Frequent Flier Miles to Burn - Help Us Decide!

[SweetRed]

I have enough FF miles on one airline to get two of us round-trip to Hawaii this January. This is our first choice, however, availability during the time we can actually go is dwindling. We're afraid that by the time we research how long to go (and how long we can afford to stay!) and are ready to book a flight, there won't be anything left.

So, I have enough FF miles on another airline that would take us to the Carribean, Mexico, Central America. I'm looking for recommendations!

DH and I went to Cancun last year (loved it), I've been to the west end of PR (beautiful but boring), and DH has been to Belize (loved it). We obviously want some place warm where we can do a bit of lying around on the beach, but we're also pretty active on our vacations and need something interesting to do too.

Ideas and recommendations anyone?

Thanks!
~ Kay

[emmjay]

Costa Rica was the first place that came to mind - you can go to the beach, plus there are rainforests and tons of outdoor "adventure" activities to do like rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, rainforest canopy tours, etc.. CR also has an established tourism infrastructure so it is easy to plan things from here and to get around once you are down there.

[nic]

How about Key West, Aruba or Bermuda

[wander_woman]

I second Costa Rica! Amazing place, really fun vacation. You might also consider the Dominican Republic. It's not as developed as Costa Rica, but has lots of similar fun things to do.

[justHB]

Strangely, we've never been able to use our FF miles to go to Hawaii because the flights are already booked (6 months in advance) or we're looking to travel during a blackout period (who knew there were so many?).

If I had to choose between the places you mentioned, I'd probably go to one of the Caribbean islands, but not Jamaica or the Bahamas.

[lawyerlee]

I think I'd probably aim for the US Virgin Islands if I couldn't make the Hawaii thing work. :)

[HeatherFL]

St. Barth's or St. Martin.

I also think Costa Rica is awesome. :)

H.

[WestieMomma]

You would probably like St.John, USVI...3/4 of the island is a national park so there are a lot of activities like hiking, kayacking, snorkeling, etc. It is very laid back there and easy to getaround the island. And my parents who have been everywhere prefer St.John over Hawaii any day. And it is not as expensive to eat out, etc. You would fly into St. Thomas though and then take a ferry over to st. John.

[SweetRed]

Thank you all for your suggestions! Actually, DH and I just bit the bullet and got tickets to Hawaii. But your suggestions are definitely going to come in handy next year when I burn miles from this second airline! I guess it's one of the few perks of work travel.

So, suggestions still welcome for future reference. Now it's time to dig up all those Hawaii threads to figure out the details.

Thanks again!
~ Kay