The only thing I require is crystal clear beaches. Me and the wifey are thinking about taking a vaction in early January. We don't want to spend a few days to travel to Asia or Eastern Europe. I am really not that interested in doing Western Europe. Maybe some place like Cuba or Mexico perhaps. But I have this fascination of going to beautiful places that are really not that popular. Maybe Guatemal or Dominican Republic, etc. Not to mention those would hopefully be cheaper then Cuba. Any suggestions? I am ruling out Brazil, because I am in no mood to get kidnapped.
You might find some good deals in Aruba right now. It's sad what happened, but it wouldn't keep me from visiting - though the recent history may be too difficult to overcome and have a good time. It is a pretty place down south though.
I hear great things about Costa Rica. A friend of mine who has been there several times has explored up the coast and has found deserted beaches fairly close to the tourist areas.
I guess it depends on what you are looking for in a beach. I was not impressed with Costa Rica's upper to central Pacific side. Gray sand, decent water not very long. It gets blue real quick and it's a great fishing spot, but I've been to much better beaches even in the US.
When I say great beaches I mean perfect crystal clear blue water. Nothing to me is more relaxing then just sitting on a beach and overlooking water. The exact opposite of Galveston.
Go to St John. You can fly into St Thomas. Either take the ferry to St John or if you're at the Westin (IIRC) they have their own boat to ferry you over. The beaches are awesome and the water is crystal clear. Its still US territory so no currency flaps, no kidnapping etc. Westin St John
Kinda like this? You might not be able to see it in these pictures, but the water there is crystal clear. These are from Los Roques, Venezuela. If you really want to go somewhere with untouched nature, consider Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: Of course, there is always the Maldives, but that might be a little far for you:
I can recomend plenty of places. I lived in Buenos Aires for 2 years and have frequently traveled back. I went backpacking everywere is south america so i can recomemend with a degree of authority. Its important for to remember that the seasons are switched below the equator so its Spring right know in Arg., Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. And its gonna be summer in December. Since your going with the wife I'll stay away from the spots were single bachelors or the Jet Set of SoAm. would likely frequent. CHILE Family wise I would check out northern Chile. The costal cites of Arica, Iquique, and Antofagasta and very underpopulated so it wont be crowded. The water is crytal clear in places as you requested. Im not sure if you want to be on the pacific or atlantic. I perfer the Pacific coz of the high waves, but some people find it too cold. Northern Chile is pretty much dessert so the toptgraphy in my opinion is similar to So Cal. The Andean mountain range is seperated by a sliver of desert before meeting the Ocean. I personally love it. Smack in the middle of the country is this Coastal City called Vina Del Mar were all Chileans flock in the summer. The town is very Colonial but there it can get crowded. The crowd is composed of Tourists, Rich Chileans, and the locals. Below this point the country turns into NoCal some beaches but mostly a rocky coast. Brazil Dont be put off by kidnapping stories, thats Colombia, and usually when Kidnappings occur there amost the Natives. That the rule of thumb all ove LA. Except Colombia interior. 3 young female friends(1Amer, 2Brits) went backpacking alonethrought the south and got to see some of the bedt beaches in the world. They even got ferries to isolated islands were there were no locals. So if three 20 year old chicks can do it Im assuming you, being the big bad american, can as well. Rio de Janiero is unbelievably crowded but for any bachleors is paradise. Urugauy Punta del Este is the SoAmr. Ibiza. Beautfull women, desginer boutiques, into the mornign partying, and a nice sunset. VERY EXPENSIVE. I went with my Arg Girlfriend so it was cheap coz her parents owned a beach house. Lots of Partying, Argentina I wasnt very impressed. There are some family spots once you get to Mar del Plata but i hate the topograpy... and the Atlantic. I would compare it the Georgian Coast. However, I have nerver seen so many beautiful women on this like i did in Mar del Plata. the whole country goes ther in the summer. I didnt even see one fatty in a bathing suit. In fact i didnt see hardly any fatties at all. Every woman is a size 0,1 or 2. ....Jesus i gotta go back. Colombia Cartagena is the only place i visited along the carrabean atlantic. This is the most beautiful place in Latin America. The city was a port in Colnial time and hasnt changede at all. The beaches are pristine the food wonderfull. What the locals told me is that Cartagena has and will always be a neutral site. Meaning that both Rebels, Paramilitaries, and Gov consider it a historical monument that is free on any violence. Hope this helps. Let me know if you any other questions.
oops. didn't really consider the seasons down below. so in jan, it'll be summer down there? that probably means super high prices doesn't it. i'll still probably go in jan, but when is it not-peak season for latin america?
Also, what is a good site to look up hotel prices in some of these remote cities? Travelocity is useless because there are like a billion cities with the same name in the same country. I am really not concerned about flight prices because I have enough points.
I just got back from South America last month. I wouldn't worry about getting kidnapped in Brazil. I spent a couple days in Buzios, an upscale resort 80 miles north of Rio....it has spectacular beaches with blue-green water. Would probably make a great place to go with the wifey. Paraty is 100 miles south of Rio on the Green Coast. It's supposed to be a little more quiet and historical than Buzios. Bahia and Fortaleza (in the northeastern part of Brazil) probably have even better beaches, but less nightlife. The water I saw off the coasts of Argentina was brown and muddy. I heard a lot of good things about Venezuelan beaches. Water is supposed to be great, just like the pics SJC posted. St. Martin in the Carribean is great. If you want a quieter island try St. Lucia, which has all sorts of outdoor activities. I would stay away from D.R. if you were already worried about getting kidnapped in Brazil.
Look here. That website should give you a good idea of spots to go. The only one I can speak for personally, though, is Victoria House, on Ambergris Caye off of Belize. I had a great time there - though a little pricey. It isn't necessarily the beach feel you may be looking for, but the water is crystal, the fishing is excellent, the scuba diving/snorkeling is great, and you are a short plane ride and car drive away from some cool inland activities.
Even in Peak season its relatively cheap. It all depends on El Dollar. Food is cheap, beer is cheap, tourist stuff can get pricey but inexpensive by US standards. Anything that is importated is gonna cost you about the same as the states. So say if you and the wife order a Vodka Sour then depending on the Vodka (Nacional vs Imported) the prices wil varry. I usually started with the imported stuff coz the National brand taste like Gasoline. When i got tipsy is when I didn't care what i was drinking so i order the cheaper stuff. All the majr US hotel chains can be found to a certain degree everywhwere in Latin America. The prices are usually about what they would cost in the States. There are however local hotels that are cheaper. I wish I could give you a specific site but I never used one. Young, Male and Single I only cared about privacy, a roof over my head and a hot shower. Sometimes in groups we rented a house. which was nice. You might wanna stay a night or 2 at the holiday inn and then look around once you get there. However, be weary about dual prices. I had a friend who made a reservation at a hotel in Buenos Aires they quated her a hundred dollars a night. When I called for her (I'm fluent in spanish) they charged me 100 pesos a night. This was 3 months after they devalued the currency so it was about $27. Depending on how long you stay you can rent out houses. This is the best option. Ultra private, no running into obnoxious tourists, full kitchen so you dont have to spend hours looking for a place to eat in the morning, can go in as you please. And overall it cuts down on lodging so you can allocate money to other areas.
I've heard good things about Margarita Island in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. If you want warm white sandy beaches stay on the Atlantic/Caribbean side. Remember that two hurricanes just smashed up Cancun and Nicaragua so Belize, Honduras inbetween might have some damage as well. Good luck and take some pictures.
