Stunning pools – Our resort features an expansive 44,000-square foot Infinity pool – right by the ocean – as well as a kids pool with a waterslide.

Tropical grounds with wildlife and foliage – The beautiful secluded grounds of our resort are full of wildlife and provides a relaxing, and unique environment for guests.

Delicious food and dining options – Indulge in a wide selection of food from around the world at our resort in Costa Rica. Dreams Las Mareas features eight top-notch restaurants, including five à la carte options, an international buffet, grill, and cafe. Guests can choose from a variety of cuisines including Mexican, Pan-Asian, Italian, Seafood and more.

Family Friendly – When you stay at the Las Mareas Dreams Resort & Spa, you never have to worry about how to entertain the kids on your vacation. Little ones can hang out at the Explorer’s Club for Kids, a professionally-supervised kids club that features activities and adventures for kids between the ages of 3 to 12. This professionally-supervised kids club features activities and adventures for kids between the ages of 3 and 12. Teenagers have a place to call their own at the Core Zone Teens Club as well.

Adult-Only Options – Catch some rays by the adults-only pool, enjoy some adult beverages and gourmet Italian cuisine at Portofino, workout at the state-of-the-art fitness center, check out a land tour or Costa Rica excursion, or enjoy a massage, facial, or body wrap at our world-class spa by Pevonia®.

Superior Service – While your vacation should feel like a getaway, our friendly staff will make you feel right at home. Unlimited-Luxury® means everything is included from spacious rooms and amenities to pool and beach wait service, daily maid service, and gourmet a la carte dining options.

Double occupancy in a tropical view Junior Suite is $2999 per person and Single occupancy in a tropical view Junior Suite is $3599.

Includes:

Roundtrip airfare from St. Louis

Trip Protections coverage

2 tours to hot springs, volcano, rainforest, or zipline adventure.

Deposit of $500 per person payable by check due now. Balance payment due September 1.

For questions call Helen Klohmann at 314 803-9233 or send an email to helen@gateway-vacations.com.   

In Costa Rica, you will find plenty of exhilarating activities taking place in the greenest habitat and surrounded by exotic wildlife.

Here, visitors enjoy:

Lovely tropical beaches and unspoiled nature

Grand adventures including rainforests and volcanoes

Pura Vida culture and art by local artisans

Wildlife representing 4% of the planet’s biodiversity

A true paradise for those who look for something different, a visit to Costa Rica provides a new life experience for all.

For questions call Helen Klohmann at 314 803-9233 or send an email to helen@gateway-vacations.com.   

The Outer Banks are a series of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, separating the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland. Their open-sea beaches, state parks and old-school boardwalks make them a popular holiday destination. Think Florida beach meets east coast vibes. You’ve got sun, sand and surf with a great family atmosphere.

Many of the rentals are individually owned and host guests who come back year-after-year. It’s not uncommon to find a house that sleeps 15 people or more, so don’t let the average cost-per-night fool you, these places are great steals if you’re planning to travel with a big group of extended family or friends. Plus, since you’re renting a house, you have the flexibility to control your environment just like you would if you were stuck quarantining at home.

Here are three of our favorite destinations on the Outer Banks, each offers great vacation rentals (with quirky names) that are sure to make you want to extend your vacation by a few days…

Outer Banks, Duck

The town of Duck is in the Northern part of the Outer Banks. There are fewer public beaches in Duck than some other areas of the Outer Banks, which means the beach is usually only used by locals and vacationers who are renting a house or condo. 

Within walking distance of most rentals, Duck’s boardwalk has plenty of shops and restaurants. There are kayak and paddleboard rentals, boat rentals, fishing areas, and surfing opportunities — active kids (or adults) will have plenty to do in this trendy beach town. 

Rentals to check out:

Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk

Kitty Hawk is one of the most well-known towns in the Outer Banks. From waterparks to kayaking to mini golf, Kitty Hawk is a kid’s playground. 

A few highlights include the trails that cut through the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve, the picnic areas and boardwalk of Sandy Run Park, and the hands-on Outer Banks Children. Plus a few miles outside of Kitty Hawk you’ll find Kill Devil Hills where the Wright brothers made the first powered airplane flight.

Rentals to check out:

Shark and Awe
Pool and hot tub, rec room
Sleeps 12, avg. $232/nt
Check it out

Castle in the Sand
Beachfront, pool and hot tub, theater room
Sleeps 23, avg. $783/nt
Check it out

Outer Banks, Nags Head

Nags Head is one of the oldest towns on the Outer Banks and it is exactly what we think of when we imagine an east coast beach. There are loads of beach access points, so even if you aren’t staying on the beach you are just a quick walk from the sand. 

Nags Head is a seafood lover’s paradise. From fancy upscale fish houses to old school oyster bars, Nags Head has it all. It doesn’t get better than sitting on the deck, watching the waves come in while peeling shrimp with a cold beverage (or two).

