One week all inclusive beach vacation with toddler

That's too funny. . .better half is German and we just got back from Jamaica on Monday and one of her observations was that she was pleasantly surprised all the Americans on the island didn't ruin the trip for her. . .

Jamaica - average diving - Negril has the best beaches (about 1.5 -2 hrs drive from MB) and a less hectic more sleepy beach town vibe to it; Montego Bay is the easiest from a logistics standpoint - I personally would stay away from Ocho Rios -people can be pretty aggressive with selling their goods at all parts of the island (didn't run into too many Germans) - everything offsite will be on the expensive side. Short flight time. The wacky weed is now legal up to an ounce.
Mexico - good diving (but strong currents) - Cancun can get a little noisy - the Resorts just south in between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen are the best bet (as someone said above - all inclusive, cater to children - may even be able to get a deal if you sign up for a "time share presentation"); Playa DC will probably have Germans You can day trip to Cozumel and the closer ruins if you like. . .relatively speaking compared to the islands - on the inexpensive side but get the same clear blue water - the beaches are the best in Cancun and Playa - check out the resort pictures inbetween the two - some have great beaches - others are really rocky. If somebody tries to convince you to dive the cenotes - say no (until you have a bunch of dives under your belt) short flight time. . .I personally love this side of Mexico (not as much as a fan of the West Coast - longer to get there, and the water temps are too cold for my delicate nature. . .
DR - Short flight time - OK diving - Germans - inexpensive - more dangerous than average off site - without a doubt, the best bang for your buck and you get a great island vacation that you don't feel you had to compromise on.
PR - great infrastructure - no passport - American dollars - great diving on the South side of the island - Rincon if you surf or want to learn how - have to get out of San Juan and unfortunately all the good places are a good drive after landing. Crime right now is high and they're hurting economically. I love the island personally but wouldn't go at this time unless I got a great deal outside of San Juan (but then your traveling to get there).
CR - never been but everyone who I know who has has nothing but great things to say about it - wouldn't hesitate to check it out if you get a good deal.
Bahamas - fantastic diving (but lots of sharks - even when not going on specific shark dives - you're going to run into them) great beaches - expensive - would definitely check to see what kind of lingering damage is on the island from the recent Hurricane - casinos. . .short flight time. . .may be able to get a deal from resorts hurting from the Hurricane.
Cuba - have family that have been (non US passports) and they loved it - everybody seems to agree, if you're going to go, do it now - before it gets blown up by commercialism. If your curious but don't want to stay there, you can puddle jump from Jamaica for a day trip. Apparently, they issue temporary visas so your passport doesn't have to be stamped if you don't want them to. Had people on the Jamaica trip who did exactly that.

As an FYI - we got TORN UP by mosquitoes. . .during the day didn't get bit once but once the sun sets they come out in droves. Bring light weight long sleeves and pants for your boy (and you guys) to wear every night if you're planning on being outside. Pretty confident most resorts are going to keep bug spray everywhere but it all has deet in it and this way you don't have spray him down so excessively (or bring your own child friendly repellent).

Honestly, you can't really go wrong with that area of the world. . .it's just little things that change the vibe from island to island but Spanish speaking areas are definitely more inexpensive than the English speaking ones. . .I personally also like the VI's but they're stupid expensive and unless you're an avid diver or trying to hide some money, there's absolutely no reason to go to the Caymans. If you were single, I'd tell you Aruba hands down. . . .hottest women by far. . .

 

When he gets a little older, I recommend Beaches Turks and Caicos. That is my kids FAVORITE vacation ever. They've been to Hawaii, they spent a day at Atlantis on a dance trip/cruise years ago, Cabo, Cancun, and a few other Caribbean islands on a cruise, Europe two years ago, etc.

Funny story. We are at back to school night, and go to my daughters room where they had an art project, what did you do fun over the summer? My daughter drew and painted this picture of a swim up bar...from Beaches. The picture is about 2 by 3 feet. They had a swim up bar for the kids and they could order kiddie drinks as well as ice cream.

My wife and I figured everyone thought we were a bunch of drunks....LOL.

 

Our experience pretty much. we started at a Hotel in Ocho Rios, but within the first couple of days we booked another resort which was gated nearer to MB. It was pretty hectic walking the streets in OR, to the point that I probably will never go back to Jamaica again, well unless it's Jamaica, Queens.

