Hello,
My family and a few other families are planning a big Thanksgiving vacation at an all inclusive resort. We have been looking at the Dominican and narrowed it down to The Royalton at Punta Cana. But we have people with all different needs from people with kids, people with out kids, wanting some where to relax on the white sand beaches, people wanting good food, wanting fun kids clubs, golf close by, unlimited alcoholic drinks and mini bars in room and wanting to take excursions that aren't too expensive. Also some in our group are on a tighter budget then others so I have been trying to narrow down options that will meet almost everyone's needs. So that is why I narrowed it down to The Royalton and the Memories Splash which is the cheaper of the two resorts but they are right next two each other and you get use of both for the most part and there is a bunch of water slides for the kids. Recently though while reading reviews about the Dominican it has been making me re think going to Mexico. I am very nervous about the complaints about the food and people getting sick from it and all the complaints about being harassed on the beach by the locals trying to sell stuff and people saying that they didn't feel really safe. So I am wanting peoples honest opinion on if you were us would you go to Mexico or the Dominican Republic???

Mexico, Mexico, Mexico!!!

Did I say MEXICO?

I've been to the DR 2x and Mexico 27/x and don't know anything about the budget all-inclusives either place. So my comment is more generally speaking to how I have felt about visiting the two countries.

Keep in mind bad food (dare I say poisoning?) is the bane of AI in most countries especially in the tropics.
Having been to both countries I love Mexico I sort of liked the DR but not enough to go back.
If The Caribbean is you choice I'd chose Grand Cayman, The US Virgins or my number one choice St Martin.

For the Caribbean, Jamaica is my pick. But it's a little rough around the edges, not really what I'd recommend for this situation.

Mexico offers more in the way of things to do off the resorts. We have been to both DR and Mexico and prefer Mexico for food, activities, and the people.

I haven't been to the Dominican Republic. I've looked into going there, but it just seemed to me like the resorts are sort of isolated, that there isn't much of a town life near them and that you wouldn't get much of a feel for the culture. Of course, I could be totally wrong. From what you're saying, it sounds like Puerto Vallarta would be a good option (good bang for the hotel buck, plenty of options for lodging, excellent restaurants and extremely child friendly). Cancun/Playa Del Carmen/Riviera Maya would also be good options.

<the resorts are sort of isolated, that there isn't much of a town life near them and that you wouldn't get much of a feel for the culture>

That definitely describes Punta Cana, where most people seem to go to the AI-resorts and not leave the property.

I've been to both Puerto Plata and Sosua in the DR and they offer a more diverse experience. Also the capitol city of Santo Domingo.

That's good to know. Maybe I will try Puerto Plata or Sosua in the future.

Mexico almost always offers significantly better value than the DR. Standards are higher, there's much less of a chance for water borne illness, and the food is generally much better outside the resorts. Service is better, and more staff speak Enligh. Prices are usually comparable. And the beaches (in places) are more beautiful. There are many more interesting excursions in Mexico than in Punta Cana, which is far from everything. If you go to the Riviera Maya, you'll be within reach of many different destinations, and there's (in my opinion) a much wider range of interesting things to see an do). Diving and snorkeling are better in Mexico, but golf may not be.

You always run a risk on the low end of awful food and watery drinks regardless of the country.

Look at Grand Pallidium on Riveria Mayan. Its basically four resorts in one, so people can choosewhich section suits thir budget and requiremesnts best, but you all share same pools restauants etc, plus we loved their no reservstions and unlimited ala cart restaurants.

We have been to three diffrent AIs in area , and liked them all, but this one was our older kids( 17-24) favorite for having most activites, and as i said we loved the restaurants and unlimited ala cartes. Rooms were nice, not over the top but perfectly nice. Beach is good and long, and the beach snack bar was great.

Anyways take a look, we stayed in the Kantenah section.

Thank you all so much for the assistance!! I think we are going to end up in Mexico!! I really appreciate your help!

Excellent, but Mexico's one HUGE country! Do post again if you want help with ideas on where to go.