Cuba is in the news this week, and while it may not be easy for U.S. travelers to visit yet, you can still join a tour completely legally. I found a $200 discount on Cuba tours for 2015, and included it in this week’s roundup of the beat Latin America travel deals. You can also get good discounts at Starwood Hotels in Puerto Rico and AlSol Hotels in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. And in case you’re already planning to attend the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, I’ve also included some vacation options that include that big event, too.
Don’t forget: You can get some of the best rates on airlines, hotels, rental cars and cruises by using LatinFlyer’s own travel booking engine (it’s at the top right-hand side of this page if you’re using a computer or tablet, or at the bottom of each page if you’re on a cell phone), where it says “Save Big on Your Trip.” With one click, you can compare airfares and rates from more than 10 top travel sites, including Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. No more wasting time when you travel!
Globus
Cuba
The Deal: $200 discounts on People-to-People Program
What Makes It Cool: Book a 2015 Globus Cuba People-to-People Program and get a $200 per person discount off the land price. Prices for this company’s Cuba tours — which are legal for U.S. travelers, since they are considered educational exchange programs — start at $2,829 without air.
Valid for Travel: Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between December 3, 2014 and January 27, 2015 for travel in 2015.
Info & Reservations: www.GlobusJourneys.com/Cuba
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DON’T MISS: In Panama, Ex-Gang Members Lead Tours of Once-Dangerous Zones
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Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Puerto Rico & St. John
The Deal: Refriger-nation Vacation
What Makes It Cool: Starwood Caribbean Hotels & Resorts is offering travelers a “Refriger-nation Vacation” for affordable getaways to sun-filled destinations like the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, including Vieques Island. Special rates start as low as $175 at Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino (valid for travel through March 2015), $322 at W Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island (valid for travel through August 2, 2015 when booking three nights; the offer includes the fourth night free as well as a $100 resort credit), $678 at the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort (valid for travel through April 2015 when booking five nights, including a $100 resort credit).
Valid for Travel: Based on availability, for travel in the periods mentioned with each hotel above.
Info & Reservations: www.caribbean.starwoodoffers.com/refrigernation-vacation
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DON’T MISS: Family Vacation: Top 7 Kid-friendly Hotels in Puerto Rico
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AlSol Hotels & Resorts
Mexico and the Dominican Republic
The Deal: Same Time Next Year
What Makes It Cool: AlSol Hotels & Resorts — which operates the Al Ritmo Cancun Resort & Waterpark in Mexico and four Dominican Republic beach hotels — is offering a, “Same Time Next Year” promotion that allows guests to lock in future rates for 2016 by staying at one of the resorts between April 16 and Dececember 20, 2015 and returning the following year at the same rate.
Valid for Travel: Valid for a minimum three-night stay between April 16 and December 20, 2015.
Info & Reservations: www.alsolresorts.com/en/
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DON’T MISS: Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival Draws Top Chefs for 2015
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VIP Tour Group
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Deal: 2016 Rio Summer Games
What Makes It Cool: The 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games are fast approaching, and this Brazil tour operator has announced a series of vacation packages to get you to the event. VIP Tour Group has penciled in a range of different six night packages catering for all budgets. For budget conscious sports fans, three- and four-star packages start at $3,995 per person. Those with a little extra cash can opt for four- and five-star packages that start at $4,699 per person. For Summer Games goers determined to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience, luxurious five-star packages start at $7,999 per person.
Valid for Travel: The 2016 Rio Summer Games take place August 3-21, 2016.
Info & Reservations: www.viptourgroup.com/