I would like to go to the Caribbean or Mexico for my 30th Birthday, mine and my boyfriend's birthday are the same day but I cannot narrow down the best choices. I would like some night life, pool, beaches. I will be traveling in July, so I know pretty much it is going to be hottt... I have been to Nassau and Dominican republic and on 2 cruises to the Caribbean before.

I was thinking about Cancun or other places in Mexico, Negril, Turks & caicos. But Mexico is sticking out to me. Any suggestions would be wonderful....

We would like:

1. Under $2400.00 total per couple (incl. airfare)
2. 6 hours or less total travel time to our destination (from DC)
3. 4 or 5 star, updated AI accommodations
4. Adults only
5. Jet Skiing or water sports
6. Beautiful beaches, nice sand lol...

Any recommendations is appreciated and if you recommend a resort that will be great too... Thanks...

Honestly, with a budget of $2,400 per couple (including airfare) you are not going to be staying at a 5-star All-Inclusive Resort and 4-star is probably going to be a bit of a stretch so set your sights a little lower or perhaps shorten your stay.

Look at it from this perspective, airfare for the two of you will run at the very least $600 to $800 and could exceed $1,000. So at the most you'll be left with $1,800 or about $150/night per person for food and accommodation, and that amount could be less if your airfare is more than the minimum estimate. Sorry, but that's just not a lot of money and certainly not enough for a 5-star resort, even in LOW SEASON.

That said, you can probably find some very nice 3 to 3 1/2 Star resorts in that price range.

Look at AI's in Cancun, Cozemel, Playa del Carmen and the Dominican Republic as they are traditionally areas with lots of AI Resorts that are among the lease expensive in the Caribbean. Those destinations are also among the least expensive to get to, airfare wise.

You might be able to find a resort and air for that budget in Mexico, but probably not a 5 star and probably for the lowest catagory room. Note that star ratings for Mexico/Caribbean differ greatly than the US. Don't put too must stock in stars. Adult only AI's tend to cost more than family AI's. We have done many AI hotels with air and hotel for that price or lower in Mexico, but they were not adult only and definately not what a person would consider a 4 or 5 star.

In Cancun look at The Sun Palace and the Royal Cancun.

In Playa del Carmen look at the Royal Playa del Carmen

In Cozumel look at Sabor at Wyndham Cozumel

We just returned in December from the Jewel Dunn's River in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and got 5 nights with air and the lowest catagory room for $2,250. However, prices in December vs. July will probably differ, which is why we go in December.

Most resorts do not allow jet skiing on property. In Mexico, Aqua World has a jet ski or boat excursion in Cancun or Cozumel. There are also excursions off Maroma Beach in Playa del Carmen. The beach Clubs in Cozumel also have jet ski rentals.

I would suggest the you check some of the on-line travel sites and just price out a vacation for the dates you are looking for to see what you can actually get with your budget. If you find something that interests you than you can come back with additional questions.

Just for fun I went to Travelocity and put in 5 nights Mon to Sat in July departing from BWI for the Riviera Maya (Cancun) and found the Valentin Imperial Maya and the Royal Playa del Carmen under $2,400.

You might like The El Dorado Royal or the Adventure Spa Palace at $2,500 or Secrets Maroma for $2,600.

I need to move. From my departure airport I don't get those kinda of prices for those hotels. I usually pay about $300 - $400 more.

I you depart on a Mon, Tues or Wed. You'll find better prices than leaving on a Fri, Sat or Sun.

Thanks for everyones feedback. I was looking to do a 5 day, 4 night and I was looking on cheapcaribbean.com and i found alot of places 1300 pp and under including airfare. So I was just wondering what places people though would be a good place to go.. The Jet skiing would be something to do on our own. I dont really want to do a tour, just something in the area that might be offered.
I see most of you all have suggested mexico. It does not have to be a 5 star but at least a 4 star. I am not super picky and I will go up to like 3000 for a couple.. I stayed at the dreams in DR, punta canta and was upgraded and this was in june and did not pay more than 2500 for a couple and I liked it there at the dreams so something along those lines..

KVR thank you for all the hotels you suggested thus far. I have checked them out and I am loving them all.. I is hard to choose. I am liking cancun and playa del carmen..

Consider ClubMed in Turks and Caicos - the rooms are standard, but there are lots of activities (adults only), and the beach is the best you'll ever see anywhere in the world!

Valturks, I have to so disagree with that suggestion. Club Med in T & C is no where near a 4 or 5 star luxury AI resort. Yes, Provo is gorgeous and a great place for a vacation, but not for someone that is looking for a nice adult's only AI vacation. We love AI vacations and have done 14 over the Caribbean and Mexico. When we went to Provo there was no way I would stay at Club Med or recommend to anyone unless the new what they were getting into and what type of atmosphere and accomendations they were looking for.

I have narrowed it down to the Secrets Maroma in playa del carmen and Sun Palace in cancun.. thanks for you all's help.. I just have to decide between the 2 now.

Great. So my recommendation of those two would be Secrets Maroma. Much better beach. The Playa del Carmen area has more things to see and do off property. Make sure to go to 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen at least once.

Here's the excursion we took at Maroma Beach. It's not jet skis, but little boats that you drive yourself. Much safer in my opinion.

http://www.bestday.com/Tours/Jungle_Tour/

I noticed this tour said Canucn. We did one like it at Aqua World in Cancun, but also did one at Maroma Beach. It was along time ago, so may it's not be there anymore.


Sun Palace is the first hotel after you leave the Cancun airport and the ocean area can be rough. If you really want Cancun, go with the Royal Cancun. It is much nicer hotel, but really no great beach there. It's all about the pool. The hotels at the top of "7", have the better beaches, but I don't think any are adults only. The Excellence Riveria Cancun is between Cancun and the Rivera Maya. It's out in the middle of nowhere, about a 30 minute drive outside of Cancun, but will have a better beach.