Fun n the Sun

[Guest *o****ea****t]

i am thinking about dustin off the speedo & bookin it down south over the holidays and was wondering if anyone had some recommendations on places to stay or avoid. i haven't been south since my school days & from what i remember those are not the places i'm looking to be these days. really fun for me back then but probably not so much now. don't think i'm interested in southern states, cuba, dominican or cruises. mexico or carribean is a possibility. pretty much just looking for a nice beach & sights :boobies::boobeyes: (ok not those sights but i wouldn't complain), more adults than screaming or partying kids, to get some quality r & r. not looking to spend a fortune (gotta save some for the fine ladies of cerb :-D). don't necessarily need an ocean view as i don't intend to spend days cooped up in a room but want a nice clean place to crash thats at least walking distance to the water. i always find 1 week is too short as i just start to relax and then its time to come back to the grind so i'm thinking 10 - 14 days should do it. after i've had a chance to rest then i'd be interested in some deep sea fishing, scuba diving/snorkelling, eco adventures & sightseeing. maybe a round or 2 of golf should i get the itch. who knows....maybe i'll even work on tan lines like this :fes: i've been checking out the travel sites & theres a lot of info to try & filter through. i have no idea if i'm getting the real story of these places from real people and not someone who has an interest in getting people to stay there. so if anyone has had a good or bad experience on where to go, stay or avoid i'd appreciate your insight.

[antlerman 17064]

make sure you book at an adults only resort.

hey cater to every one ove 18...that way no "carpet buffalos" running around......

Blue bay in Cancun is good

[Guest f***2f***]

I went on a cruise last year.....expensive and way too much food!!

[NotchJohnson 214123]

make sure you book at an adults only resort.

hey cater to every one ove 18...that way no "carpet buffalos" running around......

Blue bay in Cancun is good

I was at the Blue bay in Cancun before and there was many older couples there, some younger couples too but they never stayed during the day. We even took the catamaran to isla mujeres (women island) and did some snorkling on the reefs. 7/10

 

My friend just got back from Dominican Republique ( Sosua ) and he says the beaches are wonderfull and night life fun and cheap to get a date( between $10 to $50 US )for the full night.

 

Enjoy your holidays

[antlerman 17064]

T'storm is right on...but it all depends on the time of year also.

Cuba is still a great place....for the high end places.....

 

Ixtapa mexico..nice

st.lucia...nice

St. marten

Antigua.....

all good

[Guest gagagaga]

I have a friend who just came back from Punta Cana ( Occidental grand flamenco...a place I've been to before)

 

something for everyone there...and beautiful women for cheap cheap cheap!!!

[hunknhot 1067]

I guess the key question is, what is your budget? No need to post it but here are some options for you.

Lower end of the price spectrum:

Cuba: Veradero beach, any of the Spanish or Canadian owned hotels, I have been to a few. The beaches are world class, white powder sand crystal blue water. The properties are wonderful. Stick to the 5 stars though. Food has always been inconsistent in Cuba but the Havana Club rum should make you forget about your meals. Activities are reasonably priced. (fishing etc hobbying is as well but I would never dare down south! just me :)) Hope I don't get blasted for that comment. Safe overall, Cuba is very protective of tourists in the tourist areas. People are very nice and genuine.

 

Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo. Was there a while back at the Don Juan beach resort. I am sure it is renamed but most agents will know it. It is two block from the Casino. The property was ok. Food was ok. Beach was above average. Activities were plenty and cheap. Went scuba and fishing there. Prepare to brave the gauntlet of vendors and working beach babes there. As for leaving the resort, I would not recommend it without an armed escort. Was followed a few times by shady characters but the hotel guards will typically escort you to another property if you ask. Probably would not repeat, I have been there a few times on business at upscale hotels, save your money and go elsewhere.

Jamaica: Beaches Ocho Rios. Went there when the property was new. Food was fantastic, beach was average. Activities were plenty and everything was included except fishing. Pools were exceptional. When it comes to leaving the resort the guards will ask (more like beg) you no to unless you go with a tour company. I did anyway and saw what they meant, I was immediately approached by shady characters most were trying to sell drugs but I also think they were sizing me up. I hear the property is not like it used to be but Sandals offer great deals there. Something to consider. The resort there is very safe, they have a small army protecting it as it is also a stopover for many of the huge cruise lines.

