Winter blues already got you down? You’re not alone. December, January, and February can be cold and stressful, plus it can leave you with slim wallet after all that holiday shopping. It’s also when the lure of an all-inclusive vacation is at its highest, given that it checks all the right boxes: warm, sunny, and a no-hassle vibe thanks to the pay-one-price plan. However, during this time, flight prices and resort rates soar. Well, we’ve got great news. We’ve done all the legwork for you and found eight, week-long all-inclusive getaways for two that add up to $2,000 or less. Yes, right in prime season.
Editor’s Note: The airfares listed below are for round-trip flights (we stuck to major airports). All hotel rates are for double occupancy for six nights and include food, drinks, and activities (though upgrades may cost extra). Prices are accurate at the time of publishing, but are subject to change.
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1. Majestic Elegance Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Nestled right up against Playa Bavaro, the Majestic Elegance Punta Cana ticks all the right boxes for a solid all-inclusive stay. The all-inclusive rate covers almost everything: seven restaurants, room service, drinks at 11 bars, in-room minibars, and activities and events like foam parties and poolside games. There’s also a beautiful spa at the next-door sister property (that’ll cost you extra). The decor is a little dated, but you can’t beat the price. All suites have free Wi-Fi, hot tubs, and private terraces.
When to Go: December
Average Hotel Rate: $186/night
Flights to Punta Cana: From Miami, nonstop flights can be found for $335 on select dates. More options with one stop can be had for up to $437. If you’re departing from New York City, flights in the second week of December range from $387 to $437, but you’ll need to fly before the primetime Christmas holiday rush.
2. Occidental Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Occidental Punta Cana is a mid-range all-inclusive with a beautiful location on Playa Bavaro. The rooms here are spacious and modern, but simple. You’ll have to pay for Wi-Fi unless you’re a Royal Level guest, but you’ll still get rainfall showers, air-conditioning, and balconies. This is a lively property with music, socializing, and drinking, though it’s also a family-friendly spot that doesn’t get too out of hand. The major draw is the big beach out back, and non-motorized water sports, food, drinks, and nightly entertainment sweeten the deal. There’s also an on-site kids’ club.
When to Go: February
Average Hotel Rate: $186/night
Flights to Punta Cana: Nonstop flights from Miami start at $267, and options with one stop start at $250. Meanwhile, nonstop flights from NYC start at $357 on select dates in February, but you’ll find more affordable prices if you are willing to make one stop. Folks from Los Angeles have intermittent options, with a scattering of one-stop flights starting at $374 round-trip (there are no nonstops available).
3. Temptation Cancun Resort, Mexico
This winter, heat things up at the topless-optional Temptation Cancun Resort. The adults-only resort has excellent restaurants, top-shelf liquor, and a beautiful beachfront location. You’ll also get daily activities in the main pool, nightly themed parties, and a fun, welcoming vibe throughout. Rooms are spacious, but minimal, and come with stocked minibars, room service, and butler service (some have terrace hot tubs).
When to Go: December and January, excluding dates around the holidays
Average Hotel Rate: $200/night
Flights to Cancun: Most nonstop flights from Miami stay under $350 round-trip, with options starting at $252 in December and $254 in January. If you’re coming from NYC, be sure to time your dates right in order to take advantage of the nonstop flight options under $400. If you need more date availability, consider the one-stop flight options that start at $349 round-trip. Flights from Washington, D.C. clock in between $313 and $384 for almost all dates in January, though December travel options are limited to the first week of the month.
4. Grand Bahia Principe Coba, Akumal
The 1,080-room Grand Bahia Principe Coba is flush with features, including several restaurants and bars, a dedicated beach area (with a beach bar), kids’ clubs, daily activities, and nightly entertainment. For an extra fee, guests can enjoy golfing, a shopping mall, a casino, treatments and a hydrotherapy circuit at the spa, and water-based activities. The downside? This property is not on the beach, though shuttles are available, and you only get to use the free water sports for one hour per day.
When to Go: January
Average Hotel Rate: $198/night
Flights to Cancun: In January, most nonstop flights from Miami start at $254. If you’re traveling from NYC, some nonstop flights come in at under $400, though there are cheaper options with one stop. Flights from Washington, D.C. clock in between $313 and $384 for almost all dates in January.
