We're planning our first "alone" trip in many many years. We've immigrated from Europe and we haven't been to Mexico or any of the other exotic places south of Calgary. We're hoping to leave in the end of Februari or maybe March. We're looking into something exotic in an all inclusive.
Does any of you have ideas? We're even thinking of cruises but we're not sure if that's something we like.
Thanks for helping us out here

Jamaica is amazing.

Budget? Id recommend Sandals!

Doing Mexico for the first time! Always go to Hawaii but thought I would do something different! Hope it is good

Did a Hawaii cruise last year on NCL excellent!

Budget is on the low side, hoping to get it under 2500 for the both of us.

Due to it being high season, prices are high during those times. Do research to be sure you wont be anywhere on "Spring Break". If Mexico, try Tulum, Sayulita or Zihuatanejo. Cuba is also nice. Try a travel agent as well! Good luck and enjoy!!

Varadero,Cuba

Caroline Hay
Cuba is nice and in January it is cheap, can be a bit cool though.

I can see flights to Maui lowest ~ $520 pp return on some days late Feb early March. Maui or Hawaii big island highly recommended too.

Anneke, I sent you a PM! Besides that: our first trip south was to Huatulco, Mexico in 2006 and we've been going south every year since. We try to go to a different destination every year, but Huatulco is still one of our favourites.
Having said that, Cuba is probably the cheapest, but it's not for everyone.

I have been to Mexico 12 trips, my all time favorite is Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo.. Still has the authentic Mexican feel..

I read a lot of nasty reviews about the quality (or lack of) of food in Cuba, does any of you recognize?

I got salmonella in Cuba, but I guess you can get it anywhere

all they say is the food is bad in Cuba

We stayed the Barcelo Los cabos deluxe and it was a beautiful resort with amazing food. Only downside is that there is no nightclub and u can't swim in the ocean.

We stayed at a Couples resort (tower isle) in Jamaica last year. We gained 10lbs. Steak that could rival the keg. Free excursions, cruises and more. Plus, no kids

Why couldn't you swim in the ocean Dita? We love good food but it doesn't have to be fancy. Does any one of you know the El Cid Castilla in Mazatlan Mexico?

It's the undertow that is dangerous. I went in knee deep, had to stand perpendicular to the beach and dig my feet in the sand to keep me from falling over. The buffet food was as good if not better than the a la carte ones. We booked through westjet vacations and did 2 excursions. One was the catamaran w/snorkelling and the other was the ziplining....which was awesome!

If I was you I would book today. 15% off promo code on air canada with GIFT for flights up to june 15 expires tomorrow. You can get round trips to bogota Columbia for 1500-1600 for two couple, round trips to lima, peru for about 1800 per couple. Columbia is great for food, hiking, waterfalls, kitesurfing, coffee plantations, white water rafting, whale watching (seasonally), diving etc. Peru is great for food, Machu Pichu trek of course and Amazon treks. if either of these seem interesting pm me for more informaiton

Oh yeah, and if this matters to you you should be able to work out a free stopover in Toronto on many flights to South America with a Calgary departure. I just saw your budget - if you feel up for doing something different than your friends avoid the couples resorts, avoid the cruises and try Peru or Columbia - it'll be an adventure.

I recommend the Riu in Los Cabos. Best holiday ever. Been twice. Will never go to Cuba again, not even for free. Food was terrible.

We've been to Cuba twice now. We love it! The Rum, Cigars, the beaches, the culture and the people! Yes the food isn't great, but the drinks are! The food is just more bland, and selection is limited because of what they can get. Beaches are amazing and the water is stunning! Can walk out a long ways with icing sugar soft white sand! Temp was good for us. We have always gone the last week of January. So much to do! The Catamaran tour, Double decker bus to Varadero, Havana tour with Tropicana show. Had a great time!

Wow! Jody, we were never asked for money anywhere! Mexico is terrible for that! We had a great time!

I like Shannon' post. I'd be interested in knowing more about the free excursions and cruises offered at that resort. Staying someplace like that could help keep you keep within your budget. If you want to do anything off the resort, these things usually cost extra. Personally, I would choose Cuba over Mexico. We've been to Cuba twice (Cayo Coco and Varadero), and the food was fine both times. They do Cuban food for tourists, so it is bland, as others have pointed out. We liked Cayo Coco over Varadero. In any of these places, as soon as you give to one beggar or buy one box of Chicklets, you'll be swarmed. So, just say no to all of them.

We did a sunset catamaran cruise, waterskiing, climbed dunn's river falls, my husband had lessons on that board you stand on with the big sail (forget the name LOL), kayaking, etc. There were more excursions but we had so much more to do, we didn't go on them. Every day they had things to do almost on the hour as well. Football on the beach, tye dying shirts, crab races. The nightly entertainment could never be rivaled. Contortionists, dancers of all sorts, fire breathers,and an incredible electric saxophone player. There's supper on the beach one night as well, which is lovely. A huge buffet.

After reading all the Triipadvisor advises you almost get scared to make any kind of decision. But, we did anyhow
, we're going to Holidays Inn in Los Cabos, Mexico. Thanks every one for guiding us, we're very excited with our first big trip without kids

have fun!!! (of veel plezier
)