Opinions needed:
Cuba or Dominican Republic?
What we like: We like to head OUT of the resort and go off the beaten path - no matter what country we go to. We love culture and HIKES! And we love good local food (obviously).
Will be staying in 5* resort, so lets say hotel quality is the same in both places.
So as a country, which is more fun/worthwhile?
Cuba
52%
Dominican Republic
24%
Added by Deb Bunbury
Jamaica
8%
Added by Debi Jones
Cuba.
1%
Added by Nicole Hall
Costa Rica
6%
Add poll option...

Following.

My vote is for DR. I've visited both, and the feeling of oppression in Cuba is heartbreaking. Obviously no country is perfect, but we met with a man who shared openly about the history of Cuba and how things currently stand. The country was beautiful and the people kind. But I decided I'd never support that government again with my money

Love DR. To bad flight has a sleepover in Toronto way tooo long to get there.

If you want to go off of the resort do not go to Dominican Republic it is the most unsafe place in all of the Caribbean

Sharon hmmm. I know many Canadians even living there...have not seen heard or been aware of stats that support that.

I did not like Cuba, i dont think ive ever not cared for a place, DR ive only done a stop on a cruiseship. La Romana excursion in DR was awesome! Cuba is def cheap, we got a grt deal on a 5 star RUI and we still had no towels etc. I have heard DR can be dangerous but so can anywhere. I think anywhere you go if you stay at the resorts and dont go out at nights you will be fine.

We traveled all over DR with no issues at all

Been to both numerous times. Felt safer in Cuba. Downfall is the food, do t expect much. Going off in the dominican can be dangerous. Be sure to have a taxi that is safe

Depending where in each country you are going. Cultural and historical would be Cuba. People in both are amazing. DR ...Punta Cana has miles of amazing white beaches. Some great local food vendors even on the beach. Amazing diving with good reputable companies...lots of good tours like to Manatee park. Been going to Punta Cana for over 12 years.

Keep in mind that Cuba is still a Communist country. You can't just wander where you want even though they really do cater to tourists.

I have a condo in Punta Cana. I go out at night. I ride the motoconhos (bike taxi). I am out with no jewellery or much cash...nor do I drink a lot. Taking simple precautions any place even here in Canada makes sense.

The beaches in cayo coco are stunnnnnning. But if you wanna go off the resort, DR is the place to go.

That’s a hard one Cuba has a lot of history if you like that stuff We travels all over Cubs for 6 weeks and enjoyed everything but the food. Dominican is also nice better food but for us we liked Cuba because of the history. Havana is a very nice place lots of old buildings and history .

Cuba!!! We got married in the DR and did not feel safe walking out of the resort even in a group of 8men, Cuba I walk through the markets at night alone and never felt safer. I have a detailed write up I did I can send to you

Been to DR, way to dangerous.

Dominican for the beaches, Cuba for the people/history/culture

I wouldn’t venture too far from the resorts in the Dominican FYI

We are leaving Sunday to Dominican for 2 weeks. Cuba is more safe, loved Varadero, you can walk around at night and they have fun clubs. Dominican I don’t think we will leave the resort aside from excursions

Cuba is more expensive now so the value isn’t there if you’re wanting a nice resort and decent food. We ate at Kiki’s a few times (amazing) but even the other restaurants we tried were horrible. Resort food was brutal.

Amanda Riu in Varadero had good food. The open air double decker bus in Varadero is great as you can ride it all day long if you keep your ticket. Beaches in both places, Punta Cana Bavaro Beach and Varadero are exceptional.

We are going to Bayahibe DR. We know someone who actually grew up there and the beach is supposed to be amazing. I’ve been to Cayo coco Cuba and so far it’s the nicest beach I’ve seen.

Cuba a 5 star is like a 3 star in mexico ... never been to DR but based on recent news not sure if I would go!!!! Jamaica is gorgeous

Cuba is safer. I would only venture out in the Dominican with a tour company (westjet vacations) that you trust. B

My Cuban bf told me that the current situation in Cuba is pretty bad regarding shortage of fuel and food. You may have a problem. You will find a place to rent a car but nowhere to fill your tank. Same issue with public transport.

