Caribbean for 3 for $3k in June?

[Anonymous]

Thanks all! Yes, I was leaning toward Cancun because of pricing, and because the thought of hauling likely cranky toddler and DH who hates flying an extra hour or two to hotel after landing is not appealing. At all.

We do have some unfortunate limitations (besides budget). DH will not go to Jamaica, end of story. It's off the table. It has to be a resort and not AirBnB/private rental because of clearance reporting process. Dominican does have some options in our budget but I just feel a little less enthusiastic about it there -- my sister has lived in Mexico and the DR and I don't like the idea of being confined to the resort as I've heard is better in the DR because of the surrounding poverty/petty crime/prostitution and human trafficking going on. I realize it's not like that everywhere in the DR, but I don't want to worry about it on my one, very badly needed, carefully planned vacation. If that makes sense. It would be nice to at least have the option of exploring the local area without worry. I wish we could go to Cabo, which I visited before and loved, but it's just not in the cards this time around.

Very much appreciate the specific hotel recs -- will look into them. Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Go on an airline website and search air and hotel packages. That will give you a sense of your options.

The waves in cancun are rough, so that's why we've avoided it. I'd rather stay home than have to fight for lounge chairs by a crowded pool in cancun.

Try St. Thomas, Aruba, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas.

[Anonymous]

OP, your wish list is a pipe dream on that budget. Airfare alone will eat up half, then you still have car rental, food and excursions. You can do a nice oceanfront rental for a week in southern Florida for that price, as it's the offseason there in summer.

[Anonymous]

You sure have a lot of limitations for a very low budget. Just go to Florida.

We are spending 6k for spring break to Florida in 3 weeks. Cayman spring break cost us 15k last year. Not sure what you plan to get with 3k.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I have found several options in Cancun and Punta Cana at all-inclusive beach resorts, including airfare, for $3000-3500. I am just wondering if we'd actually enjoy a week at these places.

For those saying Florida -- would love to get some suggestions that are not Palm Beach/Broward/Miami Dade counties.

[Anonymous]

Just realized you want to go in june. Why not just drive to a local beach in June? Cape May, Bethany, Outer Banks, VA Beach? Never understood why people would want to fly to Florida or the Caribbean in the summer. Don't get me wrong. We love going to Riviera Maya and other warm destinations in the winter but have no desire to fly down there during the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just realized you want to go in june. Why not just drive to a local beach in June? Cape May, Bethany, Outer Banks, VA Beach? Never understood why people would want to fly to Florida or the Caribbean in the summer. Don't get me wrong. We love going to Riviera Maya and other warm destinations in the winter but have no desire to fly down there during the summer.

I think we are just looking for something different. We've done DelMarVa beaches every summer, and I've spent almost every other vacation of my life in south Florida. I really need something to look forward to right now, and I haven't traveled for pleasure much in years because DH isn't into it. I feel like this is a prime opportunity to finally get him on board with something exciting and maybe a little more exotic than OBX or Boca/Ft Lauderdale. Somewhere new and tropical. We might just go with one of these big resorts with mixed reviews in Cancun or DR, or possibly a good Florida option on the Gulf side if I find one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all! Yes, I was leaning toward Cancun because of pricing, and because the thought of hauling likely cranky toddler and DH who hates flying an extra hour or two to hotel after landing is not appealing. At all.

We do have some unfortunate limitations (besides budget). DH will not go to Jamaica, end of story. It's off the table. It has to be a resort and not AirBnB/private rental because of clearance reporting process. Dominican does have some options in our budget but I just feel a little less enthusiastic about it there -- my sister has lived in Mexico and the DR and I don't like the idea of being confined to the resort as I've heard is better in the DR because of the surrounding poverty/petty crime/prostitution and human trafficking going on. I realize it's not like that everywhere in the DR, but I don't want to worry about it on my one, very badly needed, carefully planned vacation. If that makes sense. It would be nice to at least have the option of exploring the local area without worry. I wish we could go to Cabo, which I visited before and loved, but it's just not in the cards this time around.

Very much appreciate the specific hotel recs -- will look into them. Thanks again.

Mexico is just as unsafe,if not more, than DR is you go off resort. Even in the Cancun area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just realized you want to go in june. Why not just drive to a local beach in June? Cape May, Bethany, Outer Banks, VA Beach? Never understood why people would want to fly to Florida or the Caribbean in the summer. Don't get me wrong. We love going to Riviera Maya and other warm destinations in the winter but have no desire to fly down there during the summer.

