drock5

We've never done an ai vaca but are looking into it as it may be more affordable-in fact we've never been to the carribean. It will be in early june departing from newark. We usually enjoy bopping around the local restaurants and area when we go away so an all inclusive will be different. We are both foodies so crappy buffets would ruin the trip immensely, we are looking for good food. I would imagine relaxing on a nice beach with clear water, a good bar or three, and also an amazing pool would be wanted. Not too into big time water sports but jet ski's and kayaks would be fun. Maybe somewhere with a little hiking and scenic views along the way would be nice too. As far as pricing goes we'd like to keep it around $1500 or less. I've read some people go for more middle of the road (cheaper I assume) so that way if the food stinks they didnt waste ai money on it and can still venture out to local retaurants. We've decided that mexico doesn't really interest us. Are there any places like this, and thanks for any help and advice in advance.

drock5

Sorry also I see packages go from 3 nights to 7. I would say 3 is not enough we were thinking of 4 or 5 nights. 4 seems kind of short too though but as I said we've never done an ai so maybe 4 nights in the same "compound" would be suffice???

blamona

$1500 for both including air? Not realistic. Maybe $1500 for each. Even then you're going to get bottom of the line.

AIs are mostly buffets. AIs save ywou money in mostly drinks, and because they serve the "masses". To serve the mazes, it means mostly buffets. Even the sit down dinners are just okay.


If you're foodies, not going to happen, unless you're willing to multiply budget by 4-5 for good food.

Also what time of year? Can make a huge difference in budget. Peak seson are double and triple that.

And this is just general, but hilly islands witan hiking don't have the cleared water and beaches are in coves/the flat islands have the clear nicer beaches. Very few hilly islands have AIs anyway.

For as little time as you're going also leaves out many choices. As time will knock out a day or 2 of trip if going South.

Thailand might of fit, but way to far for a couple of nights.

Mexico actually comes close to what you want, maybe the only spdestimation that does.

blamona

Didn't let me correct, sorry, Mexico only destination that comes close.

Being a foodie, AI is not going to work for you, especially at your budget. Some are good, most just okay, and all are buffet based, unless you increase budget by a lot.

RoamsAround

As usual blamona is spot-on with her comments. Your budget of $1,500 isn't going to get you the great food you desire. At that price you are looking at the bottom rungs of the All Inclusive ladder.

If that's your budget look for "package deals" on airline and travel websites to make your "travel dollar" go further.

Too bad you ruled out Mexico - that's one of the least expensive destinations in the Caribbean - lots of moderately priced AI's. if interested look at AI resorts in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Cozumel.

Also, you'll find a heavy concentration of moderately priced AI's in the Dominican Republic, some of which may be in your price range.

Again, look at package deals for resorts in those places on airline or travel websites - it's your best bet for what you are willing to spend.

schmerl

Sadly, Mexico is the only area I can think of that even comes close to what you are looking for. The DR also has some less expensive resorts, but will not have the "off the compound" exploring you are looking for.
Your budget is totally unrealistic even for the lower priced resorts.
I do not agree that AI resorts are only buffets. Many of them have some very good ala carte dining, but they would be out of the budget you specified.

Odin

I think the comments about AI food are a bit unfair. I've stayed in several ranging from 5 star to 3 star in various parts of the world and have not yet experienced food that stinks. Exception is Cuba & Egypt where food in general is an issue & I wasn't there for the food. In Mexico for instance, the AI hotel had couple of restaurants with a la carte menus. It wasn't Michelin standard but it was very nice. The dishes were nicely presented. Same with the AI I have stayed in Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua. Even the small AIs I have stayed in Tobago, Grenada & Antigua which only had 1 restaurant were not buffet in the evenings. The only meal in Mexico that wasn't great was one in a hotel restaurant that was not AI.

But I do agree ruling out Mexico is not a good idea on such a small budget and if you do go too low pricewise in any country then you may end up with an AI that doesn't serve acceptable food.

Check out Jolly Beach in Antigua, this won't win any culinary awards but is quite decent with restaurant choices and is on a beautiful beach.

Bassguy66

"Being a foodie, AI is not going to work for you"

I could not agree more with blamona's statement. If $1500 is for both people, it's just not going to happen. Even if that's (per) person, you will get some decent AI resort choices (if you look in Mexico of DR).

If you are true foodies, the cheaper AIs are a mistake, and you will not be happy. I have been to a higher end AI in Mexico, and thought the food was decent, but nothing great.

suze

We need to clarify if the $1500 is per person or the entire budget for two people all expenses included. Big difference.

diann24

I agree huge difference and also the time of year can make a huge difference. It you go off season, which is coming up very soon, you can find some good deals. I know Barbados has some and if you could find an ai in Barbados I would take that over DR. DR will probably come the closest but I am hoping your $1500 is per person not total. Won't happen for that money. Also check applevacations.com for upcoming specials from your area. Some include air especially from Newark.

diann24

I just found on applevacations a property for 5 days for $853. from Newark a/I including air in DR. VIK Hotel Arena and Cayena. You can check that out it is for 5 days. Also Ocean Maya Maya Royal in Mexico for for $858.00.

schmerl

The OP said they were planning on going early June.
It would be nice if they would come back and tell us if that price is per person or not. It sure isn't going to happen if that budget is for two people including air.

