Think it’s too early to book a trip for the Christmas holidays? Think again. Now is the best time to book a vacation package to the Caribbean for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Take advantage of discounted pricing and increased availability while it lasts.
Why Book Now?
Savings and availability. During the holidays in December and January resorts in the Caribbean fill up very quickly. Waiting until the last minute can lead to booking packages at very good prices however, waiting also runs the risk of sacrificing a spot in a resort that you truly want to stay at. October and early November is a great time to book.
Where to go
The Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Cuba are the top destinations for discount vacation packages. Other places to consider are Jamaica, Aruba, the Bahamas, and Barbados. Even though these locations are slightly more expensive, there is great value in the customer service and the overall experience at resorts on these islands. It is important to be diligent when searching online because it may result in finding a great price at a resort that is normally much more expensive.
What to Expect
Depending on the country, expect a similar experience throughout the Caribbean. The majority of resorts offer free use of water sports including kayaking, wind surfing, and snorkeling with additional charges for scuba diving. Resorts also offer day-excursions such as dune buggy tours, catamaran trips, deep sea fishing, visitations to rum distilleries/cigar factories, and much more. Most resorts offer A La Carte dining options in addition to the buffets. The higher end resorts will have multiple choices for the a la carte dinners and some (such as the RIU resorts in the Dominican Republic) offer access to their neighboring resorts to access their restaurants.
Needless to say, a little bit of research goes a long way when determining where to stay for an all inclusive vacation. Some important parameters to start with are deciding who is traveling (family or friends), which country, and how much to spend. This is a good starting point. From there, factors such as access to activities, food, and entertainment can further narrow down the selection until the ideal resort is found.