I think we are just looking for something different. We've done DelMarVa beaches every summer, and I've spent almost every other vacation of my life in south Florida. I really need something to look forward to right now, and I haven't traveled for pleasure much in years because DH isn't into it. I feel like this is a prime opportunity to finally get him on board with something exciting and maybe a little more exotic than OBX or Boca/Ft Lauderdale. Somewhere new and tropical. We might just go with one of these big resorts with mixed reviews in Cancun or DR, or possibly a good Florida option on the Gulf side if I find one.

Sorry to burst your bubble but staying on a resort in Mexico or DR isn't really exotic. We really loved staying at Rosewood Mayakoba when we had 2 kids. The beach wasn't great. Weather was perfect and service was top notch. It also cost us like $1400 per night. We were paying for the nice resort.

I personally thought Four Seasons Orlando was awesome with kids. You may want to check it out. There are a lot of nice resorts in Orlando that are kid friendly and more reasonably priced. I'd personally go that route than some second class all inclusive in Mexico or DR. I was going to recommend Beaches Turks and Caicos but it won't fit your budget. You may want to check out Atlantis. The Beach Tower is cheap or there is a Holiday Inn or other cheaper hotel that is adjacent that gives you full access to Atlantis for a cheaper cost.

[Anonymous]

Daniel Island is lush and tropical and has a couple resorts. Longboat Key is fabulous and has a very nice resort. I've got the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach on my wish list. All of these are in SW Florida, where you will get more bang for your buck due to the offseason pricing for that area in the summer.

Another idea is a week in the Florida Keys, that would be fun. I've never been it thinking of going myself this summer.

[Anonymous]

Daniel island = Sanibel island

Stupid spellcheck!

[Anonymous]

I've never been = I've been

[Anonymous]

I guess "exotic" is relative in this case. We aren't going to the Maldives or anything. Have traveled throughout Europe but never been to the Caribbean. I guess that's why I was really hoping to swing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Daniel Island is lush and tropical and has a couple resorts. Longboat Key is fabulous and has a very nice resort. I've got the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach on my wish list. All of these are in SW Florida, where you will get more bang for your buck due to the offseason pricing for that area in the summer.

Another idea is a week in the Florida Keys, that would be fun. I've never been it thinking of going myself this summer.

Thanks PP. I've been meaning to look into Sanibel and Longboat, good suggestions. I also was looking at Marathon Key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just realized you want to go in june. Why not just drive to a local beach in June? Cape May, Bethany, Outer Banks, VA Beach? Never understood why people would want to fly to Florida or the Caribbean in the summer. Don't get me wrong. We love going to Riviera Maya and other warm destinations in the winter but have no desire to fly down there during the summer.

I think we are just looking for something different. We've done DelMarVa beaches every summer, and I've spent almost every other vacation of my life in south Florida. I really need something to look forward to right now, and I haven't traveled for pleasure much in years because DH isn't into it. I feel like this is a prime opportunity to finally get him on board with something exciting and maybe a little more exotic than OBX or Boca/Ft Lauderdale. Somewhere new and tropical. We might just go with one of these big resorts with mixed reviews in Cancun or DR, or possibly a good Florida option on the Gulf side if I find one.

Sorry to burst your bubble but staying on a resort in Mexico or DR isn't really exotic. We really loved staying at Rosewood Mayakoba when we had 2 kids. The beach wasn't great. Weather was perfect and service was top notch. It also cost us like $1400 per night. We were paying for the nice resort.

I personally thought Four Seasons Orlando was awesome with kids. You may want to check it out. There are a lot of nice resorts in Orlando that are kid friendly and more reasonably priced. I'd personally go that route than some second class all inclusive in Mexico or DR. I was going to recommend Beaches Turks and Caicos but it won't fit your budget. You may want to check out Atlantis. The Beach Tower is cheap or there is a Holiday Inn or other cheaper hotel that is adjacent that gives you full access to Atlantis for a cheaper cost.

Rosewood and the Four Seasons are both very expensive properties and totally out of OP's budget. Suggesting she stay away from a "second class all inclusive" and then proposing alternatives in a completely different price range isn't that useful.