The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare on USA3000 to Huatulco, seven nights at the all-suite Crown Pacific Huatulco, all meals and beverages; round-trip airport-hotel transfers, entertainment, gratuities, baggage handling, hotel taxes, and fuel surcharges, from $650 per person — plus airport taxes and fees of $102.
When: Friday departures June 11–25, July 2, 9, 2010; add $100 for July 16–Aug. 6, 2010.
Gateways: Chicago; add $289 for Houston; $369 for Miami; $399 for L.A.; $419 for San Francisco; $519 for New York City; $529 for Detroit, Philadelphia; $569 for Boston; $629 for Denver; additional gateways available.
The fine print: Airport taxes and fees are an additional $102 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement starts from $190. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: No deadline; based on availability.
Contact: Apple Vacations, 800/517-2000, applevacations.com.
Why it's a deal: This special offer will save you $550 per person off the listed price. A recent airfare comparison on Kayak showed that the lowest round-trip fare between Chicago and Huatulco was $356, with taxes, for travel in late June and early July (American). For an additional $396, Apple Vacations covers the airfare, as well as seven nights' hotel, all meals and beverages, round-trip airport-hotel transfers, and all taxes and fees.
More: Optional activities include a crocodiles and turtles eco-adventure (from $34 per person) and white-water rafting on the Copalita River (from $43 per person). Additional nights are not available. A seven-night stay at the more upscale (but not all-inclusive) Camino Real Zaashila Huatulco starts at $650 per person, including round-trip airfare from Chicago.