Top Ten Quick & Cheap Beach Getaways
Spring is here. The weather is warming up (although a little too slowly), and many people are getting outside again after a long and cold winter.
This is also the time when vacations to the Caribbean start to fall off a bit. We are actually coming up on the low season of tourism for many Caribbean countries such as Jamaica. What does this mean for you? Cheap vacations.
MSNBC had an article a while ago about some of the best quick, inexpensive beach getaways.
Top Ten Quick & Cheap Beach Getaways
1. Aruba
Everyone knows that Aruba’s beaches are among the best in the world, which explains the high rate of repeat visitors. The long, broad, white sand beaches are great for walking, while the almost constant breeze complements an always-sunny, hurricane-free island.
2. Barbados
This Caribbean island has a little bit of everything: hopping nightlife, top-notch restaurants, and fine white beaches that extend along a coral shore. The best beaches are on the calmer west and action-packed south coasts.
3. Key West
Vacationers flock to this tropical island city for its easy attitude and laid-back lifestyle. Despite the crowds, the Conch Republic maintains its appeal with a colorful cast of local characters, 19th-century architecture, and full-service resorts.
4. Oahu
The most cosmopolitan of the Hawaiian islands, Oahu is quickly becoming a cultural and culinary hot spot. Of course, its prime appeal still lies in the 100-plus miles of beaches, including the perennially cool Waikiki (only 10 miles from the airport) and the more secluded, surf-heavy North Shore.
5. Providenciales
Despite its growing popularity over the past several years, the Turks & Caicos remain relatively unspoiled. The main island, Providenciales (known as “Provo”), is home to Grace Bay—one of the best beaches in the world—and is surrounded by a natural barrier reef that affords it clear turquoise waters for miles.
6. Puerto Vallarta
With its cobblestone streets and small-town affability, Vallarta has distinguished itself among Mexico’s other resort locales by retaining authentic charm amid major development. Wedged between a verdant mountainside and the blue Pacific, activities abound—and, of course, there are 34 miles of uninterrupted sand. After sunset, the city jumps to life (in recent years, it’s gained popularity as a gay-friendly destination).
7. Rincon
A former fishing village on the westernmost point of the island, laid-back Rincon boasts what many claim to be the best waves in the Caribbean. Nonsurfers will find world-class snorkeling and golf. It feels off the beaten path, but the roads are paved, cell phones get reception, and it’s a 25-minute drive from the Aguadilla airport.
8. San José del Cabo
This quiet, picture-perfect village is as easily reached as nearby Cabo, yet it’s worlds away from that town’s harried scene. An historical air hangs over the tree-lined streets and old adobe homes, while a slew of sophisticated galleries and excellent shops reveal its cultured spirit.
9. St. Lucia
The greenest of all the Caribbean islands, much of St. Lucia’s interior is covered in lush tropical rain forests, while the coastline offers serene bay beaches. Flora and fauna abound year-round, and in April, most resorts are at half their capacity. Visitors who go in July will experience Carnival, a true taste of St. Lucian culture.
10. St. Martin
Though it’s one of the Caribbean’s smallest, this half-Dutch and half-French island has a lot to offer beyond its 37 picture-perfect beaches. It’s home to a busy nightlife of casinos and dance clubs, a slew of water sports, and even naturists who sunbathe sans bikini tops. Properties on the French side are secluded and intimate, while larger resorts are on the Dutch half.
