I am finishing a doctorate in the spring. I have been working on it for a few years, and my family wants to take a vacation this summer to celebrate having their dad back. haha.

We want a beach in a place with clear water. An island is preferable, but not necessary. Money is for sure the issue for us. We have enough credit card points to cover flights (probably).

My kids will be 14, 11, 7.

Originally the plan was Hawaii. We began to save, and then realized that we'd spend so much money and time getting over there, that it might not be worth it. And everything seems so expensive over there.

A friend recommended Bonita Springs, Florida. Not an island and can't guarantee clear water. I showed my kids and they were disappointed in that option.

Another friend recommended Isla Mujeres.

What other options are there?

If you were looking at Hawaii, I'd highly recommend the Azores. But, they aren't going to have clear water (Hawaii doesn't either, except for a few man-made lagoons at hotels).

My son and I went to the Azores this past summer and loved it. Very similar in geography/topography to Hawaii (especially the Big Island) but a lot cheaper. I created a thread about it when we got back. You should be able to search and find it.

Congrats on the doctorate! I have mine as well but finished before my son was born.

Mia Reef is all-inclusive on Isla Mujeres. I've not booked anyone there but the water there looks amazing.

Jamaica and Dominican Republic are good options. Generally DR resorts price better than Jamaica and many resorts have water slides and lazy river.

Cozumel has a new Dreams opening but it isn't very big but does have access to Sunscape next door.

Look at the Bahamas. Hawaii is so extremely expensive on the islands you would be better off going to Italy or Spain honestly.

Boracay

Are y'all just going to chill at the beach, or going to do a bunch of things like boating/island activities too?

We're open. My kids love the beach and love to swim. Pools, water slides, etc are good.

We don't fish or boat much. Though I would like for them experience something new.

Look at thesalthouseexuma.com. It's been on my list for the same celebratory trip for years!

Mexico (Caribbean side) or Belize. Some of the clearest water in the planet for a budget. If Hawaii is out of your budget (don't blame you), Mexico is the route, especially from Texas.

Their are resorts that are great for kids that age and plenty to do. There's a reason Europeans travel there for weeks at a time.

Belize is less developed and a bit more painful for travel (connections and puddlejumpers/ferries).

From Houston or dallas, you can be on a white sand beach with a drink in your hand by noon, same day.

We're staying in a nice new resort over thanksgiving, 5 nights, all inclusive (food, beverage, room service) with a room that can sleep 5 (2 room suite), for $2,400. Flights with points.

You can't stay at a Marriott in Florida for that much, not including $200/day in food/beverage

Mexico is the cheaper version of Hawaii. Go south of Cancun and you will find beautiful and relaxing beaches and a host of different hotel types without it being overly commercial. Jamaica in another option but will be more expensive. Between the two is Dominican Republic. If you want to stay in the states then you have the typical haunts in Florida. Personally I would put Costa Rica high on the list as well.

Atlantis in the Bahamas is good for families

Beaches Turcs and Caicos or the other Beaches in Jamaica

AI in Cancun/Playa

How were you planning do Hawaii? I've found some incredibly good deals at AirBnB's in Hawaii. You could stock on groceries and provide many of your own meals and do that fairly affordably.

And whoever said the water is Hawaii isn't clear must have been on a bad week. Water around Hawaii is beautiful, blue, and very clear.

The Cayman's used to be pretty affordable and might check your boxes. But I haven't been or priced it in a long time.

And I hear great things about Punta Cana, but haven't been.

Try this... go to AirBnB's website. Across the top you can filter by "island locations". Then further filter your price range, bedroom requirements, etc. I found some pretty amazing looking options for under $400 a night... several in Panama looked like they would fit the bill.

Congrats on that doctorate! I am perpetually ABD.. sad trombone.

discobrob said:

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We're open. My kids love the beach and love to swim. Pools, water slides, etc are good.

We don't fish or boat much. Though I would like for them experience something new.

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Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana checks those boxes.

So, just to be clear (pun intended), when I hear "clear water" I think of Destin and the waters off certain Florida beaches. Meaning the water is clear in part because it's very shallow and calm and you can see all the way down to the sand.

The beaches in Hawaii aren't really like that. The water is much darker blue, it gets deep much faster, and the waves are typically much stronger. So, while yes, the water is clear if you are snorkeling or scuba diving, it's difficult to to see very deep below the surface if you are on a boat or go very far off shore.

An exception to this would be a man-made lagoon, like what they have at the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island. It's sheltered, so you literally can sit on the shore or paddle board/kayak and see critters swimming in it, all the way to the bottom. Another exception is the beach/water near Chinaman's Hat on Oahu. That's a big sandbar that is gorgeous.

You do have to be careful choosing a location in Hawaii, though, because there are many places where the beach is too rocky and/or the surf is too rough to even go in the water. We rented a beautiful house right on the ocean in Pahoa, but it was strictly to enjoy the view and sounds. The water was not even accessible and was often quite dangerous.

