Warm weather (beach) Christmas Ideas ...

How about a little bit of Spain close by? Puerto Rico: Easy flight, on the dollar, San Juan is world-class, drinking water is safe, only tropical rain-forest in U.S., some of the best beaches in the world, bioluminescent bays, and 75-85 degrees F all year.

Coincidentally we have been talking about this very subject. Our choices are narrowed down to Curacoa and Philippines. We haven't been to the former but have to the latter.

Nancy says well, in December Europe is not warm enough to swimming. The Canary Islands are good for English, Scandinavians, Germans, which with a few hours of flight they are in a warm place, but an American has hot spots closer. What do you think about Costa Rica?

Thailand, anywhere. Buenos Aires. Montevideo.

Australia has beautiful beaches, nice in December.

Nowhere in Europe will be warm enough for swimming. How about Costa Rica? It's a short flight from Miami, they use the same electrical system as we do (no lugging plug adapters, even). There are beautiful beaches on both sides of the country, and the temperature when we were there one December was in the 80's. December is also the beginning of their "dry" season, so the weather should be clear. And costa Rica is relatively inexpensive.

Not been myself but a lot of Brits head off to the Canary Islands in the winter. Temperate year round weather. Each island has its own character. http://www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain/

Belize, Cayman Islands (pricey but beautiful beaches... especially on the opposite side of the Island from 7 mile beach..not so busy) Costa Rica is a great place to visit and the beaches near Antonio Manuel (Jaco) are beautiful and a very friendly culture. Also, I have not been to Eucador but am looking into visiting there soon as well as Uruguay. Guatemala has an incredible culture and is a very cheap place to visit. My experience at the beach was 'interesting'. I went from Antigua to Monterrico which is the 'black sand beach'. Certainly not an upscale beach town, but it was a beautiful beach. The hotels were quite modest and the pigs were literally wandering the streets. It was very hot...but we had a great time. There was one hotel a bit out of town that probably catered to the 'elite' travelers. We had lunch there and it was quite nice... hammocks by each room, pools, and a restaurant/bar. However, it was so hot that when we went to the desk to see if a taxi could take us the 2 miles into town 'no problema'...shortly, a guy in a pickup truck showed up and expected us to crawl in the back:) Instead, we crammed in the front and I about sat on the gear shift...I think it cost us about enough quetzals to equal $1, great deal for the memory and the laugh! Lake Atitilan also is a beautiful lake with temperate climate, but not necessairly a real swimming beach.

The Southern Caribbean has about perfect weather year round, and we've been on many cruises there. But our favorite of all the islands is St. Lucia. They simply have some of the most fabulous resorts in the world. And we really enjoy the spirit of the people. See JadeMountain.com for a sample of true luxury.
They do have less expensive accommodations on the island, however.

The park Terry kathryn refers to is Manuel Antonio National Park, in Quepos, on the western side of Costa Rica. Lots of wildlife to see, hiking, and beautiful beaches all around.

Brazil! Rio, Salvador, and others.

@Nancy... Oh right...got it backwards. But, I do think it was near the town of Jaco (surfing town) At least I know we stopped there on the way back from the park to out hotel.

Quepos is the town just outside of the park. Jaco is about 40 miles north of there.

The Yucatan penninsula in Mexico is affordable, warm year round, and relatively isolated from the violence that's been plaguing other parts of the country. Just avoid Cancun. The area between Cancun and Tulum is full of resorts, booming towns with atmopshere like Playa Del Carmen and yes, some still secluded beach shacks. Something for everyone. If you want culture, you have Mayan ruins, and beautiful colonial cities inland like Vallolid and Merida.

Punta del Este or Cape Town

Thanks!! Thinking southern Caribbean - St Lucia or Curaçao maybe? Looking for a place with a town - any suggestions with that in mind? I have only been to Jamaica and stayed a big all inclusive - not what I am looking for. Costa Tica also sounds cool. My friend from Buenos Aries says Christmas is too hot. How about the Greek Islands?

Curacoa, yea! We are looking at the Academy Hotel which has an interesting WEB site.