Rentals to check out:

OBX Life I
Beachfront, pool and hot tub
Sleeps 14, avg. $304/nt
Check it out

Sweet Carolina
Beachfront, pool and hot tub
Sleeps 18, avg. $546/nt
Check it out

Extra Sea
Beachfront, pool and hot tub
Sleeps 19, avg. $709/nt
Check it out

Crawford Cottage
Beachfront, indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub
Sleeps 30 (yup, 30!), avg. $709/nt
Check it out

Don’t see something that fits your needs or vacation dates? No problem, there are plenty more great rental houses available. Reach out to us at hello@gateway-vacations.com with what you’re looking for and we’re happy to help.

However, if you are interested in an international destination, many resorts and hotels are offering testing services on-site. They’ll manage the entire process for you. Frankly, we’re fans of anything that will give us more confidence in the safety of our travel, so while these rule changes might mean adding one more step to your travel plan, we’re all for it. 

What’s it like traveling to a far-off destination right now? We love this review from a recent visitor to Mexico..

“Each resort we visited went above and beyond to make us feel safe. There were social distancing markers in public areas, hand sanitizing stations, elevator use was a maximum of four people at a time, lounge chairs at the pools were spaced appropriately and areas were being actively cleaned as we toured and resorts are limiting in-room contact with guests. It was great to see the extent they were going to in order to keep facilities clean for their guests.”

Have questions about COVID travel restrictions, email us at hello@gateway-vacations.com for help!

What’s it like traveling to a far-off destination right now? We love this review from a recent visitor to Mexico…

“Each resort we visited went above and beyond to make us feel safe. There were social distancing markers in public areas, hand sanitizing stations, elevator use was a maximum of four people at a time, lounge chairs at the pools were spaced appropriately and areas were being actively cleaned as we toured and resorts are limiting in-room contact with guests. It was great to see the extent they were going to in order to keep facilities clean for their guests.”

Our Picks for Group Travel

Dreams Resort | Tulum, Mexico

Tulum continues to be the tiny, quiet alternative to the other Cancun and Riviera Maya resort areas during the spring break season. The Dreams resort provides upscale surroundings combining fun and relaxation—check out the white sand beach, swim-out suites, or 9 on-site restaurants. From the resort it is just a short distance to town or the ruins of Tulum & Xel-Ha Aqua Adventure Park.

Plus right now Dreams is offering savings up to 40% off with $200 in resort coupons and free stays for kids when you book by the end of March for any travel in 2021.

Dreams Resort | Playa Mujeres, Mexico

Conveniently just 35 minutes north of Cancun International Airport, this all-inclusive resort has elegant suites, a week-worth of dining options, and entertainment for both adults and kids. The pool is massive and the beach has clean white sand and turquoise water. It’s the type of destination that can cater to all members of a wedding party, Spring Break group, or just a friends and family crowd.

Want to learn more about destinations and resort options for group travel? Send an email to hello@gateway-vacations.com.

Our Pick: Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui. Impeccable gardens, golden sands and luxurious all-suite accommodations provide the perfect setting for a well-deserved tropical getaway. You can expect excellent service amidst an atmosphere of casual elegance, while the multi-level pools, waterslide, exciting kid’s club and award-winning restaurants create memories to last a lifetime. And good news, all room rates for 2021 have been reduced.

Send an email to hello@gateway-vacations.com to learn more about travel to Hawaii.

Destinations Currently Open

Antigua
Aruba
Bermuda
Dominican Republic
Jamaica
Mexico
St. Lucia
Turks & Caicos

Destinations Opening Soon 

Anguilla
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Colombia
Costa Rica
Curaçao
Grenada
Nicaragua
Panama
Puerto Rico
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Maarten/St.Martin
U.S. Virgin Islands

Your travel safety is our number one priority (always). When, where, and how you travel needs to be determined by your comfort level—we’re here to help you make that decision — no judgement! Check out our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more info.

How have cruise ships been impacted?

The cruise industry has been especially hard hit by the pandemic, with infection spreading quickly on some ships in the early days of the pandemic. All travel on cruise ships worldwide, including river cruises, is being deferred until October.

Potential cruisers should be reassured: Ships will not be allowed to sail without all health, sanitation, medical, and distancing measures agreed upon by the governing organizations (the WHO, the WTTC, and CLIA) firmly in place. Industry leaders have been working on protocols and analyzing what they could do better.

When should I start planning my next cruise?

One thing we already know for sure: Passengers who had booked sailings for this spring and summer have been rescheduling those bookings for a year from now. Because of this, bookings for 2021 are way up over this time last year. So if you want to take an Alaskan cruise next summer, hurry!

While it used to be cruisers needed months of advance notice to cancel or defer a cruise, cruise lines now have enhanced their travel assurance policies. Updated policies on cruise lines like Norwegian and Royal Caribbean are designed to let you “cruise with confidence” and ensure you have the flexibility to cancel your cruise almost right up to departure. And bonus: most of these policies extend all the way into 2022. 

