Vacation in Feb, someplace warm...where?
 

The missus and I are planning a trip to someplace warm and sandy this February (last two weeks of the month). Looking for someplace warm, safe, 4 or more star rating and are we not looking to party every night!

I've traveled away during spring break trips to Mexico when I was young, Euro too but this is our first trip away together during with winter months.

We will be flying out of Toronto and plan on going for 7 days. Any suggestions for places to travel too? I've heard great things about Varadero Cuba and the Mayan Riviera but would love input from people who have been away during this time of year? Where to go? Places that are good weather wise, no university kids on spring break...etc.

Please feel free to offer tips or FYI's....anything that could help make our trip safe and a great experience! Cheers!

I will say that Varadero Cuba is worth a go.

DO go 4+ stars. DO NOT go 3 or less or you might not be able to eat the food.

4 stars in Cuba is like 3 stars in Mexico or the Dominican Republic.

If you don't mind low-key vacations, it's cheap and the service is generally good, and the people are generally nice.

You must absolutely go to Havana. A day trip is the minimum, but longer is ideal.

I hear that the dance clubs in Havana are a singular experience. I've not been there myself, but I hope to visit them some day.

There's also Belize and Costa Rica.

It's further away but I have heard good things about Palawan Island, Philippines. There's been lots of new developments recently and they're trying to open it up for tourism, but it's still pretty cheap because it's not too popular just yet. A cut-price slice of tropical paradise!

Jamaica has always been one of my favorite places and the people are so nice and helpful. Plus there's no language barrier for us Yanks.

If you go, be sure to hang out around Ocho Rios and travel to the Dunne's River Falls where there are spectacular water falls to climb up (or down) and it's truly my idea of a place where you feel like it's the Garden of Eden!

Lucky you! I've been to Negril Jamaica in November and stayed at a romantic little place on the 7 mile beach there called Charela Inn but if you want to party then I recommend one of the all-inclusive resorts like Sandals or Beaches (all you can drink for one price packages etc). One resort on the northern part of 7-mile beach was "clothing optional" and geared for couples but I don't know the name. I just know it's there because as I walked the beach going north I started passing naked couples and realized what I was coming upon. You may like that though. Hurricane weather is over and you can count on warm temps there.

I highly recommend the Rockhouse Restaurant there. We had Lobster on Thanksgiving Day...overlooking the lit lagoon, awesome rock cliffs, and sunset. Food was delicious. You could eat out on the deck...no bugs, perfect weather. It's also a romantic hotel but is on cliffs vs beach (i preferred being on the beach (turquoise water/white sands).

Have fun!

warm? sandy?

no brainer! :D

Another suggestion is Ambergris Caye, Belize. San Pedro is the only town there but is lively with lots of music and action. I prefer Caye Caulker though. It's smaller and therefore less lively but absolutely gorgeous and fun. Check out Lazy Lizard Split Bar.

If you don't want to go that far and you really are focused more on partying then you can always do Miami (lots of eye candy there...oops you're married...well, look don't touch). I love the art deco architecture in one little area there. I like the beaches in Ft. Lauderdale and the shopping on Los Olas.

And if you want to "rough it" in Ambergris Caye you can camp right on the beach for $7 per person which includes tent, kerosene lamp, foam mattress, and showers (10 minute walk to San Pedro):

http://ambergriscaye.com/camping/

key west...

I'd say a resort in Bahia, Brazil, maybe in an area like Guarajuba or Maraú peninsula, or further South to Florianópolis island. Definitely go 4 stars or higher.

Grand Lido Negril. Couples only, pretty much. Few kids. Great beach. 5 stars.

Go down to Trinidad for Carnival!

Well, Carnival/Mardi Gras is the 2nd week of February this year, so that doesn't fit. Otherwise, I'd tell you to head to Brazil or one of the other blow-out destinations for that.

Stay away from Southern Florida - not because it isn't great (it is) - but because there's a good chance that it won't be as warm as you'd like. I've stayed in the southern Keys in February, and it can get cool, even during the day. You probably won't be going in the water.

