All inclusive--Anyone have experience?

[Dancingfish Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dancingfish]

My Daughter and her boyfriend are looking into using one of our weeks next year and are thinking an all inclusive in Mexico might be fun. Has anyone done this through RCI? and do you have any recommendations? They were thinking PV?
Thanks

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

My cousin owns at an AI in Cancun. They love the Golden Shores Crown Paradise because of the party atmosphere there. The resort is huge and does offer a lot.
Keep in mind that because of the AI they will be stuck at the resort. They will miss out on some good restaurants and will always have to go back to the resort to eat or they lose out. If they decide on PV they will miss the restaurant that over looks the Port for one. If it was me and I was young I would look at Club Med because at least they are fun.

[Dancingfish Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dancingfish]

more help please

thanks frank! I know you travel down that way alot-- They are worried that it would be too expensive to eat out all the time (and drink) and thought this might be a way of pinching pennies... but from what I am reading most of the all inclusives they are only offering food and drink and not snorkling, boating etc within their packages????

Being younger (20's) I know they will want to be active-- unlike me who can sit on the beach all day-- any suggestions?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

thanks frank! I know you travel down that way alot-- They are worried that it would be too expensive to eat out all the time (and drink) and thought this might be a way of pinching pennies... but from what I am reading most of the all inclusives they are only offering food and drink and not snorkling, boating etc within their packages????

Being younger (20's) I know they will want to be active-- unlike me who can sit on the beach all day-- any suggestions?

If it is about the money then they can possibly save by going off the AI. Most AI prices are much higher than they were in the past. They have taken the Alcohol costs more into consideration. They will IMO get better food out side the resorts. MY cousins got food poisoning from the sushi bar at the AI. If they got out to eat they can eat at fine restaurants or a Taco stand while shopping.

[Barbeque Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Barbeque]

We can eat and drink much more reasonably than at an all inclusive. I have read a lot of cases of Montezumas may come from buffets and they tend to be more prevalent at the all inclusives. We like to order off a menu and get fresh food. Booze at the Grocery store tends to be more reasonable. Take some insulated sport bottles or cups and take your own drinks down to the pool areas. I have been to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo and there are so many fine restaurants and I feel safe in the towns. We have been to Jamaica and the only way I would go there is all inclusive. I did not feel comfortable outside the resort. Hint the security at the gate had machine guns.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

My Daughter and her boyfriend are looking into using one of our weeks next year and are thinking an all inclusive in Mexico might be fun. Has anyone done this through RCI? and do you have any recommendations? They were thinking PV?
Thanks

I wouldn't consider an AI in Puerta Vallarta.
Nice town with many reasonable restaurants. It was certainly not expensive by NY standards when we were there.

I have heard the prices in Cancun have risen dramatically and Cabo is expensive as well.

[pittle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pittle]

We were in PV for two weeks in November. We also find that there are a lot of reasonably priced restaurants there. There were several beachfront restaurants in Bucerias where beer is 5 for 44 pesos ($4). Now my 30-something kids really liked that! The food was good too. Many of the downtown restaurants are a bargain. Pipi's in town has great fajitas. We tend to share because after you eat the fresh guacomole and Mexican salsa, you are not hungry enough to eat a platter full of food.

At $125-$150 per person per day at the A-I resorts, you would have to eat and drink A LOT to come out even.

[djyamyam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close djyamyam]

While we're not AI fans, you can't dismiss the convenience factor. A number of our friends are AI fans and will always be. Remember the age factor here.

After partying and sleeping in, if I wake up hungry, it's very easy to go down and grab something without having to leave the resort. If I'm at the pool, it's simple to go to the swim up bar and order as many drinks as I want and not have to worry about the cost. If I'm not part of the AI, then that's going to cost you, especially at the resort. I don't want to have to lug around my own booze down to the pool. That's too much hassle and responsibility.

[Deer Path Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Deer Path]

WE tried the AI in Cancun a few years ago and it was over $1000 for the 2 of us. WE have found no matter where we go we can get by for less than that just getting what we want. Lots of the resorts have a happy hour and that means 2 x 1 for a few hours everyday. We also plan to eat breakfast in our room most of the time and then do whatever we want otherwise. In November we were at the Playa Grande in Cabo for 2 weeks and we ate and drank all we wanted and it was around $700 (for 2 weeks!!!) We ate out almost every night too.

Judy

[Jaybee Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jaybee]

Our only experience with an AI was with one in PV that I found on Travelzoo. Some friends of ours booked it, and we decided to join them. It was a 4 night stay for about $650 pp, including air. I don't even remember the name. It had Villa in it, and it was next door to Los Tules. We had a good time. It was nothing fancy, but it was clean and friendly, and on the beach. We would do it again, but we've been to PV many times, and enjoyed just hanging out, and taking a tour and shopping a bit.
On the other hand, we were looking for an exchange to Mazatlan for Jan., and got the Royal Villas from RCI. After I booked it (not paying attention), I realized it's going to cost us $553 pp, only because it's through RCI, for the AI. Others don't have to use it. Hmmm? That was in the small print. I certainly hope it's a FINE resort. Older doesn't necessarily mean smarter, does it? Jean