BudgetTravel

CANADA
Canadian Rockies by Rail from $1,627
A seven-night trip from Vancouver, B.C., to Calgary, Alberta, with two days in the Canadian Rockies, on VIA Rail's Canadian. Covers most transfers, six nights' lodging (two each in Vancouver and Banff, one each in Jasper, Lake Louise, and on the train), and more. This is a land-only price. When: Dec. 9-14, Dec. 30-Jan. 25 ($1,627); Dec. 16-28 ($1,852); Jan. 27-Mar. 19 ($1,736); Mar. 21-26 ($1,695). SS: From $647. Information: Fresh Tracks, 800/667-4744, canadiantrainvacations.com.

MEXICO
Make Ripples in Mexico
Winter on the Baja Peninsula means blue skies and 60-degree daytime temperatures. You can enjoy both on REI Adventures' eight- or nine-day sea-kayaking tours along the coast of the Sea of Cortés, round trip from Loreto (length varies by departure date).

Rue du Petit-Champlain in Quebec City (Brooke Slezak/Getty Images) RELATED ARTICLE • Before You Read These Listings...

Baja Peninsula from $1,095
Transfers, seven or eight nights in tents or hotels, instruction, meals en route, and most equipment. Airfare and $15 membership fee not covered. When: Dec. 23, Feb. 16, Mar. 1 ($1,195); Jan. 3, 19, Feb. 2 ($1,095). SS: $100. Information: 800/622-2236, reiadventures.com.

Playa del Carmen from $699
Air from Fort Lauder-dale to Cancún and five nights at the all-inclusive beachfront Occidental Grand Xcaret resort in Playa del Carmen, one hour's drive south of the Cancún airport. When: Dec. 1-21 ($699); Jan. 2-31 ($878); Feb. 1-29 ($968). Other Gateways: Baltimore, Chicago, New York (from $855); Houston, Kansas City (from $899). SS: From $499. Information: Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.

CARIBBEAN
Aruba from $679
Continental Airlines flights from Boston and three nights at the beachfront Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort. Book by Dec. 31. When: Mondays or Tuesdays Jan. 7-18; Mondays Jan. 28-Feb. 14. Other Gateways: New York (from $699), Cleveland (from $719), Pittsburgh (from $759). SS: From $320. Information: Continental Airlines Vacations, 800/829-7777, covacations.com.

British Virgin Islands from $1,527
Air from Miami (via San Juan) to the British Virgin Islands, transfers, and seven nights at the Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas. The hotel is on a 52-acre estate on the north shore of Tortola. When: Until Dec. 15; Jan. 3-Mar. 31. Other Gateways: New York (add $100). SS: $675. Information: Caradonna Dive Adventures, 800/328-2288, caradonna.com.

Caribbean Cruise from $649
An 11-night sailing on the Royal Caribbean's Empress of the Seas round trip from San Juan, with two days at sea and stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe; St. John's, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; Margarita Island, Venezuela; Willemstad, Curaçao; and Oranjestad, Aruba. Prices cover port charges, but not airfare. When: Dec. 3; Jan. 14, 28; Feb. 11, 25 ($649 inside cabin/$749 ocean-view cabin). SS: $1,030. Information: American Discount Cruises & Travel, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.

Jamaica from $464
Spirit Airlines flights from Fort Lauderdale, transfers, and three nights at the Crane Ridge Resort in Ocho Rios. When: Monday departures Dec. 3-17; Jan. 7-Feb. 25. Other Gateways: Orlando, Tampa ($494); Atlanta, Atlantic City, Chicago, D.C., Detroit, Myrtle Beach, New York ($526). SS: $160. Information: Spirit Vacations, 800/617-3325, spiritvacations.com.

CENTRAL AMERICA
Guatemala from $790
American Airlines or Taca Airlines flights from Miami to Guatemala City, transfers and local transportation, five nights at the Hotel Biltmore Express, most entrance fees, breakfast daily, and guided trips to Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and the Chichicastenango craft market. When: Wednesday and Thursday departures until Dec. 8 ($790); Dec. 9-31 ($1,040); Jan. 1- Mar. 30 ($880). Other Gateways: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, L.A., New York (add $140); San Francisco (add $230); Chicago (add $290). SS: $367. Information: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.

Nicaragua from $839
American Airlines flights from Miami to Managua; all transfers and local transportation; three nights in Granada at the La Gran Francia Hotel; four nights on the Pacific Coast at the Pelican Eyes, Piedras y Olas Hotel & Resort; and breakfast daily. When: Until Dec. 9 ($839); Jan. 4-Mar. 15 ($899). Other Gateways: Dallas (from $859); New York (from $909); L.A., San Francisco (from $919); Portland, Seattle (from $949); Chicago (from $1,029). SS: From $430. Information: Capricorn Leisure Corp., 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.

Panama from $999
American Airlines flights from Miami or New York, transfers, and seven nights at the all-inclusive Playa Blanca Hotel & Resort on the Pacific Coast. When: Until Dec. 9 ($999); Jan. 9-Mar. 14 ($1,269). Other Gateways: Dallas (from $1,009); L.A., San Francisco (from $1,049); Portland, Seattle (from $1,109); Chicago (from $1,139). SS: From $229. Information: Capricorn Leisure Corp., 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.

SOUTH AMERICA
Buenos Aires from $749
Copa Airlines flights from Miami, transfers, five nights at Regis Orho Hotel on pedestrian-only Lavalle Street, a city tour and excursion to the Tigre River delta, and breakfasts. When: Until Dec. 7, Jan. 8-Mar. 31 ($749); Dec. 8-Jan. 7 ($949). Other Gateways: Orlando (add $127), New York (add $275), D.C. (add $335), L.A. (add $360). SS: $250. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.