<p>Looking to go away in the winter. D1 went to Excellence Playa Mujeres in Cancuan, Mexico. Others have gone to Punta Cana Majestics in the Dominican Republic. I think they are the same company. </p>
<p>Which is better? Mexico or Dominican Rep.?</p>
<p>Any reviews
.</p>
<p>You don’t ski?</p>
<p>How about San Diego? It’s always nice in the winder. You can cross over to Mexico in no time. I found a nice hotel here and the spa looks amazing.
<a href=“http://www.manchestergrand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/activities/hotel-activities/spa.html”>http://www.manchestergrand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/activities/hotel-activities/spa.html</a></p>
<p>Skiing, followed by soak in hot springs</p>
<p>Hawaii would beat either choice for me. </p>
<p>We are cold weather vacationers. Skiing and in and touring Switzerland, at christmastime, was fabulous</p>
<p>Best winter vacation we have ever taken was to South Africa.</p>
<p>This winter we are going to a wedding in Yulum. That should be nice too. </p>
<p>Two years ago, we did a ten day cruise to the carribean which was terrific. (We went with a bunch of family members).</p>
<p>The very LAST thing I want to do in the winter is go someplace colder than where I live…sorry, I’m not a winter sports fan.</p>
<p>Since the question was which is better, Mexico or Dominican Republic, I have never been to either and am interested in opinions, too. We have looked at those places but have not pulled the trigger yet. Our favorite winter vacation spot is Hawaii, then Florida depending if we fly or drive. I also do not do winter sports areas. </p>
<p>Did too much of winter sports when I was younger. Nowadays, I want to sink my toes into nice, warm Hawaiian sand in Dec-Jan when it is pouring cats and dogs all day long in my neck of the woods! </p>
<p>I have been to both places but not in the last 10 years, and not those specific resorts. I preferred Cancun over Punta Cana. I felt there was more to do and it was safer and easier to get around Cancun. Depending on the resort area, the surf can be very rough and unswimmable in Cancun. If you are planning on plopping yourself on the beach and only doing water related activities, Punta Cana is fine. The beaches are calm because they are protected by an off shore reef, but It was much more difficult to get around and there was much less to see as far as sightseeing is concerned.</p>
<p>Best is all relative. If you plan at booking an all-inclusive resort and “stay put” there is little difference. If you are very active and plan to explore the area well beyond the hotel, Cancun might offer more variety and less touristic views with additional destinations to Merida to the West and the Riviera Maya to the South. Even spending time as close of PDC will offer a more exotic flavor (including French bakeries) </p>
<p>Expect the holiday weeks to be crowded and probably expensive in Cancun. </p>
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<p>Thumper–was that a typo above? Do you mean Tulum? I’ve heard it’s wonderful. My daughter is trying to plan a winter vacation there for all the girls in our family (we usually do something in February–but it’s always a cold weather thing). </p>
<p>You can get some of the tropics by going to New Orleans or Key West and you don’t have to leave the country.</p>
<p>Bromfield, Tulum area is great! We like the Bahia properties in that area. </p>
<p>While San Diego weather is milder we really don’t have beach weather in the winter if that’s what you’re looking for. We did have a pretty warm winter this year, but our water in the winter is usually in the high 50’s so it’s not warm for swimming.</p>
<p>Yep…typo. Should say Tulum.</p>
<p>4</p>
<p>So I live in the northeast where we basically have winter, grey and cold, 4 to 6 months a year. I am NOT looking for winter sports. I am looking for sunny and warm. We went to Key West last winter. I have also been to Hawaii several times. It is beautiful but a very long trip from NY for a 5 or so day winter reprieve. Have also been to San Diego.</p>
<p>We have never done an all inclusive. Thought we might try it. My H is a bit skeptical because we love to explore. But the all inclusive includes hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, etc. It is not like we are spending 10 days or 2 weeks. </p>
<p>So any comments on all inclusive resorts?</p>
<p>Both Cancun and Punta Cana have advantages and disadvantages. When we went to Cancun, it was loaded with college kids (it might have been during spring break). They called me “gramps” even though I was in my early 40’s. The all inclusive place that we stayed in Punta Cana was great. They’re both great places. Punta Cana was quite inexpensive however.</p>
<p>There is more to Yucatan peninsula than just Cancun. Further down south, Riviera Maya is gorgeous, and the college spring breakers are pretty much priced out of many better resorts. Plus, some resorts put strict limits on how many people can stay in one room, so there are no kids packed like sardines in one hotel room. I highly recommend the Bahia Principe properties near Tulum. They all are all-inclusive, and the 18 and over property is really great. </p>