[Elecraft] OT: Warm climate for a vacation/be-the-DX winter holiday?

[Jim Lowman]

After spending the second holiday season in San Diego, and last year it 
was Tucson, the XYL announced that next year she'd like to go someplace 
warm.  Yes, temperatures in the 50s in December feel cold to us.  The 
area where we live is between LA and Palm Springs, but our climate more 
closely approximates that of Palm Springs.

I know that many fellow amateurs head for the Caribbean nations for this 
purpose.  That would work, as would somewhere in the South Pacific.

Anyone have any suggestions, based on past experiences?

Criteria are:

--  somewhere that English is the primary language, or is spoken widely

--  possibly a country with reciprocal-operating privileges for a US 
licensee

--  easy to get there via commercial airlines

--  no hassles with customs, coming or going, with amateur gear

--  ease of getting a license/callsign for that country, if not reciprocal

--  good accommodations (villa for rent for a week or so); turnkey ham 
station on premises is a plus so that we don't have to take much 
equipment; hotel with room for a simple antenna

--  nearby restaurants, although cooking facilities would be helpful

We've ruled out the following:

--  Hawaii - probably the easiest option, but is nuts with tourists 
during the holidays.

--  Mexico - difficult to get a license without knowing whom to bribe - 
been there before and don't like it

--  The XYL looked into Belize, but I'd worry about drugs/crime anywhere 
in Central America.  Costa Rica, perhaps?

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks in advance and 73 de Jim - AD6CW