peterl43

We are 7 families looking for a good, all inclusive resort to take HS seniors (and their younger siblings) for a spring break week. We've seen the Palace, Riu, Dreams resorts along with others...there seem to be alot of choices. While the High Schoolers would all be of legal drinking age in Mexico, that's not really a primiary reason to go to Mexico or Dominican Republic. We would like to find a place with a good/great beach, alot of pools, a place that has good nightlife (for adults and kids) either on the property or close by, nice accomodations, good food and somewhere that may offer excursions (snorkeling/scuba, zip lines, dolphin swims, etc) and that is SAFE! Thanks for any suggestions....

PS: we are all from the Chicago area and would love to find a place that has non-stop flights....

schmerl

I would go with Mexico as there is a lot more to do off the resort grounds. There are so many good AI resorts in the Mexican Riviera Maya. Some of them restrict the number of adults (age 13 and up) during spring break to only two in a room. I know the Iberostars have this restriction, otherwise I would recommend them. Look into the Barcelo Maya resort. It is huge with lots of activities and snorkeling right form the beach.
I have been to the DR and Mexico and just feel safer off the resort in Mexico.

qwovadis

www.mexico.bookit.com

good sales would go for Mexico PDC

best beaches tonnes more to do like

www.xel-ha.com tours

suze

I think Mexico is the better choice for what you describe. In the Dominican Republic people seem to feel that they are only safe if they stay on resort property. I have no idea if that's true, but that seems people's perception. In Mexico you have all the resort ammenities, but loads of wonderful sights and activities in the surrounding areas. I agree the carribean side between Cancun, Playa del Carmen, the Riviera Maya, Tulum, Akumal offers many choices.

I personally like Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta but there are not as many All-Inclusive resorts in those destinations.

peterl43

thanks for the responses....

virginia

peter, i would choose mexico - the maya riviera area south of cancun. you might want to stay fairly near the town of playa del carman as it has plenty to do and a nightlife! and really fun duty free shopping.
you and some of 'the kids' should look through locogringo.com
most excellent web site, with info on everything to see or do, places to stay, etc really good photos of the resorts.
when you look at a resort - beneath the photos is a tiny airplane - click for an aerial view of resort. many of the larger ai's will have 'teen clubs' the high schoolers can go to with no little kids but no adults either. adults will have separate bar. i have a good friend who has done this - her rule for the kids is anything goes but under no circumstances may the kids leave the resort.
to do's in area inlcude snorkel/dive, tennis/golf, bonefishing in sian ka'an biosphere, deep sea fishing, cenotes/caves, ruins, shopping, zipline, atv jungle ride, horseback, and more.
AFTER you choose a resort or 2 i think you should involve a local travel agent. she should be able to get good rates on flight to cancun and should be able to arrange a group discount (i'm thinking you'll be what 25+ ppl?) at the resort. of course mexico is already on sale.
nonstop flts from ORD on mexicana,USA3000,united,american.
also once you choose a couple resorts check them out on tripadvisor.com

peterl43

Virginia....thanks so much! Yes, we will have about 25-30 people...any suggestions on all inclusives in the area that you know of?? Thanks again

suze

I think the Playa del Carmen area is a great suggestion. Sorry don't know specific resorts as I always go to the west coast side.

Rudynica

I will go to Nicaragua, the conutry has lots of activities for adults ad teeneagers, Volcnoes (Active and Nonactive), Nightlife, Beaches, Ziplines over crater lakes or cloud forests and much more and the most important it will be a lot cheaper than Mexico or Dominican Republic, my thought is that it will be very helpful with this economic situation

CarlaKen

We have not been to the DR. We've been to Cabo(1x)and Cancun (2x), always with a ton of families. We are from MI and I much prefer the East coast of Mexico - much prettier water to look at. Glad we went to Cabo but once is enough. Our high school seniors seem to always go to the Moon Palace outside of Cancun. It's huge - multiple pools, bars, restaurants. It's somewhat isolated. Parents like that so kids stay contained -at least most nights. However, beaches are not pretty here, and the food starts tasting all the same (like most all-inclusives), so even parents want to go to town to a restaurant/bar. 2 years ago we went and stayed at the JW Marriot in Cancun (very nice) with 2 families. It is next door to Cancun Palace - where we knew at least 10 other families. Their pool was so packed with people just standing in it and drinking - ugh. Their rooms are nice but have a big jacuzzi in the bedroom. That Palace hotel had refrigerators stocked with drinks and snacks - the junior high crowd had a field day with that until the parents asked the hotel to stop restocking them! Another note to your daughters - Senior Frogs bar, and others in Cancun, are wild. Girls are encouraged to get up on the bars to dance - some come dressed in mini dresses/skirts with thong underwear or NO underwear! What are they thinking?! Tell your girls to order their own drinks and to watch the bartender pour it and hand it directly to them. The local boys/men are sober and watching! Last year our best friend's daughter (freshman in college) pulled out her expensive cell phone to check the time and it was stolen from her little purse within 30 minutes. That's why it's better to keep the kids at the resort. Our daughter is a senior this year and many of the kids who will be 18 by Spring Break want to go to the Moon Palace. A lot of parents want to stick with the west coast of Florida - probably allowing the kids to drink some beer in their hotel room (just being honest). The beaches are much better here than Cancun but you can't beat that beautiful Carribean water! (And snorkeling,too). The Moon palace also takes its guests to all the different sites you may want to see but it takes time and some effort. Good luck deciding.

virginia

the iberostars & rui's. nice large resorts, offer lots to do.
also i like: http://www.occidentalhotels.com/grand/Xcaret.asp as it's connected to an excellent eco marine park with tons to do day and an interesting nightshow: http://www.occidentalhotels.com/grand/Xcaret.asp
still think playa del carman area will be best.

peterl43

thanks to all....it looks like our group is zeroing in on the Iberostar Paraiso Maya in Riviera Maya