Vacation Ideas - End of March with no Zika virus

[requiressnacks]

Good morning GKU. I hope this counts towards my thread count. (Kidding!) So H and I were supposed to head to beautiful Mexico at the end of March (March 26-April 2). We aren't 100% sure if we will cancel because of the Zika virus, but it is certainly being discussed.

If we decide not to go to Mexico, does anyone have any vacation recommendations for the end of March? Basically everywhere I want to go is warm and has Zika mosquitos.

We are only going for a week so destinations like Bora Bora, the Seychelles and other ridiculous beach destinations are not in our timeframe or price range.

[pinkcat]

I haven't been following the Zika watch closely, is Aruba part of it? It's much further south than most of the Caribbean and has a more desert like climate so there aren't many bugs. If that's an option, I totally recommend it! It's my favorite vacation spot for sure.

If that doesn't work, what about a trip to San Diego? We went for the first time two years ago and loved it. Beaches, breweries, an awesome zoo, a fun nightlife- there was so much to do! We stayed in the La Jolla area and loved it. I'm more of a "lay on the beach and drink Pina Coladas" type of vacationer and DH likes more city type vacations, so it was a good compromise for us.

[rablissful]

Paging onesweetworld

[peaseblossom55]

When in doubt to go Paris. :-)
Other suggestions( I don't know where you are from either)- California, Florida, Baltimore/DC area, NYC, Arizona.
Perhaps England, Ireland or Scotland. I don't really know your budget either.

[mill23]

I would second Paris! It is amazing any time of the year - and at least where I am, flights are very reasonable.

California - San Francisco, Napa??? So amazing as well.

NYC?

[kleigh]

Just looked up the most recent outbreak map, looks like Aruba is not on there! I def second Aruba, it's a nice short flight and that's a great time of year. Also maybe Bahamas or Jamaica ?

[kleigh]

Or Key West!

Which if you do I strongly suggest flying into Miami or Fort Lauderdale and renting a car and driving down through all the keys.

[RajahMD]

We went to Orlando for our honeymoon in March one year. The weather was perfect. 70's to 80's with very little rain. And the amusement parks were nearly deserted.

We went there to go to Harry Potter world because we're HP nerds. We also checked out SeaWorld, Aquatic (the Sea world waterpark), both Universal parks, and Wet'N'Wild (the Universal water park). So much fun and I highly recommend it!

[rooskie]

The obvious answer is to just go back to Vegas.

[lgraceh]

If we have to do a last minute Mexico cancellation next week, I think we will keep our flights into LAX and rent a car to spend a few days in Las Vegas and maybe a few in San Diego. I like the Napa idea though...

[PepperPottsJ]

Turks & Caicos, quick flight for you requiressnacks. Also warm in March. They have a constant breeze so had 0 bug issues when we went.

ETA I am always pro a napa trip :-)

Edit to fix autocorrect

[wannabmama]

We are trying to come up with a Zika-avoiding trip too so I'm stalking for ideas. We may do the CA coast/Napa thing like others have mentioned. I used to live there and H has never really been.
Florida is a good idea, too.
Remember, too, it's really only a problem if you are currently pregnant or if you get pregnant within 2-3 weeks of your return. I know that's not entirely comforting...

[RajahMD]

Feb 2, 2016 9:16:52 GMT -5 rooskie said:

The obvious answer is to just go back to Vegas.

rooskie is wise. Do this!

[rooskie]

Feb 2, 2016 9:43:56 GMT -5 RajahMD said:

Feb 2, 2016 9:16:52 GMT -5 rooskie said:

The obvious answer is to just go back to Vegas.

rooskie is wise. Do this!

I think we are going back the first week of May. So much to do and really cheap.

Our airport is crap so flying out of the US is insane for us.

[RajahMD]

Feb 2, 2016 9:46:54 GMT -5 rooskie said:

Feb 2, 2016 9:43:56 GMT -5 RajahMD said:

rooskie is wise. Do this!

I think we are going back the first week of May. So much to do and really cheap.

Our airport is crap so flying out of the US is insane for us.

We just went to Vegas (my first time) in early January. I'm already dying to get back! So much to see and so many buffets to visit. 

[requiressnacks]

Feb 2, 2016 9:16:52 GMT -5 rooskie said:

The obvious answer is to just go back to Vegas.

My husband had this same idea! He was like, "well this is simple, we'll just go back to Vegas!"

I am considering it, but not for the whole week. We spent THOUSANDS of dollars gambling when we went in October and we were only there 3 nights. Eek!

[wannabmama]

Feb 2, 2016 9:59:14 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

Feb 2, 2016 9:16:52 GMT -5 rooskie said:

The obvious answer is to just go back to Vegas.

My husband had this same idea! He was like, "well this is simple, we'll just go back to Vegas!"

I am considering it, but not for the whole week. We spent THOUSANDS of dollars gambling when we went in October and we were only there 3 nights. Eek!

You could do an open jaw flight and go to Vegas a few days and then onto San Diego or Phoenix or somewhere like that. There are some awesome spas and resorts in New Mexico, too. A friend just did a girls trip to one with her cousins and they had a awesome time, sort of random/different place I'd never usually think of going!

