Best beach AI for bff trip?

[Bernadine]

My bff and I would like to do a 4-5 night beach trip, preferably AI, where we don’t have to think about or plan anything.

My budget is tighter than hers, so somewhere nice, with spa services, but not outrageous. We’ll probably fly out of BWI and prefer non-stop.

I’m thinking Punta Cana or Mexico?

[fiddles]

What is your budget and things you’re looking for in a resort ?

[campermom]

Occidental costa Cancun. Direct flights southwest. I went back a second time bc I loved it so much! Check out cheapcarribean.com

[Bernadine]

Mar 16, 2024 11:17:37 GMT -5 fiddles said:

What is your budget and things you’re looking for in a resort ?

I’d say $2000 max, for hotel and flight.

Looking for nice beach, pools, and spa service.

[georgeglass]

What time of year? We just booked for Riviera Maya in July (HOT and low season) and flights alone out of DC area were $600 minimum.

[expectantsteelerfan]

This is def. the kind of trip to find a local travel agent for. If you aren't picky about destination, they should be able to find you a good deal and do the searching for you and come up with options for you to pick from.

[eb777888]

Mar 17, 2024 5:56:39 GMT -5 georgeglass said:

What time of year? We just booked for Riviera Maya in July (HOT and low season) and flights alone out of DC area were $600 minimum.

I was going to say something about this, too. We're also going in July, bought our airfare last week and it was about $550/each. I'm picky though and will only fly American and wanted a direct flight. I'm mad because we looked last month when we were still on the fence about the trip and they were $100 cheaper. 

[Bernadine]

Mar 17, 2024 5:56:39 GMT -5 georgeglass said:

What time of year? We just booked for Riviera Maya in July (HOT and low season) and flights alone out of DC area were $600 minimum.

Hmmm. I’m thinking early September. Maybe I need to revisit my budget.

[georgeglass]

Mar 17, 2024 10:07:43 GMT -5 Bernadine said:

Mar 17, 2024 5:56:39 GMT -5 georgeglass said:

What time of year? We just booked for Riviera Maya in July (HOT and low season) and flights alone out of DC area were $600 minimum.

Hmmm. I’m thinking early September. Maybe I need to revisit my budget.

Take a look at some of the consolidators like Costco Travel and price out some stuff. September could be cheaper, but it's also cheaper because it's hurricane season. Whatever you choose, get travel insurance.

[dropthea]

Check out apple vacations. We did AI out of BWI to Aruba for our Honeymoon. We love it and have been going back the last few years over Christmas!

[fiddles]

Mar 16, 2024 13:49:22 GMT -5 Bernadine said:

Mar 16, 2024 11:17:37 GMT -5 fiddles said:

What is your budget and things you’re looking for in a resort ?

I’d say $2000 max, for hotel and flight.

Looking for nice beach, pools, and spa service.

Delta vacations or Costco travel should be able to give you good deals. Highly suggest wherever you choose you upgrade to private transportation and not shared. This way it’s direct.

El Dorado Royale is a nice spot. Lots of restaurants as it’s part of 3 resorts. All sorts of pools from “party” to quiet. It’s outside of the hotel zone in Cancun so you really don’t get the super young party crowd.

El Dorado Palms/seaside suites is similar. The palms side has a beautiful beach.

Just now that time is key sargassum season. We’ve been to those 2 resorts and they bust their ass trying to keep the beach clean.

Maroma was voted one of the top beaches in the world but it may be out of your price range

[al dente]

Mar 17, 2024 17:09:03 GMT -5 dropthea said:

Check out apple vacations. We did AI out of BWI to Aruba for our Honeymoon. We love it and have been going back the last few years over Christmas!

I was going to suggest this too! We took a few Caribbean vacations through them and it was always the best deal because transportation was included as well. If I remember the flights are a little more limited, but worth looking into.

[mich1]

Check out Costco travel too. We did an AI in Riveria Maya several years ago and got an incredible deal there.

[basilosaurus]

I wouldn't go anywhere in the Caribbean in August or Septemeber without good travel insurance. It's low season for a reason. Mid-Aug to mid-Oct are the busiest. ABC islands would probably be the safest bet. I believe there are easy flights from BWI to Aruba. Couldn't tell you the first thing about AI, though.

[majesty318]

I have been to Riu Republica in Punta Cana 3 times. It is adults only. The most recent time was last September, 5 nights, paid about $1100 including direct flights. I booked through United Vacations but have also used Expedia in the past.

[livinitup]

I did Cancun with a BFF and it absolutely hit all of your boxes including a LOT for our money. Very all-inclusive, excellent food with better pools and beaches that I thought we were going to get. Lots of room to explore on grounds and easy to visit other resorts up/down the block/beach. My H will not travel in Mexico due to the documented crime but my experience felt like we were in a mini-US bubble.