40 Best Vacations

Cancún for $469
American Airlines flights from Miami and three nights at the oceanfront Hyatt Regency Cancún, with three restaurants, four bars, and a pool, gym, and spa. The beach is a 50-yard walk away. When: Until Dec. 21 ($469), Jan. 2-25 ($532). Other Gateways: Dallas ($584/$647), New York ($587/$650), Chicago ($608/$671), L.A. ($658/$721). Details: Extra nights $53. Single supplement from $321. Contact: AmericanAirlines Vacations, 800/321-2121, aavacations.com.

Oaxaca & Huatulco for $1,200
Six nights in Mexico, split between the Hotel Hacienda Los Laureles in Oaxaca and the oceanfront Quinta Real Huatulco, where all rooms have balconies and Jacuzzis. Includes transfers, round-trip flights from Oaxaca to Huatulco, and breakfast daily. When: Until Dec. 21. Details: Flights from the U.S. to Oaxaca are not included. Extra nights $93. No price for singles. Contact: Mexico Boutique Hotels, 800/728-9098, mexicoboutiquehotels.com.

Uxmal for $719
Aeroméxico flights from Atlanta, transfers, and four nights at the Hacienda Uxmal, which is adjacent to the Uxmal archaeological park on the Yucatán Peninsula. The hotel has a botanical garden and two outdoor pools. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 8. Other Gateways: Miami ($749), L.A. ($919), Dallas ($999), all valid Nov. 1-Dec. 13. Details: Extra nights $64. Single supplement $294. Contact: Aeroméxico Vacations, 800/245-8585, aeromexicovacations.com.

Caribbean

Caribbean Cruise for $1,499
Fourteen nights aboard Holland America's Ryndam on a round-trip sailing from Tampa, with stops in San Juan, St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Isla Margarita, Bonaire, Aruba, and Grand Cayman. When: Jan. 22 ($1,499 inside cabin/$1,809 ocean view) and Feb. 19 ($1,549/$1,859). Details: Prices include port charges but not airfare. Call for the single rate. Contact: GalaxSea Cruises, 800/662-5450, cruisestar.com.

Jamaica for $499
Air Jamaica or US Airways flights from Miami to Montego Bay and six nights at the Hotel Columbus Heights in Ocho Rios. The condo hotel has a pool and a free shuttle to the beach. All rooms have kitchens, private balconies, and daily maid service. When: Until Dec. 31 ($499), Jan. 1-31 ($629). Blacked out Dec. 17-24 and Dec. 31-Jan. 6. Other Gateways: Atlanta ($528/$658); New York ($580/$710); Philadelphia ($606/$736); Chicago, Pittsburgh ($618/$748); L.A. ($698/$828). Details: Extra nights from $38. Single supplement from $228. Add $45 each way for airport tranfers. (It's a two-hour drive.) Contact: Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.

Puerto Rico for $740
US Airways flights from New York to San Juan, a seven-day car rental, and seven nights at La Cima Hotel in Aguadilla, a surfers' mecca on Puerto Rico's west coast. The hotel is a three-hour drive from San Juan. When: Nov. 1, 2005-Dec. 31, 2006. Other Gateways: Miami, Orlando (add $108); New York (add $111); Philadelphia (add $128); Chicago (add $158); Boston (add $168); Charlotte (add $226); L.A. (add $388). Details: Extra nights $38. Single supplement $349. Contact: Caradonna, 800/328-2288, caradonna.com.

St. Lucia for $168
Save up to 50 percent when you book a minimum of three nights at the all-inclusive Sandals Halcyon Beach. Pay $168 per person per night. The resort has three restaurants, three pools, two swim-up bars, tennis, water sports, and a gym. Guests can also use the facilities at two other Sandals resorts on St. Lucia, which are connected by a free shuttle service. When: Until Dec. 26. Details: Airfare is not included; resort is couples only. The same deal is also valid at Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa on Jamaica's Seven Mile Beach. Contact: Sandals Resorts, 800/726-3257, sandals.com.

Central America

Belize for $858
American Airlines flights from Miami, all local transportation, and seven nights' hotel. Spend two nights in the Cayo District at the Jaguar Paw Jungle Lodge, and five nights on Ambergris Cay at the SunBreeze Hotel. When: Until Dec. 9 ($858), Dec. 10-Jan. 1 ($1,237), Jan. 2-April 1 ($1,092). Other Gateways: Dallas (add from $44); New York (add from $97); Chicago (add from $202); L.A. (add from $261); Portland, Seattle (add from $302). Details: Add $50 for weekend travel. Extra nights from $70. Single supplement from $362. Contact: Capricorn Leisure Corporation, 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.

Costa Rica for $499
Air from Miami, one night at the Hotel Don Fadrique in San José, and a seven-day 4x4 rental. When: Until Nov. 30 ($499), Jan. 4-March 31 ($529). Other Gateways: Dallas (add $150); Houston (add $175); Phoenix (add $180); Atlanta (add $190); Baltimore, Boston, New York (add $200); L.A. (add $230); Chicago (add $275); San Francisco (add $300); Seattle (add $400). Details: Extra days with car from $108. Single supplement $200. Contact: FlySouthVacations.com, 800/234-5245, flysouthvacations.com.

Guatemala for $727
American Airlines flights from Miami to Guatemala City, transfers, five nights at the four-star Hotel Princess Reforma, breakfast daily, a half-day excursion to Antigua, and a full-day excursion to Chichicastenango market and Lake Atitlán. When: Thursday departures until Dec. 10 ($727), Dec. 11-31 ($927). Other Gateways: Atlanta, Dallas (add $50); Boston, New York (add $60); Denver, San Francisco (add $130); Chicago (add $180); Seattle (add $230). Details: Extra nights $35. Single supplement $241. Contact: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.