Mid Range $

Cancun: Stayed at the JW Marriott. Not an all inclusive but have to mention it. It is a bit higher on the price scale but it’s a wonderful property a true five star. Great overall, food fantastic but a-la-carte so will cost you more but the Marriott website does offer meals plans for this property. The clubs nearby are great and you can definitely have fun there they are as much fun as Vegas bars but cheaper. Most are meat markets for tourists. ;) The beach is on the weak scale as a hurricane from a few years ago devastated the entire beach front there. Activities are extra, definitely cost more than the three above but the level is service is better. Now for good news! The property is also attached to a normal Marriott brand is almost as nice and you can use the services and restaurants at both locations. There are probably 4 or 5 other properties on the strip I would stay at there. Recent news of the cartel wars is worrisome a bit but tourists are not really the target. Your call though.

Puerto Vallarta: Paradise Village Beach Resort and Spa, A great overall place to stay. 20 min outside of Puerto Vallarta is Nuevo Vallarta. A strip of newer properties. A great all inclusive. Nice beaches. Good food. Fishing and Scuba were not included but were great. I dive around the world when I get the chance and if you are a diver, in two days, swam with humpback whales, dolphin, giant manta and sharks. All wild and unexpected. Thank god I am only yummy to humans! The clubs are great. It is a party spot. Start at Carlos O’Brien’s Pub by the time you leave that one tell me if you can still speak!

High End

Bahamas: Atlantis. It is rated top 3 in the world for a reason. It’s pricey but worth it. Beaches, superb, food wonderful, activities plenty. Double the price of all of the above but you won’t want to leave. Only one problem. Everyone else also loves this place. Super packed. There are other properties along the beach that are less expensive and you would have a great time at those as well. I would have trouble staying at them since I already stayed at Atlantis.

British Virgin Islands: Virgin Gorda, Bitter End Yacht Club. It is paradise. Wonderful, secluded, breathtaking. You would swear it was created the day before you arrived. Sits on a stunning private island and is stop for the rich and famous. If you swim across to the next island.. (okay so you need to be a good swimmer) you will land on Necker Island, Richard Branson’s private resort. The water is a 100 ft deep and crystal clear. All transport is done by boat. It is about an hour by boat from the airport. Which by the way, my pilot look liked a stoned Nick Nolte and I am sure he thought he was still flying mission over Vietnam. The airline I flew was a huge carrier so if you get motion sickness take your gravol before leaving Puerto Rico. You have to fly through Puerto Rico only way to get there unless you have a private jet. It is beyond safe, I’m not sure they know what crime. I only mention it cause it is truly one of the world’s gems no one has ever heard about. Now for the kicker. When I tell people about it they always ask me how much does it cost? It is pricey not by Dubai standard but it is pricey. The answer is… if you buy a Mercedes you are not really going to ask how much does it cost to fill the tank. Kind of the same thing but I think they starting posting their rates on their website.

I travel for work and my other hobby is travelling as well, pm if you have any other place you are thinking of.. chance are I might have been nearby..and yes I don’t travel alone, usually with old friends I grew up with who are now scattered around. We use these trips as our annual guy treks.

Btw.. There is always Vegas!.. The deals there this year should be written into the history book. I say we have a Cerb meet and greet at the Playboy club at the Palms.. First round is on me!

[Guest *o****ea****t]

thanks fellow cerbians. you've given me some great options so i'm gonna explore some of them & hopefully i'll be able to book something soon.

[cordsboy 184]

You cannot go wrong going to the Riviera Maya south of Cancun. Any hotel in or near Playa Del Carmen is great. Very nice beaches, safe, lots to see and do, the reefs off Cozumel are rated #3 in the world and the night life tends to be older (school kids stay in Cancun). The upside is if your in the mood for an easy lay just take the $30 cab ride to Cancun.

 

Costa Rica is another great spot, can hit the Pacific and Atlantic/ GoM, rain forest, active volcano... lots to see and do.

 

My favorite place lately has been Portugal; stay in local hotels, eat on the ocean at a local family run restaurant (you can watch them walk in out of the ocean with the same food that ends up on your plate). Great wine/ porto, lots to see and do, GREAT scenery if you like Portuguese or Spanish women.

[drlove 37204]

Grand Lido is the ultimate in luxury resorts in Jamaica. Admittedly, a bit pricey, but worth every penny from what I could tell. I ronically enough, it was across the street from Hedonism II, where I was staying! 8-)

[Guest S**r***e]

Have to go with drlove on this one, I recommend Jamaica. Been to the Caymen Islands and it was too damn hot there for me. Did the Mexico thing and probably won't again but the Mayan ruins I checked out there was really interesting. Ever thought of Panama? I plan on heading down there sometime in the next couple of years. I do have a friend that owns a place down there so I won't have to worry about hotel costs when I get there. :-)