I don’t know the DR at all, but just a heads up that if you’ve stayed in Mexican 5 star resorts, do Not expect the same level of service and amenities in Cuba. I Loved it (!), but enjoyed the Casas Particulares (B&B) much more!! Also, if you enjoy Getting Out, save some time for Venales in Cuba!! Gorgeous, mountainous (Gneiss formations) area of the country; doable in a day excursion from Havana, but I was really glad we booked a night out there!

Cat Where do you book the Casas Particulares?

We just googled the term for the towns we visited. Not One disappointment!!

I picked Cuba because it is safer for one thing

Eleanor I felt very safe there as well, both in the cities and the country. We got scammed for a ride out in Venales, but it evolved into a very pleasant, personal tour of a tobacco farm!
Apparently a very common scam: guy waves you down, says there was an accident and they’re asking drivers to get the “stranded bus riders” into town. There were 4 of us, so we gave a lift to a guy to his job at the tobacco farm... Still, never threatening! Any scam attempts were done with smiles and shrugs if you didn’t go for it. “Just trying to make a living” - which is, unfortunately, true.

I much prefer Cuba over DR. Cuba seems safer and beaches are the same.
DR you have to stay on the compound after dark and the army was very active when we were there.

Beaches are 200% better in Punta Cana.... here's the thing I love the people in Cuba but the food is atrocious the food in Dominican is top-notch very good food beautiful fresh fruit fresh juices. The beaches are beautiful there's no seaweed on them in Cuba at least where I've been there's lots of seaweed on the beaches. If you want eaten by sand flies go to Cuba

Maybe a seasonal thing; no seaweed or sand flies during our visit (I think it was in Feb or Mar). I didn't find the food that Bad, per se, just boring: what you get is what's available in Cuba. A lot of chicken and pork (beef is only available at resorts or on the black market); white cheese without much flavour; fairly ordinary salads, eggs, and wonderful breads and buns... Take some seasonings with you to spice things up, or just eat as the locals do.

Ugghhh... note to self: stay away from Cuba in November!

Cuba didn't strike me as much of a hiking destination, and definitely not a food destination. Even at 5 star resorts, expect a lot of rice and black beans. I enjoy that cuisine and am far from a food snob, but that's easily made at home for cheap and wasn't exactly an experience. Best meal I had there was lobster at a paladare (cooked for you in a private residence,) and my understanding is that was a black market item they weren't supposed to serve. The main draws of the country IMO is relaxing atmosphere, music, history etc. In the resort itself - not much of a cultural experience as it was 90% Canadian tourists (mostly from Quebec.)

Cuba’s 5 star is more like a 3 star elsewhere. The culture and safety were top notch and I would suggest a trip into Havana if possible. Punta Cana is beautiful and a 5 star is a true 5 star. I have been to all of your options and preferred Punta Cana over the other two. Although, Jamaica was amazing, I hear safety is not the best right now.

Look up the lifestyles resort in the Dominican. it's where we stay for two weeks every year!! it's incredible.

Good local food will be your challenge. Cuban infrastructure is so limited, that the kind of foods we take for granted in the rest of Latin America, are for the most part, non existent.

Add .. Puerto Vallarta

I loved Cuba, we went last year and took our 2 year old and had a great time. We did a day tour in Havana and it was amazing. It really does feel like your stepping back in time. I agree with other comments saying that a 5 star resort in Cuba is more like a 3 star, but this didn't bother us. We stayed in Varadero and the beach was amazing and our resort was clean and well-kept, just a little dated. There are a ton of tours and activities you can do and the history of Cuba is fascinating. The food was decent but did get a little repetitive by the end of the week. Overall we had a great experience and would definitely go back. And we felt very safe the whole time.

Cuba is safer and I believe it’s cleaner. The food in DR is tastier but I have had food poisoning there. Given the choice I would go to Cuba. Havana is a fabulous city to snoop around.

