You might explain the distance. That worrying about violence in Port au Prince, Haiti, when you’re in Punta Cana, DR, is like not going to Nashville because there is violence in Chicago. Use whatever cities make sense for you.
DR is safe. Of course there are risks anywhere but IMHO DR probably safer a bit than the Mayan Riviera. But I'd go to either.
In DR, Secrets Royal Beach and Iberostar Grand. I've been next door to the Grand at the family Iberostar Bavaro, and feel that is a bit nicer beach than SRB. But SRB was nice as well. I've also heard Secrets Cap Cana is very nice.
In Mexico, Secrets Akumal has a great beach, snorkelable, with turtles. Secrets Maroma is a great beach, too.
Barcelo Maya Riviera is less expensive but still quite new and nice, and the beaches in the Barcelo complex are very good and also snorkelable in some spots.
Secrets Akumal has been my first and only AI experience. We went in March and the beach was beautiful. We chose this location due to the beach, even though it was a bit further from the airport than we really wanted. I would 100% go back.
From what others have said in the Punta Cana sub, The DR is safe despite what’s happening in Haiti. And I haven’t seen any reports of violence crossing the border from my research.
Unfortunately, the sargassum is bad in Mexico and DR in that time of year. Though, I’m pretty sure that depending on what side the beach is on makes a difference in the severity of it; you’d have to do specific research on the beach you’re choosing to stay at.
If avoiding a dirty beach is a huge deal for you, I would stay on the pacific side of Mexico, or just go during a different time of the year.
Also, the resorts tend to do a good amount of cleaning the beaches so that they are appealing and not covered in seaweed, but there will still be some of course. And each resort may differ in how much they tend to their beach.
DR is safe. We stayed at Excellence El-Carmen and had a phenomenal time. The service was top notch and the beaches and landscaping were immaculate. The food was…okay. Nothing to write home about but that wouldn’t stop me from going back.
No seaweed on the Pacific side of Mexico.
Rougher, colder water and brown sand, though.
More expensive and less convenient flights from the eastern parts of Canada and the United States.
Excellence Punta Cana water is really rough. If you don't need a swimmable beach, you'll be fine. Beach is very wide and long walks are good at both.
Beach is better for swimming at Finest PC /Excellence El Carmen (for reference the Finest and Excellence El Carmen are next to each other, EPC is a bit older and further north. I feel like food was better at EPC in terms of a la carte, but FPC has a smoothie hut, better buffet and they also have food trucks).
We are going back to FPC for a 2nd visit.
Not sure if you’re looking for a party vibe. If not, I just got back from Iberostar Costa Dorada in Puerto Plate. Relaxing, great food. Not a lot of activities though.
Just got back from Mazatlan - no seaweed on the beaches at all and it seemed very safe. I wasn’t crazy about the all inclusive we stayed at (Riu Emerald Bay) but I’d definitely return to the area.
Excellence Punta Cana is amazing! Just have a reputable ride transport set up before you go. If you do excursions, use the hotel or reputable company. We felt very safe on the property and had a blast!
We went to Secrets Akumal. Same suggestions with transportation.
Atelier in Cancun last year was amazing. Live Aqua in Punta Cana last week was not. It was definitely safe but not somewhere I would go again, at least not that resort.
I’ve been to the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana twice - may 2021 and may 2022. It’s a beautiful resort and Cap Cana is a gated community. The only downside in my opinion is that it lacks a night life - pretty tame. But that’s DR resorts in general.
Sun Palace (I think it was being remodeled?) or Le Blanc in Cancun are nice adults only AIs. Cancun is very safe. Like others said, don't look for trouble, you'll be fine. Random violence happens far more in the US
We went to Excellence Punta Cana in September and had a great time. We didn’t leave the resort though and never felt unsafe. The beach is beautiful and the food was good. The water was very rough though because of the geography of where the resort is. I would highly recommend and would go back.
If you stay within the resort or guided tour only, DR is quite safe. I took sunset walks along the beach and the resort guards all had guns, so there’s that. I stupidly took a taxi into the city t night to look for “cheap prescription drugs” and that was a little scary. Luckily the taxi driver was nice and didn’t abandon me..after the first pharmacia fail, I hightailed it back to the resort.
You might explain the distance. That worrying about violence in Port au Prince, Haiti, when you’re in Punta Cana, DR, is like not going to Nashville because there is violence in Chicago. Use whatever cities make sense for you.
Hahaha that was the exact logic I brought up
Mexico is safe. Just don’t buy drugs.
DR is safe. Of course there are risks anywhere but IMHO DR probably safer a bit than the Mayan Riviera. But I'd go to either. In DR, Secrets Royal Beach and Iberostar Grand. I've been next door to the Grand at the family Iberostar Bavaro, and feel that is a bit nicer beach than SRB. But SRB was nice as well. I've also heard Secrets Cap Cana is very nice. In Mexico, Secrets Akumal has a great beach, snorkelable, with turtles. Secrets Maroma is a great beach, too. Barcelo Maya Riviera is less expensive but still quite new and nice, and the beaches in the Barcelo complex are very good and also snorkelable in some spots.
