Living in the Midwest, we are constantly surrounded by wide open spaces, some rolling hills, corn fields and let’s not forget the long winters accompanied by all too short summers. This being said, it’s time to start planning your next beach getaway!
I know what you are thinking: planning a vacation can be a chore and there are so many factors that go into choosing the right destination. Determining where you are going to stay, what you are going to do, what is the beach like, let alone figuring out what to eat is overwhelming! With our years of booking and travel experience we can bring peace of mind to the decision making process.
Let me introduce you to the three most popular all-inclusive destinations; where everything you could ever dream of will be waiting for you bundled up in a happy budget-friendly package. Mexico, Jamaica & Punta Cana! From the Midwest, these destinations offer the most optimal flight times and prices. An early morning flight will have you on the beach by dinner time.
Here are a few of our favorite places to go and what makes them the absolute best!
¡Viva la México!
There are two, sometimes three, types of families when they go on vacation—the families that want an adventure; hiking, volcanoes, snorkeling, etc. The families determined to make every trip education, and finally the family that needs an escape. México’s all-inclusive resorts cater to those wishing to escape and relax. In addition, México is home to some of the most affordable all-inclusive resorts, fantastic cuisine, and beautiful beaches.
To help you narrow down all options available to you at an all-inclusive in Mexico, below are some of our favorite places and resorts!
CANCUN REGION
Looking for something convenient and close to everything. Check out the Cancun Hotel Zone; this area is close to the airport and downtown Cancun. Beaches can sometimes get a little rough, depending on the weather; and it’s a more commercialized area. If Cancun catches your attention, look at Riu Palace Las Americas and Hyatt Ziva for your all-inclusive options.
If you desire a more family-focused vacation, take a peek at Playa Del Carmen. Loads of family-focused resorts are in this area. However, we recommend that you closely review the resort beaches and season before booking here. This area is heavily affected by seaweed, and some beaches can be extremely rocky. If Playa Del Carmen catches your attention; check out Paradisus or Riu Palace.
Have the desire to visit the newest and most recently developed? Spend some time researching Costa Mujeres, an area just north of Cancun. In this area, great private beaches give you an out-of-this-world sense of relaxation. If this location in México captures your imagination, we recommend that you check out; Excellence Mujeres, Riu Palace Costa Mujeres and Dreams Playa Mujeres.
The slightly more isolated neighbor of Costa Mujeres is Isla Mujeres. The Island of Isla Mujeres offers excellent options for resorts; however, there is only a handful when it comes to all-inclusive. Something to keep in mind is that it does take some time to get to the resorts. You will have to transfer from the airport and then ferry over to the island from Downtown Cancun. After some research, we uncovered one resort that passed our high expectations - Zoetry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres!
The other area in Cancun is Riviera Maya. If you are looking for an all-inclusive resort with adventure right outside the gate, you must look into this area. On top of the adventure aspect, you will be close to the airport and the downtown Cancun area than Playa or Tulum. If this area is calling your bane, check out Hotel Xcaret, Moon Palace or Secrets Akumal!
LOS CABOS
Cabo Tequila en Los Cabos
I know that the title is cheesy but think about it. How often do you get to drink something in the area in which it is not only crafted but located?
Aside from remembering to count your Cabo Tequila drinks, the most important thing to know about Cabo is that while this area is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, a vast majority of these beaches are unswimmable due to the strong undercurrents. The other side of the coin is that these crashing waves make Cabo so beautiful and acoustically pleasant. There's nothing like opening your balcony window and listening to those waves.
Out of all of Los Cabos to visit, we recommend that you check out Cabo San Lucas and the San José areas. Cabo San Lucas is where you want to be if being close to the action is your desire. In addition to being close to the action, you will also have access to the famous swimmable beach and have great views of the arch. Check out; Breathless Cabo, Riu Palace Los Cabos and Sandos Finisterra Los Cabos if this is the ideal vacation for you.
If you are looking for a more relaxing adventure, stay in the San José area. Specifically; Hotel Paradisus Los Cabos, Hyatt Ziva and Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort
PUERTO VALLARTA
Resort Hotel? Or Resort Town?
Let’s be honest. Everyone has heard of an all-inclusive resort; it’s a large area where hotels, a few restaurants, bars and pools reside. However, have you ever heard of a ‘Resort Town’? This is a planned area where; resorts, restaurants, bars, shops, and anything else you could ever need or want have been built!
