<p>You will be hassled in USVI if you don’t have a passport. They will accept Driver’s License, but they really prefer a passport. We took a scout troop there a few years ago and it was a PITA getting the kids without passports through security. </p>
<p>If you are looking for budget accommodations in the USVI, I would recommend the Cinnamon Bay campground. They have ‘cottages’ that overlook the water. They have beds (cots) with linens and a propane stove. It’s a bit rough, but you are in paradise!</p>
<p>Puerto Rico is not in the same league beach wise as, say, Bonaire or St. Thomas, but it has other qualities. Plenty of local good food if you know where to look, and plenty of local things to do if you like to mix in with the locals. We spent a week in Condado and it was quite an adventure, even with a pair of school age children :-)</p>
<p>Attractions, if you rent a car you can spend more than a week and never get bored assuming you like the arts or nature. Driving is not THAT difficult (in San Juan it is a bit tricky, not any harder than Chicago) and most navigation systems have maps of the island. </p>
<p>We saw the rainforest, Viaques, Ponce, Old San Juan, Cagues, and so on and it was quite a bit of fun. Lots of places to shop for art. Local cuisine is a killer (literally and figuratively, way too heavy); good number of museums and culture. Perfect weather (80) in early January. The only catch is that it may be expensive to get there thanks to the monopoly that a couple of airlines have…</p>
<p>Boniare does not have beaches to speak of. It is primarily known for shore scuba diving and snorkeling. The toughest part about a vacation to Bonaire is getting there - Continental has weekly flights from Newark & Houston and Delta has Saturday flights from Atlanta. Once you get there, however, you can drink the water and the grocery stores are reasonably priced. (most accommodations have full kitchens). </p>
<p>If you want to know more about Bonaire, PM me. We have been there 8+ times. </p>
<p>Another idea would be a Caribbean cruise. I’m not sure what the passport requirements are, but you can depart conveniently from Tampa or Miami.</p>
<p>We’ve been to the FL Keys several times in February (Presidents Week) and the weather is still iffy. That said, I’ve been to Fort Lauderdale several times in mid-January and it was wonderful (high 70s). Bottom line, you can’t count on perfect weather in FL until early March. </p>
<p>Also agree on the comment, that the Keys is not the best choice for good beaches.</p>