I wrote a blog the other day about going to Mexico & The Caribbean versus going to the shore. I showed the value. But as I look around on other blogs, travel sites and where even some friends recommend going this summer, my interest is peaked. AGAIN, you can save so much money and still have an AMAZING vacation filled with fun, history & culture by picking an all–inclusive vacation in Mexico & The Caribbean! So I decided to do research on some of them and do some new comparisons.

Firstly, Miami. It never really occurred to me as a family–friendly vacation, but after some research I see it is. Besides the beaches, there are great children’s museums and hotels with fun programs. The Fountainebleau is rated as one of the most family friendly resorts with a kids program. It is an amazing location, with a historical very cool building. Staying at this hotel is an adventure in itself. But the choice may be here or college. On the website, they advertise rates from $369 per night! I played around and got it down to $331 a night plus tax. For a week in July, it was $2,715.64. This is only for the room! Add: flights, transfers to and from the airport, cabana rentals (yes, you pay for these in most hotels in Miami and in Vegas), the children’s program, one day trip to a local museum, meals, snacks & drinks.  You’ll easily hit $5,000.00 by day 3. …Read More>>

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Pinching pennies, but still want a GREAT family vacation this summer? Well it is that time of the year to start thinking about what we like to call “The Shore Without The Chores”.  Do the math and you will see that a week in Mexico or The Caribbean can cost less, much less, than a week at the shore!  And, there is no cooking, no cleaning, no laundry, no beds to make, no food shopping - just relax and have some fun!

A week at “the shore,” “the beach,” “The Hamptons,” or “down the ocean”  (whatever you call it in your area) …. is a rite of passage each summer, especially for East Coasters.  However, in this economy Apple Vacations encourages you to consider this alternative. Spending your summer vacation in Mexico or the Caribbean will not only save you money - it will also save you time.  Time you can then spend with the family. …Read More>>

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Royal Hideaway Playacar

We’ve receive questions and a lot of positive feedback about the beach restoration in Cancun & Riviera Maya and Cozumel. I thought it would be a good time to share what I know about Mexico’s efforts to rejuvenate their beaches. I’ve watched this progress unfold and what I’ve seen is a remarkable. Cancun has restored some of their beaches to their original, natural beauty — and the progress they’ve made is amazing.

The reason why they are doing this project is that Cancun proper, Riviera Maya and Cozumel have suffered beach loss, in isolated areas, over the past 3 years. Earlier projects to sustain further beach loss have been unsuccessful. Even though they are almost done, here is what I have been able to find out over the past few days.

1.     This project itself is not being managed by the resorts themselves. The Mexican Government is re-coooperating beach locations because there was little to no beach area due to erosion.
2.     If a beach is targeted for re-cooperation, it was because there was little or no beach.
3.     The Government has not provided a list of what beaches are earmarked for restoration nor have they published an official time-line.
4.     We do not have a schedule specifying what day construction will occur at what hotel.
5.     Construction typically takes only a few days, per hotel.
6.     They are working as fast and as diligently as they can, so that the beach restoration projects can be completed as quickly as possible and there is minimal interruption to resort guests.
7.     I have read on some sites that the work is to be complete by February 10, and other sites by mid-February.
8.     We know the Government was to target beaches in Cancun proper, in Riviera Maya and in Cozumel. At this time, from what we can tell, all the beaches in Cancun are complete and they are now working toward making beaches in Riviera Maya as beautiful as ever. …Read More>>

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If like me you are looking for something more than just a beach vacation, have you considered Costa Rica for your next trip?

Costa Rica is one of the most advanced countries in the world to travel, with high literacy rates, a booming “Health Tourism” industry and service levels to rival the most advanced of tourist destinations.  Did you know this small country is a firm favorite with Americans choosing it as their home away from home, with more Americans choosing to live in Costa Rica, than Costa Ricans (affectionately known as Ticos) moving over here to the USA? …Read More>>

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I’ve done The Jersey Shore. I’ve done Miami a couple times. Daytona Beach and Singer Island were fun. The Outer Banks is always a great vacation! What I have found out is, that when traveling on a budget there is no better place to go than Cancun or Riviera Maya. Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean that I don’t get to do things others do either. I am a single guy in my mid-twenties who just can’t spend a ton of money on my vacations. The best vacations I have had with family members and friends have all been recently, and have been to Riviera Maya, Cancun.  In the last year I have stayed at Secrets SilverSands and Iberostar Maya and found both places to have all the necessities for a 3 to 7 night vacation. For both trips, I packed my bags and put a couple bucks in my wallet (just in case) and I was on my way. Most of the time, I come back with a lot of that money. Apple’s Charter flights to Cancun/Riviera Maya are a good way to save money. …Read More>>

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