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Good Vacations?

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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
So my fam wants to take a trip over spring break this year. My parents and my lil bro will be going. We like to do all sorts of stuff.

We have to keep it somewhat cheap, so we're staying in the Western Hemisphere. We've thought about places in central or South America. We've been to cancun and Cozumel before and we want to do something new.

We've thought about Panama, maybe even Peru or Argentina. It would be awesome to go to a place with beeches and mountains that aren't too far apart. Maybe Peru or Colombia? Idk NS help us out.
Jan 25 2016 12:40PM
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jca
Posts: 4162 - Karma: 6,261
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama would be worth looking into. Usually the flights are fairly cheap and there's tons of fun and cheap stuff to do in the area.
Jan 25 2016 12:42PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6792 - Karma: 23,524
Gas is cheap right now. Just filled up @ $1.89/gallon. You all could road trip to Oregon and hit up Mt. Hood and the Coast.
Jan 25 2016 12:46PM
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saskskier
Posts: 4772 - Karma: 9,984
Come up to Canada. You're dollar is is worth $1.42 of ours right now...
Jan 25 2016 12:49PM
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Zypher
Posts: 2336 - Karma: 2,268
OregonDeadGas is cheap right now. Just filled up @ $1.89/gallon. You all could road trip to Oregon and hit up Mt. Hood and the Coast.


This, If you come out to Oregon for like a week you can ski at Bachelor, Hood, Hoodoo, etc. See the coast bc even in the winter its still cool and pretend to be a hipster in Portland.
Jan 25 2016 1:21PM
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JGWI
Posts: 2842 - Karma: 7,812
The only problem I have found with the larger islands and land connected countries in that region is they tend to be dirty. I've heard good things about Peru and Ecuador but I would suggest you stay away from anything north of that. Columbia and especially Venezuela offer little to see and they are certainly (at least in my opinion) not the kind of place I would enjoy traveling around in. There is always this sense of unease. I would also say the same about western and southern Jamaica as well as Puerto Rico.

If your not really looking for a big cultural experience then I might suggest the Cayman Islands. Housing can be rented for a decent price and while there isn't any mountains, Grand Cayman has less of a touristy feel than many of the other destinations (really laid back and might I say white people friendly on account that it is a British territory). And if your into snorkeling, the north side of the island has some of the best I have ever done. Some of the virgin islands are a good option to but are more expensive.

I guess it depends what your looking to get out of your vacation.
Jan 25 2016 1:45PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
jcaNicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama would be worth looking into. Usually the flights are fairly cheap and there's tons of fun and cheap stuff to do in the area.


I will look more into these. Nicaragua would be awesome but I heard you have to jump around from good surfing to good snorkeling and I think we want to stay somewhat stationary.


OregonDeadGas is cheap right now. Just filled up @ $1.89/gallon. You all could road trip to Oregon and hit up Mt. Hood and the Coast.


saskskierCome up to Canada. You're dollar is is worth $1.42 of ours right now...


ZypherThis, If you come out to Oregon for like a week you can ski at Bachelor, Hood, Hoodoo, etc. See the coast bc even in the winter its still cool and pretend to be a hipster in Portland.


Unfortunately, we're looking more at a tropical vacation at the moment.
Jan 25 2016 2:07PM
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Drail
Posts: 14011 - Karma: 10,001
.lenconI will look more into these. Nicaragua would be awesome but I heard you have to jump around from good surfing to good snorkeling and I think we want to stay somewhat stationary.








Unfortunately, we're looking more at a tropical vacation at the moment.



