Hi my husband & I are planning to take a 1 wk vacation with my 1 year old son.
Looking for a
-relaxing yet not boring vacation
-very nice resort with activities for my son.
-Also would like spacious accomodations.
Looking to spend approx $1,000-1,200 dollars pp all inclusive.
We have read about the Belizean Shores -Belize & in the Riu Bachata in Puerto Plata Dominican Republic. Which destination is better? Any other ideas welcome as well. Thanks!

If I'm thinking of the right place, Belizean Shores on Ambergris Caye, it isn't an all-inclusive resort. Or maybe you weren't talking about the resort being all-inclusive?

Anyway, the pool at Belizean Shores is beautiful. I've never stayed there, it was built by the same people who built the condo that I own in Belize. So, I'm guessing the units are very nice. I've heard mixed reviews about the on site restaurant. The resort is about three miles north of town. If you want to go to town, you'll either need to take a water taxi or rent a golf cart. In the rainy season, the 'road' north can be pretty awful. Your golf cart may get stuck.

I suspect your one year old won't care where you take him. Soft sand, warm ocean water (lots of sunscreen)and he'll be happy.

I'd seriously think about staying closer to town unless you plan on doing your own cooking. The Palms have very nice condos and are right next door to the beautiful beach at Ramon's. A bit further south Banyan Bay has awesome two bedroom condos and a very nice beach. Also a decent restaurant. Also look at Xanadu and maybe Banana Beach. Some of these are a couple miles south of town. However, since you're south of the 'cut', the roads are better and there are cheap 'regular' taxis (as opposed to water taxis).

The people of Belize are friendly and English speaking. Lots and lots of kids, your family will be warmly received.

I know nothing about the Dominican Republic. I suspect your vacation there would be more of a stay on the resort and lie on the beach.

Depends on what kind of trip you're looking for.

JeanH, the beaches on Ambergris Caye don't have a lot of sea grass like the mainland? I've been to the mainland and wasn't impressed. For some reason I thought the beaches on Ambergris were the same.

Yea, most of the beaches on Ambergris have sea grass. Ramon's and Banyan Bay have cleared some of it away. So, at those places there's good walk in swimming.

The only beach I've been to on mainland Belize is the village of Placencia. The beaches are wider there than on Ambergris, but the sand is coarser and not nearly as white.

Neither place can hold a candle to the Yucatan in Mexico when it comes to beaches.

THanks Jean very helpful. so it looks like we're going to Belize couldn't find an all inclusive with a suite and I definitely need one since I have our son. we can get the Belizean shores for 970pp flight & accomodations included or I looked into the banyan bay and can't find a package deal so it would be much more expensive like 1367. per person. Do you think the banyan bay is worth the exrta money? We're kind of tight right now but I'll pay it if it's a better place for my son and the accomodations are much better. THanks for your advice.

Keeping in mind that I haven't stayed at either Banyan Bay or Belizean Shores, I'd say that BB probably isn't worth the extra money.

The biggest reason I wouldn't want to be at Belizean Shores is the hassle of getting back and forth to town. If you're going to be happy either cooking or having just a couple choices of different restaurants in easy walking distance, you'll be happy at Belizean Shores.

If you want to be closer to town, look at the Palms. I have stayed there and the condos are lovely. Downside is that I think only the bedrooms are air conditioned. But, there are almost always wonderful sea breezes and the verandas are huge. This isn't really a resort, but so close to town, that not having an onsite restaurant isn't an issue. And the beach next door is beautiful and very toddler friendly.

When are you planning to take this trip?

Xanadu is very nice too, but, no on site restaurant.