planning a trip with four 16 year old lively girls...where do you suggest we go... do not want atlantis... was thinking either caribbean or mexico?? all inclusive or not?

They will love loews south beach, playa del carmen mexico rui all inclusive, cabo, cruise? I agree with atlantis it nice but im not crazy about the bahamas.

you might look at the occidental grand flamenco xcaret (south of cancun) it is right next to xcaret marine park which is lots of entertainment: http://www.xcaret.com/
in the area are ruins to see (they will learn stuff), very fun shopping in playa del carmen, zip-line, atv jungle tours, good snorkeling, horseback riding and did i mention shopping in playa. <this is not label shopping but tons of small cool shops plus quite a few jewelers with a lot of silver.
assuming you are not the mother of quads - you will need documentation from both parents for each girl stating that you may take them out of the US & you should ask for copies of any script meds.

Majestic Colonial,Punta Cana
We took two 16 year old girls there last summer for two weeks.They had blast,as they have an amazing animation team .

Punta cana is beautiful too!