Caribbean All-Inclusive Advice (cost, hotel, hotels, vacations)

[mannyp02]

We are a couple in our mid to late 20s considering an all inclusive caribbean vacation resort in early summer 2015. We would like some place that is fairly calm and relaxing but still has some things to do, and would prefer some place that has several dining options. We're thinking about a 4-5 day stay and hoping to spend less than $1,500 per person. Any advice on where to stay and how to book (Sandals seems priced out of our range and only other site we've used is cheapcaribbean.com) would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[busydesk]

We stayed at an Almond Resort a few years ago and were very pleased with our choice. It was our first AI adventure.
I don't know if Sandals and Beaches are owned by the same company or not, but I think that they have properties in different areas.
Turks and Caicos is a wonderful place to visit, the Sandals there was rated as the best AI in the Caribbean for several years, and I can say that it is a pretty spectacular property.
You might look at the Trip Advisor forum list to see if there is a place for conversation about Caribbean travel- seems like I recall seeing that referenced somewhere.

[njkate]

Sandals is very pricey!!
I've always been pleased with what I booked through cheapcaribbean.
Where do you want to go? That budget would do well in Cancun, maybe Cabo as you want to go in summer and it's only 4-5 days.
Some of the islands are very pricey.

[mannyp02]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I agree, Sandals is very pricey and out of our range. Didn't know about Almond Resorts, I'll check them out. Using cheapcaribbean, I've narrowed our choices down to the Bahamas, Cancun, Dominican, Jamaica and Riviera Maya. Price ranges are pretty consistent amongst those so now I'm looking for more criteria to help decide which area to hit.

[prospectheightsresident]

Are you only interested in traveling in the summer? My friend and his family went stayed at Secrets Resort in Jamaica for 4 days last month for $1,200 per person. This was an all inclusive package, which included the flight, room and room service, etc. Granted, I think they got this deal because they had a very large contingent (something close to 15-20 people as it was a birthday celebration), but perhaps you could still find something reasonable during the colder months. Note, please disregard if you're fully intent on traveling in August (I would think that August would be a cheaper month for these kinds of trips), but if you only chose August out of price considerations, please do some deeper digging for other alternatives!

[cb at sea]

The Bahamas is NOT in the Caribbean...just so you know! It's in the Atlantic! Of course, in the summer it will be hot, but late fall to early spring can be cool...sort of like Florida weather.


For $3000, you could have a heck of a time in Vegas, depending on where you live!!!

[prospectheightsresident]

^^True, the Bahamas may not be technically in the Caribbean, but, for political and cultural purposes, the country is considered to be a Caribbean nation and is a full member of CARICOM. But, and my earlier post notwithstanding, I think you're on to something about other options. Did the OP consider other options where he'd get more bang for his buck? Heck, I'd look into some African or Asian vacations at that rate, but that's me

[busydesk]

manny, had you thought of Puerto Rico? I don't know about AI options there, but its pretty close and since you won't need a passport.
Another thing to consider is that depending on where you go you may not want an AI resort. AI's are great when there isn't much to do outside the resort proper, or if there are general safety concerns for venturing off property, but you can miss out on a lot when you feel compelled to stay on site because "everything is paid for". And honestly, sometimes its less expensive to go off site for meals.
Also, back to the AI thing, sometimes major hotel chains have an AI option for stays at their resorts. I know that was the case when we went to Hawaii- Marriott properties had an AI option that appealed to some folks, and it seems to me that I have heard of Hiltons also having that choice in some areas.
You might also check on some of the budget travel forums for ideas.....

[motordavid]

One point for OP to consider is that "4 or 5 day" vacay, as in 4 nights, is really a short getaway, to locations that can take a full day to get to...

OP may be initiating travel from 'not next door' to major airport, thus that trip to and from may be a serious 18 hr day before walking into one's room at a resort, or getting in the door back home. Add in a day to unwind upon arrival, couple days to lay around/do stuff, and it's time to pack and reload for the return, as many resorts want you out before noon.

That budget is on the low side also, in our experience.

Not saying that short of trip to 'the Caribbean' isn't doable or done regularly, but even in youth, one gets home late 4 or 5 nights later and says, 'I need a vacay'.

A longer stay, while another night or two of cost, may offer a real getaway vs an Amazing Race type vacay.
GL, mD

[Lodestar]

At low season you will get a good deal at the Barceló Maya, Barceló Colonial or Barceló Tropical in the Maya Riviera. And you may be able to add a couple of extra days at a lowered cost.

These are on the low end of the luxury hotels but still nice. They stand on the same ground as the more luxurious ones and sometimes you are able to use the facilities or dine at the higher end ones. If your are beach people the eighty degree ocean temperature comes with each.

Although rates are higher now I was able to find a week for seven hundred about five years ago by checking frequently. Many of the Maya Riviera hotels have really good deals in low season.