<p>We have been to Cancun eons ago. The Yucatan peninsula is nice. We are also warm weather fans, not skiers (why we retired to Florida). Think about whether you want Mexican culture or DR culture. We were in our 30’s when we went to Cancun and I climbed Chichen Itza- one of the Mayan pyramids. I am not a fan of Mexican culture, a few years ago we did an all inclusive tour of Costa Rica. Spanish speaking country but a very different culture. Both of your choices are in the wet, not dry regions south of the border. Check out side trips for each and see if one has something you would most like to see. Cancun was created to serve tourists, btw. another consideration in that tourist spot is where along the coast your hotel is located. Some along the tip are much windier and others near the Fiesta Americana we stayed at have much nicer beaches.</p>
<p>One of our favorite winter vacations is staying at a lodge called The Far Hills in Quebec. Great cross country ski trails, wonderful lodge with amazing food, and small village charm in the surrounding area.</p>
<p>Intparent, do they have an outdoor hot tub? </p>
<p>They have an indoor heated pool, but I don’t recall a hot tub. But it has been quite a few years since we stayed there, so maybe one has been installed. This is a very classic old lodge with a lot of character. They offer things some activities like sleigh rides, too.</p>
<p>Hmm, the web site is undergoing revision, so not much info there. It sounds like from some reviews I just read that the hotel has had a “makeover”. Not sure if this would be good or bad… could go either way. As long as they keep the chef…</p>
<p>Intparent–is it warm and sunny? Haha As I said, not looking for cold climate no matter how fantastic.</p>
<p>I’ve booked with Apple Vacations and they were great. They have a number of all inclusive resorts in the Caribean, Central and South America. There is one in Columbia that looks interesting and one in Cayman Islands. My B is in Jamaica right now at San Soucci, I’ll let you know what he thinks of it when he gets back.</p>
<p>morrismm:
I didn’t read through the thread, so not sure if this has been mentioned: I’ve been to Mexico several times and would never go back again. To be honest, the same with Domincan. My H & I have been on quite a few cruises and the Dominican stop was the only place we stopped where we never got off the boat.</p>
<p>Have you considered cruises? One cruise we took was to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao…left from Puerto Rico. By the way, Puerto Rico would be a fabulous place for an all inclusive…they have a Fort and a rainforest…I can’t think right now, but tons to do. Also, in Bonaire it was extremely rustic, not nearly as built up as Aruba and Curacao, but their water activities were fabulous. Diving, scuba, snorkeling, boating, etc.</p>
<p>We’ve been to Cayman Islands and swam with sting rays, to Turks and Caicos…I betcha any of these islands will have all inclusives. St. Thomas is very hilly, St. Maarten is gorgeous…look around each island and see what interests you! My vote would be for Puerto Rico if you haven’t been yet…</p>
<p>Thanks, intparent! An outdoor hot tub is a must for a cross-country ski resort, IMO. ;)</p>
<p>I’ve stayed at the Fiesta Americana and the beach was not as nice as Hawaii, but the hotel was very nice. I agree with poster who wrote they never stayed there again. That was my philosophy. The last time I stayed there it was 1992 but after that I’ve heard reports from the state department to stay away and I did. I think it was starting 1993.</p>
<p>“Which is better? Mexico or Dominican Rep.?”
- I have never been to Dom. Rep., I am a fan of Cozumel vacations. But our friends have been to the same resort in Mexico and Dom. Rep. They preferred Mexico bacuse of food. They said that Dom. Rep. resort food wa more American, they loved more variety at the resort in Mexico. I do not know also how si the snorkeling in Dom. Rep., I mean off shore, not going on a boat. Snorkeling is what we primarily like to do on vacations. Each person needs to evaluate the personal cirteria fo choosing before making a decision. Everybody is looking for different stuff, so If Mexico is better for one, others might prefer Do, Rep.</p>
<p><<<< Turks and Caicos! </p>
<p>“I’ve stayed at the Fiesta Americana and the beach was not as nice as Hawaii, but the hotel was very nice”
- I wonder where? We stayed there in Cozumel. But we did not care much for it. Again, it is a matter of preference. I do not like big buildings, I like many small ones that resemble huts. So, few years ago we switched to Iberostar and like it much better (really old and not updated rooms if you care). However, Fiesta American was superior in evening shows. But nothing can beat going into the water straight into the soup of thousands fishes without walking thru riefs. Iberostar has pier with the stairs and that makes all difference for us. And grounds are basically a botanical Garden with pink flamingos and many others included. Hawaii is way too far for us, we do not want to waste 2 precious vacation days for travel. Cozumel is 3 hours direct flight. We have been to Mexico probably about 17 or so times. Defifnitely our preference.
We have been to Cayman 2 times. While we liked it first time, the second visit which was about 15 years ago was greatly dissapointing. It got way too commercial and very expensive and much less variety of fish (snorkeling, scuba people might see more). We will never go back. We went to other places, but always go back to Cozumel. We do not like corwds though, and it ahs been more crowded, our resort always has 100% occupancy and they have to switch our rooms every time, becuase they would not have our favorites available. We always go for 2 weeks and we do not visit anything any more, just be on a beach. And our resorts provides plenty of entertainment, but it has been getting louder and louder, so we may not go back any more. </p>
<p>I was at Cancun. I went to Cozumel for snorkeling but we didn’t stay there. For huts, I’ll probably go to Fiji but it’s a little too far, I rather go when I have more time.</p>
<p>My D and her H went to Dominican Republic last Christmas for 4 days at an all inclusive resort. I don’t recall the name but they love luxury(Peninsula and Four Seasons hotels)and I remember my SIL saying it was not cheap. They said food and service not up to par, insufficient and poorly trained staff and they would never go back again. Said there’s nothing to do outside the resort.</p>
<p>The cruise stop in the Dominican is VERY different than the all inclusives located there. The all inclusives are actually very nice. But really, one doesn’t leave the resort! The cruise stop (is it Samana) was so bad that even the comedians on the boat had fun poking at it.</p>
<p>I have stayed at both DR- Punta Cana and Mexico, not necessarily those resorts. I preferred the Mexican resorts because there is more to do outside of the hotel. We stayed in Riviera Maya at the Xcaret resort with the park adjacent to the hotel. We also took a private day tour (affordable) to Chichen Itza, the Cenotes and Playa del Carmen. In Cancun, there is more night life and shopping and a very young crowd. In Riviera Maya the resorts are a bit more isolated (spread out) but they have a lot to offer. The food and service is also better at the Mexican resorts. I was disappointed by the American and Italian food at the Punta Cana resorts. It was not done well and I can get that type of food done very well at home. </p>
<p>In Punta Cana, I found that there is little to do outside of the hotel. We were there a long weekend and that was enough for us. We basically stayed at the beach and pool. </p>
<p>Be prepared for the time sharing hassle, which can be annoying. </p>
<p>For reviews on the specific resorts you are looking at, Google Debbies Carribbean Resort Reviews. You can get a lot of tips and experiences from other travelers. Have fun planning</p>
<p>Clearly everybody has different priorities on a vacation. We loved Punta Cana and we had no need to leave the all inclusive resort. There was plenty to do - the beach, golf, entertainment at night etc. We’ve been to most of the places in Mexico, Cayman Islands etc that have been mentioned. We try not to eat American food when we travel but prefer to eat food that is customary for those places. </p>
<p>Well I have read and heard good things about Excellence Playa Mujeres in Mexico. Heard first hand from D1 who travels a lot and cares more about experience than cost. She rated this resort very high. Also has great reviews. So maybe…</p>