Our Recommendation

It’s a great time to book a risk-free cruise vacation. Flexible cancellation policies mean you have little financial risk in making plans, all the while taking advantage of industry-wide savings.

As of August 2020, the U.S. State Department lifted the nearly five-month-old travel advisory warning Americans against all international travel, citing improved health and safety conditions in some countries. And while a growing number of countries are re-opening their borders to tourism, several countries—including much of Europe—remain off-limits to tourists from the US. 

Even with the ban, if you know where you want to go, booking now may be a good idea — assuming your trips is more than a few months out and cancellation penalties are within your risk tolerance.

How should I get there? 

Taking a flight can be safe, and, if trends continue, will only be safer as we get further into 2021. We expect many of the cleaning and social distancing precautions that airlines put in place in 2020 to stick around.

Plus, most airlines have decided to extend flexible cancellation policies even for their most basic fares through 2021. Keep in mind, some airlines are already reducing the number of international flights available in 2021. That doesn’t mean there won’t be a flight for you, it just means you might have to route through a different hub city than you expected.

What should I expect when I arrive?

Simply said, some changes. A lot of hotels are enforcing heightened safety protocols. Things like contactless check-in and more rigorous cleaning procedures are all part of the plan to keep you safe and are going to be the new norm (which we’re totally okay with). 

If you’ve planned this trip around a specific activity or site, do your research before you go. Moving into 2021 we’ll be dealing with closures, new hours, and required reservations. As long as you have a plan for where you want to go and what you want to do, you can make sure these things don’t affect you. Any time we travel somewhere new, there is always more to-do than we have time on our schedule for anyway! 

Our Recommendation

Book, but book with safeguards you can put in place to make sure your vacation goes off without a hitch — or can easily be canceled, if need be, with the least financial loss if things don’t go the way we all hope.

What’s right for you and your family?

We’re not doctors, health experts, or anything coming close to that. But let’s be honest — if you don’t feel comfortable traveling because of health reasons, stay at home! We won’t judge. 

How should I get there? 

Like we said in our Fall Getaways recommendations, cars seem to be good, if only because you’re limiting your interactions with the randomness of the public at large. Even when COVID numbers are looking better, taking a car always gives you more flexibility and control of your travel plans. It’s nice to be able to say, “Wow, this place is great! — let’s stay an extra night.”

Taking a flight can be safe, and, if trends continue, will only be safer as we get further into 2021. We expect many of the cleaning and social distancing precautions that airlines put in place in 2020 to stick around. Plus, most airlines have decided to extend flexible cancellation policies and status freezes to extend through 2021.

What should I expect when I arrive?

Simply said, some changes. A lot of hotels are enforcing heightened safety protocols. Things like contactless check-in and more rigorous cleaning procedures are all part of the plan to keep you safe and are going to be the new norm (which we’re totally okay with). 

If you’ve planned this trip around a specific activity or site, do your research before you go. Moving into 2021, we’ll be dealing with closures, new hours, and required reservations. As long as you have a plan for where you want to go and what you want to do, you can make sure these things don’t affect you. Any time we travel somewhere new, there is always more to-do than we have time in our schedule for anyway! 

Plus, we’re declaring 2021 the year to get creative with your domestic travel. There are so many amazing experiences to be had not too far from home and there’s never been a better time to have them.

Our Recommendation

2021 might be the year you finally cross off a lot of the cities and states on your US travel list. Over plan and your trips will over deliver.

What’s right for you and your family?

We’re not doctors, health experts, or anything coming close to that. But let’s be honest — if you don’t feel comfortable traveling because of health reasons, stay at home! 

How should I get there? 

Let’s start by saying, typically when we talk about spring break travel, we’re typically talking about a trip to a beautiful resort in Mexico or the Caribbean. So, getting there is all about air travel.

Currently (and we’re writing this in September of 2020), travel to Mexico and the Carribean is not banned, and, at this point, we think it is very unlikely it will be. It’s too early to know what safety precautions airlines will be doing in 2021, however we do know most fares will continue to be refundable/changeable. You can book now and then make a decision as you get closer to your departure date. 

What should I expect when I arrive?

Let’s start with what you should expect when you book. First, great deals. Most spring break destinations took a big hit in 2020, so they are offering a lot of incentives to make sure 2021 looks a lot better. Second, expect a lot more upfront language about what happens if you need to cancel your trip. That’s where we come in. We’re making sure every trip we book in 2021 gives you the option for travel insurance. 

At resorts, we expect most of the changes will be unnoticeable to you. By next spring, safety precautions like more rigorous cleaning procedures will all just be a part of new daily standards. Where you might notice a difference is in off-resort activity options offered by smaller companies that operate things like scuba trips, fishing excursions, or tours of nearby landmarks. We’re working with our partners to understand what this impact will be.

Our Recommendation

Take advantage of the deals now. Plan an amazing (and much deserved) getaway. Just make sure your trip is refundable.