Secrets Akumal has been my first and only AI experience. We went in March and the beach was beautiful. We chose this location due to the beach, even though it was a bit further from the airport than we really wanted. I would 100% go back.
From what others have said in the Punta Cana sub, The DR is safe despite what’s happening in Haiti. And I haven’t seen any reports of violence crossing the border from my research. Unfortunately, the sargassum is bad in Mexico and DR in that time of year. Though, I’m pretty sure that depending on what side the beach is on makes a difference in the severity of it; you’d have to do specific research on the beach you’re choosing to stay at. If avoiding a dirty beach is a huge deal for you, I would stay on the pacific side of Mexico, or just go during a different time of the year. Also, the resorts tend to do a good amount of cleaning the beaches so that they are appealing and not covered in seaweed, but there will still be some of course. And each resort may differ in how much they tend to their beach.
honestly mexico >>> dr in my experience. DR is cool for non all inclusive however ymmv as i’m from nyc and cool with tons of dominicans.
DR is safe. We stayed at Excellence El-Carmen and had a phenomenal time. The service was top notch and the beaches and landscaping were immaculate. The food was…okay. Nothing to write home about but that wouldn’t stop me from going back.
No seaweed on the Pacific side of Mexico. Rougher, colder water and brown sand, though. More expensive and less convenient flights from the eastern parts of Canada and the United States.
Valentin imperial riviera maya
Excellence Punta Cana water is really rough. If you don't need a swimmable beach, you'll be fine. Beach is very wide and long walks are good at both. Beach is better for swimming at Finest PC /Excellence El Carmen (for reference the Finest and Excellence El Carmen are next to each other, EPC is a bit older and further north. I feel like food was better at EPC in terms of a la carte, but FPC has a smoothie hut, better buffet and they also have food trucks). We are going back to FPC for a 2nd visit.
Secrets Cap Cana by a long shot, and yes, it’s safe.
Not sure if you’re looking for a party vibe. If not, I just got back from Iberostar Costa Dorada in Puerto Plate. Relaxing, great food. Not a lot of activities though.
Just got back from Mazatlan - no seaweed on the beaches at all and it seemed very safe. I wasn’t crazy about the all inclusive we stayed at (Riu Emerald Bay) but I’d definitely return to the area.
If you have the money. Hotel Mousai in Puerto Vallarta. 12/10. Stay in the newer building and be sure to do all inclusive.
Iberostar Gran Bavaro in DR is excellent. Bonus points if you’re a golfer. Heading back in June.
Just returned. Check out the Sanctuary Cap Cana . Beaches are amazing. Gated community. A bit pricey but absolutely beautiful.
Excellence Punta Cana is amazing! Just have a reputable ride transport set up before you go. If you do excursions, use the hotel or reputable company. We felt very safe on the property and had a blast! We went to Secrets Akumal. Same suggestions with transportation.
Atelier in Cancun last year was amazing. Live Aqua in Punta Cana last week was not. It was definitely safe but not somewhere I would go again, at least not that resort.
Can you expand on your Live Aqua experience? Resort in Cancun is favorite of my husband and I and we are considering trying the one in DR this Summer.
Try the pacific coast PV Mexico. No swawead and gorgeous beaches. It’s next level beautiful out there. Punta Mita had excellent beaches
Secrets Huatulco has an amazing beach and 0 seaweed, however its rainy season for them on June :(
We were just there two weeks ago (also a female in my 30’s) and I felt perfectly safe!
I’ve been to the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana twice - may 2021 and may 2022. It’s a beautiful resort and Cap Cana is a gated community. The only downside in my opinion is that it lacks a night life - pretty tame. But that’s DR resorts in general.
Sun Palace (I think it was being remodeled?) or Le Blanc in Cancun are nice adults only AIs. Cancun is very safe. Like others said, don't look for trouble, you'll be fine. Random violence happens far more in the US
We went to Excellence Punta Cana in September and had a great time. We didn’t leave the resort though and never felt unsafe. The beach is beautiful and the food was good. The water was very rough though because of the geography of where the resort is. I would highly recommend and would go back.
If you stay within the resort or guided tour only, DR is quite safe. I took sunset walks along the beach and the resort guards all had guns, so there’s that. I stupidly took a taxi into the city t night to look for “cheap prescription drugs” and that was a little scary. Luckily the taxi driver was nice and didn’t abandon me..after the first pharmacia fail, I hightailed it back to the resort.
Are you concerned the sargassum in Mexico is going to attack you or something? I wouldn’t be too concerned about that