Amanda_Howell

My husband and I are looking for an All-Inclusive or something close to that for our 10 year anniversary (late December-Early January). We'd like something romantic with a very nice beach, excellent food and some nice activities, like scuba diving, etc. We do not drink at all so I know the AI's aren't ideal since a lot of the cost goes into the drinks but we also just want to be able to sit back and relax and not worry about where to eat or what to do or where is safe, etc. If anyone could give us some recommendations that would be great. A co-worker recommended St. Lucia so I was looking at Sandals there but it seems like reviews are all over the place. I thought I would get real recommendations from people who have been to different places and know what it is like. I'm not sold on any particular area either, but it made me pick a category.

Thanks,
Amanda

RAC

Tons of places on the Riviera Maya in Mexico, with plenty to do off-shore and in land as well. Would consult trip-advisor--so many options to choose from.

If you want something more intimate or "away from it all":

For Costa Rica, maybe Ylang Ylang Beach resort (loved it, wished we had honeymooned there)

http://www.ylangylangbeachresort.com/

or

The Iguana Lodge in Puerto Jimenez (going there in February)

http://www.iguanalodge.com/

costaricalover

I second Ylang Ylang!!! Most romantic place on this
planet. Got married there on the beach in 2009.

volcanogirl

I'd go to Victoria House in Belize. Really gorgeous property. If you like SCUBA diving, the reef there is incredible. We snorkeled at Hol Chan, and it's the best snorkeling we've ever done - sea turtles, rays, nurse sharks, and colorful tropical fish. It's not an AI, but they have a nice romantic restaurant on the property, as well as a bar that serves good casual food. Beautiful white sand and gorgeous water. We had the beach all to ourselves when we were there.

http://www.victoria-house.com/welcom...ictoria-house/

Amanda_Howell

Ocean swimming would be nice too...a lot of the pictures I see are pretty but you see a pier or boats nearby so swimming doesn't seem like it will be an option. Any thoughts on that would also be useful.

Amanda_Howell

Oh, and I meant snorkeling, not scuba diving

volcanogirl

A lot of Belize has sea grass in the water, so swimming right off shore isn't great. Have you looked into Manuel Antonio Costa Rica yet? It's beautiful and has lots of easy access to wildlife. AIs aren't common there though, and the snorkeling in CR doesn't come close to what's available in Belize.

zootsi

If you want snorkeling, consider Akumal in Mexico. The water here is calm, and you can snorkel from the beach. Akumal is very laid back, with a handful of good restaurants, a few beachfront hotels, and lots of rental condos. There are Mayan ruins, cenotes and caves nearby to explore. The locogringo.com site has lots of info.