All-inclusive, adults only resort recommendations wanted - Caribbean or Mexico
Mari Jo and I are planning to live in the lap of luxury for 7-10 days some time between Dec and Feb. We stayed at the Excellence Riviera Cancun back in 2010 and had a blast. I’ve been looking on the Costco Travel website at their packages.
Post up if you have any tropical recommendations, please. Red Man I know you were at the Riviera Maya back in February. Would you mind sharing which one?
Just to kinda throw things off, my wife REALLY enjoyed Palencia in Belize... her descriptions of the trip reminded me of visiting Baja and certain Carribean islands decades ago before they turned into complete tourist traps. It's still a Spanish speaking country if that's what you're after... at one point their tour guides entire family ended up in their tour van and they had a meal at their house... (if that's something you might consider I can PM you some POCs I don't want to let google ruin the place ) Another tour guide they had was stoned and tried to wrestle a gator or croc or something (more my kinda spectator event )
This was the view from their room and I didn't bat an eye at the total price of things even though it wasn't all inclusive
Also check your favorite airline for vacation package deals. While not Costco, you get the benefit of airline miles or other coordinated travel. Your favorite hotel chain may have similar vacation packages.
Take a look at Sandals, Margaritaville, or Club Med (as examples of all inclusive options), there are others that are likely worthwhile too.
I stayed at Unico 20 87 Riviera Maya last February. For some reason my phone isn’t letting me post a link at the moment. It was a great place but it isn’t in a town, so you couldn’t just walk out and get local food. The resort food was great though. I was given the trip by my boss who won it from one of our suppliers, so I didn’t choose the place. It was the first all inclusive resort I’ve stayed at, we typically don’t go for all inclusives. It was a 20 minute or so drive to the Tulum ruins, which was very cool. It was also a short drive to some lesser known, non touristy ruins which was even cooler because we were the only ones there. There are lots of cenotes in that area and plenty of tourist trap activities. That area has a horrible seaweed problem. It typically doesn’t show up until late spring, but apparently it’s coming earlier each year. When we got there, there was no seaweed on the beach. On our second day a little seaweed showed up. By our last day it was two feet deep across the beach. Earlier in winter is safer to avoid the seaweed. We did have an amazing time there and I would recommend the resort.
View from our balcony Beach before the seaweed invasion Beach after the seaweed invasion
Specifically to avoid the seaweed, we stayed at Privilege Aluxes on Isla Mujeres recently. Due to the time of year, we knew the seaweed would be bad on the mainland. This hotel is on the leeward side of the island, so the seaweed washes up on the other side. It’s a short ferry ride from Cancun. This hotel does have an all inclusive option but we didn’t take it. It’s right in town and there are many outstanding (and cheap) restaurants that are a short walk away. It’s a $5 cab ride to more outstanding restaurants in a less touristy part of the island. We did a bicycle food tour that went to three peoples houses and three restaurants to sample various local cuisine, which was a fantastic experience. The only downside is you’re on a small island so there aren’t many activities unless you take the ferry to Cancun. We splurged and got an ocean view suite, which wasn’t too bad at $300 something per night. It had a large balcony and we thoroughly enjoyed lounging on the balcony enjoying the view.
View from the balcony Beach
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I've stayed at Hyatt Zilara Cancun WayneT and i really liked that hotel. All Inclusive, 6 specialty restaurants, 5 bars etc..
This adults-only all-inclusive resort and spa features endless activities and entertainment, such as outdoor pools, fitness center, private beach area and various dining options..
Hotel webpage;
Domenican Republic - Punta Cana is also a nice place to stay as long you are inside the hotel areas.. There is a lot of crime in DR so keep an eye out..
Last edited by Elton's BBQ; July 11, 2023, 07:05 AM.
Change of plans. With the upsurge in Covid lately, we are scrapping the Carribbean trip for a stateside trip to avoid airports and airlines. Five of seven of my children and their spouses have gotten Covid in the last month, most due to air travel. We’re headed to a nice beach house on Cape San Blas, FL instead for two weeks over Christmas.
Thanks to all who put forth recommendations, which may yet be used at a later time.
jfmorris Ouch! I’m so sorry to hear of that trip misfortune. That really stinks that they couldn’t go ashore. I hope they are fully recovered.
You need to be careful following Paul’s footsteps. There is a place on the road to Damascus where there’s a strong chance of being blinded and accused of persecuting followers of Jesus. It could result in a very dramatic change in your life.
The best oysters in the area are found at Gene's in Panama City. They've been in business since the 60's and have developed relationships with oystermen that tong in the West Bay area of Panama City. They are tremendous.
Following, everything was going fine until learning about sickness, My wife and I are also looking at a big trip this winter. She does not want to go back to Mexico, been to Cabo 3 times, Cancun once. Like some of the suggestions.
I’m not criticizing anyone’s choice of a cruise but those ships were floating Petri dishes long before Covid arrived. Conversely, my wife’s best friend took a five month around-the-world cruise last spring and did fine.
) Another tour guide they had was stoned and tried to wrestle a gator or croc or something (more my kinda spectator event 
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