Discussions

Hi we are wanting to go on a all inclusive holiday but don't know the first thing about doing it. We are thinking mexico, but is it safe? What is the best way to book your holiday? Redtag.ca or use a travel agent? What is the best part of Mexico to go? Any help such as how you booked your trip places you have stayed would be a great help. We were thinking about Playa del Carmen/Cancun area. Also are there any hidden fees with an all inclusive we should know about? We also wondered if it would be cheaper to got to florida for 7 days.

we've been to Dreams Tulum on the Riviera Maya and had an absolutely great time. The food was great, the entertainment great and lots to see and do. The staff were wonderful and very attentive. We've also been to Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta (Peurto Vallarta) - same for here-good food,etc and lots to see and do. We went on the Pirate Ship cruise (around $90.00 each) cruise, drinks and meal and entertainment. Lots of fun. We would go back to either place.

we used our local travel agent (easiest and as cheap), Bought travel insurance through them too, no other extras unless you want to spend money on tours,etc. (some are worth it) we feel all inclusive is the best way to go. Of course souvenirs,etc. is extra. At Cancun (Riviera Maya) my brother and nephews went on a guided ATV ride-had a great time, zip lining too, daughter swam with dolphins, and toured the ruins at Tulum.

Huatulco is amazing. We also started T the Dreams resort. Great food, people,tours and very safe. Good for relaxing. Not much for night life if that's what you want but absolutely wonderful experience.

You sound like a bit of a rookie traveler. Doing everything yourself, as a rookie, is a minefield. Go to a travel agent. They see the same prices you do.  
 
After you have gained experience traveling, then do it yourself.  
 
There is no best part of Mexico as each part is different. It is safe.

much in the past and this is kind of a special trip, don't risk your holiday by trying to go it yourself, it is not worth it. And some people will tell you you won't save much any way.  
 
Once you have been to an area and want to go back another year you have an idea as to what you buying.  
 
but I would not buy through an online service...ever.  
 
use a good well respected travel agent until you have some travel experience  
 
call the hotel directly to ensure what you are getting for a room is a good idea too.  
 
we were going to spend a week in Niagara a few years ago and called an internet service, asked for a full falls view, they gave me the suite number. so I called the hotel direct and asked if that room was full view. he said no... but recommended a couple others also talked to us about the floor height. so we bought through the desk clerk for about the same price.  
 
when we got there we checked out the original room we would have gotten from the online service and it was totally not a full view. we would have been very disappointed.  
 
be carefull

We've booked a lot on line over the years. Sunwing and WestJet are good to deal with because they put together packages with direct flights and you don't waste precious time with connecting flights. Do your research. Watch the star ratings and read reviews on Tripadvisor but take the negatives with a grain of salt because more complainers leave feedback than people who have had positive experiences. Check actual map locations of the resorts for distance to excursions and points of interest because if you're in a foreign country you have to check out the countyside and culture.

Travel.gc.ca....you can put in your destination e.g Mexico and it will give you all the information you need to know in regards to safety etc. We are going to the Mayan Riviera, Mexico for the third time in March....staying at the Iberostar Tucan for the first time (10 mins. to Playa Del Carmen) also smaller then the other Iberostars the Iberostar Quenzel is next door)  
....tripadvisor had awesome reviews on this all-inclusive resort....we did book through a travel agent this time because we wanted a ocean front suite this time (which is rarely advertised for on-line bookings with travel websites....plus allot of some of the popular resorts like the Iberostar resorts are rarely advertised on travel websites) I normally book with itravel2000 online or directly book with Sunwing / Westjet.....keep in mind travel agents charge a $50.00 fee for your bookings. We never wander off the resort at nighttime....also when you stay at a resort the representative for Sunwing or whoever your flying with will have a group session letting you know the do's and don'ts of your stay in Mexico.....even which certain cabs are safe to use....this is very important. We have also stayed at the Bahia (Coba) in Tulum....highly recommended....it is a 90 min. from the airport but they have a tiny little mall in the Bahia complex for shopping convenience....loved it there....the sister resorts: Bahia Tulum and Bahia Akumal is also on the same complex.

The nicest one there is the Royal. Amazing place, we found no hidden fees, but it is a bit pricey....certainly worth ever penny. If you have kids, there is one right across the street for families. Food was amazing at the Royal, drinks were so good too, very clean.  
 
As for safety, it s surreal to say the least. Downtown Carmen is a mix of high end shopping and people who offer you drugs on the street. Then you will see an armed vehicle drive by, they seem to have lots of heavily armed police wandering too. Real odd to see expensive stores right beside dirt cheap vendors. They have a CIBC bank right down town that is so tiny, encased in bars and safety glass, and they have an armed guard right at the door. Certainly an experience.  
 
