While most of North America shudders with a collective shiver right now, the Caribbean is warm and sunny and safe now that it's post-Hurricane season. Consequently, it's not exactly easy to find reasonable or even cheap deals to such sun-kissed locales during January, February and, heck, the early part of March. But we have found good deals for those on a budget, and some unusual and more expensive packages too, in the latest installment of Caribbean deals.
Throughout the Region
Spanish-owned Riu Resorts (tel. 888/666-8816; www.riu.com) has a scattering of clean and well-maintained properties across the Caribbean. These resorts are largely undiscovered by Americans, yet they offer some of the best rates available.
For example, look at these current per-person, per-night rates:
- From $87 at the Riu Naiboa in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (book by January 21 for stays through April 16, 2006)
- From $106 at the Riu Taino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (book by January 21 for stays through April 16)
- From $161 at the Riu Negril in Jamaica (book by February 23 for stays through April 16)
- From $185 at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen (for stays from its grand opening on February 3 through April 16)
Rates are for all-inclusive stays. Riu has other Caribbean accommodations in Aruba, the Bahamas, Cancun and Cuba.
Much higher up the price chain, a handful of Hyatt (tel. 800/554-9288; www.hyatt.com) properties scattered across the Caribbean have special winter rates, called "Sunshine on Sale," with savings between 14- and 35-percent off. In Puerto Rico, the Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort and Country Club offers 20-percent off on room accommodations for guests who book five nights from March 1-April 22; the fifth night is free. Guests save 17 percent when a six-night stay is booked from February 1-28; the sixth night is free. Room rates aren't cheap though, starting around $475 per night.
The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino is 14-percent off for guests who book seven nights from January 3-April 29; the seventh night is free, and rates start at $460 per night. The offer is valid for guestroom, garden view, ocean/island view and ocean/pool view rooms. Finally, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman Beach Suites on Seven Mile Beach is having a winter sale. Guests save 35-percent off rack room rates if reservations are made before April 15 for travel up until April 22. Winter sale rack rates start from $530.40 per night. All rooms are large -- 640 square feet -- and have kitchenettes.
Sandals (tel. 888/726-3257; www.sandals.com) -- a chain of couples-only, all-inclusive resorts -- has at least a half dozen specials running, varying in price. Antigua Caribbean Village and Spa is located on Dickenson Bay and the island itself is known for its 365 beaches. The special right now is for a three-night vacation from $692 per person for accommodations, all meals, unlimited drinks and cocktails, all tips and hotel taxes, water sports and scuba diving equipment, and round-trip airport transfers. The rate is good for travel February 24-August 31. At the other end of the spectrum, Sandals Inn, Montego Bay, Jamaica, is the company's smallest and most intimate resort, and offers the smallest price, at a mere $405 for three nights in a deluxe room, for travel up until August 31.
Aruba
Vacation Travel Mart (tel. 800/288-1435; www.vacmart.com) is running a special to Holiday Inn Sunspree Aruba for travelers who want to leave soon; the deal is good for weekday travel through by January 27 and is priced from $529 for three nights air and hotel from Miami; New York is priced at $589, Boston $549; other cities are available for additional fees. You can also go for longer -- there are five- and seven-night trips available, too, from $709 and $889 respectively, priced from Miami departures.
Bahamas
Spirit Vacations (tel. 800/617-3325; www.spiritvacations.com) is the vacation packaging arm of Spirit Airlines, which runs flights to warm places. Click on great deals for a list of offers, including a few specials to Caribbean destinations. There are three packages to the Bahamas available: the Nassau Beach Hotel from $259, Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino from $479, and Nassau's Atlanis, Paradise Island, from $559. All three deals are good for three-nights' accommodations and round-trip airfare, but only from Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa or Orlando, Florida. Be sure to use the code FLNAS100 when reserving. All three packages are available until February 13.
Dominican Republic
Go Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.gotoday.com) is offering a few specials to this island, for travel right on the brink of spring. Its "Dominican Republic All-Inclusive Getaway" is a three-night, air-inclusive trip priced from $659 plus tax for places such as Barcelo Bavaro Golf Resort in Punta Cana, classified as a standard accommodation, one step above tourist class. The price is good for travel during the entire month of March, based on departures from Baltimore and Washington's National and Dulles airports; add $15 for New York, $40 for Chicago, and an additional $190 for Las Vegas or Seattle. The package includes round-trip air to Punta Cana, round-trip transfers, all meals and snacks, unlimited beverages, daily activities, and taxes and gratuities. For longer stays, Go Today is also offering two five-night packages, one of which includes golf; they're listed right after the three-night deal.
