I’m having a hard time deciding where myself and 7 of my best friends should travel to next March. We are all late 20s and located throughout the US (Indianapolis, Dallas, Denver, Seattle). We are looking for the following: Beach town, adventures besides just the beach to mix it up, and delicious food/drink. We definitely want to go out of the country. We are not into clubbing or super tourist spots. Budget is around $1500 per person including airfare. We are fine with either getting an Airbnb somewhere instead of hotels. Appreciate any suggestions!!
It would be helpful if you'd mention how long of a vacation you & your friends are looking to take--a long weekend, a week, two weeks, or what? Either way, $1,500/per person including airfare--and definitely wanting to get out of the country--pretty much restricts you to anything much further away than Mexico or Central America, maybe some places in South America if you can score inexpensive flights.
One obvious choice is Playa del Carmen / Tulum area of Mexico in the Yucatan peninsula. Playa del Carmen is touristy, though not in the Cancun sort of way. I think it will check off all your requirements
I'd consider Central/South America. Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Flights are pretty cheap, you can get very reasonable airbnbs, most of these places have nice beaches, you can party if you'd like, lots of fun things to do besides the beach etc.
