KarinH

My husband and I visited the Excellence-playa mujeres in March for our 20th anniversary and loved it. We want to take our teenagers (14&17) next June on a carribbean all-inclusive vacation (no cruise) and we would prefer somewhere other than Mexico since we've been there twice. Needs to be safe and have good food. Suggestions?

WorldTraveler2499

Have you thought about Atlantis? Their enormous water park & all the animal interactions may be something your teens enjoy.

RoamsAround

Look at Beaches Resort in the Turks & Caicos.

It would help if you gave us some idea of your budget for airfare, accommodations and food - it will make it easier for the regular contributors on the forum to steer you in the right direction. Tell us too, where you are flying from as airfare often accounts for a substantial portion of people's travel budget.

KarinH

Thanks. Don't really want to do Atlantis. Love the website for beaches Turks and Caicos but not sure we can do it with our budget. I'm thinking $4-5000 for 5-6 nights. We can fly out of Nashville, Louisville whichever is cheaper. Looked like beaches right now could be 7-9k. Hope better deals come up there. I really liked it.

RoamsAround

Unfortunately your budget is only $1,000 to $1,500 per person which is on the ow side. look at the All Inclusive resorts in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the Dominican Republic - you should find plenty of options in your price range in those destinations.

schmerl

If you don't want to go back to Mexico, Jamaica has many all inclusive resorts. Check out the Iberostar resorts there.
I much prefer Mexico there and find there is always something new to go see and do there.

schmerl

Wish there was an edit button. That should say, "I prefer Mexico THOUGH..."

KarinH

Thanks I love Mexico but was thinking about looking at Dominican Republic or Jamaica. Between the two choices of DR and Jamaica, do you (schmerl or roams around) have a preference? I may end up back in Mexico, but wanted to look at other options.

One concern I have heard about Jamaica is the pandering. Does this occur near/on the resort property? With taking a young teenage girl, want to be sure she is safe. Also, like to be isolated and off the beaten path. That was my objection to the cruise. Too many people in too small of a space.

schmerl

I felt much safer leaving the resort and doing all kinds of things in Mexico than I did in either Jamaica or the DR.

WorldTraveler2499

KarinH- You may also want to check flights out of Atlanta. I know it adds in a little bit of a drive. On our last trip, we saved almost $1,000 per person in airfare by doing that!

Christina

I haven't been to DR or Jamaica (have Mexico, love it), but have friends who have and none would go back. I have one friend who is a very intrepid traveler and she hated Jamaica and said it was really dicey in many places. It would be okay if you never went anywhere but stayed at your resort, but what's the point? Well, maybe if you just want to go to a beach that could be all you want to do. From what I've heard about DR, that vacation is simply you going to a big AI resort and staying there, that's all. YOu can't really go anywhere, it is too dangerous and there is rampant poverty amidst the AI enclaves, really not the kind of place many people want to vacation in who actually are interested in traveling around and doing things.

sharona

Have you looked at the Divi Resorts in Aruba? They are all-inclusive and I believe on a great stretch of beach and definitely family friendly. I think there are two Divi's next door to each other and you have access to both properties. Another nice thing about Aruba is that there are usually a lot of flights to choose from.

I've been to Jamaica and Mexico (4 times) and I don't have any problem with going back to either. We didn't go off on our own in Jamaica but we did do plenty of tours and didn't feel unsafe ever. There are lots of things to see and do so please don't discount Jamaica. We stayed at the Iberostar (although at the adults-only one) and it's a very nice resort.

KarinH

Those are great ideas thanks! I will definitely check flights out of Atlanta.