Needing help finding a resort in the Caribbean for teens
 

We are looking to travel to the Caribbean the last week of March 2017. We will be traveling with 4 teens ages 18, 17, 15 and 14. We just got back from the Dominican Republic and they all loved the excursions and the lively atmosphere at the pools. Our one daughter likes to meet other teens, so we don't want anything that will have us secluded. We would prefer a direct flight from Chicago. That gives us Dominican Republic, Aruba, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and Grand Cayman. The kids say no to Jamaica. In order of importance would be warm weather, lots for teens to do and lively pools. They will eat whatever. I have looked at the Atlantis, but I think we want to travel farther south for warm weather.

Thank you!

Are there really no direct flights from Chicago to the Cancun area? The Riviera Maya area of Mexico would be perfect for your family. Lots of activities and family resorts.

Yes, I agree. Mexico would be a much better option for what you want and a much better value. I'd choose a resort in the Riviera Maya, and there are plenty of wonderful AIs there to choose from. If you stay near Playa del Carmen, you won't have to stay in the resort full-time. You can easily take a relatively reasonably priced taxi into town (but the big resorts are all outside of town). If you stay in Cancun, there are some wonderful properties and access to cheap buses, plus plenty of excursions into the rest of the country.

You might like Xcaret for an alternative; the resort has a couple of on-site hotels. It's just outside of Cancun and attached to a Maya theme and water park that is not quite as elaborate as Atlantis but in a similar vein. But it's more of a hassle to come into the city, but there are plenty of excursions from there you can take.

After that, I'd choose Aruba. Grand Cayman is great but doesn't have any big resorts in the style of those in the DR. Your kids will find plenty of people to meet if you're going during Spring Break season.

Just be aware that most of the resorts in Aruba are NOT all-inclusive, and if that's what you are looking for, then Jamaica or Mexico are your only viable options.