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Caribbean and Latin America
From the May issue, 40 tempting destinations worldwide.
May 2008 issue
Tuesday, April 22, 2008;
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CARIBBEAN
Bahamas from $399
Barbados from $419
Caribbean Cruise from $1,099
MEXICO
Family Planning
Cancún from $573
Mexico Tour from $695
CENTRAL AMERICA
Costa Rica from $749
Nicaragua from $859
SOUTH AMERICA
Buenos Aires from $824
Chile and Patagonia Tour from $2,659
Chile Wine Country from $1,499
Peru Inca Trail and Amazon from $2,095
Spirit Airlines flights from Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, or Tampa; transfers; and three nights at the Nassau Palm Resort and Conference Center, overlooking Nassau Harbor. When: May–July 30. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Atlantic City, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Myrtle Beach, New York ($570). SS: $190. Information: Spirit Vacations, 800/617-3325, spiritvacations.com.
Air from Miami; seven nights in a studio apartment at the Golden Sands Hotel, across the street from Golden Sands Beach;breakfasts; and a $25 voucher at Oistins Fish Fry. Add from $40 for round-trip transfers or $350 for a weeklong car rental. When: May –14, July 1–31 ($669); May 1–July 15 ($419). Other Gateways: Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia (from $538); Boston (from $557); L.A. (from $696). SS: $300. Information: Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.
A nine-night sailing on the Caribbean Princess round trip from New York, with four days at sea and stops in Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Grand Turk Island. The price covers port charges but not airfare. When: May 26; June 4, 13, 22; July 1, 10, 19, 28 (from $1,099 inside cabin/from $1,299 ocean-view cabin). SS: $999. Information: American Discount Cruises & Travel, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.
Would your family rather explore or play at the beach? Either way, this company has already done the planning for you. Club Med Ixtapa Pacific resort from $2,999
Seven nights in a family room (a room with an adjoining kids' room) at the all-inclusive Club Med Ixtapa Pacific resort, which just finished a $20 million renovation. Price is per package. Airfare isn't covered. When: Until June 10 ($3,499); June 1–Aug. 29 ($4,449); Aug. 3–Oct. 31 ($2,999). Information: Club Med, 888/932-2582, clubmed.us.
Northwest Airlines flights from Minneapolis, transfers, and seven nights at the Radisson Hotel Hacienda Cancún, a block away from the shopping on Tulúm Avenue, with free shuttle service to La Cabaña beach club. When: May–June 26; July–31. Other Gateways: Detroit ($603), Memphis ($613), Omaha ($663). SS: $322. Information: NWA WorldVacations, 800/800-1504, nwaworldvacations.com.
An 11-day escorted tour round trip from Mexico City, with visits to Teotihuacán, Puebla, Oaxaca, Monte Albán, Puerto Escondido, and Acapulco. The price covers local transportation (bus, taxi, minivan), 10 nights' hotel accommodations, guided sightseeing, and some meals. A local payment of $200 is due upon arrival. Add $220 for meals. Airfare isn't included. When: May 7, 28; June 18; July 23; Aug. 13; Sept. 3, 24. SS: None. Information: Adventure Center, 800/227-8747, adventurecenter.com.
American Airlines flights from L.A., Miami, or San Francisco to San José; a seven-day car rental; four nights near Manuel Antonio National Park at Hotel Costa Verde; and three nights near Tapantí National Park at the Hotel Río Perlas Spa & Resort with breakfasts. When: May–June 30, Sept.–Oct. 31 ($749); July–Aug. 31 ($791). Other Gateways: New York (from $769), Dallas (from $799), Seattle (from $829), Chicago (from $859). SS: $349. Information: Capricorn Leisure Corp., 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
American Airlines flights from Miami to Managua, transfers, two nights in Granada at La Gran Francia hotel with breakfasts, and five nights at the all-inclusive Barceló Montelimar Beach Resort on Playa Montelimar. When: May–June 30 ($859); July–Aug. 31 ($959). Other Gateways: Dallas (from $879); New York, Seattle (from $929); L.A., San Francisco (from $949); Chicago (from $1,049). SS: $330. Information: Capricorn Leisure Corp., 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.
Tam Brazilian Airlines flights from Miami to Buenos Aires (via São Paulo); transfers; five nights at the Aspen Suites hotel, three blocks from Avenida 9 de Julio; and breakfasts. When: Until June 26. Other Gateways: None. SS: $221. Information: Tam Vacations, 866/627-2945, tamvacations.com.
Air from Miami to Santiago; transfers and local transportation (bus, plane); two nights each in Santiago, Puerto Natales, and Punta Arenas; guided sightseeing; entrance fees; some meals; and a guide. Highlights include a visit to Torres del Paine National Park. When: May 19 ($2,699); June 9, Aug. 25 ($2,659); June 30, July 14 ($3,029). Other: Gateways Atlanta (add $75). SS: $306. Information: Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.
Air from Miami to Santiago; transfers; five nights in Santiago at the Hotel Panamericano, four blocks from the Palacio de La Moneda; a half-day city tour; two half-day tours (one to the Concha y Toro winery and the other to the Undurraga Vineyards); and a full-day trip with lunch to Curicó Valley to visit three other wineries. When: Until June 17, Aug. 1–Dec. 5 ($1,499); June 1–Aug. 15 ($1,899). Other Gateways: Boston, Dallas, D.C., New York, Philadelphia (add $150); L.A., Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco (add $200); Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City (add $250). SS: $440. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.
Air from Miami to Cuzco (via Lima); all transfers and flights within Peru; three nights in Cuzco with a city tour; three nights camping along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with guides, meals, and entrance fees (including transportation back to Cuzco via the Backpacker train); and three nights in Puerto Maldonado at the Posadas Amazonas hotel, with all meals and tours. When: Until June 14 ($2,095); June 1–July 31 ($2,245). Other Gateways: New York (from $2,195), L.A. (from $2,305). SS: $325. Information: Marnella Tours, 866/993-0033, marnellatours.com.