Help Me Pick A Vacation, Please.

[shilala]

I've been supposed to figure out a vacation spot for Lisa and I for the last month now. So far I've come up with nothing.
I kind of thought about Hilo, Hawaii and Tahiti, but have no idea why. I don't even know what's there.

I want to go dive. I'd also like something where we can go back-country and see plantations, jungle plants, local culture and cuisine, etc. Lisa absolutely has to have a beach (or boat) and lots of alcohol. Beyond that she doesn't have any input whatsoever besides "You're in charge of the vacation".

I love the Carribean, but any kind of blue-water, jungle cliffs, almost abandoned beach, out-of-the way thing where I could snorkel shallow reefs all day for a week would be perfect. I don't need to dive, I just need to be in the water where there's plenty to see.

Any ideas or links would be awesome. Suggestions outside those parameters would be fine, but if it's not hot and on the ocean, I won't be going. I should qualify "the ocean". Reef or lagoon protected inviting ocean is what I'm after. Our next to last vacation was seven days of "you can't go in the water because it'll kill you". That's not what I'm after. I plan to be in the water every minute I can.

[Blak Smyth]

http://www.tikaye.com/

[WittyUserName]

I would tell you to come to GTMO but there are really only two ways to get here and I don't think you want to do either one.

I have been to Playa del Carman south of cancun and it was beautiful but that was before the diving. If diving is a big concern I would check out the PADI website, they have a list of resorts.

[kelmac07]

Ocala, Florida from 11-14 November is a good time. :D

[sevans105]

My brother is over in Indonesia....he just sent some pics from a dive on Nusa Penida

Manta Point Manta ray cleaning station. Looks like a way cool place.

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac146/sevans105/DSC07282.jpg

[chippewastud79]

Maui Hawai'i :2

Plenty of snorkeling, diving to be had if you want to. Road to Hana, Iao Needle, Haleakala for scenery. :tu

[Don Fernando]

Costa Rica

[shilala]

Bora Bora looks amazing but we'd lose 2 days traveling. It'd probably be good to stay on this side of the planet.

[Apoco]

Key West has some fantastic diving near it. I went on a night dive and got to swim with a sea turtle (that thing was frikken HUGE).

Grand Cayman has some good snorkeling. Never tried to do diving while I was down there...didn't feel the need to :tu
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[shilala]

I've been to the Keys a few times, Alex. Got to dive with the turtles, too. :D
I also got to go nose to nose with a 700 lb. Grouper. Scared the crap out of me.

[sevans105]

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac146/sevans105/DSCF1497-1.jpg

Hawaii trip....lots of turtles.

[Stevez]

Many years ago I did research for a surprise vacation for my wife for our 20th anniversary. I was very interested in diving, although had never done it. I settled on Turks and Cacos as it is supposedly a fantastic diving destination. Has something called "the wall" that has a massive drop off that is supposedly very cool. Long story short, my wife got very sick and I had to cancel and we never went, but I'd suggest looking at it. Good luck! Steve

[jonumberone]

Scottie, what time of year are you looking to go?

[shilala]

Scottie, what time of year are you looking to go?
Sometime in January, Dom. Probably leave around the 14th.

You guys have great ideas, I'm glad I asked!!!
I'm falling in love with Grand Cayman right now, but I'm going to look into every single suggestion. :tu

[Ogre]

:sw:swOcala, Florida from 11-14 November is a good time. :D

:tpd:

[jonumberone]

I have a lot of thoughts and experience with the places and type of trips you mentioned,
I will put together a PM tonight! :tu

[JackSchwartz]

Maui Hawai'i :2

Plenty of snorkeling, diving to be had if you want to. Road to Hana, Iao Needle, Haleakala for scenery. :tu

I'll second Maui. Was there last February. Did a ton of snorkeling, drove the crazy Road to Hana and watched the sunrise on top of Mount Haleakala.

Not sure when you're planning on going on vacation but if you go to Maui in Feburary that's when the humpback whales go there to give birth. IT IS AWESOME. Whales jumping out of the water everywhere. And don't worry, plenty of alcohol in Maui. :tu

[DPD6030]

Scott...Grand Cayman has an Lcdh :) beautiful beach but seemed $$$$ to stay. I don't think I've seen a single all-inclusive there.

