When it is cold in North North America, it is a high season in the hot spots of the south – especially in the Caribbean – as the avalanches flock to the coast.
High period at high prices, but applicant agreements can claim an area of ​​sand by examining the value of all-inclusive resorts playing meals and activities. For example, Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada in the Dominican Republic offers beach, swimming pools and five restaurants (doubles from $ 170 at night for two). Liberty Travel, an organization based in Montvale, NJ, is known for its know -how in the Caribbean, leads clients at the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa for its four beaches and multiple food options (from $ 285 for double).
But for those looking for a DIY getaway, the following destinations allow travelers to stretch their budgets this winter.
A small Dutch island about 50 miles north of the Venezuelan coast, Bonaire is not the place for classic sandy beaches. Most are scattered with corals and shells. Instead, the ecological island, surrounded by a maritime reserve, is for respiles, swimmers and divers looking for easy reefs. (Visitors pay $ 75 as well as a $ 40 fee, which allows access to the Marine Park and the island’s National Park.)
More than 50 of the approximately 85 diving sites of the destination are accessible from the coast, which means that certified divers will not need a boat -driven excursion – a large savings – to swim between corals and tropical fish schools. On the beaches such as 1,000 steps-an exaggeration of 67 steps of limestone needed to get to this divers as well as the respiles can see marine miracles and stick to sunset over the horizon.
The house in a few large hotels, Bonaire offers many holiday rents and small resorts. The Bamboo Bonaire, for example, features cottages, with kitchens and furnished terraces in a rich fenced union (doubles of $ 225 at night, five nights on the eve is eligible for 20 % discount).
You will need to rent a car to explore the island (Kayak lists rents of $ 34 a day), including the Washington Slagbaai National Park in North End, a nearly 10,600 acres hosting the beaches swimming in fashion and salt lakes Flamingo.
Carthage, Colombia
On the northern coast of Colombia, Cartagena offers a more urban choice in the sun. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic center of Carthage is full of military architecture from the 16th to the 18th century that certifies its strategic location as a Caribbean Port with Havana and San Juan, PR
Beach enthusiasts will find Airbnb rentals from about $ 70 per night in the Bocagrande Seaside area on a peninsula south of the old center. Culture seekers will appreciate a more central address, such as the Townhouse Art Hotel, a boutique hotel -focused hotel with 11 individual decorated rooms, a piano bar, two pools and a lounge on the top floor overlooking the city (doubled by $ 155 at night, including morning).
A fenced city, the Carthage is one day to walk its cobbled streets to appreciate the noble colonial architecture painted in shades of the Caribbean. Two hours of free hiking tours offered by free Tour Cartagena (do not forget to consult your driver) provide an overview of the main widters of the city and landmark churches. Explore the corridors and batteries of the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, a 17th -century Spanish military fortress at the top of San Lázaro Hill (entrance 36,000 pesos or about $ 8).
For entertainment, hit the neighborhood of Arty GetsemanÃ, outside the old walls of the city, known for street musicians, frescoes, bars and restaurants located around the Plaza de la trinidad.
Guandel’s Archipelago
Between Dominica and Antigua in smaller reversals, Guadeloupe’s French Archipelago consists of five island groups-Vasse-Forest, Grande-Trere, Marie-Galante, Les Saintes and La Désirade-Tropical and Volcania, Swimming Beaches and surfing. The trails, beaches and the Guadeloupe National Park are free to visit.
Flights from Miami to Gradelou-Ega to Guandelos’s Maryse Conde International Airport, which is linked to the neighboring Basse-Terre from a bridge. The ferries to other islands cost 25 to 45 euros (about $ 26 to $ 47) one -way. Rental cars offer convenient ways to pass (the average rental price is $ 39 a day, according to Kayak).
Search for relatively affordable stays in many small, environmentally friendly resorts, including 23 rooms of Les Galets Rouges in Basse-Terre, overlooking Cousteau Reserve Marine Park and close to several hot sources (minimum stay at a double start at € 550, including morning). In Les Saintes-technically consisting of nine islands, two of which, terre-de-haut and terre-de-bas, are inhabited-the guesthouse Les Hauts de la Baie is located near the Grand Anse Beach in Terre-de-Bas (Doubles Meedic € 130 at night, with access to common kitchen).
Gastronomic spots include Bokit sandwiches, a fried bun stuffed with a choice of fish, pork or chicken with spicy sauce and is usually sold for a few euros on local kiosks.
Placencia, Belize
On the south coast of Belize, the relaxed beach of Placencia, on the edge of a 16 -mile -long peninsula, offers access to Belize Barrier Reef Offshore and a Bohemian city center.
“Placencia’s real charm is the only” main street “, which is actually a narrow sidewalk lined with colorful bars and restaurant A travel agency based in Costa Rica, which specializes in Central America, in an email.
Former fishing village houses include Bella Azul from Bella Vita Casitas (starting at $ 8 at night), a two -cabin cabin using kayaks, boards and bicycles included. A small hostel formed in a French colonial style, the Alux House has a studio designed to sleep two out of $ 105 at night. Studio Apartments at Driftwood Gardens hostel start at $ 65 at night for two.
Save money in rooms to enjoy an all -day water trip to Snorkel on one of the offshore Isles (from $ 125 to Captain Jak’s) or to fly and watch birds at the nearby sanctuary of the Cockscomb runny wing (from $ 139 with Viator). Golf rented land is another popular way to explore the peninsula ($ 55 a day by Barefoot services).
San Juan, PR
According to Dollar Flight Club, a cheap airline ticket service, San Juan is one of the best offers in the area, with a return flights starting at $ 138 from Atlanta.
After Touchdown, travelers can easily see why Puerto Rico’s capital is calling for an agreement. The beaches and the colonial center of San Juan are in easy access to the airport.
Among the accommodation options, Old San Juan offers a series of atmospheric hotels, including Gallery Inn, which has 22 rooms with access to 15 yards and views of the city walls in a building called a national landmark (doubles of $ 170) . Closer to the beach, Hibird, in the coastal area of ​​Condado, offers pool accommodation on the top floor and a beach club about a five -minute walk from the hotel (studio suites with a kitchen of about $ 188).
While many Caribbean destinations offer escapes to nature, the power of San Juan is his history and culture. A tour of the old San Juan is a good place to find out about its colonial past (Patria Tours offers two and a half hours routes for about $ 51, including entering the Castillo San Cristobal, which says the National Park service the biggest fortress in America).
Look for culture in the nearby neighborhood of Santurce, which hosts the Livrant Street frescoes, the Puerto Rico Museum of Art ($ 15) and the Museum of Contemporary Art ($ 8). Stick after darkness to drink, dance and show food on the street, such as Empanadillas (Fritters) in La Placita de Santurce, a public square that is particularly vibrant on weekends.
