Caribbean All-Inclusive Vacation Suggestions

[Wally12]

We have a large group (11-15 people) going on vacation this summer. We have stayed at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen the last two vacations. To see something new (and because Trump isn't making any friends in Mexico) we are looking at other options. One spot we are looking at is the Dominican Republic, but we are open to anything. Needs to be all-inclusive as we like to enjoy the poolside beverages! Doesn't necessarily have to be "kid friendly" as long as their are activities to do, as our youngest of the group will be 13. Any place you guys have been that you would suggest?

 

[mseabolt]

Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic .. Rent a house through airbnb with a staff (cook/maid/butler), rent 3 golf carts (Some places come with them), Teeth of the Dog golf course (plus several others), Altos De Chavon, Minitas Beach .. Absolutely beautiful place. Went two years ago and heading back in June this year. Highly suggest you charter a boat for a day trip and head into a village to get some local flair.

Web Site has a lot of info but just go to airbnb and look at the houses to get you an idea.

Useless tidbit - The Chavon river is where they filmed Apocalypse Now

 

[Wally12]

That looks really nice. Forgot to add, swim up bar is a must with this group, as well as being right on the beach. Don't want to mess with walking a few blocks or having to worry about cooking/paying for individual meals. We aren't looking for anything super pricey, and we don't mind the "big hotel on the beach" type stays, as that's what we have stayed in the last 2 times. We really enjoyed the constant music at the pool and cookouts on the beach the Riu provided every day.

 

[mseabolt]

That looks really nice. Forgot to add, swim up bar is a must with this group, as well as being right on the beach. Don't want to mess with walking a few blocks or having to worry about cooking/paying for individual meals.

For swim up pool bar typ eplce .. Hard Rock Punta Cana .. Daughter and son in-law went there for their honeymoon and raved about it

If you don't have to have swim up bar .. The house we had .. swimming pool/hot up and a staff person that brought beer to us on a nice silver platter while we were around our own pool. You just have to provide the beer.

 

[Wally12]

The swim up bar type place is definitely a must with this group. We enjoy going and meeting new people, so a private home or one of the "quiet" hotels probably isn't our cup of tea. Would like to keep it around $1,500 or less per person.

 

[Wally12]

Anyone ever stayed at the Paradisius in Punta Cana?

 

[KCCowboy1]

We did Hard Rock last spring break. Really enjoyed the service and the rooms.

 

[osu2082]

Anyone ever stayed at the Paradisius in Punta Cana?

No but we stayed at the Excellence in Punta Cana.

Travel is a little more of a pain to and from Punta Cana and while very good the service is just a tad below the Mexico standard IMO.

 

[bigjkt405]

Hard Rock is probably the best out of the places mentioned here. Riu has the Palace Bavaro also there in Punta Cana. Punta Cana isn't much culturally as it is a manufactured tourist destination...

 

[Wally12]

Any recommendations for Cozumel?

 

[100TonsofOrangeFury]

Any recommendations for Cozumel?

You don't want to leave there with tan lines.

 

[JonnyVito]

Any recommendations for Cozumel?

Cozumel Palace my parents go there all the time when they go down to dive. It is an all inclusive resort also. They seem to like the food and drinks.

 

[Wally12]

Thanks JV. The Palace looks really nice, but it doesn't look like there is much of a beach there. A white sand beach and good swim-up bar are musts for this group. We aren't locked to Cozumel and definitely considering other options. We've stayed in Playa del Carmen the last 3 times. Cancun might be something we are interested in if anyone has recs.

 

[prcowboy]

Thanks JV. The Palace looks really nice, but it doesn't look like there is much of a beach there. A white sand beach and good swim-up bar are musts for this group. We aren't locked to Cozumel and definitely considering other options. We've stayed in Playa del Carmen the last 3 times. Cancun might be something we are interested in if anyone has recs.