Jamaica I really didn't like...Ocho Rios just not for me. I hear other parts are much nicer.

Mexico I've been to Cozumel about 4 times. Great scuba and snorkel. Never tried an all-inclusive there yet. Tulum...I've stayed at Dreams Tulum. Far away from just about everything. Good food, drinks and people. Beach was so-so and snorkeling right there not so much.
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[chippewastud79]

Sometime in January, Dom. Probably leave around the 14th.

You guys have great ideas, I'm glad I asked!!!
I'm falling in love with Grand Cayman right now, but I'm going to look into every single suggestion. :tu

January is prime whale season in Hawai'i. ;)

[shilala]

A Maui trip sounds awesome, but it's awful big and bustly.
Cayman is smaller and more cozy, or at least they play it that way. The snorkeling there seems to be really decent and I did find some all-inclusives, even if I wasn't very impressed.

Check out this Tahiti page. (http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/romanceintahiti/default.asp?ref=google_borabora&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Fall2011&utm_term=e|bora%20bora%20vacation) The big picture on top is the kind of thing that really turns me on. Small, hardly any people, no thoughts about having to drive for miles to go see stuff, that sort of thing.
The pics of Bora Bora (https://www.google.com/search?pq=road+to+hana&hl=en&sugexp=tshc&cp=11&gs_id=y&xhr=t&q=bora+bora+vacation&tok=TrFVxt94grksJ8Krv91lZg&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1024&bih=693&wrapid=tljp1319840111540020&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=bora+bora&oq=bora+bora&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=1&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=3020l4440l0l6430l9l9l0l0l0l6l250l1720l0.4.5 l9l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=93eb4857107ad75e&biw=1024&bih=693) just kinda hypnotize me.

The only reason I'm not just jumping on the Bora Bora thing is that it's so far away and it's going to cost us an arm and a leg. I'm sure you guys can tell me something ballpark that will work.

[hammondc]

Bora Bora looks amazing but we'd lose 2 days traveling. It'd probably be good to stay on this side of the planet.

This is the #1 on my list of places to go before I die. You are right though. You need to plan 4 days for travel--2 there, 2 back.

[Remo]

Belize, either on the mainland or Ambergis Caye

[mariogolbee]

April. Plenty of water. Carribean. Lots of booze AND cigars. 5 day cruise from and back to Miami. Diving in Miami afterward to finish the 7 days. http://www.rockypatelcigarcruise.com/ I'm sure you can fit all you want in there. I haven't read the details, but there might be a tobacco plantation in there somewhere and lots of different locations.

Edit: It looks as though there will be snorkeling in the Bahamas upon further reading. And LOTS of booze.

PPS: It looks like about $2000 for two with a balcony on the cruise ship. Margheritaville in Grand turk. Lots of free booze. Lots of beach. You can get a regular room for two for under $1500.

[jonumberone]

You need to plan 4 days for travel--2 there, 2 back.

Remember, you cross over the international date line, so its only 1/2 a day to get there but 1 1/2 to get back ;)

[shilala]

This is the #1 on my list of places to go before I die. You are right though. You need to plan 4 days for travel--2 there, 2 back.
I know, right? I did some looking and you also need about 20k+ to get there and back, and you'd have to figure at least 10-14 days.
That makes it a once in a lifetime, for sure. It won't be Bora Bora this year, unfortunately.
I'm sure it'll haunt me the rest of my life until I get there.

[shilala]

April. Plenty of water. Carribean. Lots of booze AND cigars. 5 day cruise from and back to Miami. Diving in Miami afterward to finish the 7 days. http://www.rockypatelcigarcruise.com/ I'm sure you can fit all you want in there. I haven't read the details, but there might be a tobacco plantation in there somewhere and lots of different locations.

Edit: It looks as though there will be snorkeling in the Bahamas upon further reading. And LOTS of booze.

PPS: It looks like about $2000 for two with a balcony on the cruise ship. Margheritaville in Grand turk. Lots of free booze. Lots of beach. You can get a regular room for two for under $1500.

