5 Things to Consider When Picking a Destination for Your Vacation

1. Consider your preferences and style
There are so many options available to you so to help narrow it down, think about the your ultimate goal for this vacation and make a list of your must-haves. 
Things to think about:

• Are you wanting to party, looking for adventure, or do you just want to relax? 
• Would you prefer it to be adults only or is family friendly okay. 
• Boutique hotel vs a larger resort. Boutique hotels can be quaint, intimate, and unique while your resorts typically are larger, more modern, and have lots to offer right on property. 
• Is the beach or pool more important for you?  Are you wanting white sand beaches, turquoise water, a large pool where there's no fighting over lounge chairs?
• Do you want all your food, beverage, and entertainment included all for one price?
• Are you looking for a foodie experience where you'll get to try new things that make your taste buds dance?

For example: if you're looking for a more relaxed experience, a resort that offers stunning beaches, plenty of pool seating, a fabulous spa, and a variety of dining options may be best for you.  However, if you'd prefer more adventure filled with excursions, then a resort with a water park on site, top adventures close by, and swimming with turtles may be a better fit

2. Think about weather & seasonality
Depending on where you want to go weather and climate could impact your travel plans.  Keep in mind in the Atlantic, hurricane season runs June - November affecting destinations in the Caribbean.  Rainy season is May - November in many Central American regions.  The summer months (June-August) in Mexico are known to be extra hot and humid and tend to have an increase in Sargassum on the Caribbean side.  While some locations may offer better rates during off-seasons you'll have to weigh out the pros and cons of Mother Nature and her unpredictability.  So always make sure to check the annual weather and climate patterns for each location to see how they align with your travel dates.  Your best bet to avoid weather issues is to head to the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) that lie outside the hurricane belt and are known for year round sunny and enjoyable weather conditions.  Of course there are no guarantees when it comes to Mother Nature, but always best to be prepared.

3. Compare your travel time to your length of stay
go ahead, pull out your globe and see where you'll be traveling from and where you want to go.  Now, keep in mind the miles apart doesn't necessarily mean you'll have more or less travel time.  Depending on direct flight options or charter flights from your home airport can make a huge difference.  However, you'll want to check these out before deciding on your exact destination because if you're only going for 5 days, you won't want to spend 2+ of those days just on traveling.  For example, if you're coming from the west coast of United States and want to go somewhere in the Caribbean, you will spend almost 24 hours traveling each way, with layovers, and red eye flights.

4. Be realistic about your budget
Your budget ultimately will be the deciding factor for your experience, destination, and when you travel.  If you envision a 5+ star experience -- exceptional service, exquisite food, endless entertainment, delectable cocktails, and want to travel over a holiday -- you will need a champagne budget.  The cost of airfare during peak travel times can make up most of your desired budget and you may have to consider increasing the budget or sacrificing on some other aspects of your vacation vision -- length of stay, when you travel, the types of experience, a more moderate resort, etc.  The more flexibility you have for your travel, the more you can work to stay within your budget.  


5. Hire a professional aka a Travel Advisor
The most important thing to consider when narrowing down a vacation location is.... Don't do it alone!  Your vacation is important and you want it to be something you cherish or years to come -- so don't leave it up to chance and hope what you see online is really what you'll be getting.  A reputable Travel Advisor/Designer can take their expertise and hands on experience of popular destinations to turn your dreams into the perfect destination for you.  These advisors know which locations will match your vision best and then narrow down the resorts that will provide the experience you desire.  Plus, your travel advisor will take care of all the nitty-gritty details, be your single point of contact for questions and support, your advocate if things should go awry, you'll receive the personalized touch you deserve, and you'll have confidence your trip was planned by an expert with you in mind.

VACATION WITH UNITED TRAVEL

---