Jamaica
Sunburst Vacations (tel. 800/SUNBURST; www.sunburstvacations.com) is offering a handful of specials to this island, starting from $799 all the way up to $1,739 for five nights -- it all depends on where you want to go, how you want to stay, and what you want to do once you're there. The least expensive price range gives travelers two options. One of them is the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Montego Bay; the other for Sunset Beach Resort and Spa. They're both all-inclusive deals that cover airfare, a vacation protection plan (note: we always recommend independent travel insurance), resort taxes, dining, some activities, island transfers. It's valid for travel up to March 10 and the advertised rate is based on double occupancy for January 2006 departures during midweek; there may be blackout dates, weekend or holiday peak season surcharges. The base-price is $799 from Miami, $999 New York, $1,075 Los Angeles and $925 Chicago.
The other hotel option is the Sunset Beach Resort and Spa, also located in Montego Bay. It's another all-inclusive offer that includes round-trip air, hotel, resort taxes, on-island transfers, dining, select activities and the company's vacation protection plan. It's also valid for travel up to March 10, and the prices are based on midweek departures. A very similar pricing structure applies for departures other than Miami.
Mexico
In Cancun, Le Blanc Spa Resort (tel. 877/753-2526; www.leblancsparesort.com) recently reopened after closing for renovations after Hurricane Wilma. They're offering a 20-percent discount on new bookings for guests who stay for three nights or more through April 22. The discount brings the daily rate to about $369 $448, based on double occupancy. The resort is a luxurious enterprise -- all-suite accommodations, double Jacuzzis, drinks, gourmet cuisine, entertainment, taxes and gratuities are all part of the package. Other incentives included are tours to attractions such as Chichen Itza, Tulum and Isla Mujeres; and coupons that are good for spa, golf and car rentals. The hotel has three outdoor pools (two of them have swim-up bars) and offers 24-hour room service. The deal includes all meals, taxes and gratuities, and there are no blackout dates.
[Editor's Note: Le Blanc raised its room rates to $560 per night after the original publication of this article. Thus, the new discounted rate stands at $448 per night. We apologize for any confusion.]
To get there, Travelocity (tel. 888/872-8356; www.travelocity.com) is offering a fare sale for flights to Cancun from many U.S. cities, from $367 round-trip, good for travel through March 15 with a booking deadline of January 22. There's no minimum stay requirement, but prices shown represent Monday-Thursday travel. New York is priced from $466; Miami gets the lowest price ($367); San Francisco $576.
Go-Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.go-today.com) is offering a very inexpensive "Cancun Getaway," a three-night trip priced from $389 for travel until the end of January. You must, however, purchase by January 26. The same deal, though, is running from March 1-April 30, if you can't leave immediately. The price is based on Dallas, TX departures; add on $80 for New York, $110 for Boston, $155 for many points west, including most major cities in California.
St. Martin
If wintertime has saddled you with a cold, flu or some other upper-respiratory malady, the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino (tel. 800/223-0757; www.sonesta.com/stmaarten) in St. Martin just put together an interesting cure: The "Flu You Package." It includes three nights in a deluxe, ocean-view room; anti-flu spa remedy of your choice; and taxes and gratuities. It's priced at $1,097 for two people and is valid for travel through May 1, 2006. Possible spa treatments include the decongesting hydrotherapy bath treatment, a respiration massage designed to aid allergy and cold symptoms, or a detoxifying body wrap with eucalyptus oil. The resort is located on the island's southwest shore and includes restaurants, shops, tennis court, a spa and fitness center, along with a casino.
Turks & Caicos
Spirit Vacations (tel. 800/617-3325; www.spiritvacations.com) is also offering a special for three nights at Comfort Suites Turks and Caicos, priced from $429 (taxes are extra) from Ft. Lauderdale. Other origins are possible, including Atlantic City, NJ; Atlanta; Dallas/Ft. Worth; and New York/LaGuardia. It's good for travel February 20-August 28 for Monday departures only. A quick search revealed that Atlanta departures in late February cost $669 per person; New York is priced at about $657 per person.
Virgin Islands: St. Thomas
For guests who book a minimum of five nights at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort (tel. 800/524-4746; www.bolongobay.com) on their European plan, the sixth night will be free. What's even better is that this offer is good on travel through December 22, 2006, but you must reserve by January 31 by calling Bolongo's toll-free number or through e-mail. The European plan includes ocean view accommodations, a scuba diving lesson, use of non-motorized water sports, and other amenities. Rates are $225 per room now through April 16; $199 from April 17-August 31; $180 valid September 1-October 31, and so forth. Every room has a private balcony and the resort faces the bay. For those who book seven nights, the resort will also offer complimentary passes for a day-long sailing and beach trip to St. John aboard the resort's own catamaran, complete with lunch and an open bar.
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