DR vs. Mexico

Old Mar 9th, 2017, 07:18 AM
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DR vs. Mexico

Im thinking about going to DR for my birthday in June. Money is tight but still want to have a good time. Any ideas of where in DR would be great to visit? Was also thinking of Mexico and if it would cost less or more?
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Old Mar 9th, 2017, 07:41 AM
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I've never been to the Dominican Republic but have just returned home from a month in southern Mexico. I'm astonished at how inexpensive it is. My costs for airfare, a nice accommodation and all food, much but not all in restaurants, was just about $2000 for a month.

I just had a look on numbeo.com to compare a few costs in a randon Mexican town that's a good visitor destination with one the website chose for me in DR. Here's the conclusion:

Rent Prices in Merida are 18.52% lower than in Boca Chica
Restaurants in Merida are 35.93% lower than in Boca Chica
Groceries Prices in Merida are 23.24% lower than in Boca Chica

I suspect part of the reason is the relative size of the countries, making more competition for rentals in DR and the fact that a great deal more food is produced in Mexico, making food/restuarant prices more affordable. In any case, I don't think you can go wrong visiting Mexico.
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Old Mar 9th, 2017, 07:45 AM
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I personally would go to Mexico! & depending on what you would like to do and what kind or hotel or resort you're looking at, they're both around the same price. I have been to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico multiple times, including for my bachelorette party. If you stay near 5th Ave, there's tons of restaurants, shops, bars & clubs. Ladies drink for free almost always at the clubs and bars(mostly weekdays & Sundays I believe). Beaches are nice & I think it would be an overall great birthday vacation. You can also take the bus from the airport to Playa to save money on a transfer
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Old Mar 9th, 2017, 08:11 AM
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¡¡¡Mexico!!!!

I've been the the Dominican Republic only twice and a long time ago. One trip to Santo Domingo then bused up to Puerta Plata. And one trip to Sosua for a month in a house rental with friends.

I've been to Puerto Vallarta 25+ times, once to La Paz, once to Cabo. (I go to the west coast since I live in Seattle).

But there is also the entire Caribbean coast of Mexico (Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Tulum, Cozumel) you could consider.

Mexico has so much more to offer imo than the DR does.

Since you don't mention where you are flying from (where you live) I can't say about the cost of plane tickets in comparison.

I know of great local-style hotels in PV for as little as $25-30usd/night in June.
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Old Mar 9th, 2017, 02:00 PM
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Been to Punta Cana once, never again. Boring holiday if you don't want to just lie on the beach, have coktails, swim z little bit.
Nothing to do.

Suze's post is right on about Mexico ! such an enthralling country.
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Old Mar 9th, 2017, 02:33 PM
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So often how we perceive a place is how much or how little we have in common with those around us. One way of determining which you might prefer, cost aside, would be to read reviews of accommodations you may be considering and, reading between the lines, see which ring true to you and describe things about a resort (or other accommodation) that you consider important or fun. I think it'll be fairly easy to decide which sound fun and which sound lame. I find Trip Advisor useful in that regard.
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Old Mar 9th, 2017, 03:19 PM
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So which country do you prefer, and why, MmePerdu?
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Old Mar 13th, 2017, 08:07 AM
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My wife and I have been to Cancun 10 times and Riviera Maya once, while this year will be our 2nd to Punta Cana. We enjoy the relaxation and the scenery of all 3 places. The ocean is clear blue, the sand is white and the landscaping is beautiful.

In Cancun, you can travel off resort for excursions or to simply shop or go to other restaurants/clubs. The bus costs about $1 to ride and they go by every 2 minutes. It was tougher in the RM, as we were 20 minutes from Playa Del Carmen. Last year, we never left the Grand Palladium in Punta Cana other than to walk the beach.

Everyone has their own preferences. Our ideal pick would be Cancun in the hotel zone though.
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Old Mar 16th, 2017, 06:40 AM
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Great insight!! And thanks so much guys I think I may reconsider going to Mexico. It seems like there might be more activities and night life which is very important to me!! Any city in particular? hotel? Resorts? Packages? (Still on a budget lol) Im in D.C. btw.
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Old Mar 16th, 2017, 08:49 AM
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I go twice a year to Puerto Vallarta. Pretty much endless opportunities for activities and night life there.

I don't do resorts or packages, I just stay at a budget Mexican hotel or rent a condo. Prices are very reasonable in June which is considered low season. Plus the way the peso is trading against the USD gives further discount to everything.

You can easily find places to stay for $40-75/night. Add on spending money for food and drinks of another $50/day and you're good.
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Old Mar 16th, 2017, 08:59 AM
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oops I see I said an even lower price range above.

The $25/night can be had but those will be very basic 1 or 2 star Mexican places. Really simple rooms with overhead fan, no pool. Hotel Azteca, Hotel Belmar, Posada Lily, etc.

Mid-range hotels with a pool and a bit more amenities. A single room at Hotel Posada de Roger is $38/night in June for example. A couple blocks from the beach.
https://hotelposadaderoger.com/

More upscale tne one bedrooms here go for $495-595/week in May-June
http://www.vallarta-getaways.com/ren...-condominiums/


You can rent a nice apartment with ocean view for $95/night
http://puerto-vallarta-rentals.com/plazamar202/
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Old Mar 21st, 2017, 05:36 AM
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I think Mexico is a much better value than the DR in most cases. People think they are getting a real deal from an all-inclusive, but the lower-end places can have abysmal food and so-so facilities. If you stay at a non-AI hotel in Mexico (say in Playa del Carmen) that is near or even on the beach, you'll get much more for your money. Good food can be cheap in local restaurants, and drinks too. Unless all you want to do is lie on the beach and drink and eat a lot, going non-AI is almost always a better value. But if you go AI, then you tend to get more quality for your money in Mexico.
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Old Mar 26th, 2017, 10:39 AM
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I've been to both and would highly recommend Mexico over DR. There is so much to do, the scenery is beautiful, the people are nice. I love Mexico. I recommend hiring a local driver for a day. They will take you to places you want to go/see and wait for you. We experienced some great cuisine and met a wonderful man at the same time!
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