If there's one section that we consistently hear is your favorite, it's 40 Best Deals. But while we wanted to do something special with the section for this issue, we couldn't really ask you to find the deals. So instead, the companies that we've featured over the years are offering packages with exclusive perks and discounts. (Just look for the ">" within each deal.) And if you end up taking a trip you discovered in 40 Best Deals, please drop us a line and let us know how it went!

Sign up for more savings Many travel companies let customers know about new destinations and fire sales on last-minute deals through their e-mail newsletters. Some offer subscriber discounts on all bookings. Check out their websites for more options; and tell them Budget Travel sent you!

"My friend Marge McArdle and I booked an amazing 40 Best Deal to Belize with Capricorn Leisure," says Toby O'Brien of Las Vegas. (Courtesy Toby O'Brien) [enlarge photo] 40 BEST DEALS • U.S. and Canada • Caribbean and Latin America • Europe • Asia, Africa and Middle East • Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific RELATED ARTICLE • Before You Read These Listings...

How was your trip? Have you taken a 40 Best Deals vacation? E-mail us how it went at Letters@BudgetTravel.com.

Beyond hotels Looking for an affordable place to stay during the holidays? Consider renting an apartment or even a house. Check out websites like rentalo.com, interhome.us, villasintl.com, vrbo.com, and craigslist.org.

CARIBBEAN

Caribbean
> 10 PERCENT OFF
Spirit Vacations is offering BT readers 10 percent off all of its air/hotel packages to 13 Caribbean destinations, including Aruba, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You must book this deal by Aug. 31 and use code BT10. When: Until Oct. 31. Information: Spirit Vacations, 800/617-3325, spiritvacations.com.

Jamaica from $85
> 15 PERCENT OFF
SuperClubs is giving Budget Travel readers 15 percent off at two of its resorts in Jamaica. An ocean-view balcony room at Rooms Resort in Ocho Rios (with breakfast) is discounted to $85 per night, and a deluxe room at the all-inclusive Breezes Montego Bay hotel is $118 per person per night. Use code BUDGT8 when booking this package. This price doesn't cover airfare. When: June 1–Aug. 31. SS: Not available at Rooms; $59 at Breezes. Information: SuperClubs, 800/467-8737, superclubs.com.

MEXICO

Cancún & the Riviera Maya
> 10 PERCENT OFF
Spirit Vacations is offering BT readers 10 percent off its air/hotel packages of four nights or longer to Cancún and the Riviera Maya. You must book by Aug. 31 and use code BT10. When: Until Oct. 31. Information: Spirit Vacations, 800/617-3325, spiritvacations.com.

Los Cabos from $687
> WELCOME GIFT & $100 CREDIT
Three nights at the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort, a welcome gift (truffles or similar), and a $100 food-and-drink credit. The price is per room; there's no single rate. Airfare isn't included. Use code BUDGETTEN when booking. When: June 29–Oct. 19. Information: Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort, 877/354-1399, hiltonloscabos.com.

CENTRAL AMERICA

Making a Splash in Belize
"My friend Marge McArdle and I booked an amazing 40 Best Deal to Belize with Capricorn Leisure," says Toby O'Brien of Las Vegas. "We spent four nights on Ambergris Cay and three at Jaguar Paw resort. We snorkeled along the barrier reef and went tubing through jungle caves with just headlamps for light. What an incredible trip!" Seven-night itinerary with air starts at $919 (800/426-6544, capricorn.net).

Belize from $1,095
> FREE RUINS TOUR
American Airlines flights from Dallas to Dangriga (via Belize City), seven nights at the Almond Beach Belize resort, and a tour to the towns of Belmopan and San Ignacio, and the Cahal Pech ruins. When: June 1–Dec. 9. Other Gateways: Miami ($1,125); L.A., New York, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle ($1,215); Chicago ($1,265). SS: From $590. Information: Capricorn Leisure Corp., 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.

Costa Rica from $1,869
> $200 DISCOUNT
Air from Atlanta, Dallas, or Miami to San José (returning from Liberia); transfers and local transportation; and a 10-day tour through Costa Rica's rain and cloud forests. The price covers two nights' hotel each in San José, Arenal, and Guanacaste, and one night's hotel in Sarapiquí; entrance fees; nine dinners; and breakfasts. Highlights include rafting on the Corobicí River, a Doka coffee-plantation tour, and a hike through Arenal National Park. When: August 16. Other Gateways: Baltimore, Boston, D.C., New York, Philadelphia (add $100); Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis (add $115); Denver, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco (add $235). SS: $405. Information: Go Ahead Tours, 800/242-4686, goaheadtours.com.
Editor's Note: The original listing—for a departure on June 28 at $1,799—is sold out, so Go Ahead Tours has added another departure date for $70 more, as noted above.

Guatemala from $830
> $50 DISCOUNT
American or Taca Airlines flights from Miami to Guatemala City, transfers, five nights at the Guatemala City Marriott Hotel, a full-day excursion to Chichicastenango market and Lake Atitlán with lunch, a half-day tour to Antigua, and breakfast daily. You must mention Budget Travel to get $50 off when booking this package. When: Wednesday and Thursday departures until Dec. 4. Other Gateways: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, D.C., Houston, L.A., New York (add $198); San Francisco, Seattle (add $290). SS: $367. Information: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.

Honduras from $1,449
> FREE BOAT TOUR
Delta Airlines flights from New York to Roatán (via Atlanta), all transfers, seven nights at the all-inclusive Henry Morgan resort in West Bay village, and a 50-minute glass-bottom-boat excursion. When: Saturday departures June 7–Dec. 6. Other Gateways: L.A., San Francisco ($1,484); Atlanta ($1,499); Seattle ($1,519); Chicago ($1,545); Miami ($1,589). SS: From $153. Information: Capricorn Leisure Corp., 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.

SOUTH AMERICA

Ecuador Tour from $2,899
> $300 DISCOUNT
A 12-day tour round trip from Quito to the Otavalo Highlands and the Galápagos Islands. The price covers most transfers and local transportation, 11 nights' lodging (three in Quito, two in the Otavalo Highlands, and six in the Galápagos), equipment, guides, and most meals. Highlights include hiking around Laguna Cuicocha, soaking in the Papallacta hot springs, snorkeling in Darwin Bay, biking among mangroves, horseback riding to the Sierra Negra volcano, and kayaking around Punta Estrada. The Galápagos entrance fee is $100 more. International airfare isn't included; add $410 for round-trip flights between Quito and the Galápagos Islands. When: Oct. 17, Nov. 7. SS: $699. Information: REI Adventures, 800/622-2236, reiadventures.com.

Peru Tour from $2,100
> $100 DISCOUNT
LAN Airlines flights from Miami, all transfers and local transportation (bus, train, plane), and a 10-night escorted tour to Cuzco, Aguas Calientes, Puno, and Lima. The price covers hotel accommodations and guided sightseeing in Cuzco, Lima, and the Sacred Valley. Add $350 for meals and expenses such as island excursions on Lake Titicaca and admission to Machu Picchu. When: June 2, 23; July 14; Aug. 4, 25. Other Gateways: New York ($2,295), L.A. ($2,350). SS: $350. Information: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.