can give!!!
Lee

Lee,

You might want to check out placed like Roatan (Bay Islands, Honduras) - check out areas around West End or West Bay Beach. Or also perhaps Ambergris Caye down in Belize which would probably be more expensive than Roatan.

http://www.roatanonline.com
http://www.roatanet.com

I second Roatan. I have been living here for 18 months and tons of people come here on cruise liners and planes. There is an International airport with flights coming and going every day - only 2.5 hours from southern US. A few hundred bucks round trip.

It is safe here with no major crime (don't leave your valuables lying around or your room unlocked though as petty theft is common).

Great beaches here, many small shops and attractions (West End especially). It is hot so bring light cotton clothes, sun hat and sunblock.

Let me know if you have any questions. I would be happy to answer.

Ron

As a US citizen, you can very easily vacation in Cuba. Fly to Cancun and get a separate flight on to Havana - it's easy.

I'd recommend you go to Salvador in Brazil - it's great vlaue, the beaches are great and there's lots of cultural activites too.

how about Culebra?! best kept US secret-no passport needed for us citizens as it's part of puerto rico. we've got beautiful, white sand beaches & clear water like the VI's-Culebra (& vieques) are sometimes known as the Spanish VIs.

nice culture, hiking, a few friendly restaurants, not crazy expensive accomodation.

The islands of Turks and Caicos are very beautiful, and not too commercial. They have many water/ocean activities. Its got a very relaxed and tropical environment. Consider buying a vacation rental villa, because you dont have to worry about people in the hotel room next to you making noise!

www.tranquilityvacationstci.com