If you can picture yourself on the beach with a drink in hand reading a good trashy book, diving with the creatures of the deep blue sea or even tooling along a jungle road, we've got a deal for you with this second sampler of sweet tropical deals.
Bahamas
The swanky Sheraton Grand on Paradise Island in the Bahamas is promoting a Grand Inclusive Package that requires a three-night minimum but is priced from $135 to $245 per person. It includes a room with guaranteed ocean view and private balcony, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, unlimited premium brand cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages, unlimited tennis, free use of bicycles, a half-day Bahama Divers snorkeling trip, daily scuba clinic and organized activities. All resort taxes and gratuities on these amenities are included, too. The price assumes two persons in the room and the package is available for travel from now through April, 2003, but not for travel from December 22, 2002 through January 1, 2003. For more information, go to www.sheratongrand.com or phone 800/782-9488.
Bonaire
Down in Bonaire, Captain Don's Habitat is offering a Dive 'n Drive package from $977 per person in a double room. It includes seven nights of lodging, a welcome cocktail, daily buffet breakfast, rum punch party, rental truck, six one-tank boat dives, 24-hour unlimited shore diving, unlimited air, refills, tanks, weights and belt, government hotel tax and service charge. The package is valid form now through April 1, 2003. If you travel from January 4, 2003 through February 1,2003, there is an even better deal. It's called Pay Five/Stay Seven,, so if you pay for five nights, you get the sixth and seventh nights free. Also during this period, you can pay for four days of diving and get the fifth and sixth days free. This special is priced at $788 per person based on double occupancy, which they say is a savings of $295 off the regular rates. For more information on either package, call 800/327-6709 or visit www.habitatdiveresorts.com.
Also in Bonaire, the Yacht Club Apartments (13 units) have studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and a five-bedroom penthouse, all with fully equipped kitchens, and cable TV. From now until summer of 2003, the club is offering a Stay, Drive & Dive Package, which includes seven nights' lodging in a studio apartment, seven days car rental and six days of unlimited shore diving for $394 per person. The Windsurf Package includes the 7 nights accommodation, seven days car rental and six days of windsurfing (board and sail) for $574 per person. For more information, phone 011-599/717-7424 or visit www.yachtclubapartmentsbonaire.com.
Puerto Rico
The Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association has a small inns division, whose members have put together a good package. Usually family-owned and -managed, they offer attractive prices and face-to-face service. Participating inns agree to provide the following in their packages: 4th Night Free (Pay for 3, get 4 nights); continental breakfast, surprise gift, 30% discount off Hertz Car rentals (Code #CDPO-ID 1298716) and 10% discount on food and beverage (only in hotels with restaurants). These amenities are good from now through April 30, 2003. You negotiate the rates with each hotel, which is also responsible for the type of breakfast being offered, whether continental or full American style. You'll find details of the offers on www.prhtasmallhotels.com, including lists of hotels and inns per destination. Try for the Gallery Inn in Old San Juan.
Should you want bigger hotels and more amenities, check out www.puertoricoisfun.com, where participating hotels have the following features in their packages: 5th or 7th night free, breakfast, ocean view upgrade (based on availability). In properties not on the beach, a room upgrade substitutes.
Also in the packages: LeLoLai Cultural Entertainment Program, 20-minute rechargeable calling card, Folkloric and Salsa Shows (Tuesdays through Sundays); the 30% Hertz Discount (same Code as above), and 50% off Children's Camp (in hotels with a children's camp). Dates valid: now through April 30, 2003. Note that this "fun" Web site does not have prices in its hotel listings.
Turks and Caicos
The Harbour Club Villa & Marina in the Turks & Caicos is sponsoring a Winter Sunshine Getaway from January 5 to April 25, 2003. You get one week (7 nights), which covers lodging for two persons and 10% government tax, service fees and airport transfers, all for $1155. Even better is a Scuba Sizzler, valid fron January 5 through March 15, 2003. At $1500, you get one week's villa accommodation for two persons, with all taxes and service fees, airport transfers, three dive days for two with two tank dives, including tanks, weights and belts. If you pay $1,800, you get the week for two in the villa, same deals as before, but five dive days for two with two tank dives (weights and belts). For more information, contact the Harbour Club Villas & Marina at 649/941-5748 or visit www.harbourclubvillas.com.
