Not disney related, but need some advice

[ChisJo]

I am fortunate enough to be done my university semester in February instead of in April. I really want travel somewhere that is a resort including all meals, drinks, and a beautiful beach that overlooks a great big blue and beautiful ocean. I would love to do Disney again, but I need a relaxing holiday this time round.
I would also like somewhere that may have excursions (off property areas). It must also be safe for a single canadian female to be at.
What resorts/packages have you all experienced, and would you do it again?
Looking for something like Cuba, Mexico, etc. Not really sure what yet, just starting to look. I am craving a beach, a margarita, and a cabana boy

Any advice?
Jo

 

[Sandyincanada]

I LOVE all -inclusives!! You can't beat it for total relaxation. We've been to all-inclusives in Cuba, Punta Cana, DR and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. If you want the blue ocean you have to go Cuba, Mayan Riviera, Punta Cana and pretty much anywhere else in the Carribean. Food, drinks, activities will depend on the resort and rating of the resort. I enjoyed all our trips. All the resorts will offer excursions and I felt safe in all 3 places.

Cuba and DR are quite similar in scenery...gorgeous. Postcard perfect beaches. I thought the food was abit better in the DR although I ended up with a bacterial infection there. Cuba is amazing, the people are wonderful. There was more to do in Mexico so you see, they all have pros and cons but I loved them all and would go back.

Cuba, we stayed at Playa Pesquero; DR, Fiesta Palace and PV was the Melia. All great resorts.

Not sure if this was helpful so feel free to ask questions

 

[riu girl]

Jo,
My opinion:

From reading some of your posts, you seem like an adventurous person. I would recommend Mexico as a first choice. Now there are several resort areas in Mexico (I have visited 5 different areas) but if looking for a nice white sand beach I would recommend Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Cozumel. Cozumel (being an island) does not offer as many "off-property"excursions unless you are willing to ferry to the main land. About 45 minutes on the ferry (sometimes a little rough, sometimes not). The ferries have really improved in the last decade. They do offer a nice national park though to scuba dive or snorkel. Also, very limited mayan ruins. The only town, San Miguel, is very interesting to poke around in and I have found prices less here then the mainland. Offer the typical booze cruises and jeep trips etc etc if that is your sort of thing.

The Mayan Riviera offers top rate hotels, amazing food, incredible beaches, and tons of activities and excursions. The Mayan ruins that you take an all day excursion to (from here or Cancun) are unsurpassed IMO. This is by far my favourite area of Mexico. I am dying to get back (its been 2 years since my last visit there).


If looking for something more geared to nightlife and shopping consider Cancun. Cancun offers amazing beaches, nightlife and shopping. This resort spot can be a non-stop party (if you want it to be). The clubs are AMAZING.

Also, in Mexico, Acapulco and P. Vallarta. Great places but do not offer nice white sand beaches. P. Vallarta offers an atmosphere that cannot be described. Walking the malecon at night (boardwalk by the ocean downtown) MUST be experienced, but again the beaches are NOT great. I miss P. Vallarta (haven't been there in 12 MONTHS, I want to go back now). Sorry, off topic.

I do not recommend the D.R. Too many people come back with bacterial infections of one sort or another. The beaches of Punta Cana are very nice but for the same $$ you can get to Mexico.

Cuba is beautiful, and if you want a little attention from the locals, this is the spot. Plus the beaches are A+. The food is pretty basic though since they have difficulty importing a lot of variety. You will not find a ton of off property excursions as well but if you are staying for just a week you could probably find enough to do. Nightlife is limited too (except Veradero, a little more nightlife there). Considering your personal security, Cuba is probably your safest bet .

Overall, I recommend Mexico over the D.R. and Cuba. The quality of vacation you receive for your vacation dollars is the best IMO. I feel it is much safer then the D.R. I vacation to these three countries quite frequently please feel to ask me any specifics. I fell much more comfortable discussing Mexico and the Caribbean then WDW. lol.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Have you considered a DCL vacation?

