<p>Got great help here last year, so I know cc’ers can help again. My h decided that it would be fun to take the family, including the boys’ girlfriends on a vacation (5 days, give or take) perhaps to an all-inclusive resort where they can have a good time with a fair amount of independence. The “kids” range in age from 17-24. We are in the SE, so are looking at the caribbean or maybe Mexican peninsula. I want a place that is safe (s got stuff stolen in Cancun several yrs ago) but that will allow the young adults to have fun. We did a wonderful cruise last yr so don’t want to repeat that. We had done the resort at Our Lucaya (Grand Bahama Island) with the boys so probably want to do something different (and it wasnt all inclusive). I am looking at some caribbean island options, and possibly some Mexican Peninsula options, but am finding myself running in circles. In some locatios the gambling age is 18 and in some it is 21. I fould a great website that had a list, but I’ve lost it and can’t seem to find it again. Any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>So, we are looking for a place that will be safe, fun for all, not terribly expensive, and safe, with maximal things available–so the 17 yr old wont feel too left out. We are probably going either over new years or right after, so the prices will be steep. </p>
<p>May I suggest Tripadvisor.com? They have forums for almost every vacation destination in the world. I find it very helpful when planning vacations.</p>
<p>Thanks, cmb. I love tripadvisor.com, and that is always the first place I check. I have been looking at it and websites focused on all inclusives. But I am finding myself running in circles.</p>
<p>We did a Moon Palace trip to Cancun a few years ago. Liked the resort, liked the fact that you could shuttle to other Moon Palace properties. We never went into Cancun itself and the Moon Palace and most other Palace resorts are off the beaten path from the really tourist sections of Cancun.
We used a travel agent who owned several weeks at the resorts. Got a great price. Had a 12 and 10 year old with us, never felt unsafe in the resorts.</p>
<p>Hi ebee!
We did the Cancun Palace a few yrs ago (thats where s’s bookbag got stolen). We took a trip down to Moon palace and, yes, it was beautiful! I even “won” a free week there, but we couldn’t fit it in the schedule (its now expired) and it covered the room only-- we had to pay for airfare and a full week of food at their regular price, so it ended up not being such a bargain! We also took the trip down to their facility at xpu ha, which was beautiful! Sun Palace and Cancun Palace are closer to “town” so the kids could go to Senior Frog of they wanted to, but I like your suggestion of the Moon Palace, as it is far enough away that maybe they wouldnt be so tempted to do the town bars. Where is your travel agent located? Maybe they still have good deals available??</p>
<p>I’m not a big Cancun fan, but there are some amazing cities you can get to if you fly into Cancun. I’m not sure about all inclusive resorts there though. When my family goes to Mexico, which we do fairly frequently, we tend to travel around a lot–few days here, another couple there, etc. It would be hard to pick a single location. If you want a place that’s pretty touristy without being quite as overwhelming as Cancun, I’d suggest Playa del Carmen. </p>
<p>If you’re willing to venture a little farther, I’d suggest looking into Belize. My sister and I went off alone frequently and had no problems, the locals were all very friendly and welcoming. We were 12 and 14 at the time. We spent half our time on an island. We didn’t stay in an inclusive resort, but there were great looking ones in the area. We spend the second half of our time at this great and unique resort. It’s different than most resorts since it has no pool, a smaller, more familiar atmosphere, and a nature bent. They had constant activities, things like horseback riding trips to waterfalls, canoing at sunset, bird watching early in the morning, looking for spiders at night (my sister’s favorite…), and tons of other things. I don’t remember the name of the place, but if you’re interested I can find out.</p>
<p>Sure corranged-- I’d love to hear about these resorts. As you can all see, I am running in circles! Trying to weigh the pros and cons of all the possibilities. Help!</p>
<p>We have had great stress free times in Aruba. Small island, the kids can get around easily walking or by bus.As long as they were hanging together we felt they were very safe. Most people speak English and you can use american dollars if you want. We stayed in the capital city both times at a resort hotel that owns and operates its own island. Free boat rides to and from their own private island. It was awesome. Did vacation at resort south of Cancun Mexico once but was turned off by military and their ak-47’3 walking the beach and not feeling completely safe off the resort.</p>
<p>Funny ebeeeee, that you suggested the Moon Palace. I did not suggest it before, because jym did not want Cancun. We stayed at the Moon Palace for a week. Our children were in their teens and we let them go alone throughout the property. We did not have experience any safety issues. Our only complaint was that we had to work to get a lounge chair if our things were not at the pool very early in the morning. The food was excellent, and the property is beautiful. We went there on an all inclusive plan, but I believe that some people have time shares and I don’t know if they are necessarily all on an all inclusive plan. I think that some of the time shares are more of an apartment style living situation, which might cost less than several hotel rooms.</p>
<p>The first area we stayed in Belize is called Ambergris Caye. The second place we went was a resort called [url=<a href=“http://www.chaacreek.com/]Chaacreek[/url”>http://www.chaacreek.com/]Chaacreek[/url</a>]. It’s not really in a town… It’s sort of a self-contained resort.</p>
<p>Forgot to mention that Xpu Ha is a beautiful resort too. But definitely different-more eco friendly.<br>
The thing I liked about the Palace resorts was that they were off the beaten path. No Sr. Frogs for miles. We used a travel agent group who own lots of weeks so you get spa treatments and excursions thrown in for free. Did not go to the timeshare pitch. Just said NO.<br>
I told them I used to work for a timeshare company (true) and that I knew all about it. Once they figured I knew all their tricks they left me alone. Suggest anyone going just lie and tell them the same thing. (only half kidding here).
