we plan on the first week of june. we usually like to bop around and check out local restaurants/bars while on vacation but I feel if we're paying for ai then doing that would be pointless or waste of the ai money. Do you agree with that? I just thought that ai would be a more cost saving way to go if we could get a good deal. I've heard food is expensive on islands due to the fact that they have to import it all, and of course drinks are always expensive. Do you feel 5 nights is enough time to go to an island-I see 3 nights and feel that's a waste?

<<Shes not keen on mexico mostly because of feeling safe over there.>>

That's unfortunate, because it's not true. There are no issues of tourist safety in the resorts of Mexico (like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, etc.).

I personally feel much safer in those parts of Mexico than I did in the Dominican Republic or Jamaica.

For me, I don't go anywhere unless I have at least a week (7 days). Since the biggest expense is the plane ticket, I try to get my money's worth by staying 10-14 days.

"I personally feel much safer in those parts of Mexico than I did in the Dominican Republic or Jamaica."

I totally agree with that to the point we will probably not return to Jamaica.

We tend to go 5 - 6 nights and stay at low to mid price AI resorts so we can get the best of both worlds without feeling like we are wasting on money on AI. When venturing to local establishments, I include that as part of our activity budget and not our accomendation budget.

Food and drinks are expensive, and though many people have disagreed with me and those people are the ones NOT spending their vacation time in AI resorts, I always found AI vacations to be much cheaper than non AI vacations. We have done plenty of both. Eating AI breakfast, snacks and drinks at the resorts and then paying for a few lunches and dinners and then going to a local bar outside of the resort was still cheaper than eating out all of the meals and drinking and paying for transportation to and from if not within walking distance of your hotel. If you chose to take a few tours or do activities outside your hotel, most include some kind of lunch/snack and drinks.

If you are interested, I have a pic site with all of our vacations posted. If might help you make a decision.

https://kvrlvnphotogallery.shutterfly.com/pictures/5

Click "all" to just scroll through without having to click multiple pages.

Again on your budget I would choose Playa del Carmen in Mexico there are many great resorts in your budget for one week even less then $1500 per person during the first week in June. Prices are dropping dramatically during that time frame.

As I said before go to applevacations.com and a list will come up. I would choose mexico over DR but that is up to you and your choice. I do feel the 2 places will end up being your choice. if you want the Caribbean then Punta Cana will have to do. Personally I would choose Mexico.

"So in the riviera maya section you wont be around those areas? Not even en route from and to the airport?"


Not going to the Riviera Maya because you are worried about drug cartels is like not going to Miami because of crime in Boston. With the budget you have, I don't think you have much choice here. Plenty of very nice choices for $1500 each, and you should be able to get an entire week for that. I would look at the resorts south of Playa Del Carmen, (closer to Akumal). Playa Del Carmen was too busy for us.

Forgot to add: We stayed at the Grand Palladium which is a top rated AI resort, and stayed 8 nights in the royal section (no kids) in a beautiful jacuzzi suite, for $1400 each which covered everything. I'd give the food here a solid "B". Besides the buffet, you have 14 restaurant choices as well.

Agree with Bassguy66 with $1500 per person for one week you would do well at these areas. I actually saw some for $1K a week, per person and you would have plenty left over($$) for tours and some exploring which is available in the area. I believe it your best option.

Ok I will definately be checking out mexico now on most of your suggestions. Any suggestions on where I can get a good deal or is it a crap shoot? Apple vacations was mentioned already and I've heard negative things about cheapcarribean.com. I would assume to just shop around.

When I go to Mexico (Puerto Vallarta most often) I just book it myself... airfare and inexpensive local hotel. I've never tried a packaged deal.

I usually check Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia and book whoever is cheaper. You can also check retailmenot.com for sales and promos codes. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Orbtiz usually does offers for $75 to $100 off, so that helps with airport transfers. Sometimes though they will say they their current deal is better than their promo code and won't allow the code.

I can't use Cheap Caribbean because they don't offer my departure airport. I have looked at Book it, Apple and Funjet and they are always more than the others. If you can fly Southwest, Jet Blue or Spirit, you will get better deals. Unfortunately, I can only use AA or United and I have been screwed so many times with AA I refuse to ever set foot on another one of their plans, so I am stuck with United and they are always higher than AA. I'm hoping someday I can use SW. Right now they are only flying out of Austin to selected destinations and Austin is too far from me.

If you can leave on a weekday like a Tues or Wed it's usually cheaper. Bottom line, yes it's a crap shoot with air. When you find a price and schedule you can live with book. It's changes everyday.

Cheap Caribbean will match any price you can find. I have used them one time to book the Grand Palladium, and had great service. I looked at every travel site I could find, and they were the cheapest.

Thanks everyone for your help.