My boyfriend and I (and possibly another couple) are planning to go on an All Inclusive vacation this November. I've narrowed it down to a list of resorts (below), and I was hoping to either get some feedback from anyone who has been to one of them, or help me add or subtract from the list.
My criteria is pretty much:
- Lots of beach/pool time
- Would appreciate activites like beach volleyball (for example)
- Some nightlife without having to leave the resort
- Possibly nightlife outside
- Don't need adults-only, but not a place dominated by kids...more bars than playgrounds
- Some attractions for 1 or 2 daytrips
- A place that's not so small that we may get bored in 7 days
- Good weather, passing showers are OK (I know November is not the ideal time everywhere), but sunshine is key
- A la carte restaurant availability, don't want to get stuck eating at a buffet for dinner, would be fine at buffets for breakfast/lunch though
- Prefer more spread out resorts, with a number of 2-3 story buildings, instead of a large tower
- We're right around the 30 y.o. mark, would be nice to have others in our age range to possibly make friends with
Here is my list right now:
Barbados:
Almond Beach Village All Inclusive Resort
Almond Beach Club & Spa All Inclusive
Crystal Cove Hotel All Inclusive
Riviera Maya:
Valentin Imperial Maya
Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun
Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa
Gran Bahia Principe Tulum
Royal Suites Yucatan by Palladium
El Dorado Royale Spa Resort - Gourmet All Inclusive
I appreciate any suggestions/insight/advice!
Thanks!
Kaya
November All Inclusive Vacation: Barbados or Riviera Maya?
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weather2travel.com climate guide rainfall favors Cancun in Nov.
Better for party beach quality also Valentin Dreams good
Secrets Resorts Maroma my fa in the past also Capri pretty good
cancun.bookit.com good packages usually...
Happy Deciding,
The pools will be cool in November in Mexico. The Secrets resorts and the Iberostar Grand Paraiso are better AI resort choices than you ones you listed. If it is in your budget the El Dorado Maroma Beach is really nice.
AI in Mexico will be a better choice than Barbados. You'll get better AI choices, more lux accomendations and a better price. However, Barbados may have the better weather.
Barbados AI very ordinary, and pricey. Almond Village lots of kids, Almond Beach and Crystal Cove negligible beach. IMO not worth the money. But Barbados has a wide variety of hotels, beaches, entertainment (hotel and non-hotel), restaurants, sightseeing. Why be trapped at the resort 3 meals a day on such a varied island? For those prices, you can stay at Coral Reef Club, the class act on the island. See www.coralreefbarbados.com and www.barbados.org and www.insandoutsofbarbados.com
Barbados is a great option for not getting bored in 7 days, plus beautiful beaches and plenty of various attractions, I would recommend one of the Catamaran cruises, includes lunch and snorkelling/ swimming with the turtles. Coral Reef is an excellent choice, however if you are open to staying on the South West coast of the island may be you can consider the Hilton Hotel, it has lovely pools, white a sandy beach with volley ball net last i remember and on premise restaurants and bars. Not to mention its just out side of the Capital of Bridgetown (duty free shopping) and 5 minutes from other south coast shopping and restaurants.
Coral reef is close to Holetown and there is plenty of duty free shopping there as well.
Good luck with you trip
Riviera Maya is filled with great AI resorts.
There are ruins to visit, zip lines, cenotes to snorkle, etc. You will not get bored.