Katie's Travel AGency

Katie's Travel Agency

Turquoise beach chairs on white sand under palms

“The sea, once it casts its spell,
holds one in its net of wonder forever.”— Jacques Cousteau

Hi, I’m Katie

I’ve always been a “just add water” kid. Most of my childhood memories involve water — swimming in lakes, the ocean, pools, or playing in sprinklers. Water has always been my element.

My favorite thing in the entire world is laying on my back in the ocean, eyes closed, ears under, and I just float. All of my worries literally wash away. My soul and body reconnect with each other. Hearing only the sounds of the waves and sea is where I am truly at peace. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve been in the ocean, she never ceases to amaze me.

“The waves of the sea help me get back to me.” Jill Davis

Beach vacations have always been my favorite kind of trip to plan. Being a small part of someone’s first time seeing the ocean, or their kids’ first time playing in the waves, never gets old. My favorite part of this job is what comes after — a client getting home and telling me it was exactly what they needed.

Helping people reconnect — with each other, and with the world around them — is a gift. I’m grateful I get to do it.

— Katie
Certified Group Travel Expert CTA — Certified Travel Associate ASTA — American Society of Travel Advisors
Katie, ready to help you plan

More Than Just Picking a Resort

The internet is full of “top resort” lists and thousands of conflicting reviews. One traveler’s dream vacation can easily become another traveler’s biggest disappointment.

I help clients narrow down the options based on what actually matters to them — whether that’s calm beaches, great food, swim-out suites, nightlife, family-friendly activities, or a quieter adults-only atmosphere.

Tell me what matters to you →
Beachfront resort with a circular central pool

Three steps, then you’re packing

01

Tell me about the trip

Who’s coming, roughly when, roughly what you want to spend, and what would make it a great week. Inquiry form or a quick call, whichever you prefer.

02

Get a real shortlist

A handful of resorts that genuinely fit, with pricing and the honest trade-offs of each. We adjust until one clearly wins.

03

I handle the rest

Deposit, payment plan, flights, transfers, documents, and any curveballs along the way. You show up and get in the water.

Where would you like to begin?

Resort with a large turquoise pool and sun loungers

Ready to plan? Send me your details

A destination in mind, or just a rough window and a budget? Share what you know and I’ll take it from there.

Start planning
Thatched umbrellas and beach chairs on white sand

All-inclusive, or not? Free guide

When all-inclusive is worth it, when it isn’t, what’s actually included, and which beaches barely do it at all.

Get the free guide
Palm shadows on white sand

Want to talk it over? Let’s chat

Book a free, no-pressure call. I’ll answer your questions and we’ll see whether we’re a good fit.

Schedule a call

Popular Beach Vacation Destinations

Aerial view of white sand beach, turquoise water, and resorts in Cancun

Mexico

Mexico continues to be one of my most-booked beach destinations, and for good reason. Between Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo and beyond, it offers everything from luxury adults-only resorts to family-friendly all-inclusives with incredible value and easy flight access.

Cancun & Riviera Maya
The widest range of resorts anywhere in the region, from big family properties to quiet adults-only escapes, with the shortest transfers from the airport.
Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit
Mountains meeting the ocean, a real town to walk around in, and some of the best food in Mexico.
Los Cabos
A different feel from Cancun. There are a few all-inclusives, but Cabo is really for travelers who want an upscale resort and/or plan to get out and explore the towns, the restaurants, and the marina. Worth knowing which beaches are swimmable before you book.
Palm fronds over turquoise Caribbean water and white sand

The Caribbean

Dozens of islands, and they make for genuinely different trips. The all-inclusives are mainly in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica; the smaller islands lean toward boutique hotels and resorts you pay for as you go. It comes down to which island fits the week you want.

Dominican Republic
Beautiful beaches, large all-inclusives, and strong value for the budget. Punta Cana works well for couples, groups, and families thanks to its long beaches and range of resorts.
Jamaica
Laid-back and vibrant, with incredible food and a strong sense of culture. Whether adults-only or lively all-inclusive, Jamaica feels more personal and immersive than some other islands.
St. Lucia, Antigua, Aruba, Curaçao, Turks & Caicos, and beyond
Boutique resorts, dramatic scenery, and a slower pace for travelers wanting something quieter or more romantic. Several sit outside the hurricane belt.
Aerial view of Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii

Hawaii blends beautiful beaches with adventure, culture, and scenery you simply can’t find anywhere else. All-inclusives aren’t a thing here, so these trips get built from hotels, flights, and a rental car — which also means more freedom in how you spend the week.

Oahu
Lively beaches, great food, and real history. Waikiki for the buzz, the North Shore for the surf, Pearl Harbor for the day you won’t forget.
Maui
The classic Hawaii resort island. Five-star properties, long slow beach days, the road to Hana, and sunrise on Haleakalā.
Kauai
The Garden Isle. Cliffs, canyons, waterfalls, and a quiet pace. Best if you want scenery and hikes over nightlife.
The Big Island
Volcanoes, black sand beaches, and stargazing. The most varied of the islands, and the one that rewards a rental car most.
Costa Rica coastline from above Sloth in the Costa Rican jungle Swimming in front of a waterfall in Costa Rica Jungle pathway in Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Perfect for travelers who want a mix of beach time and adventure. Rainforest, wildlife, volcanoes, hot springs, and beautiful coastline all within one destination. A few all-inclusives exist, but most Costa Rica trips move between two or three stays.

