Work dictated when I could go. I usually make one trip in the summer for a long stay (5-7 weeks). That's when I had off work (& needed the R&R from work) so staying as long as I could made the most sense. Some years, when I had a long enough break over New Years, I'd go again as long as I had a full 8-9 days on the beach, not counting travel days. Shorter stay too if I went then due to the expense. Now that I'm retired I'm trying a 2 week trip in Feb because I've never been at that time plus I have friends who will be there the same time I am. Finances & family will dictate how often I go now beyond my annual summer trip. I have timeshares in the summer so that makes a longer stay doable financially.