Marietas Islands, off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Marietas Islands, here we come.

Hi BFFs!!
I've made an executive decision for us, we are going to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in December!  Reasons being:
(a)  Have you SEEN the picture above?  Enough said
(b)  Best available timeshare in December for dates available
(c)  Inexpensive flight
(d)  Inexpensive costs while we're there
(e)  Plenty to do!
(f)  Again, did you SEE the picture above???  Also it is no surprise it has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches.

Veto?  I think not.  Please see additional details below and post comments/questions.

P.S.  KATE we are doing this for you so.... you have to come.  NO EXCUSES!  <3 Also if everything goes as planned I will have graduated by then... but that's too much to think about right now.

Room & Board:
RCI Timeshares available in December (Luxury vs. Location):

 Casa Velas Boutique Hotel - Decadent luxury but far, no kitchen.
-Trip advisor reviews:  "Traveler's Choice Winner" but couples-oriented.

2 Bedrooms

6 (4)

No Kitchen

Sat 14-Dec-2013

Sat 21-Dec-2013

Exchange Fee

11

Buganvilias Resort Vacation Club - Walking distance to the city plus has a kitchen.
-Trip adviser reviews:  This one is nice and has an even mix of couples and families

3 Bedrooms

8 (8)

Partial

Sat 14-Dec-2013

Sat 21-Dec-2013

Exchange Fee

15

Special thanks to the Hirds, we should pool our efforts as a token of our gratitude~!

Activities:

(1) We can take charter boats from Puerto Vallarta to Marieta Islands, prices vary with Pegaso Chartering it's $80/person

*Another option is Puntamita Charters
(2) Um, it's Puerto Vallarta helloooo there will be tons to do here.

Flight:

$448 R/T from LAX to Puerto Vallarta (incl. taxes)

$458 R/T from SFO to Puerto Vallarta (incl. taxes)

Cost:

Travel Expenses:  Approx. $600 incl. flight, charter boat plus misc. travel expenses (tips, tax, etc.) 

Room & Board:   $0

Recreation:         $400 ?

Total Cost:          $1,000 (or less!)

Puerto Rico + Culebra Island

BASICS

- US state! 
- Island East of the DR and Haiti in the Caribbean.

Potential Destinations

- Culebra Island! 
- Old San Juan, historic colonial town with cobblestone streets, shops, restaurants, and a fort protecting the city. 
- El Yunque - Rainforest
- The Lechon Highway - a stretch of road known for their roadside Lechon (whole roasted pig) stands.
- Vieques Island - I haven't heard or read much about it yet, but it looks gorgeous! 
- Rincon - known for "surfing and sunsets" according to tripadvisor...
- Ponce - looks like another cute colonial town.

Other Things To Do

- Caving
- Zip lining
- Snorkeling/Diving
- SHOPPING!

COSTS
- $480 from LAX - San Juan in August (doesn't let me search for Dec yet)
- on vrbo.com i looked at places on Culebra, and the average price was around $175 per night, which would be about $45 per person if there was 4 of us. 
- for old san juan, prices are similar to culebra, a little cheaper. and from staying in an apt there before when i visited, they're usually plenty available, kind of hit and miss on the amenities, bathrooms can be iffy (leaky, toilets clog easily). 
**** We should definitely find a place that has AC!! it gets SUPER humid.
- Food is probably close to American prices, maybe a little cheaper at mom n pop places. definitely try to avoid the tourist traps. 

PERKS
- My cousin lives in old san juan! So she could show us around a bit, and give us the low-down.
- US dollars. holla.
- beautiful beaches for days 
- puerto ricans are beautiful...especially the hot ladies. but guys are ok too :)
- good food, and probably more variety of foods available. 
- outdoor activities about, and also culture/history. 
- safe.

Bocas del Toro, Panama

BASICS:
Region

• Caribbean archipelago 

Potential Destinations

• At least six islands to explore
• Beaches, specialized faunas & flora, marine life!

