Top Five Off-Peak Destinations for Summer 2012

Puerto Rico

Summer is low-season for travel to the Caribbean, so it can be easy to find travel deals to the tropical islands between Memorial Day and Labor Day. But Puerto Rico is an especially pleasing Caribbean summer destination. Temperatures there rarely get unbearable, even during low season. According to Lonely Planet, "At their coolest, daily temperatures [in Puerto Rico] seldom go below 73°F, and at their hottest rarely rise above 86°F." And historically, Puerto Rico has eluded the worst of Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from June through November. The island hasn't been hit with a Category 4 or 5 storm since the 1930s.

Now, about those deals. Here are a few enticing hotel and resort offers we spotted: This summer, you can save up to 20 percent at Parador El Faro or Parador Boquemar. (Find these deals on the Puerto Rico Tourism Company website.) Receive 30 percent off rates at Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa. And save 40 percent on every second night's stay at W Retreat & Spa Vieques. (Find this deal on TripAdvisor.)

It's not expensive to get to the island, either. Discount carriers AirTran and JetBlue fly to Puerto Rico, and both airlines often feature sales to the island, especially during summer. Sign up for our fare alerts to find out when discounted tickets from your local hub to Puerto Rico are available.

Arizona

Summer is off-peak season for most destinations in Arizona, but there's one exception: the Grand Canyon. During summer, crowds descend on the famous fissure and prices peak. But you'll get more bang for your buck in other Arizona locales, like Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, and Tucson; travel providers regularly slash prices for hotels, tours, and more in these destinations during summer.

At Desert Rose Bed and Breakfast, about 15 miles outside Sedona, second-night stays are free this summer. You can pay rates equal to your birth date (the older you are, the bigger the discount) at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa from June through December. And save $100 on stays of three nights or longer at Starlight Pines Bed & Breakfast in Flagstaff.

Belize

Belize is an ideal destination for travelers who love the outdoors. With ample wildlife sanctuaries and marine reserves, it's the perfect place for viewing spectacular flora and fauna. Summer is also the rainy season in Belize, which generally lasts from June through November. You might get a little wet, but you'll almost certainly pay a lot less than you would during dry season.

In accordance with Belize's natural, unspoiled vibe, the country also has plenty of rustic and affordable eco-hotels and -lodges. Think thatch-roof cabanas overlooking the ocean or remote private lodges in the jungle. When summer arrives, those eco-hotels and many other properties on the island reduce their rates or roll out discounted packages.

Some of those low-season deals we spotted: Book the Summer Sizzling Spectacular package at Beaches and Dreams Seafront Inn for $449 for two people and receive a week's accommodations in a beachfront room, plus daily breakfast and use of bikes and kayaks. (Email vacation_belize@yahoo.com to book.) Enjoy discounted summer rates at Blue Crab Beach, which is offering oceanfront cabanas for $50 per night. And receive two free nights with a stay of five nights or longer at the Belize Yacht Club this summer. (Email reservations@belizeyachtclub.com to book.)

Jordan

This year is the perfect time to finally cross Jordan off your bucket list, as 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the rediscovery of Petra. In 1812 Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt came upon the awe-inspiring ancient city, which is now is one of Jordan's most popular tourist attractions.

If you want to celebrate Burckhardt's rediscovery on a budget, it's best to head to Jordan during summer. Temperatures can be sweltering—especially in July and August—but there will be fewer crowds, plus plenty of money-saving off-season deals: Through the end of August, receive 25 percent off rates at Petra Marriott Hotel. Additionally, save 20 percent on accommodations and tours to Petra and Wadi Rum at Petra Moon Hotel. (Find this deal on our sister site TripAdvisor.)

Affordable summer flights are also available. We found round-trip fares on United from New York to Amman in August for less than $1,000 round-trip (including taxes and fees), which is a very reasonable price for a flight to the Middle East.

New Zealand

When it's summer in the States, it's winter in New Zealand, and that means off-peak deals. Two sites that often list an array of low-season deals are the New Zealand Tourism Board website and the Air New Zealand website.

The New Zealand Tourism Board is currently featuring an offer for free nights in the Cook Islands with purchase of a summer package, plus a range of discounted packages, such as an eight-night self-drive trip that includes accommodations and activities for $1,795 per person.

On the Air New Zealand website, you'll find low-season fares that beat high-season ones by a mile. Round-trip flights from Los Angeles to Auckland are now on sale starting around $1,200 round-trip. (Move fast, since the sale ends May 21.) Compare this to high-season fares: A search on Kayak turned up fares from Los Angeles to Auckland in January (during New Zealand's high summer season) for more than $2,000 round-trip.

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