Caribbean or Mexico
 

Hi I need some help. Planning a vacation in May with my 21 year old daughter and her boyfriend. I am looking for an all inclusive. Main priority is Fabulous beach(No
rocks, seaweed or debris in water) and white sand beach. I realize my price range is not at a 5 star hotel but i want clean and decent food with enteraintment at night. I am looking to spend between $3,000 and $3,500.00. Would prefer a smaller AI because i don't want to be on top of people at the beach. I do want to be accessible to activities(jet skis, para sailing,zip lining). Would prefer an adults only resort. Looked at Curaco but the beach area didn't look that great. Been to Aruba, Barbados, Antigua, St Thomas and loved them.But want to try something different. Looked at Riveria Maya but so much to pick from and nervouse about the drinking water. Went to Cancun and came home sick as a dog. Any help would be greatly apppreciated. Thank you.

Is this a budget for all three of you? If so, I think you have few options and really must consider Mexico, which typically offers the best values for the least money. And even then, I'm not sure this will work if you want two rooms.

Look at some of the hotels in Playa del Carmen and consider that AI may not be the best way to go on a limited budget. If you had a hotel that's close to but not on the beach and directly in Playa, you'd have access to the towns nice white-sand beaches, cheaper (and better) restaurants, and plenty of nightlife, though not of the musical review variety that you'd find at most of the AI resorts (and which is typically pretty bad). If this is your criteria, you'd find plenty of nice options. And even some of the small non-AI beach resorts right in Play and Tulum would be well within your price range, even setting aside a reasonable budget for food and drinks.

I would not recommend north of Playa del Carmen if you want a fab beach because it is rocky with unclear water. If you could drop the AI requirement, I would suggest Negril - 7 mile beach is beautiful with lots of accommodation and restaurant choices, some activities (not sure about ziplining). It would be fun for young people.

Grenada has a bit of everything, including a beautiful white sand beach at Grand Anse but might be beyond the budget. Having said that, the Rex Grenadian is a modest AI, nightlife was mostly self made, reviews are not bad, its not on Grand Anse but does have a small beautiful beach (I have stayed there and enjoyed it). Curacao actually has some stunning beaches, but might not be achievable on the budget, although AI is not required on this island.

There are only a few AI resorts in Curacao, and I wouldn't recommend any of them. We are AI lovers and been to 15+ AI resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. When we went to Curacao we did not go AI. And, your right, the beaches there are not that great.

You will get more bang for your buck in Mexico. If you want a nice beach look at the resorts around the Maroma Beach area. Also, look at the Royal Playa del Carmen. It's a 5 minute walk to 5th Avenue and adult's only. We really enjoyed the food there. More than anything we found on 5th Avenue. However, with the location you will have the best of both worlds to make your own determination.

We have been to Playa x 3 and I personally found the restaurants on 5th Avenue to be quite lacking. However, we found better tasting, less expensive food in Cozumel, but more things to see and do in Playa.

<Looked at Riveria Maya but so much to pick from and nervouse about the drinking water.>

All Mexican resorts provided bottled/purified water. When you got sick in Cancun was more likely from food, not water.

Adults only resorts tend to be more expensive. I doubt you'll find one with all your criteria within your budget.
The Catalonia Royal Tulum is a small adults only on a GORGEOUS beach that might be within your budget, but not much in the way of night life.

Thank you all for your responses. Very helpful, i will continue my search. Thank you again.