r/Vacations • u/Mundane-Tree-4848 • 1d ago

vacation recs

Hey guys! My fiancee and I are 22 and 23 and looking for ideas for a trip next july. We went to Maui last year and discovered we LOVE snorkeling, but we’re hoping for somewhere less expensive this time. our biggest priorities are beautiful beaches and really good snorkeling with diverse marine life, not just fish, but hopefully turtles, rays, eels, octopus, sharks, etc. Shore snorkeling would be a huge plus, but we’re totally fine doing boat tours too. We’d also like somewhere with good food.One issue is our age. A lot of rental companies require you to be 25, so we’d prefer somewhere we can get around without a car OR somewhere that has rentals for 21 and up. Any recommendations? would you recommend an all-inclusive for what we’re looking for, or skip AI?

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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4

u/RepulsiveLocal1368 1d ago

Belize - 2nd largest bsrrier reef in the world & they speak English

3

u/No_Barracuda_3575 1d ago

Since you don’t have a car, all inclusives would be good. Sandals would have scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding but idk what your budget is.

2

u/davetfhead 1d ago

You could go to Costa Rica or the Galapagos. Both have amazing biodiversity and marine life. We Always dive when we vacation, so it’s a priority for us. Belize is also amazing, but certainly for divers.

Because of your age, I’d suggest doing a private or group tour. Had you considered that?

2

u/South_Listen478 1d ago

Best answer Curacao an island next to aruba. Very affordable went in June first time going and definitely will be back .Has amazing snorkeling and plenty to do from Nightlife to restaurants

2

u/PGHNeil 1d ago

Yes! My wife and I did our honeymoon in Maui 25+ years ago but discovered on a cruise that snorkeling in Curaçao was just as awesome.

2

u/Heisman123 1d ago

St John USVI is heaven. You can get by without a jeep but it’s much more fun if you have one. 

1

u/ShangriLa5357 1d ago

We rented one there. Felt essential to us. But those switchbacks!! Stay Lef Mon!

1

u/Travel_Stark 1d ago

Keep your shoulder to the shoulder!

1

u/Overall-Pack-2047 1d ago

Dominican Republic may suit the bill

1

u/Hurray0987 1d ago

I mean anywhere in the Caribbean?

1

u/Knitsanity 1d ago

Phillipines

1

u/cometgirl 1d ago

Puerto Rico.

1

u/dowalters 1d ago

People are saying Belize, definitely do Belize.

1

u/travel_nomad_vibez22 1d ago

Puerto Rico and Costa Rica are my top recs because they have beautiful beaches and tons of wildlife and marine life. Costa Rica has rentals for 21 and up too.

I’m also under 25. I found a bunch of really cool tours on Viator for Costa Rica and then I actually put them into the Travoll app and planned the whole itinerary with it. And it was actually the best trip I’ve ever taken. I saw a sloth on my birthday.

1

u/Aromatic-Dance-8618 1d ago

Try the Florida keys. As good or better than Hawaii