Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

DH and I are planning a vacation with MOH and her husband for March and we need to book SOON. Only problem is, no one can seem to make a decision. We are either going to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic or Riviera Maya in Mexico.

Personally, I didn't want to go to Mexico (I REALLY wanted to go to Aruba or St. Lucia, actually, but we can't find a deal in our price range and we can't spend more since our BIG trip was the honeymoon and this is just a fun little one), but DH read some reviews on Punta Cana and is now concerned about the following (in his words):

Mosquitoes, Mosquitoes, Mosquitoes. Everyone says to bring repellant. They have foggers, but it still sounded like people were avoiding the outdoor restaurants because of this. Sounds like they were worst at the beach around dusk/ dinner and anywhere inland.

It's on the Atlantic, not the Caribbean. This means the sea is rougher and has a good undertow. People made it sound like snorkeling was near impossible. Not sure how much this effects diving. (MOH's DH says diving is his #1 priority)

Service: People who tipped or left crayons for the maid said got great service. It seems those that those that didn't tip got lousy service.


WHAT DO YOU LADIES THINK?? IS THIS A FAIR ASSESSMENT OF PUNTA CANA?

WHAT ABOUT RIVIERA MAYA? WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS THERE?

WHICH WOULD YOU RECOMMEND OUT OF THE TWO DESTINATIONS AND WHY??

WE REALLY NEED TO DECIDE BY THE END OF THE WEEK SO I REALLY APPRECIATE ANY/ALL FEEDBACK!!

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

I thought sunburn was a much bigger issue than mosquitoes... Definitely bring an SPF chapstick.

We went to Punta Cana in 2001, and I didn't really have a huge issue with mosquitoes (and we didn't use bug spray either). I don't think its moist enough there.

I thought the ocean waters were pretty calm, but snorkeling wasn't good due to equipment of my resort.

With regard to service, we didn't leave any tips on the daily basis and got normal room service. There wasn't always a live flower on our pillows, but the beds were always made and garbage emptied and the room was cleaned in general.

Can't answer for Riviera Maya, although DH's who's been to Cancun feels that staff was nicer/friendlier in Dominican Republic than in Mexico.

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

Thanks, Alina! Do you mind my asking what month you went and where you stayed (what resort)?

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

August (we were lucky there were no hurricanes) and we stayed a Allegro Bavaro, which I think has changed hands since our stay.

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

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Posted by AlisonMT


Service: People who tipped or left crayons for the maid said got great service. It seems those that those that didn't tip got lousy service.

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Hey Alison! Sorry, I can't help out, but I just had to ask what the above statement means. Why would you leave crayons for the maid?

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

I went to Punta can in May 2001 and we did have a mosquito problem. But once we wore bug spary we were ok. My parents have been going there every year in Jan/Feb for the past few years and they have not had a bug problem. It alos rained while I was there but I hear in the winter month Dec-Feb the weather is much nicer.

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

Alison, FM!

One thing: we went to Cancun last ear and HATED IT! people are rude and food was horrible! But may be we just got unlucky with the place! I think the place was called Oasis.

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

I went to Riviera maya for my honeymoon.

Had a fab time, stayed at the Moon Palace Resort. It was beautiful!!! We very rarely left the resort only to go on tours and a lobster dinner cruise, so I did not go to Cancun. We were treated wonderfully by the staff.

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

Thanks everyone!

Well I am pretty much going insane with this vacation planning. MOH's husband is driving me NUTS because NOW he's decided he wants to go to Cozumel because he hears there is good diving there and thought there wasn't in Punta Cana. ARGHH!! He is the ONLY one in the group that even WANTS to go diving!! Up until now, I thought our choices were Riviera Maya vs. Punta Cana and I was kinda leaning towards Punta Cana. We got a great deal at Secrets there... Anyone ever been?

Anyway, thanks for all the info and keep it coming...!

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

We went to the Mayan Riveria last month. The resort (Aventura Spa Palace) was beautiful. I thought the food was ok. My Dh has been to the DR also, and said the food was about the same in both places generally speaking.

The staff was so nice and accommodating. Even the cab drivers were nice.

There were a few biting bugs at night, but hardly worth mentioning.

The only thing that sticks out to me is the diving/snorkeling. There is great diving and snorkeling along that stretch of Mexico. We weren't able to do either (DH had his appendix (sp?) out just before we left), but had planned on snorkeling.

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

Allison, talk to MarcellaBella, she went to Secrets on her honeymoon and LOVED IT!!!!

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

I have heard great things about Secrets - if you have a great deal I would go there!

I have been to both Punta Cana and RM. I went to the Aventura Spa Palace in May (I chose RM over Cozumel actually - Cozumel was where I was thinking first but glad about my choice.) and been to DR a couple times (once PC and once PP-both Iberostars). I think it really depends on the quality of the resort. Where I stayed in both was nice maybe with Mexico being a little better (food about the same but resort a bit nicer). If you plan on leaving the resort or going diving and such - I would steer to Mexico. In DR, I never had a problem with bugs - I did read about that on the review sites but I had no problems and I usually get bitten alive. I brought bug spray and ointment and never even used it there.

If going back to the same resorts I went to and had to pick - figuring price was the same - I would probably go back to Mexico before Punta Cana. Both are nice though and great value for your $$ for a beach resort vacation.

A co-worker of mine went to Secrets at the same time I went to RM. When I showed her pictures of the resort I went to in RM - she said they seemed very similar.

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

I am going to Secrets in Punta Cana and have heard all great things!

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

Definately look into the Royal Hideaway in Playa del Carmen (Mexican Riveria). We went therer on our honeymoon and it was AMAZING. The best food, service, grounds, and most top notch all-inclusive resort.

www.royalhideaway.com

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

Hi,
I have been both to DR and MR. I was recently in MR in December and it was beautiful. Great weather. The people were extremely friendly and if you decide on MR you shoud go to 5th avenue. It is a strip of stores, bars and restaurants and the food is amazing. My FH and I meet a couple on their honeymoon and they loved it.

My nationality is Dominican and I was born and raised in NY but I have to say I love it there. My FH does to and he is Italian. People are friendly and helpful.

I think you will probably like MR more due to the diving. Maybe for your honeymoon you should try DR. They both are great. Hope this helps. The resort I stayed in was Occidental Xcaret Grand Flamenco. Have a timeshare there. They also have ecological park and you can arrange to swim with dolphins for a price though. But lots of fun.

Re: Please help with my vacation planning! Punta Cana or Riviera Maya???

Did u check out the Mandarin Oriental in RM?
I was on the fence about it over The Tides.
There is an incentive to go to MO b/c it is brand new w/a soft opening and they are giving great rates w/a $100 spa credit breakfast included.

We chose the Tides overall only b/c I loved the part of the less guests seems more romantic.

I let everyone know in May how it turns out!