Great vacation spots that don't break the bank

Consider South America. It is warm there in winter and there are some lovely spots. The Falls (embarrased that I can't remember the name) that separate Argentina from Brazil are gorgeous. Not sure how expensive it is there as it has been a very long time since I've been there.

I can't speak to the outdoors, but San Miguel de Allende and Oaxaca are both places that meet all the other requirements and Mexico is generally more affordable than the US.

Talia - are you thinking Iguazu Falls? Other notable falls are the San Martin, Bossetti, and Bernabe Mendez falls in Argentina. I didn't know until missionaries from our church to Buenos Aires (14MM People!?) visited last week. They are going back for a four-year posting in January (summer then) and say living expenses are very reasonable.

(Hear Sam Elliot in background)... Beef, it's what's for dinner. Beef prepared multiple ways is a staple in just about every restaurant, excellent local wines, beautiful architecture and art galleries. And travel between spots, they say, is very reasonable. But be aware there are curfews, and mass transit shuts down around midnight.

Yes, thanks.

Oaxaca is a bargain right now due to the unrest they had there this past year. all seems peaceful for the last 6 months or so but the Gringos are still staying away.Other great spots are Morelia, Patzcuaro & Zihuatanejo for real Mexico & real bargains. Unfortunately Robin I can no longer recommend SMDA a sit has become a victim of it's own charm with hordes of Gringos changing it's feel.

Older, thanks for the update on San Miguel. I was less enthusiastic on SMDA on my most recent trip -- er, a decade ago -- than on my first one, almost 20 years ago. But I would love a recent report on Oaxaca, the unrest kept me away and if it's back to normal I'd definitely put it on my wish list.

I second the motion for Brasil (That is how the natives spell it). I've spent considerable time in Copacabana/Rio De Janeiro and our fall is their spring when the temperature is in the moderate high eighties and the beach is pristine. The next neighborhood over is Ipanema where there is less of an egalitarian feel - it's for the well-to-do Europeans, Asian, Levant residents and Americans and is far better than the version in Tom Jobim's "Garota de Ipanema" (Girl from Ipanema) that turned this beautiful stretch of beach and former artists' colony into an international craze when sung by Frank Sinatra in the Americanized version.

If you go in winter, Carnivale is in February and is an experience beyond description in how the people celebrate on Copacabana Beach and at the Palais de Rio, once occupied by the Emperor.

They speak Portuguese, unlike the rest of the Americas, but I found that within days, I had learned enough to make myself understood for the basics. The food is awesome, and so varied that you can find everything from a churascurrio (steak smorgasbord - go very hungry!) to an Arabian delight to a Jewish deli within a few feet of each other. All done with a Brasilian flair.

The scenery is to die for and the people are so friendly that you will be invited to their homes after 15 minutes of conversation on a bench near the beach with them using a little English and you using a little Portuguese!

I've added a few pictures of the beach, the scenery and the neighborhood.