I am planning a trip in early Sept for 1 week. Would like fun, sun, water sports, spa, AND other outdoor fun for a non water person (hiking, horse riding, volcanos, etc). Thinking about all inclusive, but not high end. Prefer mid range budget. Any advice or places to continue my search would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome to Flyertalk vhardy http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

For ease of travel to/from (many direct flights from the states), no customs, US$ used, great food, lots to do beside the beaches, hiking, caves, rainforest, desert, nightlife, seclusion, history, my vote goes to Puerto Rico.

There is plenty of low-cost yet nice lodging around the island. The paradores (do a net search) are inns that were originally set up by the PR government to get tourists to travel outside of San Juan. There are some REALLY nice ones, like old coffee plantations. Rooms can run from $40-$100 per night.

We travel many places in the world and Puerto Rico is the only place we have been back to more than 3 times, our 7th trip is coming up this spring.

I have a dining/activity link I'll post later.

edited to add: http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/Forum47/HTML/000003.html

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[This message has been edited by Sweet Willie (edited 07-17-2003).]

we recently went to the dominican republic for 6 days, which has all about the same things...nice beach, good food, PLENTY OF ACTIVITIES!

we stayed in punta cana, which was a bit more quiet, but I hear the Puerto Plata has casinos and less expensive hotels.

I know you posted in the Caribbean forum, but is Hawaii a possibility for you? Seems to match up well with what you want.

AND.....

no hurricanes in Hawaii in Sept as you are likely to encounter in the Caribbean at that time.

I have a certificate for 4th nite free at Marriott Offshore Resorts in Aruba, Curacao, St.Thomas, Cancun, St.Kitts, Aruba or Puerto Vallarta.
good till August 29th. Complimentary upgrades to an ocean or water view room!
email me if you want details