40 Best Vacations

Cancún for $602   
Champion Air or Ryanair flights from Detroit, transfers, and seven nights at the downtown Radisson Hacienda. When: Nov. 22-Jan. 24. Other Gateways: Minneapolis, Nov. 4-11, Dec. 23-Jan. 20 ($604); Dallas, Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 31-Jan. 21 ($666). Details: No extra nights. Single supplement from $293. Contact: Worry-Free Vacations, 888/225-5658, worryfreevacations.com.

Mazatlán for $367   
Air from L.A., transfers, and four nights at the beachfront El Cid Granada Country Club. When: Until Dec. 11. Other Gateways: Denver, Thursday departures until Dec. 14 ($466); Chicago, Wednesday and Thursday departures until Dec. 20 ($690). Details: Extra nights from $91. Single supplement from $316. Three-night packages, available Jan.-Mar., begin at $520. Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-3333, pleasantholidays.com.

Mexican Riviera Cruise for $950  
Sail for 11 nights round trip from San Diego aboard the Celebrity Mercury, with stops at six ports. When: Nov. 20; Jan. 8, 29 ($950 inside cabin/$1,100 ocean-view cabin). Details: Prices include port charges but not airfare. Contact: American Discount Cruises, 866/214-7447, americandiscountcruises.com.

CARIBBEAN

Barbados for $442   
Air from Miami and seven nights in an apartment with a kitchenette at the Golden Sands Hotel, five miles from the airport. When: Until Dec. 2 ($442); Dec. 3-15, Jan. 15-31 ($642). Other Gateways: New York ($499/$699); Baltimore ($528/$728); Chicago, Philadelphia ($582/$782); L.A. ($701/$901). Details: Breakfast is included until Dec. 2. Extra nights $45. Single supplement $315. Contact: Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.

Grand Cayman for $1,121   
US Airways flights from Boston, transfers, five nights at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort on Seven Mile Beach, and one $75 food-and-beverage credit per room. The hotel has a dive center, spa, two restaurants, and two bars. When: Until Dec. 17. Other Gateways: Detroit ($1,165), D.C. ($1,232), Pittsburgh ($1,464). Details: Extra nights from $332. Single supplement from $732. Price includes hotel taxes. Contact: US Airways Vacations, 800/455-0123, usairwaysvacations.com.

Puerto Rico for $365   
Air from Newark and three nights at the Normandie Hotel in San Juan. The art deco hotel has a pool, restaurant, and spa. When: Until Dec. 15; Jan. 6-31. Other Gateways: Boston ($395), Miami ($499), Chicago ($625), Dallas ($635), L.A. ($689). Details: Prices include government taxes of up to $69. Extra nights $120. Single supplement $125. Take $50 off per booking until Dec. 15 with the promotion code Budget50. Contact: Sunburst Vacations, 800/786-2877, sunburstvacations.com.

St. Lucia for $459   
The Coco Palm Hotel's "Taste of St. Lucia" package includes four nights in a garden-view room, the Anse La Raye Fish Fry street party, a rum-distillery tour, a four-course dinner at Ti Bananne restaurant, and a manicure and pedicure at the Spa at Coco Palm. When: Until Dec. 15; Jan 5-31. Details: Price doesn't include airfare. A Friday-night stay is required for the Fish Fry. Extra nights from $63. Single supplement $166. Contact: Coco Resorts, 866/588-5980, coco-resorts.com.

CENTRAL AMERICA

Guatemala Tour for $790   
American Airlines flights from Miami to Guatemala City, five nights at the Biltmore Express hotel, transportation by private bus, all entrance fees, breakfast daily, and guided day trips to Antigua, the Chichicastenango market, and Lake Atitlán. When: Nov. 6-Dec. 9, Jan. 1-Feb. 28 ($790); Dec. 10-31 ($990). Other Gateways: L.A., New York (add $140); San Francisco (add $290). Details: Extra nights $37. Single supplement $295. The price includes hotel and service taxes; add about $233 for airport taxes and fuel surcharges. Contact: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.

Nicaragua for $973   
American Airlines flights to Managua, transfers, and seven nights at the all-inclusive Barceló Montelimar Beach Hotel on the Pacific Coast. When: Nov. 1-Dec. 9 ($973); Jan. 2-Apr. 8 ($1,226). Other Gateways: Dallas ($1,009/$1,259); New York ($1,123/$1,384); L.A., San Francisco ($1,189/$1,438); Chicago ($1,199/$1,448); Portland ($1,319/$1,569). Details: Extra nights $79. Single supplement from $140. Contact: Capricorn Leisure Corporation, 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.

Panama for $952   
American Airlines flights from Miami to Panama City, all transfers, three nights at the Crowne Plaza hotel, three nights at the all-inclusive Royal Decameron Beach Resort on Playa Blanca, and a half-day tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal. When: Wednesday and Thursday departures until Dec. 9 ($952); Jan. 2-April 15 ($997). Other Gateways: Dallas (add $160); Atlanta, D.C. (add $180); Boston, New York (add $200); L.A. (add $300). Details: Add $196 for taxes and security fees. Extra nights from $65. Single supplement $261. Contact: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.