Where are you flying from? That could have a big bearing on how much you have left for accommodations and food.

You'll find greatest concentration of All Inclusives in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cancun and Playa del Carmen and those destinations tend to have some of the more reasonable airfares from a number of cities so start your searches there.

I doubt you'll find many AI's in your price range on Barbados so save that for a different time. Same with Bermuda - it is generally regarded as an "expensive" island.

The majority of AI's are in Mexico, Jamaica and the DR. I have done many AI's in Mexico and 2 in Jamaica. I don't care for the DR. Those destinations will also be the best areas to meet your budget. What time of year are you going and what departure airport? Makes a huge difference in price. I pay some of the most expensive airfare out there becasue I'm limited to 2 carriers and must fly to a major city with an International airport to get anywhere.

The hotels in Barbados that offer an AI package are not true AI resorts. Many are condo/apartments that offer food and drinks at certain times of the day. I have been looking to go there for over a year and from my depature point can not get one of their better AI hotels for less than $4,000-$5,000. Way over priced for what they offer compared to Mexico and Jamaica.

Aruba has so many really great restaurants and bars in all price ranges and it's so easy to get around. I wouldn't recommend AI there. I found the hotels that offer an AI plan charge 2 to 3 times more than what can be found in Mexico and Jamaica.

Bermuda is very expensive. Do they even offer AI resorts there?

When are you traveling?

We are looking to travel end of June 2013 and can fly out of Phildelphia or Newark. I've looked around on Expedia but it's always hard to tell what hotels are actually worth going to.If any one can recommed too that would be a great help! Thank you all!

June is getting into the hurricane season. I think that gives Aruba the edge. It is farther south than the Caribbean hurricane belt and gets less impact from tropical stormss.

The odds of a hurricane forming in June are very, very small. In the last 60 years there have been only 8 hurricanes that have formed in June (or earlier).

Agree. June is a very small chance of a hurricane forming. It's usually the end of August to the end of October.

Since the OP wants AI, I wouldn't recommend Aruba. Plus that budget is probably too low for Aruba.

In Mexico, look at the Iberostars, Gran Velas, Secrets, The ElDorados, The Royal Playa del Carmen.

In Jamaica, look at the Iberostars, Secrets, the Couples, the Jewels in Ocho Rios and Sunset at the Palms in Negril.

In the DR, look at the Iberostars, the Majestic and the Barcelos.

Avoid the RUI's in any of those destinations. They are low budget, family friendly resorts with horrid food and are usually overcrowded.

Okay forgive me, but Aruba can get hurricanes! I don't know why every says that!

While odds may be more or less depending on destination, all it takes is 1!

I also don't agree that Aruba is less likely to be impacted by hurricanes/tropical storms. When we were there, they were cleaning up the flooding in our hotel which occurred after a hurricane elsewhere.

It is not an accurate statement, in my experience, that AI hotels in Barbados are not true AIs but there is no way you would get AI for the budget, even AIs on the south/south west side of the island would not be in that price range. There are AIs on other islands eg Antigua (check Jolly Beach Hotel) St Lucia, Tobago but since no one knows where you are flying from these islands might not be an option.

The hotels in Barbados that offer AI's are not of the same calibur or quality that will be found in Mexico, Jamaica or the DR. They are more like hotels that offer a food/drink plan. Many are condo/apt type units in which food and drink are provided a certain times of the day. They also cost 2 - 3 times more than what can be found in Mexico, Jamaica and the DR and offer much less. That is why I stated they are not true AI's.

I would not recommend the Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua to anyone that has not done their research. It is a low budget AI hotel that attracts families and kids. Unless you book a suite, their rooms are about the size of an inside cruise ship cabin. Food can be iffy. I've stayed at some low budget AI hotels in Mexico and even I wouldn't book the Jolly Beach for a vacation.

