Honeymoon in Cancun or the Bahamas?

[BlueWeasel]

I'm getting married in May and have started looking at making arrangements for a honeymoon in Cancun. We've been getting a lot of recomendations from others on where to stay, where to eat, etc.

It seems as though half are saying to avoid the "all inclusive" packages because that's what all the wild teenagers/college kids do. Others have said that the cost of the food and drinks is outrageous (that's expected) and you'll end up paying an arm and a leg if you don't get the all inclusive package.

What would you recommend? Also, any places that we need to stay at or check out during the trip?

[Edit]
We are also considering going to the Bahamas. Any body care to share their experiences in a Bahamas vacation?

 

[rh71]

Cancun's food is not worth the money and it's not all that "different" like a Hawaii... do the all-inclusive and you will be better off not worrying about where to get food...

 

[jtusa]

Well honeymoons are meant to be romantic so if I were you I'd avoid the drunken college-age orgy that is Cancun.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: jtusa4
Well honeymoons are meant to be romantic so if I were you I'd avoid the drunken college-age orgy that is Cancun.

What other places would you recommend?

If we decide on Cancun, it sounds like it's best to go with the all inclusive package, but try to find an area away from the college punks. Is that possible or is Cancun just covered with them? I'm kinda worried about it since we'll be going in mid-May around the end of the college semester.

 

[rh71]

You'd definitely be better off in Hawaii for a honeymoon. Try Maui. Cancun itself is just a strip of hotels/beach and a small downtown.

 

[TwinkleToes77]

I'd go all-inclusive. When we were planning our honeymoon it actually fell right during spring break so we stayed away from mexico and the other college going areas. We opted for a cruise instead.

 

[Ophir]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: jtusa4
Well honeymoons are meant to be romantic so if I were you I'd avoid the drunken college-age orgy that is Cancun.

What other places would you recommend?

If we decide on Cancun, it sounds like it's best to go with the all inclusive package, but try to find an area away from the college punks. Is that possible or is Cancun just covered with them? I'm kinda worried about it since we'll be going in mid-May around the end of the college semester.

Outside of the island the college crowd thins out considerably. How about heading south along the Mayan Riviera?

I've heard great things about this place for a romantic getaway: Xpu-Ha Palace Resort

 

[rh71]

how long is your honeymoon ? Cancun is nothing more than a 1-week place.

 

[jtusa]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: jtusa4
Well honeymoons are meant to be romantic so if I were you I'd avoid the drunken college-age orgy that is Cancun.

What other places would you recommend?

If we decide on Cancun, it sounds like it's best to go with the all inclusive package, but try to find an area away from the college punks. Is that possible or is Cancun just covered with them? I'm kinda worried about it since we'll be going in mid-May around the end of the college semester.

If you're wanting to go someplace warm/tropical I'd say take a cruise or go to Hawaii. Hawaii would probably cost more, but would be more high class. Cruises can be very high class and nice if you don't mind spending a little money.

 

[5LiterMustang]

I'm getting married in june and looked at cancun, some places in mexico, the bahamas and such, and finally decided on hawaii because the price difference wasn't that much. Where in cancun are you staying?

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: 5LiterMustang
I'm getting married in june and looked at cancun, some places in mexico, the bahamas and such, and finally decided on hawaii because the price difference wasn't that much. Where in cancun are you staying?

We're not sure yet.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: rh71
how long is your honeymoon ? Cancun is nothing more than a 1-week place.

It will only be a 1 week honeymoon (ie, leave town on Sunday and come back the following weekend).

 

[5LiterMustang]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: 5LiterMustang
I'm getting married in june and looked at cancun, some places in mexico, the bahamas and such, and finally decided on hawaii because the price difference wasn't that much. Where in cancun are you staying?

We're not sure yet.

What are you spending on your trip?

 

[Ophir]

Originally posted by: rh71
how long is your honeymoon ? Cancun is nothing more than a 1-week place.

You're crazy. The Hotel-Zone is definitely only worth a week, but there is much, much more to the area than the island. There a multiple Mayan ruin sites, the diving/snorkeling off Cozumel is among the best in the world, and the Sian Ka'an Bio-Reserve is amazing. There is a lot more to do there than get drunk and sit by the pool/ocean.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: 5LiterMustang
What are you spending on your trip?

It could easily change, but right now, we are looking at spending ~$3000.

 

[5LiterMustang]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: 5LiterMustang
What are you spending on your trip?

It could easily change, but right now, we are looking at spending ~$3000.

With that much money on the table why dont you look at hawaii? I ran into the same thing you did, I was looking at mexico and cancun and all these folks telling me what great deals they are. Turns out they were slightly less to slightly more expensive then hawaii depending on hotels and such. I booked my trip to hawaii for 2800, that includes some extra's and a decent room. The trip itself would have been just under 2500 if I hadn't added the extra stuff. That's total not per person. I'd strongly recommend checking it out.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: 5LiterMustang

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: 5LiterMustang
What are you spending on your trip?

