Cheap All-Inclusive Vacations

[French Quarter]

Apparently not.

Although one of my co-workers visited a few years ago and she really enjoyed it, but I don't think she stayed at an all-inclusive. Somehow that type of accommodating doesn't come to mind when I think of Cuba.

Not sure what you mean. Cuba is probably the number one all-inclusive beach destination for Canadians. It is wildly popular....mostly because it's cheap, friendly and the food is good, from what I hear.

 

[catmom46]

Not sure what you mean. Cuba is probably the number one all-inclusive beach destination for Canadians. It is wildly popular....mostly because it's cheap, friendly and the food is good, from what I hear.

I guess it was the impression I got from my co-worker when she said they ration food, it made me think they didn't have the resources required of all-inclusives.

 

[MinnieM123]

Not sure what you mean. Cuba is probably the number one all-inclusive beach destination for Canadians. It is wildly popular....mostly because it's cheap, friendly and the food is good, from what I hear.

It was not off limits to Canadians. It was off limits to American citizens (except some with very specific criteria that would have allowed them to go there).

 

[French Quarter]

It was not off limits to Canadians. It was off limits to American citizens (except some with very specific criteria that would have allowed them to go there).

That's not exactly true. The US government forbade Americans from traveling to Cuba. However, Cuba has had no problem welcoming Americans there. A lot of Americans would simply come up to Canada and fly out of here and...voila...magical beach vacation. But it does mean that less Americans visited there than Canadians.

 

[French Quarter]

I guess it was the impression I got from my co-worker when she said they ration food, it made me think they didn't have the resources required of all-inclusives.

This isn't true. They don't ration food in Cuba. There resorts look beautiful and work just like all other all-inclusives. I know about them, I have just not personally been and have no idea about the cost.

 

[French Quarter]

Does anyone have experience with the Dominican Republic? I have heard wonderful things about Jamaica but it seems to be one of the more expensive islands to visit.

 

[MinnieM123]

That's not exactly true. The US government forbade Americans from traveling to Cuba. However, Cuba has had no problem welcoming Americans there. A lot of Americans would simply come up to Canada and fly out of here and...voila...magical beach vacation. But it does mean that less Americans visited there than Canadians.

But it was illegal to do that. Quite a few years ago, I had a friend who was a travel agent. She had arranged for a client to fly to Canada, and then from Canada to Cuba. Guess what? Her travel agency got a call from the FBI threatening to legal action to shut down their agency and to also hold the travel agent (my friend) accountable on charges as well. So even if some people were able to circumvent the system at that time, not all were. My friend also didn't have a clue she had done anything wrong. She never booked any flights to Cuba via Canada, after that!

 

[catmom46]

This isn't true. They don't ration food in Cuba. There resorts look beautiful and work just like all other all-inclusives. I know about them, I have just not personally been and have no idea about the cost.

According to this article, they still do: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/24/cubans-food-struggle-rations-consuming-obsession

Unless it ended sometime after April, when the article was posted?

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

My sisters in law visited the Dominican Republic at an all inclusive, they liked it they are picky. It was a Dreams, but that is all I know I try not to talk to them much (but they are getting nicer).

I have been to multiple resorts in Jamaica, it is beautiful and I like the jerk chicken a lot. If I had to pick beaches though I would probably still go to Playa del Carmen in Mexico.

 

[Cesar R M]

That's not exactly true. The US government forbade Americans from traveling to Cuba. However, Cuba has had no problem welcoming Americans there. A lot of Americans would simply come up to Canada and fly out of here and...voila...magical beach vacation. But it does mean that less Americans visited there than Canadians.

They did the same via Mexico.
They travelled to Mexico city then to the Habana.

 

[ItlngrlBella]

well, if you go to Cancun, definitively you have to AT LEAST go to Xel-Ha. forget Xcaret.

Xel-Ha. A close 2nd to WDW in a totally different way. My favorite thing in all of Mexico. Take a cab there vs a bus trip. Much cheaper!

 

[Cesar R M]

Xel-Ha. A close 2nd to WDW in a totally different way. My favorite thing in all of Mexico. Take a cab there vs a bus trip. Much cheaper!

you mean Xcaret. Xcaret is more of a recreational park than Xel Ha.
Xelha is more of a natural park.

 

[ItlngrlBella]

you mean Xcaret. Xcaret is more of a recreational park than Xel Ha.
Xelha is more of a natural park.

