2 poker friends and myself are trying to figure out where to travel to internationally for a week in December. All recommendations are welcome. I think we'd rather avoid going halfway around the world to Australia/Asia and experience jetlag for most of the trip, but we're up for just about anything else.

I live in the UK, if you want some poker and fun I'd happily recommend London or Barcelona, you'd have a great time in either.

I suppose I should be more specific. I want the following, roughly in order of priority:

-Nice weather in December
-Plenty of things to keep you occupied (Drinking and laying on the beach arent the only things offered)
-Young people
-Beautiful beaches (preferred, though not mandatory)
-Not halfway around the world from the US
-Some culture, not just strictly a resort completely blocked off

If you got cash hit up the Atlantis for a week(lots of money needed) Otherwise hit up St. Maarten

I would recommend something in Mexico/Central America as it covers all of your criteria.

Mexico: Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Escondido (my favourite), somewhere on the Yucatan.

Central America: Honduras (Bay Islands), Costa Rica, Panama (Boca del Toro).

Out of all of them, I would probably choose somewhere in Mexico ONLY because it's the closest. Most places you can fly out in the morning and be on the beach by the late afternoon. With only a week, that should be a major incentive. My next choice would be the Bay Islands of Honduras (Roatan is where I've spent the most time). Pristine beaches, cheap, delicious seafood, culture... it's awesome.

I haven't travelled the Carib enough to recommend Dominican, Cuba, etc.

I'm going to Costa Rica myself on December. I've done ****loads of research and that country should fit your description. I'm going there with my wife and like you I need local life and things to be real in order to enjoy the place.

My biggest fear about CR was that it's too touristy but after talking to bunch of people that have been there you can pretty much avoid the "worst" places and discover the ****z yourself.

Aslo it's one of the safest countries in Latin America. Or so they say...

St. Maarten is awesome, and it hits all your requirements, but I feel like it is more of a couples destination than a trip with buddies destination. Although I guess they have beaches, booze, casino, and whorehouses, so it might be perfect.

Oh, this reminds me to post some thoughts on how to get from Costa Rica to Nicaragua, and to post a second trip report too.

What do you think would be a good buddies alternative, then?

Cross the border.

Karoaryn or whatever asked me about what the logistics of it are in my trip report thread. Supposedly the Nicaragua/Costa Rica border isn't super easy, but not too hard either (ie you're not going to get in trouble).

I'm thinking of renting a car (probably Suzuki Jimny) in CR. Do you have any tips for

A) avutally driving in Latin America
B) Crossing the border with a rented car

FWIW I've gotten used to rough road conditions (Finland's winters) and macho/aggro driving (in Southern Europe).