I should have mentioned about cruises in my OP, Mario. I'd rather be beat to death than go on a cruise. I might have to go someday to appease my wife, but I'm hoping she forgets they exist.
To me it'd be like being trapped in the Mall surrounded by 1000 screaming kids who all have a cold. Not my idea of fun at all.

[shilala]

Belize, either on the mainland or Ambergis Caye
One of my best buddies says Belize is the most beautiful place on earth and he's literally been all over the world as an entertainer.
I'm not sure what's there but I'm going to look. Thanks for that suggestion, Mike. :tu

[Sauer Grapes]

Puerto Rico...

1) You can visit the rain forest (El Yunque is how I think it's spelled). They have a great waterfall that you can swim under that's on a nice hike after a beautiful drive.

2) Culebra. It's one of the spanish virgin island and is supposed to be beautiful. The water and beaches should be just what you are looking for.

3) Vieques. It's another spanish virgin island (one I've been to twice) and has beaches that aren't crowded at all. Furthermore, they have the biobay that you can kayak in at night and the water glows when it is disturbed. Very cool. So cool in fact that I took my wife there to show her it even though I'd been before. http://www.viequestravelguide.com/mosquito-bioluminescent-bay.html

4) It's still in the US, so you don't need a passport and it's generally cheaper.

[shilala]

Puerto Rico...

...Furthermore, they have the biobay that you can kayak in at night and the water glows when it is disturbed. Very cool. So cool in fact that I took my wife there to show her it even though I'd been before. http://www.viequestravelguide.com/mosquito-bioluminescent-bay.html

Now THAT'S cool. :D
Puerto Rico has been on our list for a couple years now, I'm looking forward to it. I will definately keep the biobay in mind, it's too cool not to go see it in person. :tu

[Sauer Grapes]

Now THAT'S cool. :D
Puerto Rico has been on our list for a couple years now, I'm looking forward to it. I will definately keep the biobay in mind, it's too cool not to go see it in person. :tu

While Vieques has nice beaches that aren't crowded at all (you may very well be the only people at times), they aren't very Caribbean-esq. Culebra, where I haven't been is supposed to have the best beaches and water.

[maconusmile]

I have the perfect spot. It is in CanCun Mexico way up north as far as you can go with only a single other resort located right next to it. You have to drive through the Mayan Ruins to get to this place called Excellence Playa Mujeres. It is an incredible "higher end" resort that caters to you the whole time you are there you will be treated like royalty. It is highly secured as you will go through 3 military checkpoints with 20 foot tall security gates. It is about an hour from the Cancun International airport. They take you there in a private Lincoln Navigator limo and it's worth every penny. When you arrive they open the doors to your limo and greet you with a cold wet towel to wipe off the travel and hands they they pour you some really nice glasses of champaign. This is an all inclusive resort with about a dozen excellent resturants. They have shows, and entertainment every day/night. They serve top shelf drinks , top shelf food, and they have this awesome cigar bar there that sell and kinds of cuban cigars you would want. I thing they have around 15 different pools with nice cabanas to rest in. There is parasailing, bow and arrow, gun shooting, jet skies ect.... lots of things to do. we stayed there9 days, 8 nights and we are sooo ready to go back. We bought a sailing package that took us to another island and let us snorkel or whatever we wanted to do. I smoked several cuban cigars and rented a golf cart to drive down the streets of this island they take you too called Isla Mujeres, I bought thaht place up.. It was a really wonderful day. We can't wait to go back to Playa Mujeres. Such a great place to stay, relax/have any kind of drink imaginable and a nice cigar to go with it! I would recommend this place to anyone who needs a getaway with their significant other. No kids allowed, and couple's only.

[jjirons69]

It's a stretch - The Maldives. It's half way around the world. If I could go any where, I'd pick it first.

