Mexico - Jamaica - Dominican Republic... Which one?

[TokenGinger]

I am probably still in the wishful thinking category to even contemplate that this could go ahead next year, but I'll be hopeful! DP is 40 in December 2022 and I'd like to book a holiday we wouldn't ordinarily spend money on. If I book now, it'll give me the year to pay it off monthly.

I just wondered if anybody had been to any of these destinations and had recommendations for hotels, things to do, etc. And even better, if you've been to more than one of these destinations, which was one better, and why?

We'll have DS with us who will be 3.5. We may or may not have a small baby by this point, and if not, I may well be pregnant as we'd like to start TTC towards the end of this year.

I've been to Mexico before but when I was in the midst of an abusive relationship and I barely remember a thing about it. I remember Mexico being beautiful but not having the opportunity to enjoy it, so I'd love to try it again, but the other two locations are throwing up good prices, too!

How long would you be going for and what kind of holiday - are you looking for AI resort type thing, or more cultural / urban / moving around between various places?

We've been to both Mexico and the Dominican Republic. I far prefer Mexico to the Dominican Republic as we found the service in the hotels to be much better. It may have been our hotel in Dom Republic, but it was absolutely rammed with huge parties of people who were often drunk by 10am in the pool, which we found really off putting with the DC. Dom Republic is a beautiful island and we had some great day trips, but the quality of hotels is better, in my opinion, in Mexico.

We've stayed at Moon Palace in Mexico 3 times, we've never returned to the same hotel twice previously, let alone 3 times, but the service/facilities are absolutely perfect for us so we keep getting drawn back! All inclusive spa/golf/over 20 a la carte restaurants for dinner/room service etc, you really find it difficult to rack up extras over and above the AI price you pay. Top end shows in the evening, pool service where they just bring your drinks as soon as they notice you're half full, AI ice cream/chocolate/crepes/coffee shop just in case you need chocolate at 3am, hot tub in your room, the flo rider for DC, the AI arcade rooms......I could go on for hours, but I think you get the gist!

@SimonedeBeauvoirscat

How long would you be going for and what kind of holiday - are you looking for AI resort type thing, or more cultural / urban / moving around between various places?

I think 7-10 days. I'd like to do a mix of things, some hotel relaxing, excursions out, exploring the area etc.

All inclusive would be perfect for us.

@edwinbear

We've been to both Mexico and the Dominican Republic. I far prefer Mexico to the Dominican Republic as we found the service in the hotels to be much better. It may have been our hotel in Dom Republic, but it was absolutely rammed with huge parties of people who were often drunk by 10am in the pool, which we found really off putting with the DC. Dom Republic is a beautiful island and we had some great day trips, but the quality of hotels is better, in my opinion, in Mexico.

We've stayed at Moon Palace in Mexico 3 times, we've never returned to the same hotel twice previously, let alone 3 times, but the service/facilities are absolutely perfect for us so we keep getting drawn back! All inclusive spa/golf/over 20 a la carte restaurants for dinner/room service etc, you really find it difficult to rack up extras over and above the AI price you pay. Top end shows in the evening, pool service where they just bring your drinks as soon as they notice you're half full, AI ice cream/chocolate/crepes/coffee shop just in case you need chocolate at 3am, hot tub in your room, the flo rider for DC, the AI arcade rooms......I could go on for hours, but I think you get the gist!

That sounds EXACTLY like what I want. It sounds perfect. Which operator did you book through?

DR and partying all night sounds like my idea of hell 😂

jamaica hands down.

south coast if possible.

I’ve been to all three places and I think Mexico and Jamaica are slightly better for excursions. They are all lovely.

Be aware of the sargassum affecting a lot of the Caribbean and Mexico every year, it can really ruin any holiday. I love Mexico but haven't been to the others and rarely go back anywhere I've been before but did go back to Mexico. That was when the sargassum was just starting to become a problem though and now it's often really bad. Worth looking into before you make any decisions.

@purplesequins

jamaica hands down.

south coast if possible.

