Sherry

I am trying to decide on our next vacation destination. My husband has picked Punta Cana because we have never been there; I am leaning toward Riviera Maya because I know what to expect from Mexico (we've been to Cancun and Cozumel several times) and I love it there! All we want is an all-inclusive resort on a beautiful beach and an option for scuba diving. Just relaxation - no adventures! Any thoughts on which one to choose?

pam

Well Punta Cana does fit the bill. When I was there several years ago I don't recall Scuba as an option. I am sure it exists and has built up tremendously since we were there. You don't say when you are going. We were there in Feb. and it was somewhat windy. The water was not as warm as I would have liked. Maybe try reading some reviews of various resorts to help make up your mind. debbiesdominican.com

Nancy

Hi Sherry,<BR>I just went through this exact decision-making process for a trip in Jan.I picked PC because I had never been there and the beach looked fantastic.<BR>I decided to go back to PDC and Cancun (split 4 nights and 3 nights) even though we had been there several times before.<BR>I'll tell you why I made the decision.<BR>1.) Punta Cana is ALL AI's - no restaurants, few shops, little local flavor, closest town is 1 hour away.<BR>2.) Diving/snorkeling not known to be very good.<BR>3.) Very limited tours/activities in the area.<BR>BUT, it sounds like it would work perfectly for you. I know there is diving there, I just don't think PC is known for its diving, but I'm sure there is plenty to see.<BR>I did HOURS of research before I decided it wasn't for us.<BR>Sounds like it might be a good fit for you though <BR>

Sherry

Thanks for the opinions! I think I will talk my husband into going back to Mexico! I know the diving is good in Cozumel, plus there is always lots to do if we decide to venture off of the beach.<BR><BR>Nancy, have a great trip!

Nancy

Good choice Sherry. Cozumel is one of my favorite places on the planet.<BR>(We've been going for 10 years and never get bored with it

debbie

hi there, The Paradisus in Punta Cana offers free scuba. There is also a full day trip you can take to Catalina Island on the other side for scuba and i am sure there are others. We loved it and would definitely go back. I do not think that the diving will compare to Cozumel but each place is different. I know there is also a dive trip where you can dive on an airplane. Also if you do not mind what would you say is the best 5 star all inclusive in Cozumel for a family of 4?

Suzanne

Sherry, I have been to both and this year we are going BACK to Punta Cana. I hope you don't consider the previous replies too heavily because they aren't exactly correct. First, Punta Cana has LOADS of local flavor PLUS it's extremely European. You will find that 75% of the tourists don't speak English as their first language but most speak some English because it is so well-taught in Europe. You will feel like you are vacationing on the mediterranean. <BR><BR>Punta Cana is no longer just all inclusive resorts. There are more and more independent restaurants, shopping plazas (a new one...Plaza Chaney is now complete), new businesses such as bowling alleys, theatres, etc. <BR><BR>The beach in Punta Cana stretches for 26 CONTINUOUS MILES of white sand beach and palm trees...sometimes stretching out over the ocean....absolutely spectacular!<BR><BR>Punta Cana is the driest area in the DR and has MUCH more reliable weather patterns over the winter months than the Mayan Riviera. We will NOT, for example, be returning to the Mayan Riviera over Xmas/New Year's because it's just too darned unpredictable. Punta Cana, however, has always been gloriously hot at that time.<BR><BR>There ARE wonderful off resort trips you can take and they are much more informative, beautiful, and fun than most of the Mayan side trips. For example, we took Bavaro Runners up into the &quot;mountains&quot; (more like foothills) and saw coffee plantations, sugar cane fields, rice paddies, visited a local town, stopped at a ranch for lunch where the kids took horses further up into the mountains, stopped at an isolated beach for some fun and, on the way back to the resort, had the most fun water pistol fights between the open backed jeeps you could imagine. We all (adults and kids) got soaked but had so much fun!!<BR><BR>We took a catamaran trip to Catalina Island that let us see the countryside as well as the south coast of the island. Saw the best snorkelling I've EVER seen anywhere. The divers did a &quot;wall&quot; dive which they raved about just off Catalina Island. We certainly enjoyed the trip and got an extensive view of the country as well.<BR><BR>Just off the beach to the left of our hotel was a &quot;grounded&quot; ship that had been there for 25 years or so and the divers took a &quot;wreck&quot; dive there and found it quite fascinating. <BR><BR>So....if you want to really feel like you've visited an interesting island, try the Punta Cana area of the DR. I don't think you'll have a nicer beach holiday anywhere...plus it's about 20% cheaper than the Mayan Riviera! What a bargain.<BR><BR>Go to this website to learn more:<BR>www.debbiesdominicantravel.com

gottagoaway

I heard there was an AI resort in DR that has a bowling alley??? anyone know anything about that?

schmerl

I have been to Punta Cana and the Riviera Maya. I found the service to be much better in Mexico. We stayed at Secrets Excellence in Punta Cana. We did love it. Then this past X-Mas we went to the Iberostar Paraiso in Riviera Maya. The service at the Iberostart was fantastic. The people in Mexico were just seemed a lot happier---great attitudes. There were a lot of Europeans there also. We would sit on the beach and hear at least four different languages a day.
You can't really go wrong with either place. Both have great beaches and relaxing atmospheres.

ParrotMom

Dollar for dollar you can't beat Punta Cana... or any place else in the Dominican Republic compared to Mexico.. We ourselves just came back from La Romana, Sunscape Casa del Mar.. for the fourth time.. Lots to do on and off the resort

diva45

Just returned from a week at Paradisus, Punta Cana. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. You would love it.

gottagoaway

I read something in a travel mag that theres a resort in DR with a bowling alley....? anyone ever hear that or see one? is Punta Cana safe? where is the best resort to stay at with kids? Need white sand beach, plenty of beach to take walks(safe walks), snorkeling off beach??

hotmamma

The resort with the bowling alley is the Ocean Blue. Have not been there, but it gets good reviews.

judibur

the problem with Punta Cana -- and it is not the beach (spectacular) or the weather (hot &amp; perfect usually)is the SERVICE. The DR has no concept of what service is all about - they just don't. There are no (as far as I know)luxury hotels anywhere on the island (maybe Case de Campo which was lovely a number of years ago). If your vacation is about beach, ocean etc. DR is really beautiful and special. If you are looking for a really good resort -- ?? Riviera Maya ok. Cozumel was very nice, Cancun ???????

kfusto

I am going through the same decision making process for a December honeymoon and leaning towards the new RIU Punta Cana Palace.

I have been to the DR but not this area.

The resort looks beautiful and the value is terrific!

We want beach, watersports, great fitness options, entertainment in the evening, no kids, and some luxury.

I think the beaches at Cancun are beautiful but dislike the highrise Miami beach flavor. I have not been back for over 12 years because the resorts did not appeal.

Royal Hideaway is the only resort that appeals in Riveria Maya and that is way too $$$ for your budget. Plus, the weather can be iffy in December there.

I am happy to hear there are lots of excursions available.

tivertonhouse

Check out Maroma and Ikal de Mer south
of Cancun. Luxe, superb beaches, privacy, not crammed cheek-by-jowl with AIs, though inclusive options offered at both. From 7 business/pleasure
visits to DR incl. Punta Cana, I've found it my least favorite island in Caribbean.

MarkBinPA

I will be sure to report my opinion when I return. Have been to Riviera maya three time sin three years and leave June 3rd, just 2 days!!!!!!!, for Punta Cana. I will posy my thoughts.