"The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in both population and land area. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, it is the planet's lowest country. It is also the country with the lowest highest point in the world, at 2.3 metres (7 ft 7 in)."

http://www.themaldivesresorts.com/wp-content/uploads/adaaran-club-rannalhi-maldives.jpg

http://www.themaldivesresorts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Kanuhura-Maldives-620x309.jpg

http://www.maldiveholiday.com/images/maldives01.jpg

http://creativeroots.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Aerial-View-of-a-Tropical-Island-Maldives.jpg

[shilala]

I have the perfect spot. It is in CanCun Mexico way up north as far as you can go with only a single other resort located right next to it. You have to drive through the Mayan Ruins to get to this place called Excellence Playa Mujeres. It is an incredible "higher end" resort that caters to you the whole time you are there you will be treated like royalty. It is highly secured as you will go through 3 military checkpoints with 20 foot tall security gates. It is about an hour from the Cancun International airport. They take you there in a private Lincoln Navigator limo and it's worth every penny. When you arrive they open the doors to your limo and greet you with a cold wet towel to wipe off the travel and hands they they pour you some really nice glasses of champaign. This is an all inclusive resort with about a dozen excellent resturants. They have shows, and entertainment every day/night. They serve top shelf drinks , top shelf food, and they have this awesome cigar bar there that sell and kinds of cuban cigars you would want. I thing they have around 15 different pools with nice cabanas to rest in. There is parasailing, bow and arrow, gun shooting, jet skies ect.... lots of things to do. we stayed there9 days, 8 nights and we are sooo ready to go back. We bought a sailing package that took us to another island and let us snorkel or whatever we wanted to do. I smoked several cuban cigars and rented a golf cart to drive down the streets of this island they take you too called Isla Mujeres, I bought thaht place up.. It was a really wonderful day. We can't wait to go back to Playa Mujeres. Such a great place to stay, relax/have any kind of drink imaginable and a nice cigar to go with it! I would recommend this place to anyone who needs a getaway with their significant other. No kids allowed, and couple's only.

I've been to Excellence Punta Cana in Dominican. It's all you said and more, same resort. They have two other locations, I believe. Cancun is one and Oyster Bay Jamaica? is under construction.
I'd like to go back there with the whole family, it's incredible. I'm sure everyone would love it and we'd all have a blast.

[shilala]

It's a stretch - The Maldives. It's half way around the world. If I could go any where, I'd pick it first.

"The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in both population and land area. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, it is the planet's lowest country. It is also the country with the lowest highest point in the world, at 2.3 metres (7 ft 7 in)."

That's what I'm talkin about right there, Jamie. How cool would that be?
There's a bunch of Islands like that between Dominican and Caicos, I saw them from the plane. I just don't know exactly where they are.

[LigaPrivadaT84]

It's a stretch - The Maldives. It's half way around the world. If I could go any where, I'd pick it first.

"The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in both population and land area. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, it is the planet's lowest country. It is also the country with the lowest highest point in the world, at 2.3 metres (7 ft 7 in)."

http://www.themaldivesresorts.com/wp-content/uploads/adaaran-club-rannalhi-maldives.jpg

http://www.themaldivesresorts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Kanuhura-Maldives-620x309.jpg

http://www.maldiveholiday.com/images/maldives01.jpg

http://creativeroots.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Aerial-View-of-a-Tropical-Island-Maldives.jpg
That is so beautiful.

[BnBTobacco]

Mexico is a good place for travel or you may consider getting a package to the Holy Land. :)

[AlohaStyle]

I forget, you live on the west coast right? If so, I really would consider Hawaii. I agree that Maui would be too busy for your liking judging by what you have written in this thread. Hilo is not a fun place to stay at all, there's really nothing to do there, in a bad way. It's kinda a junky town, but I do love the Big Island. Something to consider is staying on Lanai or Molokai which are the two small islands right off Maui. Lanai has a couple resorts to stay at and has some good snorkeling/diving right off the coast. Molokai has one, maybe two resorts but I have a friend that goes there every year and just rents a house on the beach. They have become friends with locals that live in the area because they have gone the last few years. Both islands give you the great Hawaii feel, you will see the whales, has great diving, great beaches and is very secluded compared to the "main" islands. Plus if you live on the west coast, it's only a 4-5 hour flight and there are good prices right now.

I really enjoy Kauai too but I'm not too sure about diving.

