Vacation Destination

[Yogi6407]

I am sure this gets asked alot but I am going to ask again with my particular specs. My wife and I are looking to go on a nice, at least for us, vacation and take our two kids with us. I dive and my 13 year old daughter just got certified this summer. My wife and my 11 year old son do not dive. We are looking to go some where that my daughter and I can do a few dives through out the week but still have other activities for the family to do. My wife loves to go to the beach and watch the waves come in. We are looking to go all inclusive and are trying to stay under $5000. We can leave out of Chicago or Indy and are looking to go first week of April. Any suggestions would be very appriciated.

 

[ScubaSteve1962]

Try any of the RIU hotels, most have dive shops on site.

RIU Hotels & Resorts - Hotel deals - Book hotels online in Aruba, Caribe, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Tunisia and many more destinations!

 

[robint]

Finding a destination with wonderful beaches, and also wonderful diving is usually impossible. One does not usually include the other.

With that said, I would lean towards recommending you go to Belize or Maui Hawaii. There are plenty of topside activities at each, and diving. Neither has AI resorts though. Many places on Ambergris Caye Belize do have meal plans, which would work. I think you should check out Ramon's Village, might be perfect for you. website: Ramon's Resorts

Another suggestion is going to Playa del Carmen Mexico, just across the water from Cozumel. Tons of big AI resorts, beaches, and some okay diving. You and daughter could also take the ferry over to Cozumel for better diving, if you want to take a full day. I would think you would be happy with diving there locally though.

Grand Cayman also has beaches and diving, but no AI resorts like other places. Plus it is very expensive.

robin

a good place to check out DIVE destination travel is one of the specialists - Caradonna or Bay Adventures or Island Dreams. All 3 are good reliable companies with prices on websites.

 

[diversteve]

If you just picked the 1st week of April at random, you might do better on your budget to extend past the 15th if possible as that's when low-season rates typically kick in.

Some options off the top of my head - You may not be able to do all these under $5K.

Beaches Turks/Caicos
Lions Dive Curacao
Princess Beach Resort (formerly Breezes) Curacao
The Wyndham Viva Fortuna - Freeport Grand Bahama
Breezes Nassau
possibly Bolongo Bay or Sapphire Beach Resort on St. Thomas - IDK if they're AI's.
Something in West Bay on Roatan - Bananarama? or maybe Luna Beach Resort - but other activities there are more limited. Sand Flies are also a problem for beachgoers.

Wanting AI limits your options somewhat.

 

[Yogi6407]

Thank you, I think we are going to try Cozumel. Seems to be teh closest to what we want. I am looking forward to doing some diving and relaxing. Thanks again, will report back on how it goes.

 

[ScubaSteve1962]

Here's another place that seems to have a lot of options

Barceló Hotels | Barcelo.com

 

[robertmary]

I am sure this gets asked alot but I am going to ask again with my particular specs. My wife and I are looking to go on a nice, at least for us, vacation and take our two kids with us. I dive and my 13 year old daughter just got certified this summer. My wife and my 11 year old son do not dive. We are looking to go some where that my daughter and I can do a few dives through out the week but still have other activities for the family to do. My wife loves to go to the beach and watch the waves come in. We are looking to go all inclusive and are trying to stay under $5000. We can leave out of Chicago or Indy and are looking to go first week of April. Any suggestions would be very appriciated.

Try to do a long drive.