[kleigh]

I've been itching to do a trip with hubby where we fly into Vegas for a couple nights, then road trip to Palm Sorings for a night or two and then onto LA for a night or two and fly out from there so I second the previous suggestion about an open jaw flight (didn't know it was called that).

[requiressnacks]

I'm so baffled that Mexico, DR and PR are on the outbreak list. But Aruba, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas and Jamaica are not. This is confusing.

[kleigh]

Feb 2, 2016 10:13:26 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

I'm so baffled that Mexico, DR and PR are on the outbreak list. But Aruba, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas and Jamaica are not. This is confusing.

Aruba is known for trade winds, perhaps that keeps the mosquitos away? And I think pp said the same about T&C. Honestly I thought to myself is it just a matter of time before they're affected too? Like if you go with one of those is there a likelihood that by the time March gets here you'll be in the same position? But swim up bars...

[requiressnacks]

Feb 2, 2016 10:19:32 GMT -5 kleigh said:

Feb 2, 2016 10:13:26 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

I'm so baffled that Mexico, DR and PR are on the outbreak list. But Aruba, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas and Jamaica are not. This is confusing.

Aruba is known for trade winds, perhaps that keeps the mosquitos away? And I think pp said the same about T&C. Honestly I thought to myself is it just a matter of time before they're affected too? Like if you go with one of those is there a likelihood that by the time March gets here you'll be in the same position? But swim up bars...

I know....swim up bars......

[pinkcat]

requiressnacks Aruba has a different climate than most Caribbean islands I've been to- It's much more desert like and also has a lot of wind. I think this is part of the reason it's not on the list, it's climate keeps mosquito away! If you have any questions on Aruba let me know, we have been several times and I can give you some tips on the best areas of the island to stay! Here are some Google images for your viewing pleasure

www.google.com/search?q=aruba&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6kru9sdnKAhXEbB4KHVp7D6gQ_AUICCgC&biw=1536&bih=731

[peaseblossom55]

Feb 2, 2016 10:13:26 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

I'm so baffled that Mexico, DR and PR are on the outbreak list. But Aruba, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas and Jamaica are not. This is confusing.

Yea we're not going to the Bahamas in March because of zika I'm so sad.

[requiressnacks]

Feb 2, 2016 10:33:33 GMT -5 peaseblossom55 said:

Feb 2, 2016 10:13:26 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

I'm so baffled that Mexico, DR and PR are on the outbreak list. But Aruba, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas and Jamaica are not. This is confusing.

Yea we're not going to the Bahamas in March because of zika I'm so sad.

If I were in the middle of IVF I would probably cancel too! Obviously, you'll be KU by March.

[LadyNymeria]

If Aruba stays off the list I second (third?) the fact that it's a great place to go. H and I have been twice, in September both times, and I never saw a mosquito. As pinkcat pointed out it's much drier than other Caribbean islands and there's a constant wind.

[requiressnacks]

Feb 2, 2016 10:40:47 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

If Aruba stays off the list I second (third?) the fact that it's a great place to go. H and I have been twice, in September both times, and I never saw a mosquito. As pinkcat pointed out it's much drier than other Caribbean islands and there's a constant wind.

Aruba is looking better and better.....

[peaseblossom55]

Feb 2, 2016 10:36:42 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

Feb 2, 2016 10:33:33 GMT -5 peaseblossom55 said:

Yea we're not going to the Bahamas in March because of zika I'm so sad.

If I were in the middle of IVF I would probably cancel too! Obviously, you'll be KU by March.

Our transfer is mid March now so maybe not yet :-)  In all the times I was in the Bahamas (I've been going over 6 years now I've never once seen a mosquito or got bit by one).

[lgraceh]

Feb 2, 2016 10:13:26 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

I'm so baffled that Mexico, DR and PR are on the outbreak list. But Aruba, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas and Jamaica are not. This is confusing.

What's weird for us, is that our cruise line didn't issue an alert for our trip up the Mexican Riviera. Even though they did issue one for south and central America. But Mexico is grouped into that on the CDC and WHO websites.

[onesweetworld]

Feb 2, 2016 9:22:36 GMT -5 lgraceh said:

If we have to do a last minute Mexico cancellation next week, I think we will keep our flights into LAX and rent a car to spend a few days in Las Vegas and maybe a few in San Diego. I like the Napa idea though...

Please make sure you are letting the airline know. If you just don't take one leg of your flight they will cancel the return ticket.

[onesweetworld]

Feb 2, 2016 9:59:14 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

Feb 2, 2016 9:16:52 GMT -5 rooskie said:

The obvious answer is to just go back to Vegas.

My husband had this same idea! He was like, "well this is simple, we'll just go back to Vegas!"

I am considering it, but not for the whole week. We spent THOUSANDS of dollars gambling when we went in October and we were only there 3 nights. Eek!

Did you already buy your airline ticket to Mexico? This will help me with recommendations.

Follow up question - did you book southwest or United?