Cost isn't everything but you dont want to get ripped off.

Foreign places are cool because its exotic but then again its nice to be in the US.

I really want to go back to europe but the cost is through the roof, there probably is a better deal for less cash.

Mexico has some great deals right now, but I am still checking if wearing a flak vest is legal down there.

The gulf states might have some good deals right now too if you don't want to dodge federales and drug cartels.

Cabo San Lucas.

Just got back from Mexico. Was in the Riviera Maya area off Highway 307. Stayed at the Valentin Imperial Maya resort. It was really great and would go back in a heartbeat. Never felt any hostility or felt in any danger and we went all over the place.

I was tagging along on my wife's business trip and her company paid the bill. With airfare for a week it was around $1300. Others I talked to paid even less.

mexico is fine so long as you don't wander too far out of the touristy areas of the cities (cancun, puerto vallarta, acapulco etc)

I'm going to puerto plata in the dominican for around $1100 bucks total for 2 people. My family has always just kept an eye at the various vacation websites for sales. I think the trick is not being too fussy on when or where you go.

I went to st maarten 2 years ago, and I found that it wasn't exactly a happening place.

What's the family situation?  Location you're coming from?

Vegas or Canada are probably going to be your most cost-effective choices, though obviously those options are both very broad.