No tips from me, but I’m interested in any responses you receive. I’m already tired of the Minnesota cold and have months to go...

The wife and I use cheapcaribbean.com and pick the adult only all inclusive “Deal of Fortune” where they pick the resort. The area you’re interested. The resort has to be 5-star all inclusive. We’ve done it for Cabo, Riviera Maya, and Jamaica with good results. They always put us in a Secrets, and we got significant room upgrades on two of the three. The one time we didn’t, the resort was at capacity.

If you do enough research on the areas and message boards, you can narrow down the hotel choices they will pick. Each time, we were comfortable with the choices, so it wasn’t a big deal. It also adds an element of surprise and excitement for the trip, as you typically don’t find out until the day you leave.

I forgot how much we saved doing the “Deal of Fortune”, but I think it was around $400 per person.

Of all the locations, Riviera Maya was the best bang for money.

Prices go way up once December hits. Th eLuxury Bahia Principe in runaway bay Jamaica is excellent. Especially for the price. The luxury side has no kids and its own everything so it isn't crowded. Highly recommend but as I said now that it is Peak season price is doubled.

Try holidayincambodia.com

I prefer player del carmen in mexico. Pretty quiet there. If you want more party scene, cancun. Beaches are ok but rocky under-water. Can be dangerous there.
If not picky for food, try Varadero in cuba. Great beaches. Cheaper rates. Safe in any neighborhood even in the wee hours of the night. Those are the only two I know.

Go to Isla Mujeries Mexico.... We love it there and the beaches are perfect with no seaweed. " Big problem in Mexico' You can do all in collusive or wing it.

Food is VERY reasonable and drinks are cheap so we prefer to savor the land.

Stay at the Privilege Aluxis as its a perfect location and always fresh and clean.

A few years ago, I had to go to a destination wedding in Riviera Maya. We stayed at the "Barcelo Maya Palace Deluxe." HUGE property with swim up bars, great buffets and restaurants, sailing, snorkeling, and it was all 100% inclusive. Even the stuff in the mini-fridge was included. Just tip the service staff.

One thing that I liked about the resort was that they had their own water filtration system, so everything from your showers to the sinks right down to the ice in your drink was safe to consume. No worries of getting sick. I think we went through a travel agency to book the flights and transportation to and from.

https://www.barcelo.com/en-us/barcelo-hotels/hotels/mexico/riviera-maya/barcelo-maya-palace/

I'm surprised anyone goes to Mexico still. Just the thought of a issue is enough to spoil it for.me.
I found food is super important at a resort and the one I mentioned was unbelievable compared to the best I've had in Mexico some years ago. There are no water issues in Jamaica either.

Following!

https://www.applevacations.com/hotels/occidental-at-xcaret-destination-ltmshotel~rvmxcrt/

Did my honeymoon here. Had a great time. Great food variety and good drinks. Since you are right next to the National Park forest you'll see parrots and monkeys running around.

Sandals/Jamaica - now that I look back, probably wouldnt recommend it.

You could give me a free trip to Mexico, no interest.

Grand Bahia Principe in Montego Bay is nice. Lots of pools, beaches and food.

Money no object, Bahamar in Nassau. Not all inclusive.

Crime rates are much higher in Jamaica then Mexico. I've been to both and WOULD go back to either...this coming from someone who was robbed in both countries. I have a tendency of going off the beaten patch where those things happen. With that said, I will continue to wander off the beaten patch, because those have also been some of my best experiences. If you are staying at an all inclusive you have almost a zero percent chance of anything happening.

I think you should define what you want most....If Money is of no concern, or if Free Drinks every night are your thing...Diving being most important....Touring.....
At roughly $200-$250 a day per person as a rough average, are you going to want parasailing, Jeep tours, or hiking dunn river falls?
Mostly all is Mexico and Jamaica. Or you could hit the Keys, South Florida and the Gulf.
No exclusive resorts, less money, but the Freedom to plan daily adventures.
Or grab a last minute cruise deal.
Tough call, but I found after 2-3 days, I couldnt lie on the Beach or drink for Fun, but others are happy to just sleep all day.....

What do you want to do?

