Future vacation: Mexico vs. Bahamas vs. Caribbean vs. FL etc...?

Question

Beginning planning vaca for 2010. Will me me, hub, daughter will be 15 then and maybe a cousin same age. Want to go on school break either around Thanksgiving, Christmas or spring, and somewhere WARM. What's important: clean place, prefer all-inclusive, nice sandy beaches, not that rocky shore like you see in parts of Mexico, water activities, small ticket shopping-souvenirs etc, not thru the roof expensive, family oriented place, not a wild banshee spring break place. What's not important: nightlife, spa services, room service, historical ruins, rum distilleries, hardcore hiking etc.

Hub won't cruise--daughter and I just returned from our first cruise and loved it but now we need to plan a family vacation.

I hear Hawaii is too expensive, Bahamas are for the rich also. Jamaica was nice for a day, wouldn't want to stay there longer. Liked Cozumel except for the rocky shore. Aruba is super windy. Don't know much about FL except for Orlando and Daytona.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Consider Costa Rica!!!   Because Costa Rica is a very tourist-oriented country and DEPENDS on tourism, you'll find a GREAT variety of activities, places, and prices to choose from.    To speak Spanish would be helpful, but not necessary.  English is spoken quite a bit (as a necessity to tourism).

START with these sites:

http://www.anywherecostarica.com/article

www.direct2costarica.net

www.mapealo.com

For a reasonable hotel near the international airport try:

www.bbmilleniumcr.com

Answer 2

I guess it all depends on what you like doing as a family

i took my family to cabo San Lucas  in Mexico and had a great time my kids were younger but they loved the ocean.

Also took my wife to Mazatlan and had a fabulous time

the only thing with Mexico is it is pricey if you stay on the coast and if you go in land take only what you can afford to get stolen from you as Americans get robbed all the time there and if you go fly and get a rental dont drive.

Also consider Alaska it has great places to go and see in the spring and summer months a lot more then people think.