Hello! My husband and I are planning our honeymoon for the new year and we've figured a budget, so now it's just deciding and booking! Our budget will really only allow us to vacation on either Mexico or the Dominican. However, I'm weary as I've heard horror story's about awful things happening to people INSIDE their resorts recently.

We've both been to PV, and we really disliked the beach/ocean. He's been (I have never) to Cancun/Playa area, much nicer beaches. Is it still safe to go to Mexico? And if so where did you honeymoon on a budget? Looking for 10 days, flexible on the time to go (what time of year is best?) hoping to spend less than $2500 pp all inclusive.
Thank you!

Tyler
We went to Secrets Akumal. It was amazing. Honestly every single little detail was exceptional. The ocean was amazing. It's a protected beach the resort is on, sea turtles everywhere. Tons of pools. You never need to book a dinner reso. The food is amazing. So many restaurants to chose from. The entertainment is great. There was even a few cirque de solei inspired shows. We spent $5000 and we had a swim up room. The resort has only been open a year. Any secrets resorts tho are stunning I hear.

SEA TURTLES!!!!

Stacey it was amazing! The hotel has snorkels you can use and honestly not even a minute swim out and below you were so many sea turtles.

Last year we were at Akumal Bay Beach Resort, next to Secrets. Beautiful, smaller property still close to the turtles. Loved, loved, loved it. Daily yoga too. Can’t comment on the Secrets tho as have never been.

What time of year would be the most cost efficient?

Stacey not sure. We went beginning of October last year and we booked relatively close to the date. I believe we booked end of August

Contact a travel agent. They're free to use and everytime my travel agent has found us cheaper prices than any we found ourselves online. We used this lady. She's great.

So I'm looking... I can't find a price for under 3k pp

Stacey message the travel agent I post a pic of. She'll always find it cheaper than a regular person looking can.

Their low season is June-Nov I believe, tho hurricane season is also most of that. We went end July, early Aug for our first Mexico trip for costs and time off

How about Jamaica? I have friends that go there on a budget and love it!

I don't think it's in our budget

Stacey awe sorry beautiful...wish I had some better ideas! I'll keep thinking!

Stacey it is in your budget!!!

Call Kelly at Terra Travel... she is great at finding deals, I highly recommend her... tell her Barb sent you
http://k96950.wixsite.com/terratravel
K96950.WIXSITE.COM
Terra Travel 2007 Inc.

Can I throw a curveball!? Think we could get a swim out room or an over water bungalow for a night or two?

Secrets Huatulco has swim out rooms

Paula how do you book a trip and change your room so we would have a swim out room for the last couple days?!

Just to save $

We did for our wedding in Jamaica, beautiful, but I wouldn't go back there...too pricy!

Look up secrets Akumal. We had a swim up room for $5000 for a week

Stacey not sure, I would ask a travel agent. You could give
Shirley Lindahl a call, she’s my favourite travel agent.

You could do a Secrets for 7 nights but not 10. Secrets Los Cabos has amazing swim out suites.

Stacey I would ask the front desk when I get there. If they dont it is your honeymoon, they will most likely comp it to you for free if you are lucky. Been to Mexico 8 time and Huatulco is my fave spot. Been to 2 Dreams (like Secrets but with kids) and loved it!!!! Food was amazing (and I am a foodie!)

I would avoid the Dominican, food is terrible and I'm not the only one who thinks so. I have been to both the princess in playa Del Carmen and the Barcelo in the Mayan. Both were amazing but I would highly recommend the Barcelo. With your budget you could probably stay in the luxury section of the Barcelo and that is very safe and beautiful.

Which Barcelo?

We stayed at the Barcelo Maya Caribe which was great because we were right by the mall, the beach and the gym. We went up to the Maya palace for dinner which is the more high end/luxury hotel and it was gorgeous!!!!

Barcelo Maya beach is an excellent resort. Has a mall, nice beach, lots of stuff to do here!! Huge resort!!!Went here 2 years ago with 3 little kids! Had a fantastic time

Go to Thailand for that amount of money there are so many better place to go then Mexico or some other all inclusive resorts look into backpacking type places lonely planet for some better ideas
Or Cancun is your best bet on what you were asking
The thing about travel is you can do it on any budget big or small!

10 days for Thailand is rather tough regardless of price. She'll lose two days in travel. I think they are trying to maximize time and budget

Eicart yes! Thank you

We had a great time at the Platinum Yucatan All Princess. Great resort and good food. Beach is slightly rocky and weedy but you can go to the neighboring resort beaches. You get access to their 3 sister resorts. Get a swim out in the 2023 area; very green and quiet and less people.

I think we might book here as it's more in our budget for the time of year we're going! Can I PM you?

I replied you.

Having been to Mexico,Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Varadero and Jamaica the place I love the most is the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. Best Beaches and Bluest water. I enjoyed the food the most in Mexico.

That makes sense to me! My sister honeymooned in Cuba and said the food was terrible

I am a picky eater and there are some differences for sure!

You can find good and bad everywhere. I found food in Dominican and Mexico very good (I've stayed at $700/person/week all in up to $10,000/person/week all in). Jamaica and Costa Rica at best ok ($1400/person for two weeks all in- $3000/person/week all in). Do some research. You can get into a beautiful resort with flight for $2500 or less/person. If you use something like itravel2000, call them direct and explain it's a honeymoon. They can usually do something from their end and help you find good choices.