Nope, I loved Xel-Ha way more than Xcaret. We've been to both on our honeymoon and then made a second trip to XelHa a few years later.

We love to snorkel, so snorkeling into the caves with the natural skylights, snorkeling down the tropical rivers with the colorful fish, swimming in a school of tuna, relaxing in the natural whirlpools and coming face to face with their lone barracuda were experiences that cannot be matched anywhere in the world.

We hiked, we napped in the hammock area and the fact that all of your food and beverages are included was great. It's the closest to what envision the Garden of Eden was like... with swimsuits replacing the fig leaves.

 

[Cesar R M]

Nope, I loved Xel-Ha way more than Xcaret. We've been to both on our honeymoon and then made a second trip to XelHa a few years later.

We love to snorkel, so snorkeling into the caves with the natural skylights, snorkeling down the tropical rivers with the colorful fish, swimming in a school of tuna, relaxing in the natural whirlpools and coming face to face with their lone barracuda were experiences that cannot be matched anywhere in the world.

We hiked, we napped in the hammock area and the fact that all of your food and beverages are included was great. It's the closest to what envision the Garden of Eden was like... with swimsuits replacing the fig leaves.

ohh I see, since you mentioned WDW.. I tought you mean as "theme park experience". Xel Ha is no theme park experience (Xcaret is).
but yes,I agree with all the things you said.

 

[French Quarter]

But it was illegal to do that. Quite a few years ago, I had a friend who was a travel agent. She had arranged for a client to fly to Canada, and then from Canada to Cuba. Guess what? Her travel agency got a call from the FBI threatening to legal action to shut down their agency and to also hold the travel agent (my friend) accountable on charges as well. So even if some people were able to circumvent the system at that time, not all were. My friend also didn't have a clue she had done anything wrong. She never booked any flights to Cuba via Canada, after that!

It was illegal, yes. I don't disagree. I was just trying to clear up the notion that Cuba had anything to do with why it was illegal. They did not. They happily welcomed Americans. It was the American government that made and enforced this law and no one else.

 

[French Quarter]

According to this article, they still do: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/24/cubans-food-struggle-rations-consuming-obsession

Unless it ended sometime after April, when the article was posted?

We are talking about two completely different things. I'm talking about resorts and the tourism industry, not what the life of an average Cuban is like. Resorts don't ration food. They are all-inclusive the same as in any other country.

(There is a huge difference between the poverty of residents and the opulence of the resorts in most of these beach vacation countries.)

 

[French Quarter]

I am appreciating these reviews.

Do Americans do less beach vacations than Canadians? Seems like most people here have never been on one. I feel like the only person I know here in Canada who has never gone on one.

 

[catmom46]

We are talking about two completely different things. I'm talking about resorts and the tourism industry, not what the life of an average Cuban is like. Resorts don't ration food. They are all-inclusive the same as in any other country.

(There is a huge difference between the poverty of residents and the opulence of the resorts in most of these beach vacation countries.)

I agree - I wasn't saying resorts ration food and I'm totally unfamiliar with their tourism, so had no idea whether or not their lack of resources affected the industry.

The extent of my beach vacations have been Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Fiji. I would say there are a lot of Americans who go to the beaches, though. At least based on the crowds I see at our local beaches.

 

[Cesar R M]

I agree - I wasn't saying resorts ration food and I'm totally unfamiliar with their tourism, so had no idea whether or not their lack of resources affected the industry.

The extent of my beach vacations have been Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Fiji. I would say there are a lot of Americans who go to the beaches, though. At least based on the crowds I see at our local beaches.

Im unsure about Cuba, but in Mexico they do not "ration" per se..
But they make it "rinse". Aka put additives for the food to look more like they are and thus increase efficiency at the cost of flavour.
Example.. a good Guacamole, never has cream or milk. Most allinclusive resorts put these ingredients in the guacamole to save costs on avocados.

drinks are also more diluted (less alcohol) and offer smaller glasses.

 

[catmom46]

Im unsure about Cuba, but in Mexico they do not "ration" per se..
But they make it "rinse". Aka put additives for the food to look more like they are and thus increase efficiency at the cost of flavour.
Example.. a good Guacamole, never has cream or milk. Most allinclusive resorts put these ingredients in the guacamole to save costs on avocados.

drinks are also more diluted (less alcohol) and offer smaller glasses.

Yep, I had heard about these practices as well. But, I wouldn't go to an all-inclusive expecting the best quality food/drink, simply because economically it's not possible. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so affordable.