Hmm not sure about the bookbag…was it left out somewhere? We had no problem with anything left in the room, unlike friends who went to Jamaica and had stuff taken from their hotel room.</p>
<p>The resorts south of Playa del Carmen, North of Tulum. My sister is there now. D and her bestie went for their senior trip. I can give a rec to Gran Bahia Principe, a large complex- safe and fun and to wherever it is that my sister and her family stay. They have been there 5 times. LOL. (I’ll find out and post the name).</p>
<p>We did Belize with kids plus a boyfriend. It is a beautiful place and we would go back. We chartered a sailboat plus spent time on land. We stayed at a place called Roberts grove. The rooms are nice and they have a living room plus bedroom. It is not all inclusive and the meals can get expensive. They have a nice pool and are on the beach. You can book many day trips to the rainforest, monkey river, sailing, snorkeling, tubing in caves, mayan ruins. What I think would be lacking on mainland Belize would be nightlife if the young adults are interested in that. We did not get up to Ambergis Caye but I think a combo of both places would serve to supply two unique experiences. I think on Ambergis Caye you would find nightlife. Don’t know about gambling.
One of our favorite trips is chartering a sailboat in the BVI. A nice mix of relaxation. The Bitter end yacht club has resort accommodations and looks pretty nice.
The charter boat company Sunsail has a land based resort club on one of the islands in the Carribean. Not sure where. They are all inclusive and include water based activities. I haven’t been but it looks interesting.</p>
<p>Just came back from Club Med over Thanksgiving. We went to a club with no children’s facilities, therefore very few babies/toddlers. There were many families there with adult children - kids with their significant others. We did our own things during the day and got together at night for dinners and drinks. It has changed a lot over 25 years. We started going when we just got married, then when our kids were toddlers, we stopped going for 10 years and now we are back again. Kids did sailing, archery by themselves, while we sat by the pool (all sports were included, except scuba diving). At night, we felt comfortable enough for them to stay out by themselves. The only catch is that drinking age there is 18, not 21. It is a mindless vacation, a good place for a big family get together. We are going back again next summer with 15 family members.</p>
<p>Personally preferred Aruba over Cancun…much more relaxing and frankly, more interesting. But the young adults would probably disagree. And with the current turn of events regarding Natalee Holloway, press is likely to descend upon that little island again.</p>
<p>Re: Cancun. We stayed at the Fiesta Americana Coral Beach…very nice, fantastic pool. The worst part of the trip was the hellish tour bus ride to Tulum and Ixtapa. Love history and touring ruins…but absolutely hated that entire day. But, loved our run to Isla Mujeres. We dumped our tour, rented scooters, had a great day doing our own thing… and eventually found our way back to the mainland on our own. </p>
<p>My husband says Bermuda and the Caymans beat both though. And I hear Belize is wonderful…worth the long trip.</p>
<p>ldmom - I was going to suggest Bermuda myself, but you (or your husband) beat me to it. OP will have to check into what all-inclusives they have. We went there last year during Thanksgiving and I loved it! We stayed out closer to the airport, which was nice the days we arrived and departed, but when we wanted to go into town, it was a bit of a hike.</p>
<p>From the southeast, Bermuda wouldn’t be a bad trip at all. You won’t find the topless beaches like you do in Mexico, and they take American dollars (so no currency exchange). We rented mopeds one day and had a blast - but so you know, non residents are not allowed to rent cars, so you will depend on their bus system (very efficient and reasonable) or taxis if you want to go far from your base.</p>
<p>I enjoyed it almost as much as Hawaii, except you didn’t have all the travel time and time changes involved. It’s much more conservative than other warm weather resort areas - you shouldn’t go out in public dressed immodestly, meaning don’t walk around in public in a bathing suit, without a cover up on. People dress modestly there… no short, short shorts. They’re a very, very kind people and very educated. We did not worry about our safety at all while there.</p>
<p>yes, but the speed limit on the roads there never goes above 25 (and we saw several speed traps), so cars are not driving fast like they do here. Roads are two-lane. The only thing I felt uncomfortable with was the driving on the opposite side.</p>
<p>I third Belize. If you only have 5 days then just go to Ambergris Caye, but see if you can fit in a tour from there to some Mayan ruins. Belize is the former British Honduras so English is the national language, although it is otherwise ployglot. Its sort of Costa Rica-lite (another great place to visit). I don’t recall there being all-inclusives, but the town is small with lots of interesting restaurants. We stayed at Banana Beach which, in addition to its ridiculous name, was a bit too party central. The AC yacht club had no yachts but did have very nice bungalows and was centrally located.</p>