3 Fantastic Getaways for Valentine's Day

Some people call it the most romantic day of the year; other, more relationship seasoned folks like myself call it amateur night. This year, a whopping 50% of American couples are planning to travel for this Valentine’s Day. Allianz Partners USA is reporting travel searches jumping 45% for Valentine’s Day compared to 2022.

The travel insurance company says American’s are ready to hop on a plane and jettison themselves to far flung places after analyzing more than 700,000 travel itineraries. According to Allianz, Americans want to slow down from their busy holiday schedules and settle down in quieter locales for V-Day. Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Jamaica are tops on their list and are all great places.

Given the strain on travel budgets, inflationary policy, and the short weekend, I’m recommending three travel destinations that’ll maximize your dollar, get you out of dodge, and spend fantastic time with your spouse, lover, or paramour.

1. Key West

Key West is a quirky place. Fairly easy to get to for a short weekend, still in the US, yet has a third-world, Caribbean feel. Key West has dive bars, clubs, cheap eats, and luxury dining in an easily walkable town. You’ll hang out with weird and charming locals while meeting other out-of-towners who are doing the same thing as you. Getting away.

Me and Hubs View from the Southern Most Hotel

You’ll find moderate luxury at the Southern Most Hotel and still be able to walk cross town to pick up lube at the sex shop. A romantic night will have you dining at Latitudes on Sunset Key, and finishing the night for cocktails and chocolate at Better Than Sex. You’ll need reservations for both so make them now if Key West is your preferred destination.

If you find hotels and luxury dining on the pricier side of things, there are plenty of AirBnbs and cheaper fare. Key West is a bar crawlers delight and there are plenty of places to drink and eat between slices of key lime pie.

I’m telling you, you’ll be delighted after seeing your spouse’s eyes light up after your server asks, “how was your sex,” at Better Than Sex.

2. The DR

The Dominican Republic is close and beautiful for east coast travelers. Although the country shares an island with Haiti the countries are vastly different. The fact that the economic scales are so heavily tipped in the Dominican Republic’s favor, and the racism harbored towards Haitians so hostile, it makes this inexpensive destination hard to recommend.

Puerto Plata is a town featuring inexpensive, all-inclusive hotels and quick access to nightlife making it the perfect spot for relaxing, topless beach days and exciting night time revelry. The town is in close proximity to Sosua, a notorious haven for sex tourism. Sosua is populated by many of the world’s most beautiful women and features bars, clubs, and cabanas rentable by the hour.

You Haven’t Lived Until You’ve Been to Foam Party

Your dollar will go far in the DR. RIU is constantly having promotions featuring hotel + air. You and your lover or spouse can stay in the DR around $1,200 total for the weekend. Me and my beau went to the DR a couple of times and had a great time without sex tourism. You just have consider how their fellow islanders are treated.

3. Barbados

I had to link in at least one pricey option, and I recommend Barbados. Barbados is one of the Carribeans more developed islands. Probably second to Jamaica. The island is tiny and you can circumvent the place in a day, and there’s so much to see!

Underground Caverns and Natural Springs Make Great Hiking

If you’re a member of NAVY you’ll have a chance to visit Bad Girl RiRi’s home while getting your nails down at Serene in Bridgetown. You can explore underground caverns and natural springs if you’re feeling adventurous. Hop water taxis to restaurants and clubs, or engorge yourself on bajan macaroni pie and Mapp’s Chicken.

Brits like to travel to Barbados and your dollar may not go as far locally. You can offset that however by checking into an all-inclusive (see a pattern here) like Waves Hotel and drink never-ending bajan rum punches. The rum punches were overflowing one Saturday night. When my husband asked, “are you trying to get me drunk,” I shoved another rum punch in his free hand.

As an intrepid black woman, I felt more at home in Barbados than any other place in the Caribbean. You’ll have a good time there.

These are just three locations that make for easy going and fun adventures over a long weekend. Enjoy and treat yourself wherever you go. Please share where you’ll be taking your spouse or lover this Valentine’s Day weekend.

Safe travels.

-MJ