A "beach" vacation in Hawaii is a very different thing to me than one in Florida. And if OP really wanted to go to Hawaii, I'm surprised anyone suggested Florida as an alternative.

If the kids just want to play in the sand, wade in the ocean, and have a pool with a water slide, I would most definitely say save your money and skip Hawaii. If they are interested in snorkeling, SCUBA diving, whale watching, deep sea fishing, hiking, waterfalls, volcanoes, canyons, road to Hana, etc, then Hawaii is a great option.

Perfectly clear.

Agree on your Hawaii beach recommendations. But there are plenty of spectacular beaches there. My wife and I are not "resort" travelers. I don't like to sit in one spot, we explore the entire islands. It's what I love about Hawaii, the variation that you can find there is astounding, and the Hawaiin experiences we have had look very little like what is stereotypical.

ITA - a trip to Hawaii is so much more than a beach (or resort) vacation! And there are plenty of more easily accessible and cheaper locations for that.

which resort are you staying at over thanksigiving?

discobrob said:

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which resort are you staying at over thanksigiving?

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Hard Rock

Anna Maria Island in Florida might be an option for you. Pretty water and nice beach.

Destin/30A area in Florida

Siesta Key in Florida.

Exuma Island in Bahamas

Isla Mujeres in Mexico

discobrob said:

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which resort are you staying at over thanksigiving?

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where are you located by the way and what's your actual budget? flying is insane right now and often times a beach trip is much better/affordable with your own car, cooler, food. etc.

Even a middle of the road trip to Mexico with flights, for a family of 5 can run you $6k for a week.

Bluecat_Aggie94 said:

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The Cayman's used to be pretty affordable and might check your boxes. But I haven't been or priced it in a long time.

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Been there for work several times prior to and after COVID and it isn't affordable for most folks IMO. I'm glad I wasn't paying the bill where we were staying. Flights are still very limited and expensive as well post-COVID so can add a lot of travel time and cost to the trip.

Don't get me wrong, beautiful place, has some great food and people were incredibly hospitable but not for budget conscience travel.

I'll bet we could swing $3-4k, plus we have enough credit card points to cover flights outside of places like Hawaii.

discobrob said:

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I'll bet we could swing $3-4k, plus we have enough credit card points to cover flights outside of places like Hawaii.

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Mexico it is then buddy.

Talk to JMac on this board - she's a travel agent and specializes in All-Inclusives - she's been to probably 30 properties in Mexico.

Next decision is... carribbean side or pacific (Cabo or Playa/Cancun).

Cabo weather is perfect year-round but can't get in the water (too cold).

Playa/Cancun is your "tropical" destination. Mangroves, coral, scuba diving, fishing... could get rain, humid.

Personally, I've been to the Playa area probably 15-20 times (twice this year)... it's my special place in this world.

Show up to the resort and leave your wallet in the safe - all you need are a few $5s and singles for tipping and the rest is on the house.

We have been to Hawaii a few times and I don't get the whole its too expensive vibe.

You can stay within 3-4k budget if book flights with miles, rent a condo from vrbo/airbnb, eat most meals in the condo or out of a cooler, and drive around to beaches or snorkeling on your own.

Staying in a big resort, going on tours, and eating out nice restaurants is what will blow your budget.

Snipes said:

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We have been to Hawaii a few times and I don't get the whole its too expensive vibe.

You can stay within 3-4k budget if book flights with miles, rent a condo from vrbo/airbnb, eat most meals in the condo or out of a cooler, and drive around to beaches or snorkeling on your own.

Staying in a big resort, going on tours, and eating out nice restaurants is what will blow your budget.

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That "if you book flights with miles" is a pretty big "if" for most folks that don't fly a ton.

OP did say he had miles but I agree. That's a ****-ton of miles for a family trip.

Hell, I just blasted 140k AA miles for RT to Mexico. Those were cheap!

Have you looked at Costa Rica? I suggest Tamarindo!

I accrue half my united miles from the credit card.

We are going to USVI week after thanksgiving.

Hawaii actually had cheaper round trip FF miles than USVI and most spots in the Caribbean.

The rental car and airbnb were on par for Hawaii and USVI as well.

Flying 8+ hours with 3yr old boy was main reason we chose USVI over hawaii.

St John USVI is a great island to hang out with teenagers. So many beautiful beaches, fantastic snorkeling, and great beach restaurants & bars...and not super expensive. You can VRBO a house but know that most are on the side a of hill with a great view of the water but not on the water. Not being on the water concerned me at first, but it really isn't a problem because each day you take a short drive in your jeep to explore another world class beach and snorkeling spot and then come back to your house to clean up and either go go out to dinner or cook at home.

murphyag said:

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Anna Maria Island in Florida might be an option for you. Pretty water and nice beach.

Destin/30A area in Florida

Siesta Key in Florida.

Exuma Island in Bahamas

Isla Mujeres in Mexico

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Anna Maria Island or Marco Island would be my vote.