We’ve decided to pass on Belize for this year. Going to Maui in February so want a cheap vacation in November. Can’t decide between Cuba, Dominican, or Cancun/Maya Riviera. All have two week packages under $2000. We’d like to snorkel from the beach where we stay, and a lazy river is a bonus.
Thoughts/Suggestions?

Where did you see Cuba 2 weeks for under $2000?

Dixie air canada vacations. We found 4.5 star $3600 for the 4 of us (kids 8&12) for a week.

Isn't Cuba in a civil upheaval at this moment

Mary Resorts and hotels are still open and welcoming tourists. They need the money

I’m afraid the money spent by the tourists will go to the government who is beating up citizens who dare to protest and incarcerating journalists. They control absolutely everything. And the list of atrocities goes on and on. On top of that is just not safe. What we know about the upheaval is just a small part of what’s really happening.

We did a last minute deal in Cuba for 1500 (3.5 star) for a week. It was a literal dive. It would be a 1 star here. The country and people were amazing and beautiful, our resort and food, not so much.

Cuba is super cheap right now but they are in political unrest right now so I’d cross that off your list to be safe. We were going to go first week of august.

Cuba I would avoid they are in up roar there. Not good

Cuba may not
Be the best, research regarding covid.

Janna it has nothing to do with COVID and everything to do with the oppression they face due to the dictatorship

We booked Cuba in Nov for 1000$/person - all inclusive...

Sharon Doyle we stayed at the Grand Sirenis on the Riviera Maya and the snorkelling there was pretty great! We saw turtles, a bunch of fish etc. They also have a lazy River etc too!

Jocelyn have stayed there 3 times - love it.

Jocelyn best snorkeling we have ever done!! Including excursions. The food there was also amazing!

Amanda
and the fact you don’t have to pay extra or go anywhere, the best first all inclusive decision we made!

Jocelyn Yep! Barcelo Mayan is also amazing and just a few resorts over but they don’t have snorkeling like Grand Sirenis. We took our kids to that one and one of our favs as well.

Amanda now I wanna go...

what about something off the beaten track? I guarantee it’ll blow your mind. The Azores. Middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Volcanic, some amazing snorkelling/spearfishing, great food, incredible scenery I hiking. They are REALLY promoting tourism hard right now, you can get a week air, hotel, a couple of tours for under 1100. It’s the most unique ”tropical” vacation you’ll ever take

Great Suggestions, thanks. It doesn't appear that expedia is offering any packages for the resorts right now

If you book Cuba you must set your expectations lower than most other destinations. The four stars are literally 2.5 if that . Food is bland and not very good quality , we wouldn't go back to Cuba .

Do you guys not watch the news
...? I love Cuba however they are in serious need of help. I would avoid nonessential travel into this area.

grand sirenis cancun

Dominican...it's beautiful...

Rita I agree punta Cana especially and the food is wonderful

Cuba has been in “unrest” for years. It’s called a dictatorship. Yes they are in trouble, they need vaccines just like the rest of the world. They will have vaccines by fall. I talked to someone who lives there.
And not every resort has bad food. Try eating off resort, you’ll find amazing food & experiences.

Lisa last week cuban government put on a travel ban from both inside and outside the country leaving many people stuck. I love cuba and have stayed at a great resort but i would not travel there until the latest issues have been cleared up.

Tapz Dominican shares the same island as Haiti. Same political unrest there.

Tapz and your point

Tapz Dominican Republic if fine unlike Hati or Cuba

Tapz Dominican is great, but their COVID situation is not. My sister lives there, and restrictions are not necessarily adhered to.

Tapz and that’s truly horrible. I was mostly directing that comment at people who say that Cuba is ALWAYS horrible to visit. I think it’s fair to say every country you’re thinking about visiting in the near future should be researched for safety, pandemic or otherwise.

Lisa yikes

Mayan Riviera is amazing...especially near Tulum

Haven't been to Cuba but there are thousands protesting right now and as a result the government has restricted Internet access so we really don't know what's going on over there.

Cancun / Mayan

Both have amazing beaches and water. I’m sure you’d be happy with either!!

I would do Cuba or Mayan riviera.
I liked Dominican just found it a little more army based when travelling around.

I wouldn’t visit Cuba at the moment, keep an eye on the political situation.

Plus currently cuba is requiring at least a 1 wk quarentine even if fully vaccined then testing! Maybe by nov everything will settle but thats a big NO from to to cuba!

Allison yeah does put a damper on a holiday, most of us don’t have vacation time like that to burn

Tessa Myrfield no kidding plus i think there's still quarantine on our end?

Allison only need to quarantine upon return to Canada if you’re unvaccinated

Dominican

Great snorkeling off the beach at Barcelo on the Mayan

We love Cuba and have gone for years straight until COVID. The people are incredibly sweet.

Dreams La Romano in Dominican is also amazing. We stayed there for 2 weeks Dec 2020, could’ve gone longer. We upgraded so had a pool suite. Food was amazing as was the service.

Helen P Cuthbertson read the comments on Cuba?

Don’t go to Cuba , Cuba is in bad shape.

Don’t go to Cancun. I did not like it there at all. Go to huotolco

Barcelo Caribe Beach in Mayan. Amazing snorkeling right off the beach!

Right now Cuba is not a great place to go. Too much unrest. The people have no food and no medicines.

Grand Sirenis Mayan Riveria. Excellent snorkeling, a lazy river and few ruins right at the resort.

Sheryl totally agree with this recommendation. It is fabulous. They have lots for everyone. I also highly recommend the day long tour that includes rapelling, canoeing, zip line, blessings from a Shaman, swim in cenote, climb ruins and ends with a Mayan lunch. Was about $125 USD but well worth it, still talking about it after all this time.
Have fun.

where the hell can you get a 2 week vacay in the Mayan for 2 k?

Mike Google is your friend. November is a “shoulder season” in the travel industry so it’s usually much cheaper.

Check out the Grand Serenis Riviera Maya. We had really good snorkeling from the beach and enjoyed the lazy river. Lots of other perks there too.

If going to cancun/Mayan, Google the short film documentary"the dark side of tulum" first. It is my favorite spot on the planet but please ask questions before you book.

I been to all three. I liked Dominican the best!

Try Jamaica

My partner and I booked Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana in Dominican for end of November and it has a really neat lazy river through one of the pools and we were sold on the price for the time of year (usually its very expensive). Cant vouch on experience but we just booked this trip last night and did a ton of research on the resort beforehand.

The least chance of covid glitches would be Mexico non resort....fly to a city and rent accommodation. Although November might be better than now, the Caribbean side is a hot bed of covid and if you test positive (which you can even if vaxed) you will have to isolate inches resort and may not even be able to get on your scheduled flight home. Having your own place would give more control of contacts....I know there are lots of people who would only go to resorts in Mexico so this might be a different vacation...I personally never go to a resort so I would feel totally confident that I could avoid covid glitches...it is not about getting sick (ok that important but less likely if vaxed) but more about the unexpected things that can happen from testing positive.