I’ve had the chance to explore a few of these ‘towns’ personally; the area of Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta takes the cake! If you love Latino culture, Puerto Vallarta may be your place. Here you will be surrounded by the rich smells of spicy food and the sounds of rhythmic salsa tempting you to move your feet! Be sure to check out the area around Banderas Bay, while the beaches are a little rocky and the waters are chill from the pacific waters. This area is perfect for whale watching and excursions. On top of that, it is a favourite among our LGBTQ travellers. Many of our clients have loved their time at; Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta, Meliá Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive, Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa and Meliá Puerto Vallarta.
Nuevo Vallarta is a place for those who wish for a more relaxed vacation. It’s a bit further north and a touch further north from the airport. However, everything is much more slow-paced and peaceful; in addition, the resorts in this town are more spread out, granting you the privacy you crave. If a quante resort town is winning you over, check out; Hard Rock Nuevo Vallarta, Iberostar Puerto Vallarta & Dreams Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort.
COZUMEL
Hold Your Breath and Open Your Eyes
If you see an adventure on your horizon, however, you have no idea what the adventure is - let me introduce you to Cozumel. An island of Mexico, right off the mainland. This bucket-list destination is accessible by flying directly into Cozumel airport or via Cancun airport and ferry. We highly recommend flying directly to Cozumel to save the day when it comes to logistics.
When it comes to your adventure, Cozumel is known for its awe-inspiring landscape, vibrant culture and memorising under-the-sea sights! The latter makes this destination a favourite among scuba divers, which offers a great smaller island feel. To make this adventure even easier on you, Cozumel is home to some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts; Fiesta Americana Cozumel, Iberostar Cozumel, and the newer Dreams Cozumel Cape Resort & Spa.
JAMAICA
Jamaica Time Mon
Rum, reggae, jerk chicken, and amazing people - Jamaica is the place to be! Here you will find some of our favorite beaches - surprise, they aren’t all located on Seven Mile Beach. In addition to the beaches, let's not forget the coves situated all around the Ocho resorts.
If your ideal vacation consists of tours and excursions, we recommend booking around Ocho Rios. Some of our favorite resorts in this area are; Beaches, Couples San Souci, and budget-friendly Hotel Rios Ocho.
Are you looking for an escape from your every day? Look into the Negril area! You will find a more relaxing space with access to Seven Miles Beach. If you decide that Negril is the place to vacation, check out the Sunset at the Palms, Azul Negril, Couples Negril, Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril.
While Ochos Rios and Negril sound like a dream, something to keep in mind is that it takes a decent one-and-a-half to two hours of driving to get there. While entirely worth it, the drive can be long, especially if you are not used to travelling internationally. If the long drive after your flight doesn’t sound ideal, look into the Montego Bay Area of Jamaica. Here you will still have beautiful beaches and reasonably-priced hotels in this neighborhood.
We highly recommend that you check out; Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay, St. James Montego Bay, Iberostar Montego Bay, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, and Excellence Oyster Bay (Falmouth Hotels) in the Montego Bay Area.
PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Day Dreams of Sand & Sun
Punta Cana, Republica Dominicana, en el caribe! This destination has been crafted with the idea of balance in mind. Here you will find turquoise waters, endless beaches caressing the coast, and some non-stop nightlife if that’s your desire. This being said, Punta Cana is also a perfect family vacation destination - It all depends on what you are looking for!
With the idea of family fun in mind, there are two areas within Punta Cana that we favor. The first is Cap Cana. Not only is Cap Cana only twenty minutes away from the airport, but Cap Cana is also on the Caribbean side of the island. So you can say hello, to endless views of crystal clear waters! If this is something that sparks your interest, we highly recommend looking into the following all-inclusive resorts; Secrets Cap Cana Resort, Sanctuary Cap Cana and Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana.
The second area in Punta Cana that’s captured our hearts is the Bávaro and Uvero Beach area. This long stretch of beach is where most of the all-inclusive resorts reside, making this the place to be if you crave only the sun, sand and good company. Excellence Punta Cana, Majestic Elegance Punta Cana, Majestic Mirage Punta Cana, Royalton Bavaro Resort & Spa Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa (all of which are all-inclusive resorts) will take exceptional care of you.
If you are ready to start planning your vacation with Good Trip Travel Co, submit a trip inquiry form at www.goodtrip.biz/inquiry. We will match you to your most desirable all-inclusive destination!
About Us
We are an Iowa-based, full-service travel agency. Our luxury travel planning services allow you to plan and enjoy your vacation without the added stress of managing travel components while taking advantage of our Good Trippers' exclusive amenities. We primarily book beach vacations, cruises, Disney Destinations and select European/ International vacations.
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