vacayseeker

Hi!

I've been doing some research into AIs in the Caribbean but have found it a bit overwhelming and difficult to navigate. I hope some of you will be able to help guide me a bit.

I'm looking for something around $100 pp, per night for 7 nights + airfare. I've only been able to find a couple resorts that fit this (Iberostar? Riu?). But these look just like standard prices. Where can I find deals? Either for these resorts or for pricier ones but after discount will fall into the budget. I'm not sure when to look for deals either. Tentatively aiming for May 2015, should I book now or wait for deals to roll around?

Some information on preferences that might be helpful, in order of importance:
1. Clean, relatively modern (not super old)
2. Amazing beach
3. Acceptable food and drink (AI)

Other preferences:
No need for lots of excursions or other things to do.
No need for super active night life or even young crowds

Thank you for the help!!

Bassguy66

The cheapest AI deals will be for Mexico and the DR. Plenty of booking sites to choose from to compare deals.

I've seen plenty of deals for Cancun that would cost less then a grand for the week including everything.

Obviously, deals will vary depending on your departure city.

KVR

I have found the best deals in Mexico, Jamaica and the DR. If you plan to go in May, I have found the best price to be the week before Memorial weekend. I have also found booking about 3 months to 6 weeks out you'll find better deals on airfare. I agree, your departure point and available carriers will determine the air fare price.

We tend to book low budget to moderate AI hotels in Mexico. Doing so we understand that the food may not be that great, but that doesn't bother us. We tend to eat off property also so we can get the best of both. I personally don't care for the RIU brand. It's low budget family friendly resort chain and you get what you pay for, but if you are on a budget restriction it will do and there are plenty to chose from in each of those destinations. I you can budget the Iberostar, they are a better choice.

vacayseeker

Thanks for the replies!

Just a few follow up questions:

Can you suggest any specific booking websites? I've tried Cheapcaribbean and Expedia and haven't found any great deals as of yet.

Thanks for the date suggestions! Does that mean it is too early to book for May 2015 right now in terms of finding resort deals? Or is the 3 months to 6 weeks just applicable to airfare?

Finally, can anyone comment on the quality of the beaches in Mexico (and what region has the best beaches?) and how those compare to Jamaica, DR, or other Caribbean destinations?

Thanks again!

Odin

Where are you flying from? Not sure if you can get the Caribbean islands in your budget, but you might want to look at these, especially if beach quality is important:
Jolly Beach Antigua
Discovery Bay Barbados
St Lucian St Lucia
Rex Grenadian Grenada
Turtle Beach Tobago
Last 2 might be a bit boring for 20 somethings.
Aruba - AI not needed, beaches are gorgeous and you could probably do on a budget since there are so many dining choices.

7 mile beach in Negril is gorgeous and you could probably have an inexpensive vacation there without resorting to AI.
Have only been to Mexico once so did not see all the beaches, however the ones we did see were not suitable for swimming ie Cancun hotel zone, too rough, north of Playa del Carmen, rocky and murky water although the beach was sandy so great for walking/sunbathing. Maybe others who know Mexico better can recommend a beach you can swim in.
I've not been to DR but have friends who have just returned from Punta Cana, the beach was nice but again not suitable for swimming in the part they were in which was facing the Atlantic.

KVR

"Can you suggest any specific booking websites"?

I have used Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. I usually book whoever is the cheapest for what I am looking for. I live in a remote area of Texas, so I can not use all booking sites available, and I am limited to American Airlines and United as carriers. I HATE, down right DETEST American and I usually have to spend a couple hundred dollars more per package to fly United, but it is worth it. Some destinations, it's fly American or don't go, so lately it has been we are not going. I hate that carrier that much.

You can also try beachdestinations.com. I have used them once. Again, you are not going to find deals right now for May. As of now deals are subjected for the fall and winter. After the holidays, spring break and Easter break, you will start finding deals for May/Summer. We went to Mexico this past May and I booked 6 weeks out. We went to the El Cid in Puerto Morelos, which is outside of Cancun.

Also try retailmenot.com for Orbitz. Sometimes you can find $75 to $100 off a package deal, which I have used before. That helps with the airport transfers to/from, which are about $80.

I do admit that some of the beach areas in Mexico are not that great. They can be rocky or have iron shore, which makes it a great area for snorkeling. Maroma Beach is the best in the area outside of Playa del Carmen. However, the resorts that sit on that beach are on the pricey side compared to your budget. The Tulum area is also a good area for the beach. In Cancun, the resorts that sit on the top of the "7" in the hotel zone have the better beach. Look at the Oasis Viva, which we have stayed, and the resort next door the RIU Las Americas. They sit on a cove and the water is nice and calm there. We do not go to Mexico for the beaches. We go for the pools, AI resorts, snorkeling and the off property things to see and do.

The beaches in Jamaica are better, but the AI choices are not. We have been to Negril and Ocho Rios. We did not feel as comfortable or safe in Jamaica as we do in Mexico. It is not advised to walk off a resort in Jamaica or the DR. In Mexico that is not an issue. If you want a fab beach you need to look at Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman, St. John, Antigua, Anguilla or Aruba to name a few. However, the price is usually double what you pay for Mexico, Jamaica or the DR. Also AI's resorts in those destinations, if there even are any, are completely non-comparable in amenities, quality or price.

We have been to Mexico multiple times since 2000 and many Caribbean Islands. If you are interested I have a vacation site with all of our photos.

https://kvrlvnphotogallery.shutterfly.com/pictures/5

Click 'all' to scroll down without going through multiple pages.

schmerl

Thrifty Caribbean...there is NO advertising permitted on Fodors.
Your post also is SO incorrect in describing both Mexico and Jamaica. There is so much more to Mexico than salsa, tacos, and Corona. In fact most Mexicans don't drink Corona. Mexico has great history and ruins to explore besides the great beaches and local culture.
You may have been smoking too much of your ganja.

Bassguy66

Thrifty's post is simply spam-o-licious!! LOL

sharona

I, too, think you're looking too early to get deals for May 2015. Start looking in January and keep looking for the next couple of months. Also try Apple Vacations in addition to Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. They generally offer good package deals.