BudgetTravel

Mazatlán for $383
Air from L.A. and four nights at the El Cid Granada Country Club, with a pool, tennis courts, and 27 holes of golf. The hotel is directly connected to the beach via a walkway. When: Feb. 22--Nov. 12. Other Gateways: Portland ($619), Seattle ($620), Chicago ($765). Details: Extra nights from $102. Single supplement from $201. Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.

Puerto Vallarta for $595
Air from L.A. and five nights at the Playa Los Arcos, with two restaurants, three pools, and an ocean-view Jacuzzi. When: Mar. 1--Apr. 30. Other Gateways: Houston ($685), Miami ($719), Chicago ($749). Details: Extra nights from $100. Single supplement from $255. Take $50 off per booking by using promotional code Budget50. Contact: Sunburst Vacations, 800/786-2877, sunburstvacations.com.

Caribbean

Grenada: Life After Ivan for $815
Grenada has been busy rebuilding since September 2004, when Hurricane Ivan whipped across the Caribbean nation, destroying most homes, uprooting virtually every tall tree, and devastating the island's valuable spice crop. Only Grenada's beaches and reefs were unaffected. Without spices to boost the economy, the government has been concentrating on tourism--and has a lot to show for its efforts. Nearly all the hotel rooms are renovated, tourist attractions are open, and even the tropical greenery is back. Air Jamaica Vacations is selling flights from New York, transfers, and five nights at the Flamboyant Hotel, overlooking Grand Anse Bay. When: Mar. 1--Apr. 15 ($1,089), May 1--Nov. 30 ($815). Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights from $70. Single supplement from $165. Contact: Air Jamaica Vacations, 800/568-3247, airjamaicavacations.com.

Barbados for $796
Air from Miami and six nights in an ocean-view studio at the Rostrevor Apartment Hotel in St. Lawrence Gap. The beachfront resort has a pool, restaurant, and bar. When: Mar. 1--May 31. Other Gateways: Baltimore, Philadelphia ($842); New York ($862); Chicago ($935); L.A. ($1,038). Details: Extra nights from $65. Single supplement $384. Add $40 for round-trip transfers. Contact: Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.

Dominican Republic for $589
Air from Miami and four all-inclusive nights at the four-star LTI-Beach Resort on Punta Cana's Bavaro Beach. The hotel has a pool, four restaurants, four bars, and a disco. When: Apr. 17--May 31. Other Gateways: New York, Philadelphia ($659); Baltimore ($719). Details: Extra nights from $56. Single supplement from $90. Contact: Vacation Travel Mart, 800/288-1435, vacmart.com.

Central America

A Ride on Ecuador's Magic Bus for $1,279
In Quito, old buses no longer used for public transportation don't get scrapped; they're painted bright colors and given new life as chivas--raucous, movable celebrations. On holidays and special occasions, Ecuadorans rent these party buses to chauffeur them around town. Groups of friends sit on the roof singing and drinking canelazos (a potent concoction made with sugarcane liquor and cinnamon) while a band plays below. Visitors to Ecuador can enjoy a similar experience on the Chiva Express, a bus that has been adapted for the train tracks that run through the Andes from Quito to Cuenca. Marnella Tours sells a unique package that covers round-trip flights between Miami and Quito; all transfers; three nights at the Hotel Quito; a full-day city tour; a three-day journey on the Chiva Express (includes meals, one night's hotel in Riobamba, and one night's hotel in Cuenca); and a return flight to Quito. When: Mar. 1--May 31 ($1,279). Other Gateways: Atlanta, New York ($1,429); Baltimore, Boston, D.C. ($1,449); Chicago ($1,495); L.A., San Francisco ($1,595). Details: Extra nights in Quito $40. Single supplement $220. Contact: Marnella Tours, 866/993-0033, marnellatours.com.

Belize for $980
American Airlines flights from Miami to Belize City, two nights at the Jaguar Paw Jungle Lodge in the Cayo District, and five nights at the SunBreeze Hotel on Ambergris Cay. Also includes ground transfers to Jaguar Paw and flights to Ambergris. When: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday departures Mar. 1--Apr. 27 ($1,149), May 2--June 29 ($980). Other Gateways: Dallas ($1,193/$1,025), New York ($1,246/$1,079), Chicago ($1,349/$1,183), L.A. ($1,411/$1,243). Details: Extra nights from $70. Single supplement from $402. Contact: Capricorn Leisure, 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.

Costa Rica Surfing for $795
Six nights at Zopilote Surf Camp on the Nicoya Peninsula in Playa Hermosa de Cóbano. Includes four days of surfing lessons, six nights in a shared guesthouse near the camp, and breakfast and dinner daily. The house has four bedrooms, a kitchen, two shared bathrooms, and a roof terrace. When: Until May 31. Details: The price does not include airfare to Costa Rica or transportation to Cóbano. There is no single supplement. Contact: G.A.P Adventures, 800/465-5600, gapadventures.com.

Panama for $599
Copa Airlines flights from Miami to Panama City; all airport and hotel transfers; two nights at the Gran Hotel & Casino Soloy in Panama City with breakfast daily; two nights at the all-inclusive Royal Decameron Beach Resort, Golf, Spa & Casino; and a half-day tour of the Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks. When: Mar. 1--Apr. 16 ($699), Apr. 17--June 30 ($599). Other Gateways: New York (add $200), L.A. (add $320). Details: Extra nights from $26. Single supplement from $145. Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

South America