Dominican republic or mexico?

[StarDustMonkey]

Hi,

Tried posting on the long haul topic, but have had no answers!

We're planning our family holiday for this year and are struggling to decide between Mexico and the Dominican republic.

We're are going to be going AI and have a 7 and 4 year old. While Mexico looks fabulous, we are worried that the youngest will be that bit too young to do excursions (we've seen several that say minimum age 5). On top of that, as we're going November time I'm worried that Mexico will be too cold compared to the Dominican republic.

We like doing trips to see historical sights, actually seeing the local area, and don't just want to spend our days by the pool or in the resort.

We've been to Rhodes holiday village with first choice and loved it, however last year we went to Tenerife and we very disappointed. We found it to be very loud, obnoxious and chavy (sorry can't think of another word to describe it!) With heavy smoking/e cigarette use.

We do not want a repeat experience, and so were looking to see what people experiences of both the Dominican Republic and Mexico are?

Should add for Mexico we would be looking at staying in the Riviera Maya area, for the Dominican Republic it would be the Punta Cana/Bavaro area.

The last two occasions I have been to the Dominion Republic I have found it to be loud with obnoxious people. I preferred Mexico and found there were more activities and places of interest. We've decided next time we won't necessarily do AI or at least up our budget to avoid certain types of people.

Have you thought about St Lucia, Antigua or Cuba? Fantastic places.

I'd go with Mexico. Some of the water based excursions will be too much for your DC, but a trip to Xcaret (easily arranged from hotel) will be brilliant for them, lots to see and do. The children's clubs and evening entertainment is good. A trip to Akumal Bay is good.
In my experience, cleanliness, food hygiene and staff is much better in Riviera Maya, although I always stay at the Gran Bahia Principe. My DR experience is based on the 5-star Dreams resort.
I agree with the above comments too. DR can be quite full-on. Cancun is pretty full on too, but down the coast at RM is much gentler.

Hi there, I have four friends who all went with little children to Mexico last year (most in the Riviera Maya area) - they said they had a fabulous time - they didnt too many trips but there was plenty to do with the children where they were staying. We've booked to go to Riviera Maya in July - next to an Eco park which is full of wildlife which my dd loves - so I can't wait!. I havent been to Dominican Republic - but those people who i know who have been were not that impressed with it tbh

The Caribbean coast of Mexico will not be cold in November.

Would hiring a car be an option for you? We drove ourselves all over the place and had zero issues even though the car had no number plates and Dh has an interesting attitude towards traffic laws (did meet a lot of lovely policemen though). That way you can avoid the age restrictions of tours and have a lot more independence. I can't think of any place we visited that wasn't suitable for small children and there were plenty of small Mexican children visiting ruins/museums etc. We did a couple of tours at the beginning and it felt like we spent more time being taken around shopping centres on the way to places than actually touring stuff (first trip to Chichen Itza in particular). Going back by ourselves was a far better experience.

Given what you describe, I would consider not doing AI. Our first hotel in Mexico (spent 6 months there with Dh) was one which did AI but also let you just pay for the room. The restaurants covered by the AI package weren't great and like you, we didn't want to spend all our time in the hotel complex. The price difference was amazing. We checked in next to some American tourists who were horrified how much they were paying compared to us.

Hi,

No we've not considered other locations, as our total budget for the AI resort is ideally £4500 or less, leaving us a nice budget for excursions (ideally doing something every other day).

I've always wanted to go to Mexico, to see the Mayan pyramids etc but was really worried the kids would be too young! Sounds like they won't be though!

We really want to do AI, as when we go on holiday we want zero stress, and find that letting first choice for example handle everything including excursions is a wonderful mental break!

What sort of temperature can we expect? I found tennerife to be a bit chilly on September last year (I'm always cold!) But Rhodes in September the year before was lovely and hot!

Thanks for all the replies so far!

25 to 29C

there's more to do in Mexico excursion wise, DR doesn't have a great deal. In both countries the staff either live on site or shipped in on busses from where they live. My kids joked they didn't see any Mexican houses and wondered where everyone lived.
We have stayed in 3 different hotels in Mexico, the cheapest one was horrific, so crowded and noisy.

I would go to Playa del Car in Mexico, although I haven't been in November. We hired a driver to take us to Akumal (which was lovely) and when we went to Chichen Itza and the cenotes, we went separately so one of us could stay with DC at the hotel as that was quite a long drive.

We did both in the same year (2014) It was just circumstances, we don't normally have any longhaul holidays, let alone two! But it did give me a good comparison between the two! My DS's were 12 & 6 at the time. I'd go back to Mexico tomorrow! Loads to do - we were AI near Tulum and we had a few days out of the hotel - to a cenote, to Coba etc, the people were amazing and we all loved everything about it. Dominican Republic was fine - a lovely beach holiday, but not really any of the things that made Mexico special. Would we go back? Probably not. Hope that helps a bit, happy to help if oyu have any specific questions.

Mexico.

Been to both but won't be back to DR but would consider Mexico again.

If I were going to go back to either I would pick Mexico without hesitation, although haven't been with DC so can't advise on that bit.

Worth looking at Cuba too!