I was freaked a bit about safety too, but it seems as though the police (or maybe it is all the high end resort owners) are keeping things safer for travellers. On the way from Cancun to playa del Carmen there are no less than six check points you will cross with heavily armed guards.  
 
We booked our entire trip through Delta Vacations are we're happy with all the flights and extras and no extra fees other than what we added after as side trips.

I have been to both Mexico and Cuba several times, and I like Cuba so much better. I try to stay away from the really busy places such as Havana or Veradero. We really enjoyed Guardalavaca in Holguin province. It's further southeast from Veradero along the coast. The best resort in the area is Sol Rio de Luna Y Mares. Here is their website for you to browse:  
 
http://www.meliacuba.com/cuba-hotels/hotel-sol-riodelunaymares

Appreciating everyone's feed back! Also my next question, which is the preferred part of Mexico? East of West Coast? I'm kinda leaning towards the east part but have heard cabo san lucas area is nice too, but have also heard it's quite windy in that part. Looking for nice calm and relaxing atmosphere.

Playa da Carmen is on a windward coast. It blows in, ocean is not much use. Playa da Carmen is a created resort. I was there 30 years ago when it was a third world poverty town. It is better now.  
 
Mazatlan, and most west coast are much older.  
 
Cancun is generally a younger set.  
 
Cozumel, on the ocean is amazing. Crystal clear water, great swimming and snorkeling right from the hotel.

Been to both sides of Mexico and both are great. Felt safe at both. We booked through a travel agent each time. They were able to give us the same prices as what we found online and had a worry free trip!

Having been all over Mexico and many of Caribbean Islands over the past 25 years or so weather was always a major concern. January and February can be a real crap shoot for having good weather especially if you are going for a week or so. It can be a real downer if you loose 3 or 4 days to rain cool weather.  
Huatulco was mentioned by one of the other posters as a great place. It has guaranteed weather from November through April with daily averages of 30C. It boasts 330 days of sunshine a year. Xtapa, Acupulco also have very warm weather however there are safety concerns. Good luck in your travels.

If you can take the time, go hosteling through quintana roo. Tulum has some great diving, beaches are nice. The ruins are cool. It's really close to Playa Del Carmen, which is like 30 minutes boat ride from Cozumel. There are lots of hotels all over all these places. Hostels are a great experience themselves. If you're not afraid to step out of your bubble.

Been to both sides of Mexico, the Caribbean side is much nicer!

I would stay on Caribbean side. For your first trip I would go to Mexico and playa is a great pick. A small group 4 people book through singing or Westjet directly. More than 4 or if getting 2 rooms go through westjet or travel agent that way you will have rooms together. Princess resorts are fantastic but a little pricey. If you want beautiful water and the whitest beaches with highest safety Cuba is the place but the food is not as good. The biggest thing at either place is every where people want tips big time. Take lots of US 1 dollars if going to Mexico nobody ever has change. Cuba you need to change money there and you need to ask for single CUC otherwise they give you large and nobody has change. If you go shopping either place be prepared to barter for best price.

After having been in Puerto Vallarta during 2014's earthquake I will only travel south in January (or so). Yes you may risk some rain days but I've been 3 times in January and had great experiences. Puerto Vallarta and Playa Del Carmen were both wonderful. In Playa I stayed at the Grand Sunset Princes. It had great food, nice rooms, nice spa, beautiful resort and good nightly entertainment. The beach was a bit of a walk and not huge but it was worth my time. The Hilton in Puerto Vallarta was nice. Loved the adults only rooftop pool and bar. Didn't love the lack of entertainment. The Friendly Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta was possibly my best experience despite it not having as many fancy bells and whistles. It's smaller but the customer service is top notch! Great food, nice beach, good entertainment. As far as safety...don't do anything stupid or go anywhere away from tourist areas and you should be fine. I've never felt unsafe and have found the people much more welcoming than I did in Jamaica.

What do you want to see and do on your vacation? Do you just want to enjoy the resort, pools, beach, food? If so, probably pick a bigger resort with more food options (if that is your thing). Make sure if you like beach it has one, some areas it can be rocky or rough ocean. Or if you prefer the pool then it may not matter.  
 
Do you want to leave the resort and see the area? On your own or take tours? Puerto Vallarta was easy to get around, take the local bus and look around. Mayan Riviera (would be my choice) has tons to see and do on tours or rent a cab etc. Do some research about what interests you.

j2customs said "I have been to both Mexico and Cuba several times, and I like Cuba so much better. I try to stay away from the really busy places such as Havana or Veradero. We really enjoyed Guardalavaca in Holguin province. It's further southeast from Veradero along the coast. The best resort in the area is Sol Rio de Luna Y Mares. Here is their website for you to browse:     http://www.meliacuba.com/cuba-hotels/hotel-sol-riodelunaymares "

we loved Guardalavaca holguin too, highly commend