Cheap Destinations Right Now: Aruba, Mexico, Vegas

Late summer and early fall is harvest time for more than just produce. Travel sales and discounts are ready for the picking too. Here are some of the many destinations with a bumper crop of travel deals.

Aruba

With service from JetBlue, Aruba is among the more affordable Caribbean destinations to fly to, and with a number of fall and winter packages, it can be a good deal once you arrive as well. For instance, the fourth night is free with booking code S29 at the Aruba Marriott Resort, and guests get a third night free and complimentary kids meals at the Radisson Aruba.

Las Vegas

There’s no shortage of sequins, or cheap deals, in Vegas late this summer. The Desert Rose Resort is advertising special rates starting at $49 per night for a one-bedroom condo close to The Strip. Southwest Vacations is offering $75 off air-and-hotel packages, with prices from $51 per person, per night (with code MGMAUG) for reservations made by August 27 for travel through January 7, 2010. Keep your eye out for plenty more deals like these.

Mexico

You’d be hard-pressed to pay full price for accommodations in the coming months in Mexico. Every day I get new notices of sales at all-inclusives, beach resorts, little hotels, and just about everything in between. The Deal Detective includes Mexico in her roundup of vacation deals under $600, AirTran has Cancun sale fares from $158 r/t, American Airlines has Cancun sale fares from $176 r/t, Tim Winship lists many reward program discounts in Mexico right now, and Eileen Ogintz says that hotel rates are 51 percent lower than last year and gives some examples of good deals.

Virginia

Virginia has travel deals at more than 200 destinations around the state. Discounts include 40-percent off, a fourth night free, and $40 off on accommodations, attractions, dining, and more.

And, Spas Around the Country

Many spas around the country are discounting stays or services. For instance, at the Oaks at Ojai in Southern California, guests staying two nights will get 50 percent off the third on stays between August 22 and September 4. On Thursday evenings at the Palms Hotel & Spa, visitors get 50 percent off all cocktails and lounge food, complimentary mini spa services, and 50 percent off spa treatments booked and serviced on Thursday nights during the 6-to-9 “Sip & Spa” window.