A lot of my friends love Nicaragua and go down every year. I have three friends down there right now spendin the whole winter. Another group of friends does an annual trip to Ecuador every year and want to move down there. The Ecuador folk go down in the fall, not sure if it makes a difference as far as when the surf is good and whatnot. Do equator areas have seasons? I know the North/south Amazon has changing wet/dry seasons so I assume it's the same on the Ecuador coast but I could be wrong. It'd be a shame to go somewhere and end up in the wet season with flat surf.
Jan 25 2016 2:26PM
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Lskier_
Posts: 183 - Karma: 1,952
i woud highly suggest Patagonia. I went in chile and it was amazing and so nice. I haven't been to Argentina but it was honestly such a fun trip. Lots of good hiking if your into that idk how the ski conditions are gunna be in the spring
Jan 25 2016 8:01PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Lskier_i woud highly suggest Patagonia. I went in chile and it was amazing and so nice. I haven't been to Argentina but it was honestly such a fun trip. Lots of good hiking if your into that idk how the ski conditions are gunna be in the spring


We've thought about that as well. Probably pretty expensive for us to bring our skis though..
Jan 25 2016 8:05PM
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Lskier_
Posts: 183 - Karma: 1,952
we didn't ski when we went, just hiked and relaxed. we also went to the Atacama desert which was pretty cool and had lots of fun things to do.
Jan 25 2016 8:12PM
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CHORIZO
Posts: 2003 - Karma: 10,039
Park city spraaaang break
Jan 25 2016 9:57PM
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FrenchFry
Posts: 969 - Karma: 3,432
Whistler ski trip!!!!!
Jan 25 2016 10:31PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
.lenconI will look more into these. Nicaragua would be awesome but I heard you have to jump around from good surfing to good snorkeling and I think we want to stay somewhat stationary.








Unfortunately, we're looking more at a tropical vacation at the moment.


Nicaragua is awesome, it does involve some travelling, but I found travelling on the bus around the country one of the best experiences. But you could get a pretty decent family friendly holiday in san juan del sur.

If you want both surf and snorkelling in central america you could look into santa catalina panama. Great country, but fairly expensive by central american standards.
Jan 25 2016 11:26PM
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itzki
Posts: 444 - Karma: 1,344
I had a lot of fun when I went to Panama. Also got a really nice tan. Make sure you stay at a hotel on the Caribbean side, the beaches are much nicer and the water's warmer. Also would recommend taking a trip to visit the native Embera indians, I had a lot of fun doing that. Make sure you get the hotel to drive you to/from the airport and stuff, don't rent a car, super easy to be carjacked there if you aren't careful. Another plus is language barrier isn't always huge, and they use US dollars for money so there's no conversion required.

I'd also recommend visiting Caribbean islands, especially the virgin islands (US or British) with the benefit of going to the USVI being you don't need to go through customs, since you're still technically in the US. You'll end up going to the USVI because you have to land in St. Thomas anyway, but I would take a ferry to St. John which is much nicer than St. Thomas and still in the US or St. Croix, or go to Tortola which is in the BVI, that's a really cool island too. Also recommend if you ever go there to either rent a sailboat yourself or hire a charter to sail you around the islands for the day, or, if you're willing to spend more money, overnight. Either way, good luck OP!
Jan 26 2016 12:05AM
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addie.
Posts: 350 - Karma: 1,430
I've heard Nicaragua is sick for surfing. I know Hawaii is cliche but there are usually pretty cheap places to stay as long as you're not right on the beach (which can sometimes be more fun) in Lahaina on Maui or elsewhere (Kauai is a pretty good bang for your buck usually, but watch the weather... can get rainy in spring.)
Jan 26 2016 12:12AM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
We booked a trip to Playa del Carmen. I think we would have rather gone elsewhere but it was getting expensive the closer to spring break and we got a good deal.