Went to Dominican Republic which has recently got a bad rep. We stayed at the grand pallidium which has about 5 resorts all on the same property. Everything included unless you want to buy a lobster for 35$ to go with your free stake. Resort is on the beach like 5 Buffett , 8 restaurants , 5 pools with swim up bars, casino and never have to leave the resort. We have been there twice and will be going back. Any questions ask.

https://www.palladiumhotelgroup.com/es/hoteles/republicadominicana/puntacana/grand-palladium-punta-cana-resort-spa
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I would say Riviera Maya personally. No cartel. Highly recommend Valentine Imperial. Affordable and awesome!

We’ve done Punta Cana too, but enjoyed Valentine Imperial Riviera Maya considerably more.

Added a link for you........ Believe me when I say this is the safest place you can go in Mexico.

https://www.privilegehotels.com/es/galeria

TIP: I usually go to my bank the month before and stock up on $2 bills. Many times people from other countries have never seen a $2 bill. I use them to tip my bar tenders. They think it is soooo cool. You will be there favorite guest and they will serve you fast. I've had a couple give me too shelf liquor when it was not in our package.

They might think they are fake. I also know that many countries will not accept bills unless they are in great condition. Any rips or markings and they will hand them back to you.

+1 for Valentin...been there twice, can’t wait to go back.

Jamaica if you smoke green,

Aruba is awesome, stayed at the “rio”

I recommend Panama Over Costa Rica

Australia if you have 10k

Never travel in the USA, to much gun violence.

Going to Puerto Plata Dominican republic. The town is Cofressi. We were married there, now going back with our daughter. The resort has changed owners 3 times since we were there last, but the buildings and pools are the same.

Best part is that its next door to ocean world. Last time I swam with sharks while the wife had a dolphin experience. Well probably do the dolphins this time.

Go on vacation anyplace in the world
Please never visit, support or book any zoo’s, shark swims, caged animal torture activities.
If you must visit Ocean world, I recommend protesting out side the entrance.

If you are worried about getting shot then don't go to playa del carmen. Playa Mujeres and Rivera Maya (both in Mexico, Cancun area) are not cartel grounds. Besides they thrive with tourist and drugs, why would they beat on their clientele. Most murders are gang related and tourist are left alone.

If you are going with kids (or without) the two newest hotels in Riviera Maya are Royalton Riveria and the El Senator (occupanacy 2019) but if you are a beach goer might not be the place. When we went they didn't clean the seaweed from the seabed so the pictures you see are not what you would be expecting. but the food, boozxe, pool, amenities are way above par.

https://www.senatorrivieracancunsparesort.com/
https://www.royaltonresorts.com/royalton-riviera-cancun

Punta Cana has had a strings of murders lately with booze ingested poisons. I use to go there all the time and haven't gone in 2 years.

https://globalnews.ca/news/5480708/canadian-deaths-dominican-republic/

If you really want to go off the beattened path you can try costa rica. This will become a real hot spot in years to come. It's sort of cheap right now.....but not for long.

Club Med Turks and Caicos.

Dominican Republic..... Have been five times, zero issues. Also got married there. Have been to Jamaica, Mexico, Costa Rica, and DR (Tropical trips). Screw Mexico, no matter how hard I tried to avoid the water, I always got sick, with my last trip (Went many times) resulting in loss of 10+ lbs, and sick for over a month when I got home (Thought I would die there I was so sick). These days with the cartel crap, I have no idea why anyone goes there, other than blind ignorance. Jamaica (went twice) is very poor, and has definite safety issues. There is that slime issue in the water, begger central, and the people could care less if you lived or died. I had to fight off a crack head that wanted my sneakers, next to Dunn River. Costa Rica is AWESOME, if I could, I'd move there now, but its not cheap. I know the DR had issues a few months ago, other than some freak pesticide issue, or fake booze (see Mexico), maybe it was just a real bad coincidence. DR is cheap, never had a safety issue, and friendly as hell. Liked the RIU properties the best, book a higher class one so you can use the others nearby. Awesome food, booze, and people. I'd return to the DR any day. I have heard Aruba is great, and very safe as well, just a tad higher with price. (I have not done any tropical travel in a few years due to the kid, but will pick it back up soon.

Make sure you read the reviews on Tripadvisor.com, but remember everyone has an opinion, read between the lines.

cheapcaribbean.com is good, also try the main sites. Expedia, Priceline, etc

You go to third world countries, but avoid the US? Wake up... Panama, really? LOL