The cost of an AI in Barbados might be more expensive than Mexico & DR, but stating that many hotels are like condos/apts with meal plans is not accurate either. Maybe you can suggest something else for the budget rather than Jolly Beach instead of picking holes in a place you have never been to. No one has to book the supersaver room at Jolly Beach and alot of AIs in the moderate category attract families and kids. I imagine you have not been to Jolly Beach and you have definitely never been to Barbados and stayed in an AI.

"that many hotels are like condos/apts with meal plans is not accurate either."

According to my research this is my preception and I stand by it. People are more than welcome to do their own research and can come to their own conclusions.

"Maybe you can suggest something else for the budget".

I did. See my post above.

Your right, I have not been to Barbados because it's too expensive and the AI choices there are sub-par. I rather spend my good hard earned money in destinations that offers more bang for my buck. And, I do. Doing my 16th AI resort in December.

I have been to many AI resorts in various destinations and have done my research in other areas. Because of my research, I would not book at Jolly Beach or recommend others do so either unless they do their research also and know exactly what they are getting into.

Making flagrant recommendations about AI resorts that you obvioulsy have not been to either and do not have sufficient knowledge about is not helpful and does not answer the OP questions or meet thier budget restraints.

What about March? Would that help the budget? Right now we are leaning towards Mexico (anywhere except Cancun) and Punta Cana. Which is better? We also want to be able to go out and shop, clubs, restaurants. Some of the pictures of hotels in Punta Cana look like they are in the middle of nowhere. Is that true?

Hi I will add my 2 cents. I would heed the opinions of KVR as he is usually most helpful and right on. I am also from PHL and fly out of PHL or Newark. Always check Newark for perhaps better prices. I believe June would heed the lower prices then March. If you are set on a AI I would look into the maya riviera area in Mexico. Personally I would away with Punta Cana. It has been years 12 years since we were there but at the time one could not leave the resort. There is a site called debbiesdominican etc. and you can check reviews there if you want to go there. They do offer a good prices if money is a major concern.I would not return there just my opinion. I think in june you can do AI for $3k. Check applevacation.com packages as well. I love Aruba personally and in June there would be no chance of a hurricane. What people are saying as there are "remnants" of a hurricane, which can affect and island. (as in rain) who wants that while on vacation? June would be a safe time to go most places.

Thank you diann24.

March would be worse than June price wise and crowd wise. March is Spring/Easter break and the prices will go up as well as the crowds. The 2nd or 3rd week of May would be one of the better times to travel for lower prices and crowds. I would not hesitate to travel in June if I needed to.

I agree with diann24 about the DR. Look at the resorts in Mexico that I recommended above. The Iberostars, Gran Velas, Secrets, The ElDorados, and The Royal Playa del Carmen.

5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen is blocks of blocks of restaurants, bars, entertainment and shopping. If you choose the Royal Playa del Carmen, you will be within walking distance to everything. The other resorts should be a short cab ride.

I agree on looking in the Riviera Maya area in Mexico.
There is NO WAY the Gran Velas will fit in their budget. It is very expensive.
The Royal Playa del Carmen is right in town but also may be above your budget if that 3 thousand is for both of you.
In the Playacar area which is close to town, you may want to look at Sandos which has an adults only section.

We stayed at The Royal Playa del Carmen a few years ago in their lowest catagory room for 6 nights for $2,700 for 2 with air. From my departure point, we pay some of the highest airfares out there. I just looked on Expedia and in June from my departure point it's right at $3,000. They can probably get it less from their departure point. Schmerl is right about the Grand Velas. It will be too expensive. If you depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday usually air is a little cheaper.

You can also look at their sister resort across the street; The Gran Porto Real. They do allow children in that resort.

You might alo look at the Mahekal Beach Resort. Little casistas directly on the beach. They provide 2 meals a day, but no alcohol. No TVs or phones in the room. A nice quite place for a honeymoon. About a 15 - 20 minute walk to 5th Avenue.

There are several AI resorts in that area that will meet your price point. Look a various on-line booking sites and see what meets your budget and critieria and then if you have specific questions about a particular resort we can help you further.