 

You have lots of good advice. I'm a yacht chef that has spent the last 10 years in the Caribbean and the rest of the world. In the end of the day most resorts are the same, it just depends on what color water you like. Like said before if you want cheap go to Spanish places. I have worked in the Bahamas for 4 years off and on and as much as I love it there don't stay in Nassau, the locals have got to a point that they feel entitled and expect a tip for everything after they added 18% on your bill and a 7% VAT tax, family out islands are cool with nice people. I can't say enough good things about Mexico. I'm taking a long vacation after the summer Bahamas season and have been traveling around Mexico the last 2 months. The people are super friendly and actually nice. Even surfing the locals were cool. What really blows my mind is the taxi drivers are actually honest, they are usually my arch nemesis and have got in many heated arguments over the years in different countries with con artist taxi drivers. Taxi drivers and seagulls are 2 things I really hate. But its been crazy here where I have taken multiple taxis here for 40 minutes to an hour and its less than 10 bucks. And local rides can be a dollar or 2. I'm working out a plan to live down here. Nuevo Vallarta has some nice resorts and you don't have people walking up to you every 5 seconds trying to sell you shit, which is a big plus for me when I'm trying to relax on a beach.

 

agreed, but i personally don't wanna have too many kids around (and desperate parents trying to get away from them)

 

This isn't necessarily a recommendation for a trip with a toddler, but since the thread has good vacation advice, thought I'd pitch this in. Lots of nice places have been mentioned. I've been to a good many, but just recently took my all time favorite trip. Sailed around the Abaco Islands in eastern Bahamas for a week. Rented a house on Great Guana Cay, right on the beach, and hit up all the Cays in the region during the days. It was my kind of place. If you don't want to just sit at a pool, or a beach, at a resort, then look into it. But if you're not comfortable on a boat, sail or motorized, then it won't be appealing.

 

NOT Disney World.

 

Nippers!!!! Love the Abacos

 

We did Jamaica last December. Royalton White Sands. Kid friendly. Great place, and I believe they offered a nanny service. Great food, nice beach and not so huge that you lost track of where you are on the resort. Our kids had a blast but they were 7, so the waterslides/splashpad and pools were where we spent a lot of time.

 

For real. Pretty insane pig roasts there on Sundays. We stayed about 300 yards north of Nippers. I loved Guana Cay.

 

The beaches on Aruba are topless.

Just sayin.

 

Just went there myself, got back a couple weeks ago. Really fun trip. The market in Ocho Rios was pretty intense. But other than that it was a really great time. I went scuba diving there 2 days, 2 dives each and had a awesome time scuba there. Everyone told me that the scuba there was dreadful, I don't have a lot of great experience diving in the ocean, but I thought it was pretty amazing, tons of life, coral, creatures, wrecks. Even seen a sea turtle, super cool.

Now bringing a kid... eh on the resort would be fine, but a young child on the airplane would be tough. I couldn't imagine subjecting my 2 year old to it, and glad he stayed with grandma There were kids though, and they seemed to be having a fun enough time. I just had more

 

He already flew to Europe twice . 4-5 h is no problem

 

Oh then I wouldn't worry at all then.

 

What was intense about the market was n Ocho Rios?

I've been to Mexico several times for business, MX city, Toluca, Saltillo, Querétaro... always walked around there...

 

Well Jamaica was the first time I've been out of the US so what I experienced may or may not be the norm around the rest of the world.

We left the resort to visit Ochoa Rios and do some shopping. The driver took us the the bs tourist shopping then we stopped at this flea market type of deal. The people just swarm you and I did fine, but the wife felt very pressured to buy stuff. One lady asked to show her something. She said sure and in a flash she took out a chunk of her hair and braided it and demanded money like wtf? I never felt endangered by any means just swarmed.

I don't have a problem telling people to bugger off but she isn't so good at that. Other than that which I wasn't prepared for or ever experienced anything like that I always felt fine there. Then we ate at scochis? Very good.

The only problem I had and maybe it's a cultural thing but they just kind of expected us to know what we were doing and it took a couple days to really get into the swing of everything.

 

I don't know what your family situation is like, but are you completely sold on taking the kid? As a guy with a 2.5 yr old and a 2 month old, they are what we'd need a break from...

We have taken the 2 yr old to SC beaches, but my parents, my in-laws, and 4 of my daughter's aunts and uncles were there to share "parenting" duties of our daughter.

Kids neither need, nor appreciate vacations. They're not taking a break from anything stressful or remotely important. Kids like events, like going to Disney, or a DAY at the beach. A week of relaxing bores them.

I'm not saying you can't have a good time with your toddler on vacation, but if you can afford a week at a resort in Jamaica, consider some place a tad cheaper and bring a baby sitter. It's worth every penny, and you'll get a few real meals alone together, plus more freedom to enjoy the endless drinks.

 

^^ I've been to a bazar I Turkey when I was 10... so I guess a bit yah mahn could fix that.

^ we don't understand the concept of leaving our son with other people. We'd feel incomplete. My plan is to hit the pool bar anyway, we'll wing the rest.

Just want to avoid shitty rooms, crap food and "F U" service.

Lotsa good advice here, we have some places on the list and they fit well within the $.

Thx

 

I just realized when I quoted up above he went to Riviera Maya grand bahai principe. I went to the one in runaway bay which I'm sure they are familiar.