CARIBBEAN 

A Splurge in the Caribbean for $949  
Jacob Gelt Dekker, a Dutch dentist-turned-entrepreneur, is on a roll. After buying a house in Willemstad, on Curaçao, he built a cultural museum, conference center, and boutique hotel--effectively revitalizing the Otrobanda neighborhood where all three are found. Dekker's latest venture, the Lodge Kura Hulanda and Beach Club, which opened last fall, is his first outside the city. The 250-acre resort on an oceanfront cliff has a gym, pool, three restaurants, and a reef a short swim from its beach. This seven-night package covers air from Miami and round-trip transfers. (Note: Curaçao is outside the Caribbean hurricane belt.) When: Until Dec. 21. Other gateways: New York (add $86), Atlanta (add $173), Chicago (add $222), L.A. (add $224), Boston (add $309). Details: Extra nights from $71. Single supplement $500. Contact: Caradonna Dive Adventures, 800/328-2288, caradonna.com.

Barbados for $299  
Air from Baltimore, seven nights at the Rostrevor Apartment Hotel in St. Lawrence Gap, and breakfast daily. The hotel has a beach, pool, two restaurants, and a golf course. When: Sept. 1-30 ($299); Oct. 1-Dec. 2 ($399). Other gateways: Chicago ($383/$483), New York ($399/$499), L.A. ($614/$714). Details: Extra nights $55. Single supplement $420. Add $50 for round-trip transfers. Contact: Atlas Vacations, 800/634-1057, atlasvacations.net.

Dominican Republic for $409  
Air from Miami to Punta Cana and four nights at the all-inclusive LTI Beach, Golf & Spa Resort (casino, pool, and three restaurants) on Bavaro Beach. When: Until Oct. 31 ($409); Nov. 1-20 ($559). Other gateways: New York, Philadelphia ($619/$639); Baltimore ($619/$699). Details: Extra nights from $59. Single rate from $529. Contact: Vacation Travel Mart, 800/288-1435, vacmart.com.

Jamaica for $544  
Northwest Airlines flights from Minneapolis to Montego Bay, transfers, and seven nights in Negril at the Hotel SamSara, with a pool and restaurant. When: Saturday departures Sept. 2-Nov. 11. Other gateways: Detroit, Memphis, New York, Omaha ($564); Fargo ($574). Details: Extra nights from $56. Single supplement $159. Contact: NWA WorldVacations, 800/800-1504, nwaworldvacations.com.

CENTRAL AMERICA 

Costa Rica for $899  
Delta Air Lines flights from Atlanta to Liberia, transfers, and seven nights at the all-inclusive Giardini di Papagayo on Guanacaste province's Gold Coast. The 30-acre, villa-style hotel has direct access to a beach, a pool, two bars, and two restaurants. When: Saturday and Sunday departures Aug. 26-Oct. 29; Nov. 4, 11. Other gateways: Charlotte, Nashville ($979); Baltimore, D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh ($999). Details: No extra nights available. Single supplement $150. Contact: Vacation Express, 877/784-3786, vacationexpress.com.

Nicaragua for $982  
American Airlines flights from Miami to Managua, transfers, four nights in colonial Granada at Hotel Alhambra (on the main park), car transportation to San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast, three nights at Pelican Eyes Piedras y Olas Hotel & Resort, and breakfast daily. The package includes a carriage ride, a boat ride to Monkey Island, sunset horseback riding, a visit to a handicraft market in Masaya, and two lunches. When: Sept. 1-Dec. 9. Other gateways: Dallas ($1,018); New York ($1,149); L.A., San Francisco ($1,204); Chicago ($1,216); Portland, Seattle ($1,345). Details: Extra nights from $25. Single supplement $335. Contact: Capricorn Leisure Corporation, 800/426-6544, capricorn.net.

Panama & Costa Rica Tour for $495  
A 15-day, fully escorted trip through northern Panama and southern Costa Rica, from San José to Panama City. Visit the Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, La Isla Botanical Gardens, Bocas del Toro archipelago, Boquete mountains, and an indigenous village. The price includes local transportation (public bus and boat) and hotel accommodations. When: Sept. 19; Oct. 3, 24; Nov. 14, 28. Details: This trip also runs in the reverse direction. The price does not include international airfare. A local payment of $200 is due upon arrival. Add approximately $225 for meals. Extra nights from $20. Single travelers will be paired with a roommate of the same sex. Contact: G.A.P Adventures, 800/465-5600, gapadventures.com.

SOUTH AMERICA 

Colombia for $799  
Copa Airlines or Avianca flights from Miami to Cartagena (via Panama City), transfers, and six nights at the all-inclusive Decameron Cartagena, on Bocagrande Beach along Colombia's northern coast. The resort has a pool, five restaurants, three bars, and a disco. When: Sept. 1-Dec. 10. Other gateways: Orlando ($949), New York ($1,049), L.A. ($1,089). Details: Extra nights $60. Single supplement $261. Contact: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.

Peru for $1,398  
LanPeru flights from Miami to Cuzco (via Lima), transfers, all local transportation (plane, private bus, and Backpacker train), and six nights' lodging. Spend three nights in the Sacred Valley and one night each in in Aguas Calientes, Cuzco, and Lima. The package includes visits to Ollantaytambo and the Pisac Indian Market, a tour of Machu Picchu with lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel, two lunches, two dinners, and breakfast daily. Whe:n Sept. 1-Dec. 14. Other gateways: New York ($1,598), Chicago ($1,648), L.A. ($1,698). Details: Extra nights from $32. Single supplement $250. Contact: Analie Tours, 800/811-6027, analietours.com.