Hi

Ill start with some details about our trip and hopefully we can get some input on where to go or how to start narrowing things down. Me and my girlfriend are looking to take advantage of the decreased prices for south vacations at the end of april. We've spent hours looking at pre-packaged vacations on the typical sites, looking up the resorts and the reviews about them but just cant seem to really make a decision because there are SO MANY options.

Flying From: Toronto/Detroit
Flying To: thats what we need help with
When: April 21st or 22nd
Ages: 20yrs old, students
Budget: $1200-1500/person -- ~$3000 total
What we want: All-inclusive resort, beachfront. On-site snorkeling would be a huge plus too, would like to see some coral and fish, nothing too insane though
Length: 5-7 days

The problem is we don't really care what country we go to. We want to avoid Mexico but other than that the options are wide open. I've done the fairly typical Mexico, Dominican R., Jamaica trips before and had a blast but somewhere different would be really cool, even to central america etc.

I guess my question is, if anybody has any great places to check out, any tips on how to narrow down our search, any places to avoid during late April etc that would be really appreciated, never planned/booked a vacation on our own before so we dont know where to start

Thanks a lot!

If you told us the places you have seen packages you liked for, it would be easier for people to comment on those. The question as asked is kind of HUGE.

I'm not sure why you want to avoid Mexico, because the Mayan Riviera offers exactly what you are seeking, and is cheaper than most any of the Caribbean islands will be (except maybe places like an AI in Punta Cana, DR).

You've already gone to the islands that offer budget AI vacations. Other islands aren't generally known for AI or are more expensive so won't qualify for your questions.

Mexico is huge and has many areas. Not knowing where in Mexico you've gone, there are areas that would fit the bill. For example, Cozumel or Akumal.

You could try Belize or Roatan Honduras.

At your budget, wanting AI your pickings are slim. Add snorkeling and the pickings are even less.

I understand where you are coming from because we love AI vacations and have been to Mexico and Jamaica numerous times and want to mix it up also.

I have done a few AI vacations in the Carribean for $3,000 total for air and hotel for 2 people. They are few and far between.

From my experience:

The Wyndham Sugar Bay on St. Thomas. Also look at the Marriotts and Bolongo Bay.

Holiday Inn in Aruba.

Check out the Marriotts. They have AI plan hotels on Grand Cayman, Aruba, St. Thomas, St. Kitts and Curacao

Be advised, that AI in the Carribean are nothing like what you will find in Mexico, Jamaica and DR. Most are not true AI resorts, they are hotels that offer AI plans. Flights to the Carribean are also much higher.

We are currently planning a vacation to Barbados and wanting to go AI. Most hotels are almost 3 times more expensive than what I can get in Mexico, and difinatly not as nice or lux. Also, their meal options are limited. The only similarity is food and drinks are included.

If you can wait until the 2nd or 3rd week of May, prices usually drop. I'm not sure, but some hotels may have an age limit to check in. You might want to check that also.

hi everyone, thanks for the replies

what we have been doing is looking through travelocity, hotwire and all those sites and the "pre-packaged" vacations that are AI and there are still a ton to chose from.

What I like to see is a resort, all inclusive obviously, that isnt MASSIVE (some hold thousands of people, we'd like something a little quieter but nothing like 100 rooms quiet, still a large resort). A few restaurants, a few bars and some activities to do at night (shows, clubs) and a few on-site sports. Really enjoyed playing some tennis, beach volleyball etc in the past. Another big plus would be some on site snorkeling. During a cruise we did a snorkel outing and even though we didnt see much it was still the experience of a lifetime.

Anyway, the only reasons we want to stay away from mexico is that A) Its obviously not in the greatest shape these days, some people may question the safety of going there whether or not this has its merits Im not sure, and B) We've been to mexico before but only cancun and peurto vallarta. Mexico isn't out of the cards or anything, but we just figured we would take a look at some other places.

You will find everything your are looking for at the price you have stated in Playa del Carmen/Riviera Maya area of MX.

Don't beleive the news media scare tatics and the hype. We've been going to that area for the past 10 years and wouldn't hesitiate to go back. Most of the "reported issues" are on the West side of Mexico. ie; California area. Not the Carirbean side of Mexico; Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and Rivieria Maya. Cruise ships haven't pulled out of those areas.