I'm looking for recommendations for a spot for a 2-5 week vacation in Nov/Dec/Jan timeframe. I was thinking a 2 week vacation between Thanksgiving and Christmas (but skipping the holidays themselves). Or a 4-5 week backpacking style vacation spanning from mid-Dec to mid-Jan. I'm only considering international travel since it appears cheaper than US travel (outside of roadtrips and camping which we do plenty of). Hawaii may be the only part in the US I've considered and might work well for a 2 week vaca. I've budgeted 4k for travel, excluding flights, and we've got a decent amount of rewards points to cover this.
We are into a mix of outdoors (jungles, mountains, beaches), locals, and cities. Looking for a cheap backpackers style country. Not looking for anything in particular and pretty much up for anything. Most of our days are usually enjoying the locals, walking around taking in nature or the sites, with a few tourist activities thrown in. No internet and time away from work are the main priorities. We do not mind staying in hostels with private rooms and small local hotels (actually may prefer). We've taken two 3-week vacations where we booked everything on the fly except the flights in and out of the country. We played everything else by ear and enjoy being able to visit multiple areas in a country.
Requirements:
Warm
Culture in the cities
Scenic (jungles and mountains. Not all beaches. Willing to travel multiple areas within the country)
Easy going relaxed travel and locals (for 4-5 week trips)
So what have you got for recommendations for the following. Any specifics on lodging or must do activities are also welcome!
1. Warm 2-week vacation (not on holidays)
2. 4-week vacation (over Christmas and New Years)