The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare on Avianca or Copa Airlines to Cartagena; three nights at the all-inclusive Decameron Cartagena; three nights at the all-inclusive Decameron Isla Palma in the Coral Reefs of Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park; all meals, including breakfast and lunch buffets and à la carte dinners; unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages; daily activities and nonmotorized water sports, including wind gliding, kayaking, sailing, and snorkeling; a dolphin show; nightly entertainment; beach towels and chairs; round-trip airport-hotel transfers by car; a two-hour boat transfer between Cartagena and Isla Palma; and hotel taxes and gratuities, from $1,195 per person—plus about $175 in airport taxes and fuel surcharges.
When: Jan. 11–June 14, Aug. 16–Dec. 10, 2010; add $100 for June 15–Aug. 15; $200 for Dec. 11–24; $585 for Dec. 25–Jan. 10, 2011.
Gateways: Miami; add $150 for Orlando, $250 for New York City, $290 for L.A., $350 for D.C.
The fine print: Does not include about $175 in airport taxes and fuel surcharges per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $765. Must book at least 15 days prior to departure date. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: No deadline; based on availability.
Contact: Tara Tours, 800/327-0080, taratours.com.
Why it's a deal: According to a recent search on Kayak, a round-trip flight between Miami and Cartagena starts at $454, with taxes, for departures in late January (Copa). For an additional $916, this package covers the international airfare, as well as six nights' accommodations divided between Cartagena and Isla Palma, all meals and beverages, daily activities, nightly entertainment, all transfers, and taxes, fuel surcharges, and gratuities.
More: Optional activities include a tour of Cartagena ($30 per person), a horse-drawn carriage tour of Cartagena's old city at night ($25 per person), and an excursion to Santa Marta ($80 per person). Additional nights at Decameron Isla Palma start at $85 per person per night, based on double or triple occupancy; single occupancy starts at $43 per night.