24 Single Female Looking For A Budget Trip in Jan or Feb

Hi Everyone!

I need some input. I'm a 24 single female from Atlanta, GA, USA, that works in a family busines. I've been working like crazy lately (this is our high season) and know that as soon as things slow down I'm going to need a vacation. I'm thinking of taking a trip for 10-14 days sometime in Jan or Feb (dates very flexible, so even early March could work if you have something you would recommend for then) and am looking for some ideas of where to go and when.

I'm on a tight budget (I'm actually working so hard to save my money for an around the world, but I'm feeling travel-sick so I need to take a trip before I leave next fall), so I'm looking for somewhere "backpacker" friendly that I can get to and stay in for as little money as possible.

The "ideal" trip would be somewhere that has nice, warm weather with sunny skies. I'd love to be able to relax on a beach, take in some local culture, and do a little bit of hiking. And I would love somewhere that has some great DIVING (I cross posted this in the Dive thread, but I figured there may be some very different ideas, and I'm not 100% set that it has to be a diving based trip). I don't care that much about "party" or night life (a deserted paradise is fine). As far as my dive experience... I got my SSI certification in the Bligh Waters in Fiji in Jan, and have also done some diving in New Zealand (Milford Sound and the Poor Knight Islands). I loved it all, although I think I'd prefer to stay away from cold-water stuff for this trip (I'd love to go somewhere where I don't even need a wetsuit, or just a shortie if I do). I absolutely died for the soft-coral reefs and swim throughs in Fiji. I've logged 13 dives if that makes a difference in someone's recommendations. Oh, and I don't have my own equipment, so I need somewhere that I'd be able to rent it cheap or that they include it in the cost of the dives.

Any recommendations of where to go, when to go there for the best price and weather, what to do while I'm there (such as specific dive sites, dive companies or hostels/backpacker resorts and any specific land based 'must sees' or 'must dos'), and any tips to keep that destination as cheap as possible (specific airline that's the cheapest?) would be GREATLY GREATLY GREATLY appreciated.

THANK YOU!

~Nicole

I'm in Atlanta too, and will be travelling to Nicaragua in January. Delta has a daily non-stop to Managua. Lots to see and do, and lots of backpacker types as well. For hot weather and a nice beach with some surfing, the Pacific coast is excellent and cheap. For diving I believe most people go to the Caribbean side (Corn Island). There are some nice hikes in Nica as well.

Maybe an idea for you to consider. PM me if you need any more info or have questions. Or post on the Nicaragua branch.