40 Best Vacations

United States

Honolulu for $535
Air from L.A., transfers, and six nights at the Ohana Maile Sky Court, a high-rise hotel on Kuhio Avenue, near the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and within walking distance of Waikiki Beach. When Until Dec. 21. Other Gateways Phoenix, Seattle ($639); Houston, Kansas City ($785); Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia ($855). Details Extra nights from $34. Single supplement from $170. Contact Leisure Link International, 888/801-8808, eleisurelink.com.

Las Vegas for $306
US Airways flights from Seattle and two nights at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, on the Strip. Includes a $35 dining credit, a two-for-one spa pass, and a 15 percent discount on spa treatments. When Select Monday departures May 1--July 31. Other Gateways Denver (from $317), New York (from $377), Boston (from $421), Philadelphia (from $465). Details Extra nights from $146. Single supplement from $146. Contact US Airways Vacations, 800/455-0123, usairwaysvacations.com.

New York City for $250
Ongoing renovations at the Flatotel in Midtown mean some suites are 50 percent off. Unremodeled one-bedroom suites that usually start at $500 a night are going for as little as $250. They sleep two (though some also have pullout couches or Murphy beds), have full kitchens, and range in size from 1,100 to 1,400 square feet. When Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until July 31 ($275), August 1--31 ($250). Details Unrenovated two-bedroom suites start at $300. Contact Flatotel, 800/352-8683, flatotel.com.

Phoenix for $269
Southwest Airlines flights from Albuquerque or Las Vegas and four nights at the Wigwam Resort & Golf Club, with two pools, three golf courses, nine tennis courts, a gym, spa, four restaurants, and a bar. When Wednesday and Saturday departures May 13--July 29 (from $269). Other Gateways Lubbock, Oakland (from $344); D.C., Kansas City (from $389). Details Get a fifth night free on Tuesday and Saturday departures May 23--July 29. Single supplement from $185. Contact Southwest Airlines Vacations, 800/423-5683, swavacations.com.

Vieques Is Getting Hot for $431
A 21-mile-long sliver off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, Vieques made headlines in 2003 when the U.S. Navy handed two-thirds of the island over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Overnight, the former bomb test site became the Caribbean's largest wildlife refuge--more than 60 years of Navy control had protected the white-sand beaches from development. The Starwood-owned Martineau Bay Resort & Spa is in the civilian section of Vieques, a small belt in the middle of the island. It's six miles from one of the biggest ecotourist draws: a bioluminescent bay at Puerto Mosquito where phytoplankton make the water glow at the slightest disturbance. AmericanAirlines Vacations is selling three-night packages at the Martineau until mid-August, when the resort will close for renovations (reopening in December as the Caribbean's first W Hotel). When May 1--Aug. 19. Details Airfare must be booked separately: From San Juan, flights to Vieques cost about $165 round trip; the high-speed ferry is $78. Extra nights $143. Single supplement $861. Contact AmericanAirlines Vacations, 800/321-2121, aavacations.com.

Canada

Nova Scotia & New Brunswick for $979
Air from Atlanta, Boston, or New York to Halifax, a six-day car rental, six nights' lodging (two in Halifax, and one each in Annapolis Royal, Saint John, Moncton, and Parrsboro), and admission to Hopewell Rocks park along the Bay of Fundy. When May 1--July 31. Other Gateways Chicago ($1,019), L.A. ($1,079), Miami ($1,229). Details Extra nights $75. Single supplement $519. Contact Maxxim Vacations, 800/567-6666, maxximvacations.com.

Mexico

Cancún for $500
Champion Air charter flights from Detroit to Cancún, transfers, and seven nights at the Radisson Hotel Hacienda. The resort has a pool, gym, two restaurants, a bar, and free shuttle service to a nearby beach. When May 3--24, June 7--21, July 5--19. Other Gateways Dallas: May 12--26 ($562); June 9--23, July 7, and July 21--28 ($505). Minneapolis: May 3--24, June 7--21, and July 5--19 ($585). Details No extra nights. Single supplement $238. Upgrade to the all-inclusive Barceló Tucancun Beach Hotel starting at $896. Contact Worry-Free Vacations, 888/225-5658, worryfreevacations.com.

Mazatlán for $607
Air from Seattle, transfers, and four nights at the El Cid Granada Country Club, with a pool, tennis courts, and 27 holes of golf. The hotel is directly connected to the beach via a walkway. When Until Nov. 9. Other Gateways Portland ($610), Las Vegas ($801), Phoenix ($804), San Diego ($806). Details Extra nights $97. Single supplement $230. Kids under 14 stay and eat free with a paying adult. Contact Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.

Northern Mexico & Copper Canyon Tour for $1,195
A 14-day round-trip tour from Tucson, including transportation (by private bus and the Chihuahua al Pacífico Railroad along the edge of Copper Canyon), 13 nights' lodging (two in Tucson at La Posada Lodge & Casitas, two in Casas Grandes at the Hacienda Hotel, two in Chihuahua at the Hotel Palacio del Sol, two in Divisadero at the Hotel Divisadero-Barrancas, two in El Fuerte at the Fuerte Hotel, and three in San Carlos at the San Carlos Plaza Hotel & Resort), most meals, excursions and tours, and an English-speaking guide throughout. The itinerary also includes a basic Spanish lesson, Mata Ortiz village tour, visit to an apple orchard, and Mexican folkloric performance. When May 24, 28 ($1,295); June 1, 27 ($1,195); Sept. 2, 8, 14, 22, 28 ($1,395). Details Geared toward people over the age of 50. Single supplement from $445. This is a land-only price. Pre- and post-trip extensions are available. Contact Grand Circle Travel, 800/248-3737, gct.com.

Puerto Vallarta for $572
US Airways flights from Phoenix to Puerto Vallarta, transfers, and three nights at the all-inclusive Hacienda Hotel & Spa, one block from the beach. The hotel has four restaurants, a pool, spa, and hot tub. When Monday and Tuesday departures May 1--July 31. Other Gateways L.A., Las Vegas, San Diego ($608). Details Extra nights from $75. Single supplement from $124. These prices include taxes and fees. Contact US Airways Vacations, 800/455-0123, usairwaysvacations.com.

Caribbean

Bermuda for $569
JetBlue Airways flights from New York and two nights in a room with a balcony or patio at the Wyndham Bermuda Resort and Spa Southampton Beach. The hotel, which is on the south coast of the island, has four restaurants, a gym, spa, dive shop, and even a water park with four pools. When May 8--13, June 2--10, July 5--14. Other Gateways Similar packages are offered from many JetBlue gateways, including Buffalo, Burlington, Richmond, and Rochester. Details Call for the extra-night price. Single supplement from $185. Contact JetBlue Airways, 800/538-2583, jetblue.com.