Positively ravaged.

It's always nice when a hurricane misses -- for obvious reasons, of course, but also because you get the same pristine beach resort at crazy low rates. Tulum is already back in biz after Hurricane Dean, and you can score a cabana at the cute La Zebra for $100/night. Rooms are simple, but think "boutique," not "shack." The new-ish cantina serves up charcoal-grilled meals, and they even have wi-fi. Might as well stick around until December.

Sand on the brain.

Maybe it's because my beachy Sunday was rained out, but I can't stop dreaming about tropical hideaways. The emphasis is on "hide" at Bahia de la Luna in Nowheresville, Mexico. (More specifcally, the beach town of La Boquilla in Oaxaca; the website has helpful tips on how to find the place.) You can drive 40 minutes to enjoy civilization with other tourists, or you can just hang out and borrow the free kayaks and snorkel gear. The restaurant is under a palapa on the sand, but you can still get sashimi and ceviche. And even though your beach hut may be a tad rustic (right), it's only $77 for a double -- $65 if you go during low season. Not a bad deal.

Better than Six Flags!

I don't understand why theme parks around here don't look anything like Xcaret Eco Theme Park in Playa del Carmen. I guess rollercoasters are fun in their own way -- except for the nausea -- but can we discuss the total superiority of this place? You can snorkel a coral reef, snooze on the beach, relax in a lagoon, swim in an underground river, take a snuba tour, see a rodeo, swim with dolphins...you get the point. Plus they have all sorts of awwww-inspiring animal exhibits. And it's only $53 to get in ($80 extra if you want to bond with Flipper).