[Remo]

One of my best buddies says Belize is the most beautiful place on earth and he's literally been all over the world as an entertainer.
I'm not sure what's there but I'm going to look. Thanks for that suggestion, Mike. :tu

I have a time share on Ambergris, google Reef Village...Belize is awesome and fairly close :tu

[irratebass]

April. Plenty of water. Carribean. Lots of booze AND cigars. 5 day cruise from and back to Miami. Diving in Miami afterward to finish the 7 days. http://www.rockypatelcigarcruise.com/ I'm sure you can fit all you want in there. I haven't read the details, but there might be a tobacco plantation in there somewhere and lots of different locations.

Edit: It looks as though there will be snorkeling in the Bahamas upon further reading. And LOTS of booze.

PPS: It looks like about $2000 for two with a balcony on the cruise ship. Margheritaville in Grand turk. Lots of free booze. Lots of beach. You can get a regular room for two for under $1500.

Man, that cruise would be awesome it seems like.

[shilala]

Belize is looking really good. I'm looking pretty hard at Hamanasi Resort (http://www.hamanasi.com/belize_resort.html).
I've found a bunch of other resorts on Ambegris Caye, but I'm not sure that's what we're after.
Ambergris allows a local atmosphere, dining, and night life, while Hamanasi is secluded, quiet, almost deserted and like a resort on the edge of the jungle at the ocean.
I can get to diving and snorkeling from either.
Have any of you been anywhere in Belize?

[Remo]

Belize is looking really good. I'm looking pretty hard at Hamanasi Resort (http://www.hamanasi.com/belize_resort.html).
I've found a bunch of other resorts on Ambegris Caye, but I'm not sure that's what we're after.
Ambergris allows a local atmosphere, dining, and night life, while Hamanasi is secluded, quiet, almost deserted and like a resort on the edge of the jungle at the ocean.
I can get to diving and snorkeling from either.
Have any of you been anywhere in Belize?

Scott,

I have not stayed on mainland Belize, but I bet that's what you are after, inland is the rainforest/jungle, plantations, mayan ruins, then there is the ocean and you can take a ferry out to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker to walk around for the day. Go out on a boat to Shark/Ray alley and snorkle/dive on the reef with Sharks, Rays and tons of fish and coral. It is really great down there.

[shilala]

I'm feeling it, Mike. It sounds awesome.
Dom is going to send me some books he has on Belize, hopefully I can find a place. Hamanasi is on the pricey side and it's not at all posh for the premium. The rooms are real nice, but we seldom see the inside of our room on an entire vacation. That kind of makes any room adequate.
I looked at a couple 11 acre island deals and stuff like that, but the reviews were all over the place. I'll find something even if we have to stay on Ambergris. Lisa might enjoy the shopping and dining part, but I'd rather visit the island than stay there.
I also found a couple well-equipped dive-oriented mainland places. I'll eyeball them some more later.

[rrplasencia]

http://www.hedonism.com/ :tu

[Remo]

Cool Scott, I love it and I have been alot of vacation places. Cozumel, Dominican, Costa Rica, Bahamas it is a great laid back place :tu

[shilala]

Mike reminded me that I had kind of abandoned this post.
I picked Belize. You guys talked me into it and Dom sent me tons of info, and that pretty much sealed it up.
I'm guessing we'll stay on Caye Caulker. I think it'll get us the authentic flavor we're looking for, and I should be able to get locals to hook us up on day trips snorkeling, diving, fishing, whatever.
I'm hoping to go around the end of January. We might even hold off until the first week of February. Lisa has surgery on her hand tomorrow and that should be fully healed in 6-8 weeks, so from the 3rd week in January on we should be good. I want to wait until everything is definately okay before I book, so with rates and flights and all, it might push us out farther into February, but that's fine by me.
If worse comes to worse we can go for a weekend in Key West to hold us over. ;)

[Remo]

Caye Caulker is great, small and quaint :tu I may be on Ambergis in Jan. sometime, how awesome would it be to hook up and herf in Belize :tu

[shilala]

That'd be sweet, Mike. :tu
It looks like we might be going early February now. It all depends on how well Lisa's hand heals up from surgery. I almost bought our tickets the night before her surgery, it's a good thing I didn't. She may not even have the cast off yet.

[ade06]

When I went to Belize I did a cave tubing trip with http://www.cave-tubing.com/. We all had a blast!