Something you might want to consider, though, is going to the British Virgin Islands and renting a crewed boat. There's a captain and chef on board, and you can go pretty much where you want. Too many or too few people? Pick up anchor and sail along. If you want to stay on land, there are very good options for that as well.

Have fun!

BELIZE....cheap,fun,they speak english...It's swell!

xoxoxoo

Take another week off and go to Australia. I would start in Sydney then check out the Gold Coast. Get away from the cities for a few of the days.

I have a friend who stayed here and she said it was great: Blancaneaux Lodge, Turtle Inn, La Lancha | Francis Ford Coppola Blancaneaux Resorts | Belize Vacations | Belize Resorts | Belize Holiday | Tikal Vacations

If you can travel a little further, I'd suggest Bali or Langkawi.

Yes... I did the Beaches resort near Ocho Rios (Ultra all inclusive) with the family for March break. the local attractions are great, the people are spectacular &friendly even off resort. Dunns river is worth the trek. Get the video that they make of you at the end (for $10 US it's worth it) because you will watch it a lot later.

Ocho Rios also has a Sandals resort for couples. You could do a lot worse than enjoying Jamaican culture and cuisine. Especially since there is such a strong Toronto connection, you will meet people every day that have relatives living in Willowdale, or Scarborough, or Jane/Finch... These people were my main source of NHL updates as the resorts seem to be obsessed with NBA or the Fresh Prince of Belaire on their TV sets.....

have had pretty good luck with Hawaii - far enough out to deter most of the spring break crowd while still having incredible natural beauty. Colorful beaches (green sand, black sand, etc) some of the best scuba diving in the world, live volcanoes, one of the world's top observatories. We rented a house for about 1200$ for the week, which when you look at hotel prices that are 200$+ a night that turns out to be a pretty swell deal.

Been to Maui and Kauai and gotta say that Kauai is so much prettier and a better place for beaches, restaurants and seemed less expensive. Killer golf courses that have major wind and intense rough!! On Maui there are still has some deep wild tropical areas to camp and get buck naked and lots more dolphin activity. Very mystical, if you find the right guides and locations to visit with the dolphins. That's becoming more tricky to arrange BTW.

Maui was more like Marin County (Ca.) West...gated communities -and rules, rules, rules and so many over-priced places to eat and/or be entertained. People in Maui seemed less willing to be helpful and a lot less native culture was visible. Most islanders on Maui look like LA soccer moms and Xerox dads. Sorry, it had to be said.

Cruising Hana Highway was scary, but fun and so FAR out there & bumpy - hope your teeth are all in tact :) , I can see why George Harrison & his family lived out there for peace and quiet. Lots of famous folk live in or near Hana.

Check out vrbo.com's caribbean destinations. Caribbean Vacation - Caribbean Vacation Rentals & Caribbean Villas on VRBO®

This is a bit of a shamelss plug but I have a place on Water Island in the USVI. You can find out more about Water Island here: Water Island - Virgin Islands

The great thing about Water Island is that it's close enough to St. Thomas that you can go into town for the Par-tay but then return home to Water Island where you have Honeymoon Beach almost entirely to yourself. It's a great little island...

Cheers,
Blackthorn

Just an update that I did book this trip and leave the second week of Feb. Going to Ocho Rios Jamaica for some sun and fun!

thanks again everyone for the input and help! hunnychile thank you for the pm!!!

good choice! Staying in a resort? take the jeep tour of the country side and Dunn's River falls walk.

Hey you didn't mention you wanted to smoke pot on your vacation that would have made it a no-brainer for Jamaica. Don't try to snorkel while stoned, the sea cucumbers will freak you out real good. But seriously...maybe get some antibiotics from your doctor for Montezuma's Revenge, don't want to lose a day or 3 in bed sick.

LOL no weed on this trip! Although I hear you get offered it in huge quantities....I'll save my smoking for when I am home in enjoying some of own home grown!

My girlfriend will definitely have something on had for the anal leakage. She is a worry wart and always has to go-go....

Should be a good trip, looking forward to getting away from all this snow!