south America kiting and other

[davetaff]

Hello all.I have quite a lot of time off in January and I would like to go on a kiting holiday. Never neen to south America so quite fancy there but open to suggestions. I'm going with my girlfriend so the ideal would be:-
hot weather and water
Good wind (thats a given)
flatish water (free style)
long wide beaches, topical water not to busy.
A night life
and other things to do (brazilian carnivals, music festivals, the inca trail etc.) I want to propose to my girlfriend so a good story she can tell. Makes up for me taking her on a kitesurfing holoday
Relatively cheap
ideally abit of travelling.

Spots, hotle and suggested activities would be very welcome. Thank you all and happy kiting.

[dracop]

Aruba

RIght off the coast of Venezuela, consistent 20-30 mph winds during that time frame, beautiful, lots of night life, memorable. Stay at the Ritz Carlton if you can afford that, one of the Marriotts if you cannot. You will be a short walk to everything you want on the beach (the main kitesurfing spot, Fisherman's Huts, is a short walk from RC and the Marriotts, with the line of hotels being RC closest, then Marriott Stellaris, then Marriott Ocean Club, then Marriott Surf Club).

The wind is consistent enough to plan it in advance and you will be happy, its why they are called trade winds as sailing ships used to rely on their consistency to travel around.

Wind is steady offshore, hiring a chase boat is economical relative to other spots as there are multiple schools offering the service right there.

Aside from kitesurfing, you can rent anything else you may want, from charter fishing to jetskis, to jetpacks for flight (really can). Multiple hotels offer tables on the beach 3 feet from the water for sunset dinners.

Overall, a very good spot for what you are considering.