I've been to both. Mexico wins hands down for me due to standard of hotels, culture and variety of things to do. Would go back in a heart beat. We stayed at Playacar (which has a great beach) and were able to walk into Puerto del Carmen, which is worth a wander. Also went in November and weather was hot. Felt safe everywhere we went.
Wouldn't go back to Dominican Republic, not so much to do and obvious poverty (which I am aware exists in Mexico but not so 'in your face' as DR). Didn't feel too safe wandering alone outside of hotel.

Mexico.

Have a look at the Pacific Coast (Puerto Vallarta). We prefer that coast, it's much more traditional Mexico and not as commercialized as the Caribbean Coast.

I would have. Look at sensatori punta Cana - it has great things for the kids similar to an hv but enough quality for adults

Thank you all so much for the replies! Seems to be pretty unanimous to go to Mexico! Hotel wise these were what we were considering, so if anyone has stayed at any of these or has any other suggestions I'd be very grateful to hear your thoughts!

Mexico
GRAND BAHIA PRINCIPE COBA
CATALONIA RIVIERA MAYA RESORT & SPA

Dominican Republic
GRAND PALLADIUM BAVARO SUITES AND SPA

Thanks again!

Not sure where you stand on captive dolphins, but that put me off the Bahia principe coba. We're going to Mexico this year and staying at the Riu Tequila which is about to undergo a full refurb. We hope to see wild dolphins at Sian Ka'an nature reserve.

Could you push to the Gran Bahia Principe Akumal section rather than the Coba section?
Coba is further back from the beach. You will need to take the golf cart bus to the besch, and you can only eat in your section.
Akumal is the premier section, right on the beach and will give you eating rights at all sections. The Tulum section is also on the beach, but the Akumal section beach is much better for younger children, more sheltered, with little fish swimming in the shallows etc.
It's a fair trek down from Cancun airport. If you don't fancy s cosch transfer, then book a private transfer. The driver will happily stop at the nearby 7-up if you need cold drinks or a snack.
Btw, the sections are named after local towns so the trip to Akumal Bay I mentioned up thread is off the resort, about 10 mins away.

We didn't stay in Akumal but did go out to swim with the turtles from Akumal beach which was incredible. We stayed at Dreams Tulum which was great.

We loved the Coba. Actually liked getting the land train to the beach as it felt like we were on a trip out! Used the Tulum snack bar & pool when there too. You will go the other hotels to use the a la carte restaurants. Would choose Akumal now it accepts kids as I like to be by the sea but would be happy back at Coba too. Tulum beach & sea not the best but ok.

Our private transfer only arrived about 20 mins before the much more comfortable coach so not worth the expense - better to spend on an excursion.

The dolphinarium is at Tulum so easily avoided, though that’s prob not the point!

Def go to Akumal bay, ignore the touts and go to the dive centre on the right who will sort you with kit & advice.

I think you should check the weather for Mexico - google holiday weather Mexico. We stayed on the Riviera Maya area about 12 years ago - and it was wonderful - the beach was fantastic and the food was great. BUT we went for the first week of November and the weather was only OK about 1-2 days - I could be wrong but I think its the end or beginning of cyclone season or something. Also - its worth checking out www.tripadvisor.com for reviews on hotels and tips for things to do.

I've been to both Mexico and DR many times
I've been to all the main resorts in Mexico, Riveria Maya Playa Car & Cancun
My personal favourite is Cancun because you can go out and about easily and cheaply on the local buses

Catalonia resort is from memory on a small complex with a dolphin aquarium I think place shops & resurants and a marina
Coba Is not on the beach front if that's important
But the Bahia Principe is beach front

If you like to venture out and walk around then playa car is lovely - semi gated community 3 Rui Hotels The Palace Yuctan & luipita and occidental and a few others but your only a 10 min walk from 5 th Ave where you have lots of lovely shops bars & resturants and very family friendly
If I was going with small kids this would be my choice as you have the best of both worlds

Riveria Maya is nice but if you want to venture out depending on where you are you can be a long journey so apart from organised trips your pretty much hotel based

If you want Cancun then Rui Caribe or Peninsula are fabulous as they are not near the night life of Cancun but you have lots to do and the beachs are lovely

More upmarket is the Beach palace which is opposite Isla outdoor Shopping mall and marina & Liverpool one and its part of the palace chain so you have full priveleges at the moon palace and other palace resorts if you want

If your Doing the pyramids particularly CI make sure you ask what the pick up time is as friends were picked up at 5am last month with a TUI as they get exclusive early entrance

We went to Dom Rep Nov 16 and it was soooo cold and rainy! Still enjoyable but only the first 2 days were warm, the rest of the time we were just kind of bored in the hotel.

I preferred Mexico but that was 2013, pre-kids and in the summer.

Enjoy! Can't really turn my nose up at either

I have been to both and prefer Mexico by far. Dominican standard of hotels are below average. We stayed at Hard rock hotel which was 5* and wouldn't return. I was stick in the hotel room for most of the holiday with a bad belly from the poor hygiene. Mexico is a different level, Royalton hideaway and moon palace hotels have both been amazing for what we were after.

Good luck holiday hunting x