OT - Vacation Spots November

Submitted by Blue_In_Texas on July 25th, 2019 at 3:14 PM

I am looking for a good vacation spot to go during the week of Thanksgiving with my gf. We both work a lot, and want to go somewhere warm that has nice beaches where we can lay around and relax. Last year we went to a resort in Riviera Maya and it was great. Any recommendations?  I am looking for somewhere not on the other side of the world, since we only have about 4-5 days. 

Maximum Effort

July 25th, 2019 at 4:30 PM ^

Rocky Point, MX.  Well, if you don't mind going to Mexico and seeing a bunch of Arizonans there.  Tho I would guess Turkey Day weekend wouldn't be very crowded.

RGard

July 25th, 2019 at 4:32 PM ^

St. Maarten (Virgin Islands), but don't by any timeshares there.  Seriously beautiful.  Crystal clear blue water. 4 hour flight from NYC.

Stay on the Dutch side of the Island, everybody is friendly.  They speak French on the other side and are rude.

skurnie

July 25th, 2019 at 5:02 PM ^

We just booked flights to Italy over Thanksgiving. I really thought twice about it with The Game and all, but figure if I'm on another continent and not in the Big House we'll win for sure. You're welcome!

Costa Rica or Panama would be a good place for 4-5 days in November, OP. Highly recommend both

RedHotAndBlue

July 25th, 2019 at 5:19 PM ^

7 mile beach on Grand Cayman.  Stayed at the Kimpton last November and it was great (IIRC, Calico Jack's had the UM/PSU game on).

Also agree with Costa Rica.  Arenas Del Mar near Manuel Antonio is a great place to just chill for a few days with easy access to wildlife and a great beach.  

UMmasotta

July 25th, 2019 at 5:46 PM ^

My wife and I did our honeymoon in San Jose del Cabo and can't wait to go back (Cabo San Lucas is "spring break Cabo." San Jose is about 20 miles up the road, closer to the airport, and on the Sea of Cortez side of the peninsula.) There's plenty of all-inclusives around, but there's also some cool places in town. It's an old, quaint and art-focused downtown. On Thursdays starting in November and going through spring, they do an art walk in the gallery district where people pack the streets and check out the galleries. There's a brewery in the middle of the gallery area too.

If you go, do dinner in the mountains at Acre or Flora Farms. Both are farm-to-table restaurant/mini-resorts tucked into the mountains. Cab ride from San Jose will run ~$20 each way. Not a cheap night, but definitely worth it! Go an hour or so before sunset and spend time walking the grounds with a cocktail or two.

UMmasotta

July 25th, 2019 at 5:50 PM ^

Also, depending where you're coming from, Southwest flies to Cabo, so free checked bags. And if you're looking to golf, the highway between San Lucas and San Jose is basically just lined with golf courses, plus a couple literally across the street from San Jose.

mexwolv

July 25th, 2019 at 7:48 PM ^

In the Carribean:  St. Martin, US Virgin Islands or the BVI

Mexico:  Sayulita (Pacific) close to Puerto Vallarta (visit Marieta Islands), or San Carlos (close to Sonora) is a new location with a lot of hype / Cabo San Lucas (I am sure you are familiar with)

Close to Cabo;  La Paz Baja California / Ensenada / visit Espiritu Santo Island, the best beaches in Mexico a supposed to be there, could get a bit chilly in November

If you want a totally relaxing scene, go to Huatulco, stay at the Secrets Hotel

Close to the Riviera Maya, Holbox island, not sure when the Whale Shark season starts, but you may get a chance to snorkel with them

Other nice places to consider:

1) Panama Provincia de Bocas del Toro (Carribean Side), spectacular snorkelling / Azul Paradise has over the watter bungaloes

2) Costa Rica (Pacific Side is nicer / close to Manuel Antonio), awesome ecotourism and fishing

3) Belice / Isla San Pedro (Madonna´s la Isla Bonita) (Ramon´s Village Resort is a good option) / great Scuba Diving, snorkelling and fishing

 

Hope this helps!

mtzlblk

July 25th, 2019 at 8:20 PM ^

Costa Rica, either Manuel Antonio area, or a little further south to Puntarenas. Not sure how many people you have, but we stayed here and it is sublime. http://www.casaramoncr.com/

Sayulita - Pacific coast of Mexico - sublime and easy to get to flying into Puerto Vallarta then an easy drive ~1 hour north away from the tourists/crowds

Tulum - the southernmost part of the Riviera Maya, has become a bit crowded in the last 5-10 years, but still nice. Fly into Cancun, drive 1-1.5 hours south. The closer you stay to the Sian Ka'an nature preserve the better, less crowd, cooler things to do. 

Also second the recs for Roatan.

If you think about the Bahamas - check out Long Island, it is a bit remote, but therefore not overrun and has spectacular diving. 

Cuba - also great.

Kauai North Shore also something to consider. 

Ibow

July 25th, 2019 at 11:55 PM ^

It hasn’t gotten real good press lately but Punta Cana. My wife and I have been going for many years in Jan or Feb and it’s fantastic. Stay on resort property and you’ll be fine.

Dantana

July 26th, 2019 at 1:35 PM ^

The wife and I and another couple are going to the Bahamas. Exumas to be exact. First vacation for me outside of the state since our honeymoon in 2016. Long overdue.

We honeymooned in St. Lucia. Highly recommend. Stayed 4 nights at Sugar Beach between the Piton Mountains and 3 nights at Anse Chastanet.

AndArst

October 7th, 2019 at 3:44 PM ^

There are so many options for a vacation and I myself decided to try out www.blueparadise-dr.com after getting pretty tired of everything else. And I must admit that the experience was just great. Don't blame me for saying that but I think that it's the best option for a vacation.