gracie

I hope fodorites won't mind another "where to go" post. DH and I want to travel to the Caribbean December 26 -December 31. Due to DH's job, we can only go those days, I realize that is the high season but we don't have a choice. Criteria:
1. Non stop flight from Atlanta, not to exceed 6 hours travel time.
2. Not Mexico -- DH has been too many times and refuses to go. I would go but he won't budge on this.
3. Budget $5,000. for both of us, including airfare and lodging.
4. Doesn't have to be an AI, but we like them. Have been to AI in Aruba, Jamaica (3 x), Mexico (3 x). Only one we didn't like was Rui Montego Bay because food wasn't very good at the a la carte restaurants, and we tired of the being herded like cattle at the buffet.
5. Looking for most bang for our buck.
6. We are around 60 years old, in good health. We don't scuba dive, but we like zip lines, kayaking, excursions, some night time activity.

Appreciate your suggestions.

RoamsAround

All right, just about any of the major islands in the Caribbean can be reached in under 6 hours from Atlanta so you are really looking at between 3 and 5 hours max. Since long travel times tend to come when you go to those destinations you can't reach non-stop so for non-stop destinations look at Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Thomas and (if non-stop available from Atlanta) St. Martin or Antigua.

You'll find highest concentration of All Inclusives in the Dominican Republic and to a slightly lesser extent Jamaica. Because of the high number of places competition is keen so you'll get the best bang for your buck on those islands. FYI - Most AI's in the "budget category" will have just OK food and plenty of buffets - they stress quantity over quality. Hint - many non-AI's do offer optional meal plans so consider that when checking out resorts.

A couple of things that might limit your options are your planned travel dates - the week between Christmas and New Years is the the most expensive week in the Caribbean (for both accommodations and airfare) and because it is such a popular time many resorts get booked up a year in advance and they have minimum stay requirements which sometimes can be as much as 10 to 14 days. Since none of us here know what resorts will still have vacancies for this coming Christmastime and what the individual "minimum stay requirements for any given resort are it is difficult to give you and specific recommendations. You'll have to first choose an island you wish to visit and than do so research as to availability of accommodations.

Hope you have good luck finding your spot.

suze

You mention Montego Bay and 3 Jamaica trips, but have you been to Negril?

I know there are nonstop flights from Atlanta (because that's where I changed planes coming from Seattle last time I went).

gracie

Thank you both RoamsAround and Suze. We have booked through both VacationExpress and CheapCaribbean in the past. Checked prices today and we will probably go to Punta Cana, as it seems to be the best bang for our buck. We ruled our Negril because we went to Jamaica last year. We would like to go somewhere different this year, and maybe visit Negril in a few years.

So, do you have any input regarding particular AIs in Punta Cana? I am looking at PC as opposed to other DR locations because I think it would be easiest to fly in and out of Atlanta and not such a long drive from the airport in DR? Am I correct?

blamona

The airport is about 90 minutes to most resorts