Sunny days ahead

Bust through the winter blues with a trip to sunny climes – at any budget
Jan. 21, 2011 | By: Alison Dunn

Winter’s here, and with it comes scraping the snow off the car, fighting traffic in a snowstorm, chilly gray days and the blahs. It’s enough to make you feel, well, blah.

Given the “joys” of a Canadian winter, it’s no wonder many of us look to the sunny skies of the south for a mid-winter getaway. But when you’re trying to plan a beach vacation getaway, it can be tough deciding where to go. Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, St. Maartin, St. Lucia: which destination is right for you? And which one is right for your budget? Below is our handy guide to southern getaways for every budget.

For the budget traveller

If you want to get away but don’t want to spend a fortune, consider one of the most popular southern destinations: Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. All off these offer all-inclusive vacations ranging from as low as $400 (plus taxes) all the way up to luxury vacations costing thousands of dollars.

The good: Choosing one of these popular destinations is a great way to save money and still experience a getaway. Beautiful beaches, sunny skies and a variety of vacation options (family resorts, adults-only resorts and resorts geared to younger adults) allow you to customize your vacation to fit your needs.

The bad: Many of these countries are currently experiencing political unrest, economic uncertainty and higher crime rates. Often, guests are advised not to leave the resort property to avoid becoming victim of a crime. The Canadian government is warning Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Mexico in particular due to a “deteriorating security situation.” However, the government does note that tourist areas are safer than the border regions, and recommends entering the country via plane rather than by car.

Off the beaten path

If budget destinations aren’t your style, consider going to a smaller island in the Caribbean, like Dominica. Pronounced “dom-in-eek-a,” this lesser-known island offers lush rainforests, pristine waterfalls, and temperatures that will warm you inside and out. Other unique destinations include Anguilla, Aruba, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Kitts & Nevis and many more. (Check out www.caribbeantravel.com for an entire list of destinations.)
 
The good: By choosing a vacation destination that’s slightly less popular, there is generally less crime and less crowding. Also, many of the smaller islands don’t have restrictions on drinking water, which means less of a chance of getting “Montezuma’s Revenge.” If you’re looking for a quieter getaway, these relaxing destinations can be everything you want in a vacation.

The bad: These destinations aren’t always as budget-friendly as other destinations. You can expect to pay more, and you may be at the mercy of a less-frequent flight schedule.

The luxe life

If you want a top-notch, luxury vacation destination (short of renting your own private island, that is), you’re sure to find it at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. This spectacular resort offers 35 bars, restaurants and lounges, luxury accommodations, fresh and salt-water pools and lagoons, amazing water adventures, cascading waterfalls and a marine habitat with an assortment of exhibit lagoons and underwater formations – all located on a beach that has been called the most beautiful in the world. Other Caribbean islands offer many of the same type of resorts.

The good: When you head to a place like Atlantis, you know you’re going in style. From dining to room accommodations, everything is perfect. You can also find resorts with a number of activities, including snorkeling, parasailing, golf courses, casinos and plenty of other activities.

The bad: While you certainly get what you pay for, a destination like Atlantis is pricey – not always feasible for travellers on a budget.