NON Mexico AI?

[nunzia]

DH wants to go back to Mexico this year and stay at an AI resort. We did this a few years ago and stayed at an Iberostar in Playa del carmen and it was very nice. Now, with Mexico having so much trouble the others who go on this trip yearly are thinking of other places to go. I really hate to fly so puddle jumpers to these places would not work..I'd need a US carrier full size plane. So..any experience or suggestions for places that are AI outside of Mexico? And cost estimates?

 

[Anne34]

Jamaica & Dominican Republic are the two that come to mind for places with lots of AI. We have been to Jamaica & are going to DR this March. We've been to Mexico many times & I love it.

Do some research -- tripadvisor.com is a great site. You can also look up prices on Apple vacation, expedia, etc...to give you an idea of the costs.

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

We just got back from a nice AI in Jamaica. I second the advice to read through tripadvisor to find something that works for you.

 

[minniebeth]

We've not done it, but everyone we know raves about Beaches Turks & Caicos~

 

[Forevryoung]

Same question but we Turks and Caicos is out (too expensive) and Jamaica is a no go (we have heard horror stories).

We have 5 adults so "family friendly" isn't a requirement.

Where are you staying in the DR?

 

[bethy]

I always thought that was the whole genesis and point of AI resorts: to help tourists feel relaxed, insulated and safe within third world countries. I'd feel just as worried about my safety in the DR or Jamaica. Frankly, from what I can tell Mexico is one of the better off financially of the bunch and the people are a little less desperate. And therefore Mexico may be a bit safer IMO.

Another AI idea would be to go on a cruise . . .

 

[Darcy03231]

We stayed at an Iberostar resort in Punta Cana and had a great time!

 

[nunzia]

Good point about Mexico being maybe even a little more stable than other AI places...I live at the border and know that most of Mexico isn't as bad or even approaching problems like Juarez (85 miles from me). We did really enjoy Iberostar in Mexico and will probably still do Mexico unless the country totally explodes..although I'll be much more likely to stay onsite and not do excursions..I really don't like the DR idea either..I mean..Haiti is right there..and the last time my B & SIL went there they said the food was really sub par.. I'd love to do a cruise but B & SIL (who we will be going with) took one once and hated it . Soooo..looks like it may still be Mexico.. I thought about Jamacia, but I don't know..how long is the flight there and do they have regular US airliners? I am pretty geographically challenged,,where is the Turks place?

 

[taylor3297]

Antigua, Saint Lucia, Curacao, and Grand Cayman are some of my favorite places to go and I feel safe there. Oh I almost forgot Aruba.

 

[SondraC]

I always thought that was the whole genesis and point of AI resorts: to help tourists feel relaxed, insulated and safe within third world countries. I'd feel just as worried about my safety in the DR or Jamaica. Frankly, from what I can tell Mexico is one of the better off financially of the bunch and the people are a little less desperate. And therefore Mexico may be a bit safer IMO.

Another AI idea would be to go on a cruise . . .

For a lot of people one of the reasons they want an AI is the alcohol, so a cruise wouldn't help for that. Bar bills can really add up on a cruise.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I do not suggest Jamaica. We did Sandals there. The resort was nice but it was twice as expensive as Mexico and we were advised not to leave our hotel unless we were on a guided tour. Not safe...

 

[JennSaint]

Turks and Caicos Islands are south of the Bahamas. Grace Bay on Providenciales is one of Travel channels top beaches. We didn't do an all-inclusive there but I can vouch for it having the most beautiful water out of all of the places we have vacationed in the Caribbean/Mexico. Our most recent trip this past October was to Secrets Maroma Beach in Mexico. It was fantastic!!! Adults only all inclusive!! Best vacation ever!! In between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

 

[NotUrsula]

There are some AI's in Puerto Rico, too. The flight is a bit long, but that's US territory, so most Americans tend to feel a bit safer there than in a foreign territory. (I'm not sure that's all that true, but some people perceive it that way.)

Some cruise lines are AI, but they are the most expensive ones, and mostly tend a little more toward the older crowd, so not so many outdoor excursions.

 

[cvjw]

We've been to several AI in Mexico, and both Beaches AI in Jamaica. We felt totally safe in Jamaica at Beaches. We flew Air Jamaica, which had full sized American planes. We are doing Turks and Caicos Beaches in April, so I can't speak to that one yet. On one of our cruises, we did an excursion on Grand Caymen, and that was the most beautiful Carribean beach/water that I had ever seen. I would love very much to go back to Grand Caymen. I have not been to DR, but went on a cruise excursion to Haiti, and didn't feel unsafe in the least. As far as poverty, the poverty level in Mexico and Jamaica looked pretty much the same to me. All of the houses (and I am using that term very loosely), looked very similar to me. I forgot that we have also done AI in the Bahamas, and it was a nice vacation, and a very short plane ride.

 

[Anne34]

There are some AI's in Puerto Rico, too. The flight is a bit long, but that's US territory, so most Americans tend to feel a bit safer there than in a foreign territory. (I'm not sure that's all that true, but some people perceive it that way.)

Some cruise lines are AI, but they are the most expensive ones, and mostly tend a little more toward the older crowd, so not so many outdoor excursions.

No true all inclusives in Puerto Rico. There are a few hotels that let you add on dinner plans, but they don't include drinks, water activities, etc.


We didn't have a problem in Jamaica either. We hired a driver one day (family of 5)and he took us to Ocho Rios where we did the water falls & Mystic mountain (bob sled & chair lifts up the mountain) and then he took us through the countryside by his town & got us some sugar cane to try. A wonderful day which we will all remember!! We did a lot at the hotel too -- AI are popular for a reason!

We are trying Punta cana this year. Not worried about the island, but not sure are the water situation -- kindof like mexico 20 years ago! We'll have fun whereever we go!

 

[TnTWalter]

Playa del carmen is safe and affordable. The food is EXCELLENT. I have been 3 times and only 1x did an AI.

check out www.playa.info

I've also been to Aruba, Turks and CAicos, Grand Cayman that have been mentioned. They were very fun, non AI type places. GC is very expensive but very Americanized and feels 'safest'. Also, St Thomas is an US Virgin Island.

I'd also check out fodors.com

Hubby and I went to Playa in 2008 and had a blast. I just went with 2 girlfriends in May and had an awesome time and felt very safe. We rented a condo on the beach for $1k for the week total. I spent $1200 for a week for my airfare, condo share, food & drinks and excursion [we toured ruins and snorkeled cenotes].

Here are my trip reports....
http://www.tulum.info/showthread.php?2245-Tulum-and-Playa-trip-report

http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-forum/56316-girls-trip-5-15-5-22-a.html#post1592354

Good luck.