First Vacation!
 

My boyfriend and I will be planning our first big vacation together for our 4 year anniversary! I would greatly appreciate any information and tips. We live in the US and we are in our early 20s. We like to have lots of fun, but still have time to relax and enjoy the beach!

We are planning on going sometime in June 2016. I am looking for recommendations for resorts in places like Punta Cana and Cabo. Also, it has to be an all inclusive resort.

Could someone also explain to me how surcharges work? I would like to stay away from huge charges.

Here are some things I would like the resort to have:
-multiple restaurants
-swim-up pool bar
-nightlife
-variety of alcohol
-adults-only
-excursions (like snorkeling or beginners scuba diving)

It would help if you gave us your budget. There is quite a price range between resorts.

I don't want to go over 1,200$ per person. I do understand excursions can cost extra though and I really do want to try out snorkeling.

Including air? If yes, your options are limited to Mexico and Dominican Republic. DR snorkel is not really good, so that leaves you Mexico

Or you can also try Roatan

But adults only is harder to come by, and really limits your options even more

Mexico has what you're looking for, try Tulum or Playa del Carmen

The Riviera Maya area of Mexico would be your best bet, but if that includes air it's going to be tough to find an adults only all inclusive for that price. How long are you planning on going?
For adults only all inclusive check out the Valentine Imperial Maya, Excellence Playa Mujeres,and Royal Playa del Carmen. Not sure if they will fit into that budget for a week though.

Riviera Maya has what you are looking for. You may have to up your budget by $200-300 per person, but you should be able find adult only resorts with flights in this area.

Hi
Based on your budget, here is a recommendation
Isla Mujeres, Mexico!!!!
Direct flights from Charlotte and other gateway cities. My wife and I and her sister just returned from a five night stay there. The cost for all three of us was $2700 for air fare and room, from Richmond, VA, through Charlotte to Cancun. The room was actually a suite at Ixchel Beach Hotel, right in the middle of Playa Norte!! I am sure you can find cheaper rooms Then you take a taxi to the ferry dock (Round trip about $50 for both of you, ferry to Isla Mujeres..take the YELLOW ferry, fare around $16 round trip each. The island is seven miles long and a little over a mile wide at the widest point on Playa Norte. The island is beautiful, super sandy beaches on the side facing Cancun. English is widely spoken. There are MANY bars and restaurants all over the island, it is safe and very friendly. Most of the activity in in the northwest part of the island. You don't need an all inclusive resort on Isla! Prices in restaurants for food and adult beverages are cheap compared to Cancun and the USA. We have been there twice, and will go tack. You will fall in love with the island. And...rent a golf cart for a few daya, about $50 per day to explore. BTW, since 1991, my wife and I have been to the Caribbean at least 50 times, to various islands and Isla is one of our favorites!

I agree that with your budget you need to look at Mexico, instead of a Caribbean island. The experience will be similar but the price will be a lot lower.

How long will you be going for? $1200 in June is doable for 5-7 days at an AI in Mexico but you will likely be at a 3 or 3.5 star resort and it might be difficult to find an adults only one with that budget. Where will you be flying from? If you are on the west coast, you might want to look at Puerto Vallarta and Cabo. East coast, the Mayan Riviera will be more convenient.

Thank you everyone for all their formation! It doesn't have to be adult only. I just do not want a place catered to children.

Look at the resorts in "Nuevo Vallarta"... it's a stretch of coastline to the north of Puerto Vallarta (you would fly into PVR) that has the type of properties you are seeking.