I am planning a trip for my girlfreind and me. We are both in our late 20's. I am looking at a 4 night trip to the Caribbean, but I am having difficulty making a decision. I have looked at Punta Cana, Jamacia, etc. My budget is about $2000.00. We will be flying out of Charlotte, NC. The most important aspects of this trip are 1) beautiful beaches, 2) great food, 3) access to drinks/bars. Clubs/nightlife are not highly important.

Are all-inclusive resorts a better option?

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are both in our late 20's.

If you're limiting yourself to Punta Cana, then there are few other options than all-inclusive resorts If you want to go to Negril, Jamaica, then there are many other good, low-cost hotels where you can stay cheaply right on the beach; many bars and resaturants are close by.

If you care about great food, then an AI resort is probably not your best option. Most of the food (especially at the cheaper places) is mediocre to decent and emphasizes quanitity over quality. But it's all a matter of taste. If your idea of a great dinner is Applebee's, you will probably not be disappointed with food at an AI. If it's an upscale restaurant, then you probably will be.

If you are big drinkers, then you may find that you save money by staying at an all-inclusive, and since you are going for just 4 days, then you will probably spend most of your time lying on the beach and will not care whether or not you leave the resort.

Since you live in Charlotte, concentrate on places that USAirways flies to nonstop from there, and look for bargain-priced packages that include flights, hotel room, and transfers. See what's in your price range (you don't say when you're planning to travel) and let us know what your options are. We can help you narrow down the choices.

We've been to 13 AI resorts and feel the "best bang for your buck" is in Mexico. Even with the negative press they have recently received. Look at The Royal Playa del Carmen, The Royal Cancun, any of the Iberostars, Secrects and Excellance resorts. A lower catagory room will probably get you into any of those resorts and they tend to have the better food and liquor. Also they are adult/couples only, which is important to us.

If your are wanting something less expenive, try the RIU's, Barcelos or Occidentals.

With 4 nights you'll probably want a destination that won't take all day to get there and back.

Take the help of online destination guide search, compare the rate first & then go ahead

We are planning on traveling the last week in July. Leaving on the Wednesday the 29th and returning on Sunday, August 2nd. My idea of good food is definitely not applebbees. A travel agent recommended the Melia Caribe Tropical in Punta Canna, but I have read a few bad reviews on Trip Advisor.

Simonrodrix,

Is the online destination guide search you speak of on this site? I apologize for the ignorance.

There are many hotel and resort reviews on this site. Click on the "HOTELS" tab at the top of the page to find them and then go to the Dominican Republic section. (Or enter through the "DESTINATIONS" tab.)

I wouldn't necessarily rely on a few negative reviews on Trip Advisor to sway me one way or the other when choosing a hotel. You are always going to find someone who loves even the worst property and hates the best. Plus, many of the reviews are simply not true. Trust the responses of people you know and who have the same tastes and expectations as you.

Although the time is short, you may want to consider Puerto Rico, an easy, direct flight from CLT that should offer all you are seeking. Personally, I would avoid the A1's. (from a fellow Charlottean).

I too would recommend Mexico's Riviera Maya. I have stayed at Barcelo resort twice and it meets all of your requirements. I happen to like the AI's but that is my preference since I like the fact that once there you do not have to worry about $$$ except for tips. We have had some really good food and some not so good food, but that can happen outside of AI. The Barcelo has an absolutely unbelievable beach. That's just my 2 cents.