Guanacaste & the Pacific coast
Where most beach stays happen. Reliable sun in the dry season, big resorts near Liberia airport, and surf towns like Tamarindo and Nosara further down.
Manuel Antonio
Rainforest that runs right down to the sand, with monkeys and sloths in the trees above the beach. Small hotels, big views.
Arenal & La Fortuna
The volcano, the hot springs, hanging bridges, and waterfalls. Most people spend two or three nights here before the coast.
Monteverde & the cloud forest
Cooler, misty, and completely different. Ziplines, night walks, and birdlife you won’t see anywhere else.
Overwater villa and boardwalk above a clear turquoise lagoon in the Maldives

Bucket List Beaches

The trips people save for and plan around a milestone. Long flights, higher price tags, and water so clear it doesn’t look real. These take more lead time and more planning, and they are absolutely worth it.

The Maldives
Overwater villas, house reefs, and total quiet. You fly into Malé and then take a seaplane or speedboat out to your island, so the resort you pick decides the whole trip.
Bora Bora & French Polynesia
The lagoon everyone pictures, ringed by that green peak. Often paired with Moorea or Tahiti to make the long flight worth it.
Fiji
Hundreds of islands, warm water year-round, and some of the friendliest hospitality anywhere. Works for honeymooners and families alike.
And the rest of the list
Seychelles, the Cook Islands, Belize, Thailand, or wherever you’ve had a photo saved for years. Tell me the idea and I’ll be straight with you about whether it fits your dates and budget.

“The ocean has a way of washing away all the noise of the world, leaving only the rhythm of your own soul.”

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Start Your Beach Vacation Inquiry

Pick your starting point

Resort with a large turquoise pool and sun loungers

Ready to plan? Send me your details

A destination in mind, or just a rough window and a budget? Share what you know and I’ll take it from there.

Start planning
Thatched umbrellas and beach chairs on white sand

All-inclusive, or not? Free guide

When all-inclusive is worth it, when it isn’t, what’s actually included, and which beaches barely do it at all.

Get the free guide
Palm shadows on white sand

Want to talk it over? Let’s chat

Book a free, no-pressure call. I’ll answer your questions and we’ll see whether we’re a good fit.

Schedule a call

What Travelers Say

★★★★★

Katie did a great job of helping us select a location and resort for our family vacation. We had a couple of questions during our vacation and she got those answered quickly for us as well! Definitely recommend using her services to make booking and traveling a breeze!

Carrie Summerfield
★★★★★

I am so happy that I used Katie’s Travel Agency to help me plan a family vacation to Mexico. We hadn’t taken our two kids (6 & 9) before, so I knew I wanted help finding the right resort. Katie gave me options of varying price points & recommendations that I hadn’t looked into before. I like to know all scenarios so she even worked with me to give me comparison prices based on varying months of travel. I would absolutely use Katie’s services again & recommend her to my friends & family. Thank you again for all your help!

Maranda Puetz
★★★★★

Katie is amazing!! We had a few issues during our trip and would have not been able to get things sorted out if it weren’t for Katie’s help. She is prompt, thorough and provides you with anything and everything you’ll need to have a great vacation. We will certainly use her services in the near future!

Jordan O’Neill

Beach Vacation FAQ

What are the best destinations for a beach vacation?

Some of the most popular are Mexico and the Caribbean — including the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Aruba, and Turks & Caicos — along with Hawaii and Costa Rica. The best one really depends on the type of experience you want, your budget, and who you’re traveling with.

Are all-inclusive resorts worth it?

For many travelers, absolutely. All-inclusive resorts make a beach vacation feel much more relaxing since accommodations, food, drinks, entertainment, and many activities are included upfront. They’re especially popular for couples, groups, honeymoons, and anyone who wants a more stress-free trip. Worth knowing: all-inclusives are mainly a Mexico and Caribbean thing. In Hawaii and most of Costa Rica, trips are built from hotels, flights, and activities instead.

What’s the best time of year for a beach vacation?

That depends on the destination and your priorities. Some travelers prioritize the best weather, while others are looking for lower prices, fewer crowds, or calmer travel seasons. I help clients narrow down destinations based on their travel dates, budget, and overall goals for the trip.

Should we use a travel agent for an all-inclusive vacation?

Not all resorts are created equal, and online reviews can be incredibly overwhelming and inconsistent. I help travelers narrow down the options based on what actually matters to them, so they can feel confident in the resort, destination, and overall experience they’re booking.

Can we make payments toward our vacation over time?

In many cases, yes. Most vacation packages allow travelers to secure their trip with a deposit and make payments over time before the final balance is due. Deposit amounts and payment schedules vary depending on the destination, resort, and supplier.

Do you only plan adults-only vacations?

Not at all. While I plan many adults-only trips for couples and honeymooners, I also help families, groups, and multigenerational travelers plan beach vacations that fit their travel style and priorities.

Ready when you are

Resort with a large turquoise pool and sun loungers

Ready to plan? Send me your details

A destination in mind, or just a rough window and a budget? Share what you know and I’ll take it from there.

Start planning
Thatched umbrellas and beach chairs on white sand

All-inclusive, or not? Free guide

When all-inclusive is worth it, when it isn’t, what’s actually included, and which beaches barely do it at all.

Get the free guide
Palm shadows on white sand

Want to talk it over? Let’s chat

Book a free, no-pressure call. I’ll answer your questions and we’ll see whether we’re a good fit.

Schedule a call

Let’s plan your beach vacation

Adults-only all-inclusive, family getaway, or a tropical escape a little further off the beaten path — built around your travel style, priorities, and budget.

Resort pool overlooking the turquoise sea
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