 

[ChisJo]

Considered DCL, but because I will be travelling solo, the cost is double, since I have to pay for double occupancy. I really do like the tranquility of travelling solo. I get to meet so many people this way and seem to be less stressed. I am a real big push-over - I always cater to others wants before my own, so I have opted to travel solo so that I can enjoy and experience my own vacation, instead of someone elses (I have travelled with many, and have chosen to do my own before travelling with others again).
Anyways, thanks for all the advice. Riu Girl, thanks for the information on the Mayan Riviera...never would have thought of that. Sounds like something I would be completely interested in. Also, SandyinCanada, Cuba was a first pick also, so glad to hear your good review of that.
Thanks so far for the reviews. I am really hoping that I make the right choice.
Jo

 

[Lynda Silk]

Hi Jo!
I just went to Playa Del Carmen in August and we had a great time! We stayed at the RIU Playacar and it was wonderful! The beach was fabulous, white sand, turquoise water and lots of activities! This 5* resort is one of 4 RIU all-inclusive properties right beside each other, and you can use the facilities in 3 of the RIU resorts (the 4th one is the RIU Palace and it is the poshest of the 4 so you can not use their facilities). The pools are great and the food was delicious. It was very safe and I never worried about my personal safety. We went through Sunquest vacations and we were very impressed by the service. Rooms were very nice and very clean. The town of Playa Del Carmen is only 45 minutes from the Cancun airport and has lots of nice little stores to go to. There's a ferry to Cozumel if you want to go as well.

If you're interested in going to one of these RIU resorts, you might want to ask the TA which one would be best for a single person. Everyone was very friendly at the Playacar but it was the smallest of the 3; the RIU Tequila is more geared for younger singles I think. But the TA would know.

Congrats on nearing the end of school and have a great time wherever you go! We had a wonderful time at the RIU Playacar and want to go back soon!

 

[Sandyincanada]

These are my favorite boards for Cuba, DR and Mayan:

Cuba:

http://www.caribline.com/cgi-bin/agnes.cgi?CubaAgnes+CubaAgnesHTML

and

http://debbiesreviews.proboards26.com/

for the DR:

http://www.debbiesdominicantravel.com/

and the Mayan (want to go oneday, but the prices from MB are much higher compared to the other places offered)

http://playadelcarmeninfo.com/playa-forum/

http://mytravelboard4.com/playa/

Tons of excellent information on these boards. Have fun

 

[riu girl]

Yes, I am also a real fan of the RIU's. The RIU playacar is incredible. You should see the pool and hte swim up bar, amazing. I agree that the RIU Tequila is best suited for singles compared to the otehr RIU's in this area but overall, I feel it is couples oriented. I have only stayed at the Riu Tequila once but I would say it was 90% couples and the other 10% a mixture of singles and families. The service, food, and facilities is top-notch at this resort though. There is a new RIU in this area that is a little less expensive. It is off beach (about a 10 minute shuttle). It is called Riu Lupita.

There are two or three RIU's in Cancun. Being in Cancun, there may be more single people at these resorts. Maybe take a peak at the Sunquest winter brochure for info. on the Riu's. I think they offer the Riu's exclusively (from Toronto anyway). I'm not familiar with what tour operators fly out of Alberta.

Good luck

 

[talicskai]

I agree that some people get sick in the DR but we consistently have clients go to the RIU properties in Punta Cana and no one has ever gotten sick! The Riu Naiboa and Riu Taino are my two favourites but for single I would choose the Naiboa. There are 5 Riu's together (exchange privileges at 4 ~ not the Palace) and the nightclub is located at the Naiboa. You will be hooked on Riu's if you try just one!

Also, for Cuba ~ while the beaches are spectacular there is not a lot to do off property. Our office (TA) calls if a "fly and flop" destination. I would recommend a few really good novels and lots of sunscreen! The Superclub Breezes Jibacoa has no single supplement so that would be a huge savings to you....most of the hotels are going to charge you a large supplement because you are traveling solo. Just be prepared that it is not only cruise lines that do this. The room will be charged as if it is a double but you will only pay single airfare and transfer.

Good Luck in whatever you decide ~ it sounds well deserved!