maryb90066

Hi all-
I am at a loss! We will be traveling over the Christmas holiday, around Dec 18-28. We want to be on a beach, but also have plenty of other activities. My first choice is Playa del Carmen, but we are looking at other options like Jamaica. We are not opposed to AI. Any suggestions welcome.

RoamsAround

Your request is way too general. You can find a beach and "plenty of other activities" on just about every island.

What type of budget do you have? Give specific dollar range not some nebulous term like "affordable" or "won't break the bank". It would be helpful if you could specify how much you are willing to spend for airfare, accommodations, food and activities.

Where are you flying from and how many connecting flights (if any) are you willing to take to reach your final destination?

What type of accommodations are you seeking - large resort, luxury boutique hotel, quaint inn, bed 7 breakfast, etc.????

suze

Playa del Carmen is a fine idea or Isla Mujeres or Cozumel on that same coastline. On the "other side" I like Puerto Vallarta.

For Jamaica, I've gone to Negril a few times. There are a few AIs on the beach there (and lots of other non-all-inclusive choices).

maryb90066

Ok...Budget is $10,000 with airfare...coming from west coast of US...seeking something nice, 4 star and up, directly on the beach. Activities other than beach important...does this help?

suze

Coming from California, I'd stick with your Mexico idea instead. It's a LOT easier than getting to the Caribbean and you get more bang for your buck there.

Whathello

We went to Playa del Carmen and stayed in a ( stars resort, which organized some daytrips. What we preffered at Playa was going to Kozumel (?) swimming with the turtles.

Quite nice.

We went to Saint-Martin twice and think of going this year again. We sleep in a very nice hotel in total disrepair, with no services. But the 'activities other than beach' are fantastic there. Island is very small you can go everywhere, some hiking to be done, lots of good food, snorkeling, renting a boat etc.

I made a trip report, click on my name and look for it !

Odin

I would not go to Cozumel for beaches or Mexico for that matter. In general, the beaches are far better on the Caribbean islands eg St Martin, Barbados, Antigua, Jamaica (Negril) etc.
What we enjoyed in Cozumel was the scuba diving. Seeing that the travel dates are for this Christmas, I would see what is available and work around that.

RoamsAround

A $10,000 budget for 2 people gives you plenty of options even if you travel during Christmas which is the busiest and most expensive time in the Caribbean. Since you are coming from the west coast you'll have a long travel time and at least one connection in a US airport so you probably should concentrate on an island you can reach non-stop from that "connecting airport" (depending on your airline & intended destination that could be DFW, IAH, ATL or MIA).

You expressed an interest in All Inclusives so if that's important to you look at resorts in the Dominican Republic (some call this island the All Inclusive capital of the Caribbean) or Jamaica. Your other choice, Playa del Carmen has plenty of very nice All Inclusives.

If you want to consider non-AI's you might want to look at Grand Cayman - wonderful white sand beaches, plenty of full service resorts and lots of very nice condo-resorts to choose from. The island has almost every water sport activity imaginable including swimming with stingrays and some of the best diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean.

Odin

Is it only for 2 people? "Me & my 20-something daughters" would indicate more than 1 daughter.

<i> $10,000 with airfare...</i> Does that mean including airfare or excluding? Is it for one week or two?

Are you not interested in Hawaii?

I've never been to DR and will never go, I don't usually comment on places I have not been, but I would not go there on an AI vacation (or any other vacation).

suze

Hawaii is a great suggestion (from California)

As is Negril Jamaica specifically

...if you decide not to go to Mexico.

schmerl

Hawaii is great for people on the west coast.
Your idea of Playa del Carmen is a good one.
Whatever you decide, you better book soon. You are going during peak holiday travel.

suze

From Seattle I enjoy both the Caribbean and Mexico, but nothing's easier than getting on a non-stop flight on Hawaiian Air over to any of the Hawaiian islands. 6 hr flight, 2 hrs backwards in time, so it seems like barely take a half-day to get there!