We’ve been to all three and while Cuba has epic beaches Jamaica won my heart, love the culture and as far as food goes Cuba gets a 4* for that, not that tasty!

Cynthia - except in Jamaica we were hounded by people trying to sell us stuff!! HOUNDED!

Cynthia totally agree, Jamaica is amazing! Love the people and the food!

Panama

Jamaica!!!! Hands down, been to all 3, and been to jamaica 3 times - different areas. (Ocho, montego bay - least favorite) & black river.
Ocho rios is awesome, lots of culture - hired a driver to take us around, went to church on christmas day in a little jamaican church in st. Annes;
black river was my favorite - a tiny town away from all resorts, all tourists..... no tourists and we never felt unsafe. We rented a house, had a local guide take us around - one of my most favorite trips ive ever been on. Saw things you would never see - eating at grandmas crab shack, took us for a boat tour up the crocodile river to his cousins bar (middle of nowhere, with no one but us), swam, played on the rope swings, then out to the pelican bar - a bar in the middle of the ocean, only accessible by boat - no bathrooms, and built out of wood lol..... played dominos with the locals until sunset, so so fun! Cooked real authentic jerk chicken with our guides wife while listening to her favorite reggae. We also went to church here woth the locals - it was 3 hours and they still werent done lol!!!

Havent been to costa rica yet - headed there in 5 days! After researching- i know that i will go back again! Exceptionally safe, sooooo much to do!

I've been to all 3 more than once...but not on your list and one we truly enjoyed! St Lucia! We're very active people who love hikes but also are foodies and enjoy immersing ourselves in culture!

I got extremely sick in Dominican Republic, the sickest I’ve been in my life. I think someone put something in my drink. I would not go back there

I live in Negril, Jamaica during the winters. 7 Mile Beach is unparalleled. PM me if you want to chat.

I got brutally ill in both Cuba and Dominican. I loved Jamaica, but it can be a bit intimidating walking around off resort property, if you are a group of women.

My girls went on a service vacation to the Dominican Republic. They got to stay in a 5* resort and got to volunteer and serve the locals. It was an amazing experience for them. It is called The Dominican Starfish Foundation.

Costa Rica all the way
leaving next week for another trip there.

Yes! Thank you, chose CR!

Hawaii !

I love Cuba.. And it is safer

Kanan I was in Cuba 2 years ago in January it was so cold
couldn’t swim, needed blankets in our room, no more Cuba for us

Kanan just my luck but I won’t go back

Costa Rica is amazing. All the excursions I went on were top notch!!! Although there isn’t many resorts there I found. But the country is beautiful especially up in the mountains. Spent half the trip by the beach and the other half in the mountains. It’s almost like seeing two different countries in one!! It’s also safe as we drove throughout the country. I would pick Costa Rica over Cuba or Dominican.

Thank you! We decided on CR!

Yay!

Also you can do hiking in Costa Rica

Food is crap in Cuba..

Dominican has had a lot of serious safety issues...I seriously wouldnt go there at all.
Cuba in the other hand is full of culture and beauty. The only downfall i have found in Cuba is the food isnt great.

None of the above

mexico for me

Costa Rica !

Food was less than satisfactory in Cuba when we were there and our 5 star hotel was probably a 3 any where else... although cultural activities were great, Loved Costa Rica!

Marie I also echo this, food in Cuba wasn't great. I heard people at the airport complaining that they went to an all inclusive resort in Cuba as a weight loss tactic cuz the food is awful....

There’s no way a 5* resort in Cuba compares to a 5* resort anywhere else. It will be the equivalent of 3-4* at best.

Cuba is friendlier and cheaper to shop in my opinion. Food and beaches are pretty comparable...

Check the govt Website ..travel.gc.ca for any travel advisories.

costa rica has some amazing hikes, highly recommend!

Samantha Tallerico not done that one.... i want too..... one day!

Jamaica and many parts of DR are not conducive to roaming as a tourist.