Have you considered Jamaica? My wife and I have been there 4 times but only to an adults only AI. However, there are many resorts on Negril's side of the island that are right on beach. Said beach is pretty awesome. I think they have a Beaches resort there but I'm not sure about cost.

 

[JonnyVito]

Thanks JV. The Palace looks really nice, but it doesn't look like there is much of a beach there. A white sand beach and good swim-up bar are musts for this group. We aren't locked to Cozumel and definitely considering other options. We've stayed in Playa del Carmen the last 3 times. Cancun might be something we are interested in if anyone has recs.

I checked and they said it has a swim up bar but ya there isn't a beach area. Also I guess this is one of the more expensive places down there. They dive like 3 times a day when they go down there so they don't do much beach time usually just lounge around the pool.

 

[cactusjackosu]

Hard Rock Hotel in Cancun has everything your looking for. We haven't been in Cancun for years though. We always liked

Riu Cancun
Golden Parrnasus (AO)
The Royal Cancun (AO)
Sun Palace (AO)
Fiesta Americana Condesa

 

[cactusjackosu]

All my friends are in love with Isla Mujeres as well. Fun little island. I know lots of great places on the island, but don't know a lot about the AI's there.

 

[Wally12]

We love the Riu Palace in Playa. Something similar in another location would be ideal.

 

[cactusjackosu]

The Riu Palace las americanas sits right next to Riu Cancun. It's as nice or nicer than the one in Playa. You can use the restaurants and services of both if you stay in the palace. They are both huge high rises that can block the sunlight pretty early in the afternoon.....but both nice.

 

[Wally12]

Riu Palace Las Americas looks really nice.....unfortunately it is Adults Only, so that wouldn't work for us.

 

[KRAZY4OSU]

All my friends are in love with Isla Mujeres as well. Fun little island. I know lots of great places on the island, but don't know a lot about the AI's there.

Jack: we are going to check out Isla Mujeres in May. Just a quick day trip from our resort. Which places do you recommend?

 

[cactusjackosu]

Jack: we are going to check out Isla Mujeres in May. Just a quick day trip from our resort. Which places do you recommend?

You won't have much time. I'd come over early and get a golf cart and tour around the island if you want. Won't take long. You can taxi around the place as well. North beach is very nice. Water is calm and you can walk out forever.

My best bets for drinks and food.....

Javi's Cantina on Juarez. Closed Wed.

Bobo's Grill and bar

Mayan Beach Club or Tuturreque 33 Beach Club

OceanVS for good brick oven pizzas on the beach

Qubano for Cuban food and sugar cane mojitos located on Hidalgo.

Balky Hoo for fresh seafood

Casa de los Suenos....The Joint....Villa la Bella (all on N Beach)


Thats off the top of my head. You can google some of these and check them out and see what you think.

 

[KRAZY4OSU]

Jack: we are going to check out Isla Mujeres in May. Just a quick day trip from our resort. Which places do you recommend?

You won't have much time. I'd come over early and get a golf cart and tour around the island if you want. Won't take long. You can taxi around the place as well. North beach is very nice. Water is calm and you can walk out forever.

My best bets for drinks and food.....

Javi's Cantina on Juarez. Closed Wed.

Bobo's Grill and bar

Mayan Beach Club or Tuturreque 33 Beach Club

OceanVS for good brick oven pizzas on the beach

Qubano for Cuban food and sugar cane mojitos located on Hidalgo.

Balky Hoo for fresh seafood

Casa de los Suenos....The Joint....Villa la Bella (all on N Beach)


Thats off the top of my head. You can google some of these and check them out and see what you think.

Thanks!

 

[Wally12]

We ended up deciding on the Grand Palladium Colonial in Riviera Maya.

 

[Sebastian]

Jack: we are going to check out Isla Mujeres in May. Just a quick day trip from our resort. Which places do you recommend?

Definitely go eat dinner at the Sunset Grill. Absolutely fantastic.

http://www.sunsetgrill.com.mx/#!/Home

Rent a golf cart or moped and the island is yours for the taking.