<p>Looking for suggestions for a 25 and 21 year old for late June. They would be flying from Bay Area of Ca. The 25 yr old is graduating after putting himself through school. His only trips out of continental US have been British Columbia and a deployment in Afganistan. The 21 yr old has been lucky enough to have been a lot of places in the world. This is a celebration trip for him.
The young man has said he might like white sand beaches and tropical. 21 yr old wants Nashville but is open to tropical. They aren’t big drinkers and nightlife isn’t high on the list. </p>
<p>I don’t know his budget but I would think they will look for something on the lower end of nice. Not luxury but not hostels. Travel I think would be 7 days. As the Mom of the female I want them to be safe.
Suggestions for all inclusives? Is Cancun safe?
I would also like to give them some US suggestions. </p>
<p>In US: Destin, Florida has beautiful white sand beaches, but the water is not comparable to the Caribbean. </p>
<p>Grand Cayman has a beautiful white sand beach, but it is pricey. </p>
<p>Cancun and Cozumel have lots of less expensive options. If one stays around the resorts, it’s pretty safe, but I must allow that I haven’t been to Mexico in over a decade, so that may have changed.</p>
<p>There could be some great airfare options to HI from Bay Area with three airports (SFO, SJC and OAK). Pretty much any island will do. No white sand, but snorkeling is spectacular. And as safe as it gets! </p>
<p>Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and the zone to the South will be pretty safe as long as one exercise common sense. For instance, drinking too much and being obnoxious in the lower priced area of Cancun (as in cheap bars) will result in creating issues with the locals who are (not incorrectly) being fed up with the antics of wild springbreakers. People who visit tourist areas and do not venture far AFTER reasonable hours will be safe. The basic problem is that many younger tourists seem to forget all common sense after dark. And then there are problems. Many US cities are more dangerous than Mexico resorts, safe and except for Acapulco. </p>
<p>For pristine waters at a budget, that part of Mexico will be a good choice. June is also a good time as it sits between the crazy Spring Break/Easter and the July/August when Mexicans go on vacation. The only negative is that it coincides with the rainier season, and that a few days might be less sunny than anticipated. </p>
<p>When looking for cheaper airfaire consider checking airports such as LAX or San Diego in addition the Bay Area. Simply looking at SFO-MEX-CUN might give a false idea of the best fares. </p>
<p>Very true from the West Coast. This said, isn’t Honolulu one of the most violent cities in the US? The point here is that people are safe when they use common sense. </p>
<p>Fort Lauderdale has beautiful beaches with white sands and warm blue water, plus plentiful night life and restaurants. I stayed at the Marriott on the beach in June and it was wonderful. </p>
<p>I’m chuckling since I texted my D what is the budget. Her answer- well it depends if we (her parents) are paying her portion for her 21st birthday.
I like the idea of Hawaii. One flight from any Bay Area airport. Cost of food would be more open and food in Hawaii can be costly.
We live on central coast of Ca 1/2 mile from the beach. I don’t recommend Ca in June due to chance of fog. Plus I know they want something out of the ordinary.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t hesitate to send my daughter to Cancun, Cozumel or Playa del Carmen. But if you are considering Hawaii, you might want to consider Europe. June is a beautiful time of year. How about a cruise? That way all expenses (except alcohol) are prepaid. There are a few ships that go out of Long Beach and San Diego ports.</p>
<p>I would have to say Hawaii from the west coast, but I prefer the US Virgin Islands to Hawaii. St. John in particular. Lots of condos/houses for rent. Laid back, incredible beaches and water and just a really great vibe.</p>
<p>Talked to my D. The budget isn’t huge. Caribbean and Europe just aren’t affordable when you add in airfare. Airfare anywhere will take a huge chunk of the available cash. She is realizing how spoiled she has been traveling with us and her grandparents.
What are opinions on flying to Miami and renting car to drive to keys? Or beach areas of the Carolina’s?
My D has done a few sailing trips in the Carribean and been to Belize and Costa Rica and many trips to Cabo. She really would prefer some other sort of trip. She just needs to sell her BF on something else.
Coast of New England? Will it be warm enough in June?
D really wants to go to Nashville for the music and to see the horse country. She just needs to find something to add to that trip to sell her BF on that trip.
The cruises out of Long Beach or San Pedro would be the best deal since they wouldn’t have to fly. But when you’re born into a bareboat sailing family you just don’t see yourself on a cruise.</p>
<p>Not much is wrong with Hawaii, except that the budget for lodging, and especially food and drinks, will be on the high side – and probably on par with the BVI. I just do not associate those destinations with budget travel. The balancing act might be from finding a lower airfaire from the Bay Area, but that is not guaranteed in June. </p>
<p>It is really hard to compare destinations with a full idea of a budget. For instance, traveling to Europe in June throws you at 1400 to 2000 airfare for starters and costs calculated in Euros. You’d be out of 3,000 dollars per person before you blink and feast on those 13 dollars croque-monsieur and 5 bucks coffees. Only Tartine might do better! </p>
<p>All in all, it is hard to make recommendations where there are so many variables. </p>
<p>“What are opinions on flying to Miami and renting car to drive to keys? Or beach areas of the Carolina’s?”</p>
<p>Flights are fairly inexpensive to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale (they could fly into either) in June. Check out Jet Blue - especially if you book early. It’s about 4 hours to get to Key West and a really nice drive. Plus, places to stop on the way - like Key Largo. </p>
<p>I’m pretty sure there are shuttles to the Keys from both those airports, too. </p>
<p>I think two 20 somethings would like Key West a lot. </p>
<p>Imo, water is still cold in the Carolina’s in June. </p>
<p>“Coast of New England? Will it be warm enough in June?”</p>
<p>Water will be freezing unless they want to wear a wet suit. </p>
<p>Hmmm. Is Bermuda out of their budget range? </p>
<p>key West is fun…it will be a bit warm at that time of the year. </p>
<p>New England in June…beaches…brrrr. Water temps will be in the 50’s. </p>
<p>What about Disneyworld? Airfares to Orlando should be a bargain in June. It will be very hot, but there is AC everywhere…and a bunch of water parks on the Disney properties. The pools are nice too. </p>
<p>I was pleasantly surprised by the package deal I was able to get combining airfare, lodging, and car rental when my daughter and I went to Maui. Food does run high, but there was a grocery store not far away and a convenience shop at the hotel with some less expensive, perfectly workable options for snacks or lunch. It’s also not a bad plane ride for those of us on the West Coast. And if you mostly want to hang out on the beach you don’t have to spend a lot on excursions.</p>
<p>However, it sounds like in this case the young lady is most interested in Nashville so working with that is probably the best way to go.</p>