Head to Tropics for High Temperatures, Low Prices

It’s prime time for a vacation in the tropics. If you know where to look, you can snag a good midwinter frolic in a warm place at a pretty reasonable price. Most of the prices below are per person, two sharing a room.

Dominican Republic: A handsome part of the Playa Dorada resort complex on this country’s north coast, the Victoria Resort is an all-inclusive establishment that boasts fine dining, great golf (though that costs extra) and an upscale country club feel. Book it from TourScan, telephone (800) 962-2080, for $1,227 from Los Angeles (with a plane change in Miami or New York). The price includes lodgings for a week, three meals a day, all beverages, water sports and other extras. Use your airline bonus miles to fly back east, and the price drops to $887 out of Miami, $957 from New York.

Hawaii: Suntrips/Sunquest, tel. (800) 357-2400, offers a week at the well-located, 291-room Waikiki Resort in Honolulu. From Los Angeles, the price is $549 (air fare and lodgings).

Meanwhile, a pineapple’s throw from the beach, the modest but pleasant (and recently refurbished) Ambassador Hotel is a great deal from Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays, tel. (800) 242-9244. Seven-nighters out of Los Angeles cost $499, Jan. 3 to 31.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: In a destination combining a romantic old Mexican town with a world-class beach, the family-owned Playa Los Arcos resort has 185 rooms and a charming Mexican colonial ambience. This winter, air fare and seven nights’ lodging with breakfast daily are available from Express Holidays, tel. (800) 266- 2639, for $608 from Los Angeles.

Mazatlan, Mexico: At the other end of the spectrum, El Cid Mega Resort is mega indeed--1,320 rooms. This means tremendous variety; some parts are laid-back, while others are hopping and sports-oriented. The all-inclusive seven-night package--air fare, hotel and meals--through Sunmakers, tel. (888) 822-3868, is $765 from Los Angeles.

Belize: A favorite with divers, Ambergris Cay is the most popular of this English-speaking country’s offshore isles. At beach-side Ramon’s Village Resort, get away from it all for a week in comfy thatch-roof digs on stilts. From Los Angeles, the price depends on the airline you choose: $934 via TACA or $1,073 on American. The package is from Capricorn Leisure, tel. (800) 426-6544, Internet https:// www.capricorntours.com.

Tahiti: The Bali Hai Hotel in Moorea may call you this winter to its flower-bedecked grounds on one of French Polynesia’s exotic emerald isles. Discover Wholesale Travel, tel. (800) 576-7770, has seven-night, air-included packages for $799 from Los Angeles in January and February.

Margarita Island, Venezuela: At Playa El Agua, the most hopping beach on one of our favorite budget Caribbean isles, the Flamenco is a full-service, low-rise resort popular with Europeans. Moment’s Notice, tel. (718) 234-6295, offers us Yanks a seven-night, all-inclusive deal there--air fare, room, activities, all meals, unlimited drinks. The cost from Los Angeles is $819, plus $305 air fare to Miami to pick up the flight to Venezuela, but you might find a better L.A.-Miami price on your own.

Costa Rica: With easy access to both beach and rain forest, the Hotel Costa Verde on the country’s Pacific coast has a young atmosphere and simple but comfortable rooms. Solar Tours, tel. (800) 388- 7652, sells a seven-night package (one of those nights is in a hotel in Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose) for $921 from Los Angeles.

Jamaica: With 420 rooms and a variety of beaches, sports, eateries and tropical gardens, the all-inclusive Sunset Beach Resort at Montego Bay truly has something for everyone. So does the price: Through Sunburst Holidays, tel. (800) 786-2877, it’s $977 from L.A., including air fare, in January.