drbeier

Frazzled family nerves need escape to sun, sand, and fruity rum drinks. We are stuck with limited travel time during school vacation week (mid-April), but are still desperate enough to contemplate a trip. Any suggestions for where to go that has (easy) diving and good connections from Boston?

A_Traveller

Your post is way to vague for anyone to give you meaningful help. Give us more information such as ages of family members, your budget for airfare, lodgings and food. Tell us what type of activities that interest you and your family. What is your definition of a "good connection"? Does iot mean you are willing to take one or more connecting flghts or ferry rides to reach your destination or are you looking for something non-stop? What type of island are you seeking - a flat and arid coral based island with long strands of white sand beaches or perhaps a lush mountainous island with rain forests, water falls and smaller dark sand cove like beaches??? Do you need access to lots of watersports? Is access to "off beach" snorkeling important to you?

You might want to check the Sunday travel section of your local newspaper. They will most likely have advetisement for package deals that are good for people living in your area.

drbeier

Sorry to be so vague. 2 adults, 2 girls 15 and 17. Airfare no more than $600 each. Happy to eat casual, but prefer mid-range lodgings (not sure what this runs holiday weeks - $200-300/nite?). Good connection just means can get there easily in a day, hopefully with time to spare; e.g. one connecting flight or flight+ferry). Interested in less-developed area. Prefer lush to dry but accessibility factor trumps this. Off-beach snorkeling would be great.
Thanks for any help!

A_Traveller

Try Aruba - you can get there non-stop from BOS by 1:00PM for under $600PP, there's a wide range of hotel accomodations that will fit your budget, loads of retaurants from your typical fast food outlet to gourmet dining, plenty of activities for your girls. The only thing it lacks is lushness.

You'll find everything on your list on islands like St. Thomas or St. John (a short ferry ride from St. Thomas) but I'm not sure you can get there for the airfare you are willing to pay.

If you want someplace a little more secluded check out the island of Vieques off of Puerto Rico. You should be able to get there in one day from San Juan by a connecting flight or a combination of a taxi/ferry. The island has some nice flora and fauna, a good selection of moderately priced hotels and small resorts, many casual and affordable restaurants and lots of great uncrowded beaches. The only drawback might be the cost for your transportation.

Hope you can find what you are seeking on such short notice.

girlonthego

American flies non stop to GCM Grand Cayman for 517 per person on April 5. (Just punched a date in). You can snorkel from the beach and there are many different hotels/condos in varied price ranges.
We are going there for the first time in June and have teens (younger than yours), but it has watersports and good food. Not lush, but nice beaches with beautiful waters.
We loved Aruba as well. Lots of great food and watersports, but snorkeling will be better in the Caymans.
Good luck

drbeier

Goes up to $630 for school vacation week. Ugh. So far best option looks like fly to Cancun, drive down to Akumal.