The following article was written by me on behalf of Choice Hotels and I was paid to write this post. However, the opinions are entirely my own. Can You Picture Yourself on the Beach While Staying at the Comfort Inn & Suites, Levittown, Puerto Rico? Let’s face it, November through March can be pretty dreary in most parts of the U.S. and since I’m a problem-solving gal, I’m suggesting an easy solution to break away on a Caribbean vacation without breaking the bank. Sun, sand and some bragging rights without breaking the bank is my kind of vacation. As a disclaimer, my travel experience in the Caribbean is somewhat limited, I’ve visited Cuba (legally in 2003) and the Dominican Republic in 2014. However, after speaking with friends about their experiences and seeing their images pasted on their social media channels, I’m confident tropical islands as Aruba, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten would make me very happy. That’s not to say there aren’t some gorgeous places in the US, a friend recommended checking out some Vacation Rentals In Cannon Beach, as she only had good things to say. Still my heart is set on the Caribbean so here we go! Why Choose a Caribbean Vacation During the Spring? The Caribbean climate is tropical and the dry season is typically between January and June. This means few rainy days and mostly clear skies, perfect for soaking up the sunshine and recharging your batteries. Sunny days also mean opportunities to get outside to enjoy a beach like Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman, the great outdoors such as Arikok National Park in Aruba, or Atlantis Paradise Island when staying in the Bahamas. Following the holiday rush, don’t you need time reconnect with your soul and/or your soulmate? A spring getaway to the Caribbean is probably cheaper than weeks of therapy. You’ll be able to disconnect with first world problems and ground yourself with what’s really important – you and your loved one. An Inviting Pool at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island, Bahamas.Tips for an Affordable Caribbean Vacation Shop around for your airfare and use aggregator sites for a ballpark figure on what flights cost. In my experience, I’ve found that I get the best airfare when I book directly through the airline’s website. Look for value when booking a hotel for your Caribbean vacation. Choice Hotels offers bang for the buck in consistency, proximity to the places you want to be and overall value. In fact, they have almost a dozen destinations in the Caribbean with each offering an authentic island experience. I’m a member of Choice Hotel’s rewards program, Choice Privileges, and know I’m receiving a value when staying in one of their properties. Plus, I enjoy building my points to redeem for future stays or other rewards. Many of us have probably heard friends and family say that Nassau is a great place to be, which you’ll be able to check out for yourself when you’re on your vacation. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t find a way of making this trip cost effective. You can enjoy what this island has to offer without breaking the bank. If you’re still concerned about being able to afford your next vacation, you may want to get a personal loan to help you out. Reconnect at Acoya Hotel Suites & Villas, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member in Willemstad, Curacao near Seaquarium Beach Not all activities need to break the bank. Enjoy walking the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan and take in the colorful architecture when vacationing in Puerto Rico. The Comfort Inn San Juan, conveniently located in the trendy Condado-area just outside of historic Old San Juan, is nearing the completion of a complete renovation to enhance the guest experience. Check out the engineering wonder of the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge when staying in Curacao. Or, simply enjoy the beach steps away from your Caribbean resort such as La Cabana Beach Resort and Casino Ascend Resort Collection on Eagle Beach in Aruba. Something I’d like to do someday is watch the airplanes land at Princess Juliana International Airport at Maho Bay Beach in St. Maarten while staying at Alegria, an Ascend Hotel Collection member in Beacon Hill. Watch Planes Land from the Comfort of St. Maarten’s Maho Beach While Staying at Alegria, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member in Beacon Hill. Pack smart to avoid additional luggage fees. Hey, I’m cool with having to check a bag when I travel but what I’m not cool with is paying for a second bag or worse, for weight overage fees because my bag is too heavy. When I travel I like bringing back souvenirs indigenous to the destination. When packing, I ensure my luggage traveling to my destination is not near the maximum weight so I can bring back souvenirs without unexpected luggage fees. You don’t necessarily need a passport to escape to the Caribbean. If you’re a U.S. citizen traveling on a flight to Puerto Rico, and NOT connecting in another country, a government issued ID is sufficient for travel. And, since Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory, you don’t need to worry about exchanging currency because U.S. dollars are used. An Affordable Caribbean Vacation is Waiting for You with Choice Hotels.Ready for Your Caribbean Vacation? Learn more and book your affordable Caribbean vacation by visiting ChoiceCaribbean.com. When you go, don’t forget to send a postcard or two! And psst! Most Caribbean Choice Hotels offer free WiFi so you can post your photos to Facebook, Instagram and SnapChat while making your friends back home jealous. Images Source: ChoiceCaribbean.com
Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely.
The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo.
Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.
I’m in my 50s and retirement is at least a decade down the road. This lands me in my pretirement era, the period of life between career and retirement. I love my career but know it’s important to prepare for retirement by saving and planning. I’ve traveled solo for about 30 years and here are some budget travel tips I’ve picked up along the way.
Weeki Wachee Springs offers the Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camps several times a year. I grabbed a spot, put on a tail, and learned mermaiding is hard work!
Images Source: ChoiceCaribbean.com 
