Varadero, Cuba
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Cozumel, Mexico
Looking for people who have been to all three locations, did all inclusive but also left the resort to tour around. What was your favourite and why? What did you dislike?

Sorry. All I can speak to is Varadero. Food is middle class home cooking level for the most part. A few good dishes. A few bad. Where you are long the beach is most important. Private Tours to Havana and Matazas are all recommended. We were there mid Jan. Water was warm for us… cold for Cubans. Place was very clean. Shortage of many types of alcohol other than rum was evident.
I enjoyed and would go back. It was half the price of Mexico at the time.

I've been to all 3 .
Punta Cana was beautiful but the shopping was more of a mall with some tourist shops. It wasn't recommended to go off the resort unless we went to that shopping part.
Varadero was beautiful also. The buses are safe to take around to shops or see other things.
I also went to Cozumel and found that to be fun to walk around the shopping area and there are entertainers downtown sometimes! Depending where your resort is, there might not be a sandy beach at the hotel, some parts are more rocky,but it's great for snorkeling

Varadero has gorgeous beaches. Crystal clear . 5 star hotels aren’t quite 5 star there .
Food is rather boring . But prices are good to travel to Cuba !
Mexico in general I’ve liked better for food .
Haven’t been to Punta Cana .

I’ve been to Varadero twice and loved it. Food was ok but the people, beaches and resorts were lovely. Did a bunch of day tours each time and they were all worth it. My daughter loved it there and made friends with lots of other kids at the resort.
Mexico is ok, but I definitely prefer Cuba. Price is better and more bang for your buck in my opinion.

Leanne where have you stayed in Varadero?

Breann 1st time was Brisas Del Caribe and the 2nd time was Playa Del Oro. I liked Brisas the best

Deb you’ve been to all 3!

Charity I have been !
Varedero - been 7 times & one of my favourites, beautiful beaches for miles, the Cubans are some of the friendliest people ever! Get off the resort & take a private tour or befriend the locals & they’ll show you true Cuba!
Punta Cana DR the beaches are second to none, get off the resort & go to a car wash! One of the best parties with the locals I’ve ever been to!
Cozumel! Ahhhh Cozumel, relaxed, perfectly safe to stroll solo & always feel safe, lots to see & a nice relaxing vacation, and I’ll be back to Cozumel n 3 weeks!
Still love Cuba, one of my favourites & looking forward to going back in March !

N.J. Cgy

I would avoid Cuba rn
https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba
TRAVEL.GC.CA
Travel advice and advisories for Cuba

Michelle Cuba is much safer than anywhere in Europe now.

Daniele not safety read at risk. Read attachment

Michelle https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/france
TRAVEL.GC.CA
Travel advice and advisories for France

I'd rather face a shortage of supplies (Cuba) and avoid a threat of terrorism.

Daniele it was a warning for the poster in case they were not aware of the situation not a contest for of where to go. Thanks have a great day

Definitely not a contest, just reacting to your comment to avoid Cuba. Have a blessed day.

Cozumel is the safest, food is awesome.

Will never go back to Cuba... unfortunately its not worth the money, the 5 star resorts, expect a 3.5 star...and it's expected, but when you've been to a 5 star... its hard to expect less?... been to all 3 and would probably go to either DR or Cozumel, both have differences, but at least you get what you pay for

Been to Cozumel and Cuba. They are both fantastic. Cozumel is great for snorkeling and there are beautiful beaches to go check out as well. I do love cuBa for the stunning beaches and the culture. It’s like you go back in time and i I feel very safe in cuBa.
The food isn’t great but you go expecting that so it’s not a surprise. A 5 star in cuBa is more like a 3.5-4 in Mexico but you just make sure you book a higher star.
I’m a beach bum so I loved Cayo coco cuBa but varadero has gorgeous beaches too. Not like Cayo coco tho. It’s the most beautiful beach I have ever seen.

Thank you everyone for your comments and advice! Greatly appreciated

Been to all 3. In order of best to worst from my pov.
Cozumel is my first choice for incredible beaches and scenery. Resorts are a range and food on a resort is what you expect with some outstanding seafood.
Punta Cana was also lovely. You will find a lot of Brits and Europeans here, just an fyi.
Really a top notch place for an easy going vacation, but be bit more cautious if you leave the resort.
Varadero had gorgeous beaches. Basically pretty cheap when I went in 2011, but I don't feel that it is a good trip.
Food is not great, unless you eat off resort and very local. Lots of Eastern Bloc males seemed to vacation there, just an fyi.
If you go to Cuba it is best to have low expectations because the people are living in touch circumstances and it does trickle into the tourist experience. However, some very friendly people.
My advice is look at your travel experience to date and figure out what you value in a trip. Food is always better local. A resort can give peace of mind as there is plenty to eat and a place to sleep and they have nice beaches.
Good luck on your travels and if you have questions dm me.