Hot Winter Vacation Spots For Less

Travel Expert Suggests Five Destinations That May Offer Good Deals

(CBS) 

Riviera Maya is a hot resort destination for 2006. If you've never considered Mexico as a vacation site because you thought it was only for spring break kids, you're wrong!

There's so much going on there, and every range of spots for couples, families. Everyone can rent a little palapa on the beach with a shared bath for $40 a night, or head to the luxury Orient Express resort, Maroma for $480 a night (that's new to the Travel and Leisure 500 this year). It's a very romantic resort, right on the beach. Or, further down the shore in Tulum is the Maya Tulum, which will run you $200 a night or so. It's where yoga devotees do downward dogs at dawn every day.

There's even a new place called Amansala that has a bikini boot camp to get you in shape in one week, at $1800 a week.

Families can rent villas through Akumal Villas, with their own spit of sand and cleaning services and everything else a family would need, for $2600 a week or so.

You can find great flight deals right now, as well as some great hotel deals, because this region is trying to overcome the perception that Hurricane Wilma destroyed everything. The location is pretty much back in action and worth looking into.

Maui: We often think of Hawaii as a honeymooners' location. But it's a great vacation spot for those living on the West Coast. Why fly to Europe when you can head to Hawaii? Maui boasts the Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach, a top-secret beach. The beaches of Maui are supposed to be some of the most glorious.

Great hotels there include the Four Seasons Wailea, for $395 a night, the Grand Wailea, at $495, and the Hotel Hana-Maui, at $425.

Los Angeles: Yes, Los Angeles! If you think there isn't anything to do or eat in L.A., think again. The city is undergoing a transformation. For example, check out the newly-redesigned Sunset Tower Hotel, as well as the new Hollywood Roosevelt, where the current Hollywood "A-listers" love to party. You can also cruise Melrose, Sunset Blvd and have access to beaches, hiking up Will Rogers Park. The city also has a lot more culture, and more money has been poured into the arts. Los Angeles also isn't too expensive, certainly not when compared to New York or San Francisco. The large amusement parks are also nearby, so it's great for families who want to go to Disneyland, but you can also look into Hollywood or see the Guggenheim Museum.

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