All-Inclusive Vaction Questions

[MCFADDEN5]

Thinking of going to an island, never been before. Checked out Travelocity, Self- off- vacations, ect. Whats the best place? Looks like $1200ish for 3-4 knights. How do you choose from the millions of resorts? Would like ocean resort, all-inclusive, Could fly out of Toronto or Buffalo. Please help a little overwhelmed!!

 

[Joann]

That seems like alot for so few nights.. I have found 4 stars to jamaica mexico and Dominican for 900 to 1100 for 7 nights all incl. try itravel, look under deals last minute deals ect trips come up for a few days to a month usually. Also the sun has a travel section Wed. and Sun. any price u see in there an agent can get it .. you dont have to book with them sae with inter net pricing ... only thing is online deals go fast
P.s Also never pay book price at an agent they can usually find it cheaper for you ask them to look!

 

[minnie56]

I would say Mayan Riviera or even Cuba over Punta Cana and Jamaica. Cabo is nice...but cool this time of year. Not sure when you are thinking?
You could do a very nice Resort for $1400 'ish pp/ 7 nights..have seen that for late Feb into April-away from March Break of course.

 

[MCFADDEN5]

I should have said that price was for 2 of us, DH & DW sorry. we were thinking first weekend in March

 

[Sillyminny40]

We have done a lot of AIs.
You should be able to find a 4-5 star for $900 to $1500 for a week right now. That includes air fare.

A good TA will get you a better price if they are worth their salt!
Yes, do not pay the asking price. Better prices if you ask.
Flying out of TO you should have the best choice! GL! Let us know how it goes!

 

[minnie56]

We have done a lot of AIs.
You should be able to find a 4-5 star for $900 to $1500 for a week right now. That includes air fare.

A good TA will get you a better price if they are worth their salt!
Yes, do not pay the asking price. Better prices if you ask.
Flying out of TO you should have the best choice! GL! Let us know how it goes!

Is that for 2? Because I am not seeing anything decent for $750PP!
The Wholesalers set the prices - they are the middle man between the TA and the Resort. There is very little margin to play with-very little-trust me.
The price 'is what it is'..and if you are very flexible on dates and destination, there are indeed good buys..but remember, all too often, you get what you pay for!

 

[bdoyledimou]

I have been to Cuba, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and Costa Rica on vacation and the only difference i could tell between them was the gate at the Toronto Airport.

BUT.. If you can find one free, a RIU resort can't be beat.

 

[candielips]

What type of AI are you looking for? We have stayed at everything from Sandals to a 4* in Cuba & I truly believe the vacation is what you make it.
This price you found for 4 nights, whereabouts is it? There are many great last minute deals to be had but right now the last minute prices are not that great. If you are not wanting to go away until March and you are not fussy about where you go, then I would wait and book closer to your travel date. But be forewarned that you need to be very flexible when booking last min. We have travelled quite extensively in the last 3 yrs, Cuba, Dominican, Jamaica, El Salvador, WDW, Mexico and have loved each place for different reasons.
Cuba had beautiful beaches but there is little shopping to do there if that is what you like.
Punta Cana also has nice beaches but there really is not much of a town to do anything in.
Mexico, Mayan Riviera was great & a little more americanized. You can rent a car & explore on your own.
Jamaica, awesome people, awesome food, okay beaches.
El Salvador, dark beaches due to volcanic activity but mountains there are beautiful.
Hope this helps.
Oh yeah the sites I use are itravel2000.com (I have never been able to find a site w/ lower prices), and redtag.ca.
Also before booking a resort go on to Tripadvisor.com and check out traveller reviews and traveller pics. But understand when reading these reviews that you can't please everybody & there will always be complaints.

 

[Sillyminny40]

TAs sometimes get specials (such as Terrific Tuesdays) where the "wholesaler" is trying to dump an abundance of rooms.
You should leave your name with a trusted TA and they call you and let you know of a on the spot special. You have to be able to book THAT day which is what some people can do. We can't but others can take advantage of it.

My SIL has twice done this and last year got Bahia Principe in Jamaica for under $1000 pp for 7 days including air from Winnipeg.

 

[zarvgirl]

It's been a couple of years since I've been to the Carribean.
But I would say.....the higher the stars the better. We would look for the best deal with the most stars.
We've been to Dominican and were always pleased, great beaches, nice pools, wonderful people.
Enjoy.
Good luck finding a deal.

 

[sam_macperry]

My Husband and I sent to Cozumel Island and really enjoyed our stay at the Occidental Grand Cozumel - at the time, we were able to get a package at 50% off.... had a great time and loved the island

 

[tgropp]

My rule of thumb is ...you get what you pay for. Some people are happy with a 3 star and some are happy with a 4 star. If good food, drinks and entertainment are very important to you, book a 4 1/2 or a 5 star hotel. The Mayan resorts usually have great restaurants and it does seem americanized but it is a great place to go to. Dominican and Cuba are cheaper in price but it seems the further south the island, the more expensive it is. St Lucia was my favorite island, followed by Barbados but they are now so expensive that I can not justify spending that kind of money. Whwn you see something that you might like, go to tripadvisor.com and you can read travellers reviews on almost any resort. That may help yuou make a decision

 

[Sillyminny40]

TGropp has a good point: you get what you pay for. But keep in mind that the star rating is not perfect. Tripadvisor is good but you have to wade through a lot of posts!

We stayed at a 3.5 * called Royal deCameron near Bucerias Mexico and I still think it was my fav over some 5*s. Why? The staff and the size made it easy to navigate and get to know folks.