Brenda not true. We lived for a short time. Travelled to all the major spots as foreigners and had no trouble

Cuba is the safest to tour out of all of these. We stayed a 5* Melia and the food was great. Took a day trip from Varadero to Havana. It’s also the best bang for the buck

Rob it is the best bang for your buck that’s for sure. We stayed at a 4*, heard there food is better at a 5*.

Mexico is my favourite. Puerto Vallarta would be my go to for what you are looking for.

Jennifer I love it there too, awesome culture and yummy food!

Worst food ever in Cuba unless you have a local cook for you that is very common there and only decent meal we had.

Brandy I agree

And non existent hygiene so unless you grew up in Delhi you'll be relaxing in the bathroom a lot.

Brandy we stayed in a 5* Melia resort. The food was excellent but I certainly heard from folks staying in other resorts that the food was not good.

Elsa didn't stay at a hotel resort, was in rooms to rent, ate at restaurants and cafes etc some hotels.

I only voted Cuba because it is gorgeous with tons to do however the food quality is lacking. Just fyi

I starved in Cuba... food was brutal

So true

Maggie guess you picked the wrong place

When we went to Cuba we mostly stayed off of resorts and found it great and very cultural. We were also pleasantly surprised with the food. We had been told that it was horrible....but didn't find that at all. I'm not sure if it was because we were off the resorts or not.

Kristin that most likely.... off resort is better... gotta be careful too! Lol

What time of year are you thinking? Some of the destinations listed are risky regarding cooler weather

Dominican by far

DR not very safe off resort

We stayed at the Pullman in cayo coco and the food was delicious, even for my friend who is a vegetarian. We did lots of activities off the resort which was great, definitely lots to do, just depends on how long your trip is. We hired a taxi to do a quick trip to Havana which was incredible as we hot to try local food off the highway, whichbwas absolutely delicious!!!! Totally worth the money!

Farther south you go on those island the less food is available and not as tasty. ... ive been 14 countries in the Caribbean... it really depends on what your looking or wanting for your trip.... all those countries you have listed all have attributes and not so good attributes... research what you wanting on your vaycay... then go from there..... just my suggestion.

And on food part im talking resorts food.... and how far you off from a main port... in my opinion.. lol

Antigua - AMAZING.

We actually decided on Costa Rica!
Thank you for the suggestions and the great words about CR!

Hawaii

Go to Spain

If u like hiking and exploring, westjet offers Costa Rica packages that explore volcanoes and tons more. They have two versions. Regular eco adventure or Adrenaline eco adventure.

More tourists friendly

Cuba is safe. You can go just about anywhere and not have to worry.

My sister lives in the DR, so it's an easy one for me!

Gail you are lucky

5 star is not the same in Cuba. Love Cuba but if you really want 5 star go elsewhere.

If you have already decided on CR, there are a few places I would point out that are really breathtaking. It's off the beaten path and may be difficult to get to if you are at a resort. This place is about 1 hour from my place. Great hikes through the trails around the falls. Make sure to take water shoes and a swimsuit if you go to The Twins.
https://www.catarata-del-toro.com/
Also, if you are in that neck of the jungle you are reasonably close to Poas volcano. The viewing area at Poas is above the crater and you can look down into the crater. Be warned though, viewing is at the mercy of the weather and if it's cloudy the views aren't great. Best viewing is usually before noon. Also, you need advanced reservations to enter the park. (link for reservations attached), because it is active and sometimes closed due to activity. There are other volcanos if that is your thing and you can't get to Poas.
http://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/Pages/default.aspx
If you decide these are too far to travel to, don't worry, there are plenty of awesome places to go to all around the country. Just an FYI, distance is short in CR, but drive times are not fast. Depending on traffic and where you want to go, you will likely average 60-70 km/h, so take that into consideration if you are mapping out any trips. Also, driving at night can be a little tricky and slower. Just be cautious if you decide to drive at night. A good rule of thumb is sunup (amanacer) is at 6 am and sunset (atardecer) is at 6 pm.