I'll take a look now, thank you! Do you have a hotel recommendation? Xx

@Tal45

Be aware of the sargassum affecting a lot of the Caribbean and Mexico every year, it can really ruin any holiday. I love Mexico but haven't been to the others and rarely go back anywhere I've been before but did go back to Mexico. That was when the sargassum was just starting to become a problem though and now it's often really bad. Worth looking into before you make any decisions.

Thank you. I had never heard of that! I'm just googling now x

I hate to put a dampener on your plans but you can’t really go anywhere in the Caribbean, Latin America or South America if you’re TTC as Zika is still very prevalent. It’s really dangerous so not worth the risk. You’re also advised to delay TTC for six months after returning from one of those countries.

However if you already have your baby then I vote Mexico. It was my dream to visit Chichen Itza and it was incredible. I also went caving and did some other trips. I’ve also been to Dominican Republic but there wasn’t as much to do and there was less choice for organised excursions. It was still amazing and much cheaper overall.

@VanillaSpiceCandle

I hate to put a dampener on your plans but you can’t really go anywhere in the Caribbean, Latin America or South America if you’re TTC as Zika is still very prevalent. It’s really dangerous so not worth the risk. You’re also advised to delay TTC for six months after returning from one of those countries.

However if you already have your baby then I vote Mexico. It was my dream to visit Chichen Itza and it was incredible. I also went caving and did some other trips. I’ve also been to Dominican Republic but there wasn’t as much to do and there was less choice for organised excursions. It was still amazing and much cheaper overall.

Thank you. I had absolutely no idea re: the TTC and Zika so thank you so much for that.

Chichen Itza was beautiful. That's one thing I do remember from the trip, and caving too.

www.tui.co.uk/destinations/caribbean/mexico/mexico-caribbean-coast/cancun/hotels/moon-palace-cancun.html

There you go OP - but as PP mentioned, if you're TTC do have a look at the Zika situation.

Love DR, Mexico was ok.

Stayed here, amazing but £££££ rivieramaya.grandvelas.com/?utm_source=google%20my%20business&utm_medium=listing&utm_campaign=visit%20website
Stayed at Moon palace for 2 nights and had to leave, like a cattle market., moved here, the food was amazingwww.melia.com/en/hotels/mexico/cancun/paradisus-cancun/index.htm?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=uberall&utm_content=dynamic

Have you thought about St Lucia? I liked it better than your three options.

Here is great in DR www.melia.com/en/hotels/dominican-republic/punta-cana/paradisus-punta-cana-resort/index.htm?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=uberall&utm_content=dynamic

If you're looking to travel at Christmas it will be nearly double in price to the beginning of December, theta DR and Mexico.

I've been to Mexico and Jamaica. Personally I would choose Jamaica

Jamaica. Negril is gorgeous.
Personally I'd book a boutique hotel instead of AI but that's my preference. There's some super places.

Definitely not Jamaica. A friend of mine lives there. It has suffered immensely from Covid devastating the tourist industry, most of which relies on local employment. As a consequence there is much poverty and a huge increase in petty crime.

@edwinbear

www.tui.co.uk/destinations/caribbean/mexico/mexico-caribbean-coast/cancun/hotels/moon-palace-cancun.html

There you go OP - but as PP mentioned, if you're TTC do have a look at the Zika situation.

This looks incredible. Thank you so much for the link.

[quote lalafafa]Love DR, Mexico was ok.

Stayed here, amazing but £££££ rivieramaya.grandvelas.com/?utm_source=google%20my%20business&utm_medium=listing&utm_campaign=visit%20website
Stayed at Moon palace for 2 nights and had to leave, like a cattle market., moved here, the food was amazingwww.melia.com/en/hotels/mexico/cancun/paradisus-cancun/index.htm?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=uberall&utm_content=dynamic[/quote]
Both look gorgeous 😍😍

@Jerseygirl12

Have you thought about St Lucia? I liked it better than your three options.

I hadn't actually, but I will definitely look into it now! Thank you x

@lalafafa

Here is great in DR www.melia.com/en/hotels/dominican-republic/punta-cana/paradisus-punta-cana-resort/index.htm?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=uberall&utm_content=dynamic

If you're looking to travel at Christmas it will be nearly double in price to the beginning of December, theta DR and Mexico.

That looks really beautiful. That's definitely a contender 😍