All Inclusive for 30th Bday in March?

Old Oct 17th, 2012, 09:37 AM
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All Inclusive for 30th Bday in March?

My friend is turning 30 in March and would like to visit an island on March 9-12, 2013.
Currently she has her heart set on Aruba, because according to Google it has a good night life. However, she really wants to do an all-inclusive and from what I've read, Aruba really isn't the place for that.

It will be 4 women travel in their late 30's.
The birthday girl wants a good nightlife as in party scene, swim-up bar and she wants to drink till her heart is content. She's not an adventurous eater, she really likes steaks and restaurants like STK or Texas De Brazil. She's too grown for the spring break crowd and wants more a grown/sexy nightlife scene.

She would rather not have to think about where she wants to go eat or drink, so I get why she wants to an all-inclusive. I'm just not down for paying $1500 to do so in Aruba.

Any suggestions on islands/locations that would fit her needs?
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Old Oct 17th, 2012, 12:39 PM
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You are going in March, which is Spring Break month. If you don't want to be around a bunch of partying college kids, you may want to consider a different time to travel.
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Old Oct 17th, 2012, 02:37 PM
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I can understand what she is looking for as I love AI and nightlife. I agree Aruba really is not the place for AI. There are tons of really great restuarants and bars in all price ranges and part of the draw there is to try as many as you can. But, it can get expensive expecialy with drinks.

What we did is go cheap on the hotel with an AI option and still went out and ventured some of the local fare. We chose the Holiday Inn. We paid $450 total for the AI plan for 2 people for 7 nights. We added it on later after we booked and got a huge discount. It's about the best option to get the best of both worlds. However, check out the Radisson as sometimes thay have a drink/food credit per "X" amount of nights.

March is Spring Break time, but you will probably have more of an issue with families and tons of kids than college partiers in Aruba.

If you chose Aruba definatly do the Kukoo Kunukoo Bar hopping party bus. It was so fun.

I have the same problem as my birthday is in April. It's too expensive and too crowded to celebrate during that month. I have done Las Vegas a couple of times, a cruise, Cancun, MX, but I was the oldest person there (LOL), and next April we're going back to New Orleans. Good food, nightlife and fun. I definatly recommend New Orleans if you can give up the beach/ocean. We've been once before prior to Katrina and loved it.

We are going to Cabo, MX in December as they have a great nightlife and food options, but I would never go there in a March. You might look at the Royal Playa del Carmen in Mexico. It's an adult's only AI within a 5 minute walk to restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment.

If there is anyway you can wait until the 2nd to 3rd week of May you will find lower prices and crowds.
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Old Oct 17th, 2012, 02:50 PM
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Thanks KVR. She's pretty stubborn but she also hasn't planned anything and it's getting late, so I might be able to convince her to wait till May. But I'm sure she actually wants to celebrate on her bday *shrugs*

New Orleans isn't option as we already go there often and it's better to do during the Jazz Fest.

Yeah I'm leaning towards Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen if we must go in March. Thanks!
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Old Oct 17th, 2012, 04:10 PM
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If you are leaning toward the Riviera Maya, I agree on the Royal Playa Del Carmen. It is a five minute walk to 5th Ave.and all the bars/clubs. However...the resort itself does not have much of a night life.
IN Aruba, the Occidental and the RIU are all inclusive. Don't know how the nightlige is right at the resorts though.
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Old Oct 17th, 2012, 04:42 PM
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My only concern is if you don't go for an adult's only or sophisicated hotel you are going to be swamped with kids. Not something I want to deal with. We did that in Cancun for my 40th and I so regret the hotel I chose.

In Aruba look at the Manchebo beach resort and spa. It's an adults only AI.

"it's better to do during the Jazz Fest." No way. Too crowded for my taste. Plus the prices double.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2012, 09:03 AM
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So she's agreed to do Jamaica. Probably going to do Negril. What all-inclusives are good in that area?
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Old Oct 22nd, 2012, 12:27 PM
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None, for a group of girls. Most are couples only and the rest is family oriented. There are 2 RUI's that I would not recommend to anyone. Horrible food and a Breezes that is adult's only that I wouldn't recommend either. Both are sub par low budget AI resorts IMHO.

I would suggest instead the adult's only Iberostar resort in Montego Bay. Though Montego Bay is not the most recommended area to stay, that hotel and the food will be much nicer than what you will find in Negril.

Here's a link to the AI resorts in the Caribbean. It's donates families, couples or adults:

http://www.caribbeanallinclusive.com...ve_resorts.cfm

Here's a link for AI resorts in Mexico:

http://www.mexicoallinclusive.com/me...ve_resorts.cfm
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Old Oct 22nd, 2012, 02:01 PM
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Oh this is so difficult. I'm actually not (too) worried about safety in Jamaica if we are visiting the coastal tourist spots. We're from Brooklyn and extremely familiar with Jamaican culture.

Thanks for the links KVR! Now to track to down what part of JA to visit.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2012, 03:43 PM
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I'm confused. Who said anything about safety concerns???

I've been to Negril and Ocho Rios. The problems with AI resorts in Jamaica is that they are either geared towards couples or families with a few Hedo resorts thrown in if you are into that.

For a group of girls you might consider the non AI hotels in Negril on either 7 Mile Beach or the Cliffs to get the type of atmosphere you are looking for, but they won't have swim-up bars or fancy type restaurants like an AI. There are more people on this forum that can give you info on those type of hotels than any of the AI resorts in that area.

You'll will probably find more of what you seek in a 30th birthday vacation in Mexico. If your not (too) concerned about safety issues and are from Brooklyn, then Mexico shouldn't be any issue for you. I've been to Mexico x 10 with our next trip in December and Jamaica x 2. I feel way more comfortable in Mexico than I ever did in Jamaica. It's just that what you described that you are looking for and the area that your are looking in does not make a match.
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Old Oct 24th, 2012, 06:50 PM
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i'll be partying it up in March in Cancun Mexico SB at an all inclusive RIU Resort (they all usually have swim up bars)

There are islands next to Cancun, which cater for all tastes - Isla Mujeres and Cozumel (easy short ferry ride to both)

HAPPY BDAY for then!

cheers

Peter
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Old Nov 14th, 2012, 10:08 AM
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Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril are the perfect all inclusive vacation sports for your ladies.

Some all inclusive resorts to look at include Sunset Resorts (ochi and mobay), RIU (all three), and Iberostar.

There are many affordable all inclusive resorts here in Jamaica with great nightly entertainment.

Negril is the place to be in March ( spring break month).

Here is a list of the most popular all inclusive resorts in Jamaica:

http://www.jamaica-travel-secrets.co...e-resorts.html
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