KVR

I agree that the comments about AI food are unfair and not accurate. It's funny, that the people who make these comments are not the people that actually spend their vacations at AI's resorts. I found better food in many AI's resorts than I have with the local restaurants. A great example of this is Playa del Carmen, MX. We loved the food in the resorts we stayed in. The local restaurants on 5th Avenue, not so much. Truly hit or miss. We have stayed from 2* to supposably 5* AI resorts. You do get what you pay for. With the exception of Sandals. Stayed at 2 of their resorts and was not all that happy with their food especially their St. Lucia resorts.

It that $1,500 is per person, which = $3,000. You will find plenty of options to go with. If $1,500 is the total, then you will not find much outside of Mexico and the DR. In Mexico, I would get a resort close to 5th Avenue so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. In DR, it's not advisable to walk off a resort, so get the best your money can buy.

You will find more bang for your buck in Mexico, the DR and Jamaica. The AI resorts in the Caribbean, outside of those 3, will not offer that type of AI experience. AI is really an after thought and more like a "plan". They are also way more expensive and don't offer as much.

drock5

Sorry, I meant$1500 per person. I thought id get emails when youguys responded. So sorry on the delays. Shes not keen on mexico mostly because of feeling safe over there.

drock5

Hiking would be fun but we could definitely do without that. As far as the food goes we don't need 5 star food but it has to be good and not ruin the trip. Hope that helps clear somethings up and thank you all for your responses.

drock5

In reply to kvr I didn't know the dr was unsafe, I thought mexico was unsafe.

schmerl

Mexico is NOT unsafe. Of course, parts of any area are unsafe. They Riviera Maya area of Mexico is beautiful, has great beaches, ruins to explores, cenotes to snorkel, friendly people to enjoy. The areas of Mexico with problems are the border towns with drug cartels.

drock5

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

drock5

http://www.caribjournal.com/2013/10/...r-food-2013/3/
does anyone agree or disagree with these?

KVR

The tourist areas of Mexico is VERY safe. ie; Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morales, Tulum, Akumel, and the Riviera Maya just to name a few on the Caribbean side. On the West coast; Cabo San Lucas and Puerta Vallarta to also name a couple. We have been going to Mexico about once per year since 2000. We are booked again for next month. It's our most favorite destination because you can get really nice AI resorts at a really great price compared to other destinations and there is so many things to see and do off the resorts. I live 3 hours from the border town of Juarez, MX. I'm safer in tourist Mexico than I am in my on backyard. Don't listen to the news media hype without doing further research.

We have been to Jamaica twice and the DR once. The thing about Jamaica and the DR is that I would not call them "unsafe". You just need to be guided when off property. Do tours offered by the resort or use a reputable company. The locals in Jamaica are very aggressive and you need a guide to keep them at bay. Most of the resorts in the DR are AI complexes, where everything there is contained within. There are a few tours that can be done off property with a guide. It's a good place to just chill at an AI and let them cater to you.

We do love AI resorts and have been to many, but we don't like to be "confined" to a hotel and call it a vacation. In Mexico, it is so much eaiser to just walk off a resort and go shopping, visit sites, restaurants and bars than it is in those other destinations. In Playa del Carmen there is 5th Avenue. Blocks and blocks of pedestrian walkway with literally tons of restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment. There are also several boutique non-AI hotels and a few AI resorts within walking distance. I always recommend the Royal Playa del Carmen AI resort as you will get the best of both worlds.

We have gone AI in other Caribbean destinations also. $3,000 for air and hotel will not buy you much. We do pay more in airfare from our departure point than you probably will so that will help you. You will not get a Sandals for that price even in their lowest category room unless you find a steal somewhere. I don't like Sandals anyway and wouldn't even recommend. To keep costs down, look at Islands that are easier to get to keep airfare down as much as possible. Other thing about the Caribbean Islands is that not all destinations offer AI's and some of the ones that do shouldn't because it's not worth it.

If truly not interested in Mexico, Jamaica or the DR look at Antigua, St. Thomas, Aruba or Barbados and see if any of them will fit your budget. We got the Holiday Inn in Aruba AI for that budget, but the AI was so not worth it with regards to the food. Drinks, yes. We also stayed at the Wyndham Sugar Bay in St. Thomas for that budget. The food there was OK. When do you plan on going? Time of year makes a huge difference also.