You’ll get what you pay for in Costa Rica. Don’t cheap out. We loved the people

I didn't cheap out. I was next to the $10,000/night Four Seasons. It was a time when no one was traveling. Everyone we talked to all agreed that food got better on weekends at the resorts because the Columbians would come. As to loving the people, it has nothing to do with everything else like accomodation, food, safety, access to services...

Stacey can you go next month? Early to mid December is the best time to get great deals. You can get a great place for your budget, definitely a swim-out suite somewhere. I always go mid December myself. I'm a travel agent, you can message me at
Anywhere But Here Travel if you'd like help and pricing

Secrets huatulco is amazing. Swim out suites available. If you are set on the Mayan side the royalton is wonderful and has an adults only section. It might fit your budget better for 10 days as well. Though this is such a small detail at the royalton you don’t need to carry a room key/card as your bracelet is coded to open your room. We loved that!! Have been to Mexico over 20 times in the last 10 years or so. Secrets and royalton top our list!

Very healthy budget! I agree with Huatulco, it's stunning! & we loved punta Cana has beautiful beaches as well & fun night life.
Enjoy! We went to Bucerias & Punta Mita for our honeymoon & loved it. Very safe

I’ve never felt safer than anywhere in Cuba. We’ve been 10 times and love the people. Book a higher end resort for better food. Most of Cuba has been repaired since Hurricane Irma, but, check with each resort to see how ready they are.

You should take a look at Cuba as Well, your budget will definitely get you there, and I loved it! The best beach I have ever been to bar none! The food is different, but it's safe and amazing!

That is a healthy budget Stacey. If you are nervous going to Cancun and the Riviera Maya, consider Huatulco as it is stunning. Also depending on time of year you could likely get to other destinations like Dominican or Jamaica.

Huatulco is the best!!!!

Loved the Quinta Bella. Not all inclusive, but the fun is all in searching for food.

Grand Bahia Principe Punta Cana. Been there four times, got married there in Feb-16. Definitely can do for your budget. Beautiful beach, lots of activities, clean, safe, great food.

I’ve been to the Mayan Riviera 6 times and have always felt safe on the resorts an$ during excursions. Stick to busy areas in
Playa del Carmen. fifth Ave is fun.

We are staying at the Grand Palladium in Montego Bay, Jamaica and spent just under $2000 each for a week. A co-worker of mine just got back from there and said it was the best all inclusive resort he’s been to.

This!

A friend of mine who is a regular at Palladium resorts will never return to Jamaica. The resort is dated and customer service is tragic.

I’m pretty sure you’re talking about a different resort cause it’s a newer resort.

Secrets huatulco, great beaches, clean safe small town, you will wonder why you didn't go sooner...might be tough to hit that price line though, Barcelo and Las Brisas might

We loved Huatulco and stayed there for under $4500 total. Agree with how Steven described it!!

Agreed also! Stayed at the Barcelo that was great, but Secrets is supposed to be totally perfect!!

Oh - you have a great budget.
When are you going? That will always make a difference, but you can totally get a lovely resort with everything you are looking for. Let me know if I can help - it's what I do. Lol

Definitely I feel safe in Mexico. Just booking my 4th trip back as we speak. I recommend the Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya. Food is awesome!!

I've been to Mexico a lot but don't really feel safe going there anymore. Your budget is pretty decent, I'd look at Belize.

We were in Jamaica last February. Fell in love with it. Always felt safe. We had the best weather ever. Not sure on costs. But shop around

We have been to Huatulco and love it there. Quiet, slower pace and great weather. We stayed at Las Brisas and a friend stayed at Secrets.

We love Huatulco as well. We also stayed at Secrets. It’s adults only.
It’s very safe in Huatulco. Not commercialized.
Huatulco is my suggestion.

Cuba, great beaches, culture, and the food was better than I expected, ate fresh fish everyday

Cost out Portugal. Get an airbnb
It’s much less expensive than DR or Mexico.
Online deals are plentiful.

Need more info and a coffee date!!!!! Boston was just awesome btw!!! Portugal or Italy are our next big trip!

Miranda I️ did both for 2 weeks for under $2000 all in. DM me

I know they are available in most places for a price.

I’m in Los Cabo right now and no issues!! Don’t feel unsafe even on the beach at night.

I'm in Playa Del Carmen right now at Ocean Maya Royale and it's super nice and safe

We loved Catalonia Royal Talum in the Mayan Riviera. Adults only, great food, quiet. Totally worth upgrading!

Book the basic room and talk to the concierge at book in, if they have rooms available they are usually a lot less to upgrade when you are already there

How about a cruise? Not all inclusive beside the drinks but get to see different islands... just a suggestion!

You could totally do Jamaica on that budget!

Cayman islands is so beautiful, green ocean & white beaches

Do you have any recommendations on where to stay on the Cayman Islands that’s reasonable?

Jacyntha sorry I don't since I went there during a cruise

Manon fair enough! Thanks

.

I vote Cuba! I won’t be going to Mexico again..Cuba topped it tenfold.

Maureen Mushtaler
HIGHLY recommend Cuba....

Grande Baha Principe was unbelievable in Dominican.

https://www.barcelo.com/.../punta.../barcelo-bavaro-beach/
BARCELO.COM
Barceló Bávaro Beach – Adults Only Hotel | Barcelo.com

This is where I stayed! Loved it.

We went here on the cheap not planning on any excursions and we didn’t need to do any given there was so much to do on both resorts.