Has anyone been to Playa del Carmen? The cenotes and deep sea fishing interests me. Also snorkeling. Anyone have any recommendations/info/insight? Thanks
Jan 27 2016 6:51PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,656
If going to a tropical island is considered a cheap vacation i wanna know whats expensive to u guys damn
Jan 27 2016 6:55PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Chubz.If going to a tropical island is considered a cheap vacation i wanna know whats expensive to u guys damn


Haha not cheap, but cheaper. And my family loves to travel, it's what they spend their extra cash on. I'll have to pay for all of my college, but I went to Nepal/Thailand for 3 weeks last year. And I pay for everything like my gas, ski stuff, and what not. Just kinda how my family works.
Jan 27 2016 7:37PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,656
.lenconHaha not cheap, but cheaper. And my family loves to travel, it's what they spend their extra cash on. I'll have to pay for all of my college, but I went to Nepal/Thailand for 3 weeks last year. And I pay for everything like my gas, ski stuff, and what not. Just kinda how my family works.


I mean hey blow it if you got it, no shame in that. Im not bashing ur fam or anything it just surprised me haha
Jan 27 2016 9:47PM
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Casey
Posts: 7785 - Karma: 23,466
I would recommend Tulum, Mexico. Its kind of a pain to get there you have to fly to Cancun and take a long ass bus ride, but the ocean beaches are amazing, deserted usually, the cenote diving itself would be worth going for. There's ancient Mayan ruins all over the place which are super cool, you can jeep to Belize apparently and the exchange rate there is ridiculous. I definitely want to explore the Yucatan more its super fun.
Jan 27 2016 10:30PM
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jca
Posts: 4162 - Karma: 6,261
Chubz.If going to a tropical island is considered a cheap vacation i wanna know whats expensive to u guys damn


i've travelled in tropical places for a lot less money per month (including flights) than i spend living in a city.
Jan 27 2016 11:16PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
CaseyI would recommend Tulum, Mexico. Its kind of a pain to get there you have to fly to Cancun and take a long ass bus ride, but the ocean beaches are amazing, deserted usually, the cenote diving itself would be worth going for. There's ancient Mayan ruins all over the place which are super cool, you can jeep to Belize apparently and the exchange rate there is ridiculous. I definitely want to explore the Yucatan more its super fun.


Yeah we're going to playa del Carmen now. We're gonna check out cenotes for sure. Probably lots of snorkeling, maybe go to a few ruins as well.
Jan 27 2016 11:21PM
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Casey
Posts: 7785 - Karma: 23,466
.lenconYeah we're going to playa del Carmen now. We're gonna check out cenotes for sure. Probably lots of snorkeling, maybe go to a few ruins as well.


Oh sorry i didnt read your post that carefully. It depends on what you want to do, but I thought playa was gross, expensive, and kind of lame after a few days- although doing drugs and taking a million tequila jello shots at coco bongo all night long was probably worth doing. The idea of paying for a beach club and shopping at a top dollar strip mall just seems lame as fuck to me. gotta get out of playa if you end up staying there
Jan 28 2016 12:06AM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
CaseyOh sorry i didnt read your post that carefully. It depends on what you want to do, but I thought playa was gross, expensive, and kind of lame after a few days- although doing drugs and taking a million tequila jello shots at coco bongo all night long was probably worth doing. The idea of paying for a beach club and shopping at a top dollar strip mall just seems lame as fuck to me. gotta get out of playa if you end up staying there


We're not right in playa, just that general area. We've been to cancun before and I feel you, those resort towns are so touristy and dirty. But playa del Carmen isn't that bad, I think my parents have gone before and liked it but I've never been.

Cenotes seem sick tho
Jan 28 2016 9:29AM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6792 - Karma: 23,524
.lenconWe're not right in playa, just that general area. We've been to cancun before and I feel you, those resort towns are so touristy and dirty. But playa del Carmen isn't that bad, I think my parents have gone before and liked it but I've never been.

Cenotes seem sick tho


Take a trip to the Ruins at Coba if you can.
Jan 28 2016 3:57PM
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JGWI
Posts: 2842 - Karma: 7,812
JustGoWithItGrand Cayman

And if your into snorkeling, the north side of the island has some of the best I have ever done.

Never mind, Paul Allen just fucked it up.

http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/paul-allen-megayacht-destroyed-most-of-protected-coral-reef-officials-say/
Jan 28 2016 5:58PM
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