All Inclusives

Jamaica
Dominican Republic
or
Mexico

Will be travelling with a friend and a toddler in early March. Friend really wants to go to Jamaica, I'm not so sure. Experiences especially good ones in any of these countries and well as hotel suggestions are greatly appreciated.

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Mexico all the way. Although I have never gone with a child I just feel $$wise Mexico is more economical.

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Jamaica has a Beaches resort.

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I really like Beaches because you know you're getting a family and kid friendly environment, safe airport transfers, and activities for both kids and adults.

Beaches Negril and Ocho Rios are significantly cheaper than Turks and Caicos, so don't let that scare you away if you've heard Beaches is expensive.

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Mexico and DR both offer great value (as does Jamaica but I just don't like it there). If you want to do excursions, I'd go with Mexico.

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We've stayed at Couples Swept Away in Jamaica and Excellence in Punta Cana, DR. They were both AMAZING, but in different ways.

Jamaica was much more laid back. The resort was smaller. We were mostly content to lounge around on the beach and eat all day. The staff was amazing. They were so friendly, always willing to help or sit down and have a chat. Everything was "no problem mon." Also, the ocean in Jamaica was AMAZING. Warm and serene and perfect- like stepping into a bathtub.

Excellence was a little more extravagant. It was fancier looking (though a little cheaper than Jamaica!). The rooms were nicer, we had a 2 person hot tub in our room here. Excellence was a bit more lively. The swim up bar at the pool was always packed. Also, this resort was much more about the pools than it was the ocean. The side of the island that Excellence is located has rough, cold waters so the beach, while beautiful, wasn't the popular hang out. The resort featured a pool spanning the length of the resort (About 2 miles long!) which dipped around restaurants and under bridges. It was like a giant, boozy lazy river. One thing I didn't like was the staff. Not that they were particularly rude, but I kinda always felt like they were making fun of us in Spanish and they ALWAYS expected a tip. Whereas in Jamaica, they were extremely grateful for any tips, but they were just pleasant in general anyway.

It's a hard time picking a favorite between the two because they were SO different, but if I HAD to choose, I'd go back to Jamaica first. HTH!

ETA: And I should've read your entire post first because you said you are travelling with a toddler! Those resorts are both adult only. But, I'd still probably choose Jamaica first. The resorts were clean and very safe. We took the shuttle bus from the airport to the resort and it was only for Couples customers.

Message edited 12/20/2012 10:24:13 AM.

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I've been to resorts in all 3 places and I would choose DR then Mexico and then Jamaica.

Punta Cana was absolutely gorgeous and the food was delicious. SOOOOOOO much better than the food in Jamaica. We are going back next June and staying at the Melia Caribe Tropical. It has a special kids "club" for the babies & kids. We had stayed previous at the Iberostar Bavaro and they were also a great family resort.

In Mexico you can find plenty of family friendly resorts as well and it is very safe to leave the hotel since it's so Americanized. I have never traveled with a toddler there the two times I went, but I have seen so many families.

Jamaica is beautiful also but to me the food was just okay. Same thing has been said by family members who have been to several resorts. The quality of the meat is just ehh, and I felt like whatever meats the restaurants were serving were always "jerk" style and it got tiresome after a few days. We stayed in a Couples resort in Ocho Rios.

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I've been to all 3 and I loved Jamaica most. We've been to Negril twice and the beach is just gorgeous. Beaches is great, especially for kids, but its $$$. We stayed at the Riu Tropical Palace and that was great, family friendly and worth the money. I love totally calm water and Jamaica was the nicest of the 3 locations.

For Punta Cana I recommend Majestic Colonial...great for families!

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Beaches Ocho Rios just completed a renovation to make it more Beaches T&C-like and like Jennifer said, it's much less expensive than T&C, plus you don't lose 2 days traveling.

- Kimberly Hill
Mouse Tales® Travel
LIFamilies Vendor
Creating Magical Vacations for LIFamilies since 2008