HawthorneVillager.com

We are looking to go away in January with another couple and I'm starting to do some reasearch on some places to go. I've been to Cancun, Bahamas and Punta Cana and I am looking to go somewhere new! Anybody have recommendations on placaes they;ve stayed at reasonable prices?

Is it better to wait until the last minute and book then? Any info would be appreciated.

the first couple of weeks in January are extremely cheap to book an all-inclusive, especially last minute.

As to where you want to go, it depends on what you're looking for. If you just want to lounge on the resort and not go anywhere, we enjoyed Cayo Coco in Cuba (beautiful beaches and good value). For a little more action, we really enjoyed Puerto Vallarta. It doesn't have the nice white sand beaches because it's on the Pacific, but the town is great!

Turks and Caicos is nice.
Cuba is cheap, beaches are nice...but the food is bad...even if u go to the best resort the food sucks.

Didn't both of these places just get smoked by a Hurricane? I read about T&K taking years to get back to normal -- someone was quoted on CNN it was like what happened to New Orleans.

I'm not concerned about the Hurricane obviously in January, but what are those beaches going to be like..

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Chris & Mira

Chris & Mira,

My hubby & I are trying to plan an all-inclusive trip sometime either oct/nov....maybe we could contact you for some ideas/deals/info etc...

why go AI ?? Are you more comfortable with this ??

The past 2 years my husband and I have been to Barbados and now we are hooked. We just rent a place and then do our own meals. We are going in November for 10 days and taking our 3 girls with us this time. So far for the 5 of us for air and accomodation it's costing us just a bit over $5000.00 and we are staying in a new house on the west coast with a pool and minutes from the beach but it does have a sea view. And we also bring some food from home - cereal, tea, coffee,pb & j, sugar, snacks, kd, pasta ... then we just buy basics while there, milk, beer, bread, beer, juice, beer etc etc. We usually eat out once a day - but with the girls with us this time - we will probably do picnic lunches on the days we go sightseeing with them.

I always hate the fact that you have to be up and down to eat your buffet breakfast at set times and the same with lunch and dinner. Not to mention the food does get boring after the 4th day - same old stuff - just recycled.

We went AI to St Kitts 3 years ago - and we just loved it - but again just bored with the meals after a while.

Barbados is a beautiful island and yes it is very expensive - but I am figuring we will spend the same amount if not less than what we spent when we went for 8 days to St Pete's and Orlando this past January ($7,000 approx spent in Florida)

Jo

Went to Mexico (Mayan Riveira) all inclusive last year and loved it. Stayed at a 5 star called Grand Sirenis, food was realy good, beautiful resort. Would definitly go back.

Remember Canadians get killed and imprisoned for no reason in Mexico, even on resorts. The law is not on your side over there. I would not give Mexico my money.

People get killed every day in Toronto too but we still go there.

We love all-inclusives.
We love the fact that it's hassle free. Just pack clothes and go!



IMO, Playa Pesquero, in Holguin, Cuba was one of the best we've been to, in terms of the friendly environment, not so north-americanized, amazing beaches... Cristal was good beer!

You'd get better deals last minute. Just monitor the places you wanna go to and when the price drops to what you budgeted for, book it.

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I'd suggest Cancun, but you say you've already been there. Did you go to Coco Bongo's by chance?

I'd also suggest Cozumel, but have you ever thought of doing a cruise? We have our 6th one coming up, and we far prefer them to AI's. Now, you do have to pay for your alcohol, but to me it works out better on a cruise - and you have great food!

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I went to Huatulco Mexico a few years ago. The views were amazing, the water was VERY clear, and it's not as packed as other places in Mexico.

As per the comment about Canadians being imprisoned on resorts...when and where has this happened in Mexico?


...um yeah...btw, it's also dangerous to be in "champagne-coloured" vehicles...

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/496071

Here's just a few...

Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Dan McTeague said Canadians need to be better informed by Foreign Affairs about the risks of traveling to Mexico. He says the current travel report which suggest Canadians should "exercise caution," is nowhere near enough.

"Perhaps advise to Canadians not to travel there except for essential reasons."

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_6792.aspx
Ottawa's Warnings To Canadians About Mexico Are Disturbing
Wednesday January 10, 2007
CityNews.ca Staff
It's another case of who done it - and whether anything was done at all.

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7514.aspx
Two More Canadians Shot In Mexico
Sunday February 4, 2007
CityNews.ca Staff
A chain of troubling incidents involving Canadians in Mexico had a new link Sunday, after reports two more Ontario residents were shot in an Acapulco hotel Saturday night.

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_22840.aspx
Another Canadian Tourist Killed In Mexico
Sunday May 18, 2008
The Canadian Press
Police say a Canadian tourist was shot and killed late Thursday inside his hotel room in the Mexican resort city of Cabo San Lucas.

And let's not forget that Canadian Lady who was held in horrible prison situation sharing a single cell with 9 other people including a 10 years old boy, for 2 years. They put a child in jail. If they feel you are wrong, your wrong, not saying she was innocent, but... a little much for me.

If I was planning my vacation, I would choose to take my family somewhere a little safer.