COSTS:

1. Flights starting at $512 from LAX to Panama City (PTY) 
1. There is an airport in Bocas del Toro.
2. Room & board moderate
3. Eating out meals is pricier, but we can buy groceries and cook!  

PERKS:

1. Affordable flight & stay
2. Gorgeous beaches
3. Island hopping
4. National park
5. Unique fauna, flora
6. Friendly, safe
7. Famous for surfing = Hot international surfers (bonus!)

A few questions

Are we very determined we want to depart in August?
I think we should potentially go next December.  Grey season so sunshine would be pretty awesome.
What are your thoughts on this?

I might be embarking on a trip in the next few months and August just feels very close . . .
Also, Kate, Ekid, Zo, and I all turn 30 after Sept.  Angela... when do you turn 30?

Ok, I will start researching locations but I am pretty flexible with any of these options.

Love you ladies,
Shosh

Nicaragua

Corn Island, Nicaragua "30 Most Beautiful Beaches"

BASICS:
Region

• Pacific Side (West)
• Spanish speaking
• Surfing, lakes, rivers, and lots of outdoor adventures 
• Cave tubing is supposed to be AMAZING here (bonus!) 
• Minagua, the capital is kinda sketch, but cheap and rich in culture.
• Caribbean Side (East) 
• Creole & English speaking
• Field station "Apoyo Field Station"
• Cheap hostels & hotel

Potential Destinations

• Corn Island (Caribbean)
• "One-time pirate hub, now a (seriously) low-key Caribbean kick-backer w/ fresh lobster and cheap dives"
  
• "The two Islas del Maíz retain in many ways the magic associated with the Caribbean - clear turquoise water, white sandy beaches fringed with coconut palms, excellent fishing, phenomenal coral reefs to explore and an unhurried, peaceful pace, as yet uncluttered with Cancún-style resorts. Little Corn in particular lives up to this elusive image."
  
• This place is seriously out in the cuts!!
• Isla de Ometepe (Pacific)
• An island located in Lake Nicaragua.
• "A fantasy island formed by joined volcanoes, with lovely villages, great beaches hiking and prehistoric rock art"
  
• Primary forests trade off with organic farms in the folds of the volcanoes' fertile skirts, teeming with howler monkeys and parrots, and hiding a wealth of archaeological treasures.
• Granada (Pacific)
• A trip-maker, Granada's colonial lakeside gem rolls out the welcome mat with volunteering opportunities and volcanoes to climb
  
• It's close to Isla de Ometepe so we could hit up both destinations (which LonelyPlanet recommends)

COSTS:

1. Flights starting at $581 R/T LAX to MGAon 8/19/13 - 8/26/13 
2. Hotel ???
3. Food starting at $3 / meal

PERKS:

1. Affordable flight & stay
2. Great beaches "30 Most Beautiful Beaches"
3. Colonial towns
4. Safe

Welcome

Dear Friends,

This blog has been created for our official BFF Dirty Thirties celebration this year so we can leave our 20's with a big BANG!

The purpose of this blog is to compile all our info and also minimize spamming our inboxes with our endless banter and battle of destinations... ahem... I mean our ongoing research and findings of the best travel deals!

So please feel free to post suggestions, ideas, research and thoughts of your day if you wish, and more.

Let's reserve posts for the big picture, and everything else can be comments in response to ideas.

Our current availabilities are as follows:
Angela: TBD but flexible; Prefers to return before Sept. 6
Ekid:   8/17/13 - 9/7/13 & 12/15/13 - 1/6/2014 (max 10 days)
Kate:
Laurel:
Shosh: 5-10+ days.  Depends on my job that I hope I have!
Zoe:   10d whenevs

Until the next post... namaste.

-ellz.

+ Laurel + Kate
Our trip picture can (hopefully) have all 6 of us lovelies in it!