Right now it's the off season for places that most people head to during cold weather -- that means much of the Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America. Off-season travel can save you some money and many properties throw in special incentives to entice you.
Latin Destinations (tel. 866/645-2846; www.latindestinations.com) has a few deals for destinations in Latin America, including a couple for Belize. The Belize Adventure, valid for travel in July, is a six-night trip priced from $769, for departures from Houston. The trip includes round-trip airfare, airport assistance upon arrival, transfers between cities, daily breakfast in most hotels, hotel taxes, and three nights in Mountain Pine and three nights in Ambergris Caye. The six-night Classic Belize: Rainforest and Reef trip is available from $819, takes you to San Ignacio and Ambergis Caye. This particular trip is based on departures from Houston during July and includes round-trip airfare, two nights in San Ignacio, four nights in Ambergris Caye, transfers between cities, daily breakfast and hotel taxes.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico will have a restaurant week -- well, technically two weeks -- that will take place May 15-31, and several hotels are participating in promotions that give visitors reduced rates on three-course meals and amenities. Villa Premiere Hotel and Spa (tel. 877/886-9176; www.premiereonline.com.mx) has a package for five days/four nights, available from $275 per night for a deluxe oceanfront room, a 50-minute holistic massage per person per say, and one three-course dinner at any of the restaurant week participating restaurants. The Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Spa (tel. 888/859-9439; www.hotelbuenaventura.com.mx) is available from $113 per night for a package that includes four nights and five days in a deluxe room and a three-course dinner at one of the participating restaurants. You can choose from either a room with two double beds or one with a king bed, and the hotel has wireless Internet access, 24-hour room service and an outdoor Jacuzzi and a spa.
Island Outpost
(tel. 800/OUTPOST; www.islandoutpost.com), owned by music business mogul Chris Blackwell, includes a handful of boutique hotels. Some of the properties in Jamaica are offering fifth-night-free specials through the summer and into the fall. At Jake's Treasure Beach, on the South Coast, you can receive the fifth night for free and a 30-minute massage per person, and a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival. The resort provides quick access to off-site excursions such as mountain biking, herbal steam baths, manatee watching, and the resort itself is comprised of 30 rooms and villas. Prices start at $95 per night. Strawberry Hill's resort offers unspoiled views of Jamaica's Blue Mountains and all-inclusive rates starting from $395, for stays Monday through Thursdays with a promotion that also gives you a 30-minute massage and a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival. Another all-inclusive property, the Caves, in Negril, is available from $425, with the same amenities included.
Rentalo (www.rentalo.com) is offering a number of specials on its rental properties in the Caribbean, including Villa Del Sol in Cofresi, Dominican Republic. The villa is located 13 miles from Puerto Plata airport and costs $770 per week and it has four bedrooms that sleep eight. The rental includes the services of a cook-housekeeper who will prepare meals and can teach you some Spanish. The beach is within walking distance. The price reflects travel May 1 through August 31, plus 13 percent taxes.
In Jamaica, a villa located in Montego Bay's Ironshore community is available for $900 per week and is suitable for families, as the property sleeps six people --one bedroom has a king bed; two others have twin beds. The price reflects travel May through November. A staff of two people is included in the price of the travel. The whole place is air-conditioned and there is a swimming pool onsite, with easy access to tennis, fishing, hiking and horseback riding activities and Mo Bay's nightlife.
The island of Curacao (tel. 800/3CURACAO; www.curacao.com) offers a Dutch Caribbean vacation experience and thanks to steady tradewinds, relatively moderate temperatures in the mid 80s, as summer makes things sticky and humid in much of North America. A current special offers a $140 credit on a seven-night vacation at participating hotels as long as you book before August 17. In practical terms, this means that you can reserve for a place such as the Lodge Kura Hulanda and Beach Club, starting from $507 per person. It's valid for a garden view room and you can receive the seventh night free. The Hilton Curacao, with two private beaches, is available from $732-$942 per person, with some blackout dates in early May and May 28-June 7.
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