Three options... Need opinions!

morenachica110

So were at the beginning stages of booking the HM. We really liked Belize, but there's nothing even close to our price range. She looked at a few other places and we're starting with areas and will start to narrow down hotel/AI/etc. Sooo...

ETA: Oh! I meant to add that all I'm looking for is sun and beach (maybe a little shopping trip at a local market) and FI wants adventure, adventure, adventure!

dazyabbey

Just because you stay at an AI does not mean that you can't have fun and leave the resort. I don't understand why being at an AI=boring to some people.

I do agree that Costa Rica seems to be very adventerous. Mexico is also very fun and adventerous. They have zip lines, mountain climbs, snorkeling, going to underground rivers all sorts of fun stuff like that.

What is your budget?

keyri06

I have been to all 3 of your options & I can say I love Puntaa Cana; it has a beautiful beach & definitely the best food out of all 3 places,..It's the place I've been to the most..They have basic tours like horse back riding, driving ATVs, parasailing..etc.  Also, the employees there are the liveliest & most energized.  

Jamaica was nice, but I don't think there was too much adventure.  

As far as Mexico goes, I love too..there's sooo much to do..theres a lot of things dealing with adventure..ziplining, driving amphibious cars (i think thats what they're called..they go both in land & water)..swimming & rafting with your hands in underground rivers, lots of wildlife & lots of Mayan culture so you have a lot of variety google the X plor, X caret, & Xel- ha parks to see what I mean..the Mayan history is really interesting, I just got back from Mexico last week & went to Chichen-Itza which is one of the 7 wonders of the world...the Cancun area is close to a main strip so theres a lot of bars, restuarants, clubs & shopping etc (I don't know how young you are or Feel ) but I feel that if you want a younger, party atmosphere go to Cancun BUT if you want a more relaxed atmosphere go to Riviera Maya..IMO the resorts are nicer there & the beach is too (I've been to both Cancun & Riviera Maya).  Playa del Carmen (which is in Riviera Maya) also has a main strip which they call 5th Ave with lots of shops (including designer) & restaurants & bars, etc so if you stay in Playa, you'll also have a strip near by PS. Mexico is totally safe.  I felt secure the whole time all that other stuff isn't going on where the tourism is. 

Whether or not to go to an All inclusive resort is a matter of preference...some people like them, some don't.  Personally, I LOVE them...I don't feel restricted at all --- I don't feel like I'm obligated to eat there or stay there the whole time..I always go out & do excursions & spend a night out in the town.  What I love about them is that you pay before you go & you don't have to worry about anything else but tipping & spendng money & you don't have to try to figure out where to eat next.  Also, even if I go out to eat somewhere else, I still feel I get my money's worth in an AI because all the other food & drinks I consume would be sooo much $$ here in the US.  Plus taking cabs all the time could be costly.

But like I mentioned above, some ppl hate them some ppl love them...it depends on what you & your FI like & I am in no way discouraging you from not going to an AI hotel...I'm just sharing my experience & hope it helps! go0d luck! =D

morenachica110

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_three-options-need-opinions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:9eba69ab-7161-40ab-8ce6-50669e622e37Post:e80f817d-74f1-45c2-9fde-d78086b00050">Re: Three options... Need opinions!</a>:
[QUOTE]Just because you stay at an AI does not mean that you can't have fun and leave the resort. I don't understand why being at an AI=boring to some people. I do agree that Costa Rica seems to be very adventerous. Mexico is also very fun and adventerous. They have zip lines, mountain climbs, snorkeling, going to underground rivers all sorts of fun stuff like that. What is your budget?
Posted by dazyabbey[/QUOTE]

<div>We just like the idea of an AI because I know by that time I'm going to be exhausted and want someone to take care of everything else for me. It also gives me peace of mind to know that most of everything is already paid for because when I'm on vacay I tend to overspend.</div><div>
</div><div>It's around $2,000-$2,500 including airfare from the Southeast (Greenville, SC... Atlanta... Charlotte, NC)</div><div>
</div><div>Mexico's not out. There's just SO many places and my brain if fried. What areas in Mexico do you recommend? We want to be kind of secluded. Like a smaller town area with beach and outdoor activities.</div>

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_three-options-need-opinions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:9eba69ab-7161-40ab-8ce6-50669e622e37Post:e80f817d-74f1-45c2-9fde-d78086b00050">Re: Three options... Need opinions!</a>:
[QUOTE]Just because you stay at an AI does not mean that you can't have fun and leave the resort. I don't understand why being at an AI=boring to some people. I do agree that Costa Rica seems to be very adventerous. Mexico is also very fun and adventerous. They have zip lines, mountain climbs, snorkeling, going to underground rivers all sorts of fun stuff like that. What is your budget?
Posted by dazyabbey[/QUOTE]


I agree. We primarily only do AI. We DO make it a point to leave the resort. We with do group tours or rent a car and go off on our own. The resort is nothing more then a home base with all meals and drinks paid for.
That being said, we loved Cancun ( felt very safe too) and can't wait to go to Costa Rica next year. There is a Hilton in Costa Rica that is AI by the way.

AdeleDazeem

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_three-options-need-opinions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:9eba69ab-7161-40ab-8ce6-50669e622e37Post:e80f817d-74f1-45c2-9fde-d78086b00050">Re: Three options... Need opinions!</a>:
[QUOTE]Just because you stay at an AI does not mean that you can't have fun and leave the resort. I don't understand why being at an AI=boring to some people. I do agree that Costa Rica seems to be very adventerous. Mexico is also very fun and adventerous. They have zip lines, mountain climbs, snorkeling, going to underground rivers all sorts of fun stuff like that. What is your budget?
Posted by dazyabbey[/QUOTE]

I understand the appeal of AIs, but personally when I travel, the hotel is just somewhere I sleep.  The rest is exploring, out, seeing, doing... passing a random restaurant and thinking "let's eat dinner there!" or wandering a museum because it looked cool that led to a quirky coffee place for a late afternoon snack.  I don't want to be tied to one place and given a list of "excursions."  I want my travel book, some money, and see where the day takes me.

I think AIs work in the Carribbean really well because all the islands offer basically the same things (snorkeling, scuba, ziplining, etc) but once you move to more varied locations, I think they lose their appeal very quickly.

StephBeanWed61502

Agree with everyone who suggested Costa Rica.  I think there are also some AI or partial AI options there as well.

jennipea382

I totally agree with Costa Rica! Went there in HS and LOVED it! If you want to stay somewhere totally off the grid and romantic, check out La Leona (<-clicky). We only stayed at really eco friendly places in the middle of nowhere (except one night in San Jose before we went home) so I don't have any resort suggestions.

I voted for Jamaica though. My friends stayed at Sandals there and absolutely loved it!

ellentravis

What about Peurto Rico -- very affordable and beautiful!

ktanne44

we just booked our HM at a couples resort in Jamaica.  they have great deals.  you can also set up a honeymoon registry, where your wedding guests can purchase you and your FI things to do. like horseback adventure, zipling, dunn river falls, couples massage ect. The AI resort comes with free excursions, which include unlimited snorkeling and scuba, glass bottom boat tours, trips to the city to shop and have lunch, this list goes on and on.. check it out. www.couples.com