35th Anniversary Beach vacation
 

Very confused on where to go. Have heard pros and cons about Jamaica, and DR. Looking for a great aqua blue swimming beach and an all inclusive out of chicago. would like to only spend around $3,000 total. What is a good booking site? We have stayed at a Barcelo in Riveria Mya and would like something siliar (not a Barcelo like variety) but do like it when you can go to different resorts. I like tropical and a safe town would be fun to explore. We do like to snorkel as well. St. Johns and T&C seems to pricey althought would love to go there. Is Bumuda the aqua blue water??? Help Need to book., looking at March. Cold in Iowa If recommend DR, please give review on some of the 4 star all inclusive.

I think Bermuda will still be too cool in March.

Jamaica doesn't really have a town to explore like 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen. Negril is quite and relaxed and the shopping area in Ocho Rios I felt I needed a guard dog to keep the aggressive vendors away. No wonder the cruise ship passengers incessivly complain. Definately hire a driver or go on resort tours in those areas. We did really enjoy the Jewell Dunn's River resort and the sites that we toured except for the mall area and Dunn's River Falls.

You will not find AI's in T & C like in Mexico, Jamaica or the DR. If you liked the Barcelo in Mexico, look at the Barcelo in the DR. You might consider Cozumel.

I don't believe their are AI's in St. John, USVI.

Look at Aruba. Though AI is really not recommended there, it is very safe and has a really get area on Palm Beach for shopping and restaurants. The Occidential and RIU would be a good choice if you have to have AI. I could never book them from my departure airport anywhere near $3,000 though. More like $5,000 to $6,000, which is why we have not returned.

March is the height of Spring Break/Easter break. Prices will be at one of the highest and resorts will be filled with kids if you dohn't choose an adult or couples only.

For booking, I have used Traveocity, Expedia and Orbitz. Which ever has the better price for the same resort I'm interested in. Have used beachdestinations.com once with no problems. Cheapcarribean.com is good, but they don't use my departure airport. Bookit.com always has higher prices than the others and I hate the way their web-site is set up. Not very user friendly.

Bermuda will be probably be too cold in March (although my mom just went in December and went in the water), but has the nicest beaches out of all the islands you named. It’s also MUCH safer than most of the Caribbean islands and there is GREAT snorkeling. If it was up to me, I’d post pone the trip and go to Bermuda when it is a bit warmer.

Been to Bermuda lots and LOVE it however the spring is CHILLY ! Been there done that ! We love Mexico as well ! This year we are going to Puerto Plata the Riu Merengue. Been to Riu's in Cancun and in Playa del Carmen and love the resorts. So we decided to go to Dominican this year the price was right and never had a problem with the Riu's. good luck with what ever you decide. Vacation is not rocket science. Just pick a place and enjoy it.....

Go and google images - and go to tripadvisor.com

and look and learn about Sandals Whitehouse in JA

That was our Honeymoon splurge 2 years ago - I don't remember if $3000 included our airfare or not.

Beeeeutiful Place! We have stayed in Jamaica 5 times on middle class budget -- found a guide who has become a friend - takes us to "non touristy" places for good price : )

Sorry, forgot to say it's a pretty remote romantic place! Nobody hassles you to buy anything!