5. Mia Reef Isla Mujeres
Staying at Mia Reef takes a little more effort since it’s out on Isla Mujeres (a quick ferry ride from Cancun). However, staying on a private island with beautiful ocean views and a shallow, private beach make it well worth the extra trek. This upscale all-inclusive boasts easy-to-navigate grounds and just 156 rooms, all with contemporary decor, free minibars, and ocean vistas. Some rooms even have personal kitchenettes, kayaks, and snorkeling equipment. Guests can also expect two snack bars, a speciality restaurant, a buffet, and three bars (top-shelf booze is extra). The all-inclusive offerings are rounded out with nightly events, a kids’ club, and a unique natural rock pool.
When to Go: December, January, and February
Average Hotel Rate: $185 to $212/night
Flights to Cancun: These flights are in addition to the options listed above for December and January. In February, nonstop flights from Miami to Cancun range from $254 to $364. Travelers from NYC will need to cherry pick from available flights within the budget, which start at $298 with one stop (though the average is around $350). There are also a decent amount of departure date options from Los Angeles, with one-stop flights starting at $311 (all nonstop options are out of budget).
6. Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, Curacao
This luxury resort is a solid pick for folks looking for a little R&R. The Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort in Curacao has a secluded location, tons of natural beauty, and relaxing ocean views. There are five restaurants (plus pop-up eateries in the lobby), a golf course, tennis courts, a day spa, and three pools overlooking the ocean. The all-inclusive plan here is optional, though most people are on it because of the resort’s relative distance from town. It includes all meals at Medi and the pool bar; select beers, house wines, and cocktails; one dinner at Shore Restaurant per seven-night stay; and discounts for Jun’s Sushi, room service, and the spa.
When to Go: January and February
Average Hotel Rates: $177/night
Flights to Curacao: There are no nonstop flights from New York City to Curacao, and flights with one stop start at $323 in both January and February (they rarely go over $350). Flights from Boston start at $386 with one stop. Miami offers nonstop service to Curacao, and all but a handful of dates in January and February fall within the budget, starting at $331 and averaging around $350 each.
7. Marival Emotions Resort & Suites, Nuevo Vallarta
With a fun, upbeat atmosphere, this sprawling all-inclusive resort offers a great deal overall. The property is backed against 900 feet of beautiful beachfront, plus it has four pools, a water park area, teens’ and kids’ clubs, mini-golf, tennis courts, and an outdoor theater that hosts nightly entertainment. Food here is better than average for an all-inclusive, and there are six restaurants to choose from. Most rooms are spacious, filled with light, and outfitted in modern decor and furniture. Downsides are the daily Wi-Fi fee and an aggressive timeshare song and dance.
When to Go: December, January, February
Average Hotel Rates: $175/night
Flights to Puerto Vallarta: There’s not a huge discrepancy in nonstop flights versus one-stop flights from San Francisco, but you’ll get a wider pool of dates to choose from if you go with a stopover. Nonstop flights in December start at $391 (one-stop flights start at $366); nonstops in January start at $342 (one-stop flights start at $331). If you’re coming from Seattle, you’ll have very few options for December flights that fall within the budget. The best deals come in the new year, when you’ll find plenty of nonstop and one-stop flights starting at $355 in January. From Los Angeles, nonstop flights are available each month, starting at $296 in December and $318 in January.
8. Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort, Puerto Vallarta
Stay at this property, and in just 15 minutes, you can go from the airport to lounging at the pool or beach. Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort is a mid-range all-inclusive with an unbeatable winter rate that gives enough leeway to splurge on a spa treatment or speciality dinner. The resort is right on Las Glorias Beach and has a beach club across the street. There’s also an on-site pool with a swim-up bar, a sports bar with karaoke, tennis courts, a kids’ club, and regularly scheduled activities and entertainment.
When to Go: January and February
Average Hotel Rates: $125/night
Flights to Puerto Vallarta: These flights are in addition to the January options listed above. In February, nonstop flights from San Francisco start at $331, while one-stop trips start at $321. Both nonstop and one-stop flights from Seattle start at $355, though there’s more availability for flights that include a stop. In February, Los Angeles flights are the most even-keeled, with plenty of nonstops starting at $265 and averaging around $350.
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