BudgetTravel

Colonial Mexico Tour for $1,569
A nine-day, eight-night, fully guided tour, including air from Miami, all local transportation (by private bus), three nights in Mexico City at the Casa Inn Mexico, two nights in Puebla at Hotel Posada San Pedro, three nights in Oaxaca at Hotel Hacienda La Noria, breakfast daily, five dinners, and cultural tours of Mexico City, the Teotihuacán pyramids, Puebla, Oaxaca, and the ruins at Monte Albán. When: Feb. 16, Mar. 16, Apr. 13. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Baltimore, D.C., New York, Orlando, Tampa ($1,659); Charlotte, Memphis, Nashville, Phoenix ($1,684); Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh ($1,724). Details: Single supplement $240. Add four days on the beach in Huatulco for $499, including airfare and three nights at the Hotel Villa Blanca. Contact: Go Ahead Tours, 800/242-4686, goaheadtours.com.

Puerto Vallarta for $599
Air from L.A. and seven nights at the Hotel Suites Emperador on Playa los Muertos in the heart of Old Vallarta. The resort's beachfront is studded with palapas, and there's a pool, restaurant, and bar on-site. When: Until Dec. 9 and Jan. 9--Mar. 31. Other Gateways: Dallas, Houston ($619); Kansas City ($629); Nashville ($634). Details: No extra nights. Single supplement from $200. Contact: SkyAuction, skyauction.com/vallarta, book over the Internet.

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Caribbean

Bahamas for $584
Air from Miami and seven nights at the oceanfront Orange Hill Beach Inn--on the north side of Nassau/New Providence Island--with a restaurant, bar, and swimming pool. When: Until Apr. 28. Blacked out Dec. 25--Jan. 1. Other Gateways: New York ($648), Chicago ($737), Philadelphia ($864), Charlotte ($898), Atlanta ($901). Details: Extra nights $61. Single supplement $423. Contact: Caradonna Dive Adventures, 800/328-2288, caradonna.com.

Barbados for $494
Air from Boston, Miami, New York, or Philadelphia and seven nights at the Allamanda Beach Hotel, on the south coast of Barbados near Bridgetown. The hotel has a pool, two restaurants, and free access to the facilities of the hotel's sister property, Amaryllis Beach Resort, a three-minute drive away. When: Dec. 1--15 ($494). A six-night package is available Jan. 5--Feb. 28 (Miami $792; Boston, New York, Philadelphia $832). Other Gateways: Chicago ($587/$925), L.A. ($690/$1,028). Details: Extra nights from $51. Single supplement from $305. Add transfers for $40 round trip. Contact: Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.

Bermuda for $1,146
Air from Atlanta, Boston, D.C., New York, or Philadelphia, transfers, and seven nights at the Grotto Bay Beach Resort in Hamilton Parish. The hotel has two restaurants, two bars, three private beaches, a pool, four tennis courts, and a dive center. When: Until Mar. 9. Blacked out Dec. 25--Jan. 1. Other Gateways: Charlotte ($1,260), Miami ($1,280). Details: Extra nights from $94. Single supplement from $602. Contact: Caradonna Dive Adventures, 800/328-2288, caradonna.com.

Central America

Dominican Republic for $499
Air from Chicago, Cleveland, or Miami, and four nights at the all-inclusive Occidental Allegro in Punta Cana. The beachfront resort has four restaurants, a pool, a gym, horseback riding, four lighted tennis courts, and a disco. When: Dec. 1--14 ($499), Jan. 5--Feb. 5 ($599), Feb. 6--28 ($699). Other Gateways: Baltimore ($549/$699/$749); New York, Philadelphia ($599/$699/$749). Details: Extra nights from $59. Single supplement from $149. Contact: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.

Costa Rica for $699
Pace Airlines charter flights from Atlanta, Cincinnati, or Louisville to the Liberia Airport in northwestern Costa Rica, transfers, and seven nights at the Flamingo Beach Resort. The oceanfront hotel has two restaurants, two pools (one with a swim-up bar), a small fitness center, a spa/beauty salon, a tennis court, and a snorkeling and dive center. When: Saturday departures Dec. 3--17 ($699), Jan. 7--Feb. 25 ($799). Other Gateways: None. Details: No extra nights. Single supplement $320. Contact: Vacation Express, 877/784-3786, vacationexpress.com.

Nicaragua for $1,074
American Airlines flights from Miami to Managua, transfers, two nights at the Hotel Colonial in Granada (on the city's main park), and five all-inclusive nights at the beachfront Barceló Playa Montelimar (four restaurants/bars, a pool, tennis courts, a casino, and minigolf). When: Jan. 2--Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Dallas ($1,110); New York ($1,241); L.A., San Francisco ($1,296); Chicago ($1,308); Portland, Seattle ($1,436). Details: Add $25 each way for weekend travel. Extra nights from $38. Single supplement $467. Contact: Capricorn Leisure Corporation, 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.

Panama for $799
American Airlines flights from Miami to Panama City, transfers, and six nights at the four-star all-inclusive Royal Decamerón Playa Blanca, which is 90 minutes from the airport on the Pacific coast. The resort has eight restaurants and bars, seven pools, tennis courts, a casino, a disco, and lots of water sports, including snorkeling, windsurfing, sea kayaking, and sailing. When: Until Dec. 8 ($799), Dec. 9--25 ($1,051), Jan. 3--Mar. 31 ($997). Other Gateways: Dallas, Houston (add $60); Atlanta, D.C. (add $80); Boston, New York (add $100); Chicago, Detroit (add $160); Denver, San Juan (add $210); L.A., San Francisco (add $250). Details: Extra nights from $60. Single supplement from $252. Contact: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.

South America