Punta Cana vs. Cancun vs. somewhere else?

[Anonymous]

bumping again for suggestions re: resorts

[Anonymous]

OP we stayed at Dreams Tulum recently and had a blast. We've previously stayed at two different Beaches resorts (the one in T&C and one in Jamaica) and I thought Dreams had MUCH better food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP we stayed at Dreams Tulum recently and had a blast. We've previously stayed at two different Beaches resorts (the one in T&C and one in Jamaica) and I thought Dreams had MUCH better food.

I also stayed at Dreams Tulum last spring break. The spring break prior we stayed at Dreams Punta Cana. Our family really enjoys that resort chain.

OP - Dreams Tulum is very close to the Tulum Ruins and Xel Ha. It's not so far from XCaret. Entertainment was also top notch.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't stay in a Mexican resort if the trip were given to me for free. Between the crime, the politics, and the latest alcohol tainting scandal, no thanks. There are so many other warm places to go and frankly the Yucatan beaches are just meh.

Give them a little more time to recover from the hurricanes and then head to St. John, or Turks and Caicos.

[Anonymous]

We loved Iberostar Paraiso Maya.

[Anonymous]

I really liked the Iberistar resorts but after reading the horrible story about the girl who died from tainted alcohol and some sexual assaults there, I dont think I would go

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't go to Mexico for the reason stated above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't stay in a Mexican resort if the trip were given to me for free. Between the crime, the politics, and the latest alcohol tainting scandal, no thanks. There are so many other warm places to go and frankly the Yucatan beaches are just meh.

Give them a little more time to recover from the hurricanes and then head to St. John, or Turks and Caicos.

Interesting. We were gifted a free week in a timeshare in Mexico (Mayan Riviera) but will still need to buy flights. We’re debating if it’s worth the trip due to all the awful stories. Our kids are 4 and 8. Is it really that bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't stay in a Mexican resort if the trip were given to me for free. Between the crime, the politics, and the latest alcohol tainting scandal, no thanks. There are so many other warm places to go and frankly the Yucatan beaches are just meh.

Give them a little more time to recover from the hurricanes and then head to St. John, or Turks and Caicos.

Interesting. We were gifted a free week in a timeshare in Mexico (Mayan Riviera) but will still need to buy flights. We’re debating if it’s worth the trip due to all the awful stories. Our kids are 4 and 8. Is it really that bad?

We stayed at the Grand Mayan timeshare and it was an awesome time. We've stayed at many places in Mexico over the last 10 years and love it for many reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Punta Cana was very poor outside the resorts when we visited several years ago. There was nothing to see, no place to eat... which would be fine but the contrast was very sad.

This is what I didn't like. Incredibly poor country.

[Anonymous]

Any feedback on the Barcelo hotels in the Riviera Maya?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any feedback on the Barcelo hotels in the Riviera Maya?

We stayed at Barcelo about 6 years ago. In all our travels, the Barcelo has the most beautiful beach - it's long with the softest white sand. You can snorkel right off the beach.
A couple of negatives for me about this resort:
- They built a small concrete swimming pool and have dolphins trapped for shows. It's inhumane and I likely won't return for that reason alone.
- It's a hassle to book dinner reservations. You only get buffet if you don't plan well ahead. We try to stay at resorts that don't require dinner reservations such as Dreams or Grand Palladium.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't stay in a Mexican resort if the trip were given to me for free. Between the crime, the politics, and the latest alcohol tainting scandal, no thanks. There are so many other warm places to go and frankly the Yucatan beaches are just meh.

Give them a little more time to recover from the hurricanes and then head to St. John, or Turks and Caicos.

Interesting. We were gifted a free week in a timeshare in Mexico (Mayan Riviera) but will still need to buy flights. We’re debating if it’s worth the trip due to all the awful stories. Our kids are 4 and 8. Is it really that bad?

We stayed at the Grand Mayan timeshare and it was an awesome time. We've stayed at many places in Mexico over the last 10 years and love it for many reasons.

We go yearly to the Cancun or Playa del Carmen area with our young children and it's always been perfectly safe and beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Why Mexico?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why Mexico?

The people, the weather, the food, the smells, the views....