It could easily change, but right now, we are looking at spending ~$3000.

With that much money on the table why dont you look at hawaii? I ran into the same thing you did, I was looking at mexico and cancun and all these folks telling me what great deals they are. Turns out they were slightly less to slightly more expensive then hawaii depending on hotels and such. I booked my trip to hawaii for 2800, that includes some extra's and a decent room. The trip itself would have been just under 2500 if I hadn't added the extra stuff. That's total not per person. I'd strongly recommend checking it out.

That's awesome. I just assumed that Hawaii would be much more than a trip to Cancun. We'll definately check it out.

 

[5LiterMustang]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: 5LiterMustang

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: 5LiterMustang
What are you spending on your trip?

It could easily change, but right now, we are looking at spending ~$3000.

With that much money on the table why dont you look at hawaii? I ran into the same thing you did, I was looking at mexico and cancun and all these folks telling me what great deals they are. Turns out they were slightly less to slightly more expensive then hawaii depending on hotels and such. I booked my trip to hawaii for 2800, that includes some extra's and a decent room. The trip itself would have been just under 2500 if I hadn't added the extra stuff. That's total not per person. I'd strongly recommend checking it out.

That's awesome. I just assumed that Hawaii would be much more than a trip to Cancun. We'll definately check it out.

 

[5LiterMustang]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

That's awesome. I just assumed that Hawaii would be much more than a trip to Cancun. We'll definately check it out.

Thats what i thought too. But after some research it wound up being about the same, however, I will say this you'll want to book now for a May honeymoon I booked mine for june last week. The flights are starting to fill up and prices are going to start going up pretty quick. I booked through expedia, and we're staying at outrigger reef on the beach, we upgraded the room two spots to city view because it was on sale. I'd check it out, we're leaving on a monday morning and flying out the following monday so its a fairly long trip at a reasonable price.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: 5LiterMustang

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

That's awesome. I just assumed that Hawaii would be much more than a trip to Cancun. We'll definately check it out.

Thats what i thought too. But after some research it wound up being about the same, however, I will say this you'll want to book now for a May honeymoon I booked mine for june last week. The flights are starting to fill up and prices are going to start going up pretty quick. I booked through expedia, and we're staying at outrigger reef on the beach, we upgraded the room two spots to city view because it was on sale. I'd check it out, we're leaving on a monday morning and flying out the following monday so its a fairly long trip at a reasonable price.

Thanks for all the info on the Hawaii trip.

I'm checking out Expedia right now. I'm looking at the Hawaian packages, but don't see anything for Outrigger Reef. Did you make the trip yourself or customize one of their packages?

 

[rh71]

We got great prices for Hawaii hotels through priceline. Practically cut prices in half. It's always a risk as to which you're going to get though... they got us the best rated in Maui - Hyatt for $170/night. We also got a convertible for an economy car's price through priceline.

All in all, bookings (air/car/hotel) were $4k for 2 weeks. Just had to worry about excursions and food otherwise...

 

[Aztech]

Wife and I did an all-inclusive Cancun vacation a few years back. We stayed at the Moon Palace, of the Palace Resorts. It was a really nice resort, with awesome swimming pools and grounds. But, it is away from the rest of the Palace Resorts that are on the strip. It's supposed to be stay at one, play at all. So, there are buses running between the resorts that you can catch. It was a good time, but I agree with suggestions here, that Hawaii may be a better choice, though I've never stayed there.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: Aztech
Wife and I did an all-inclusive Cancun vacation a few years back. We stayed at the Moon Palace, of the Palace Resorts. It was a really nice resort, with awesome swimming pools and grounds. But, it is away from the rest of the Palace Resorts that are on the strip. It's supposed to be stay at one, play at all. So, there are buses running between the resorts that you can catch. It was a good time, but I agree with suggestions here, that Hawaii may be a better choice, though I've never stayed there.

Moon Palace is the place that we've heard the best things about from friends. If we go to Cancun, it's likely going to be the place we stay.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Edited the OP to include going to the Bahamas, since we've looked and getting an all-inclusive package to Cancun and the Bahamas are about the same.

 

[5LiterMustang]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: 5LiterMustang

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

That's awesome. I just assumed that Hawaii would be much more than a trip to Cancun. We'll definately check it out.

Thats what i thought too. But after some research it wound up being about the same, however, I will say this you'll want to book now for a May honeymoon I booked mine for june last week. The flights are starting to fill up and prices are going to start going up pretty quick. I booked through expedia, and we're staying at outrigger reef on the beach, we upgraded the room two spots to city view because it was on sale. I'd check it out, we're leaving on a monday morning and flying out the following monday so its a fairly long trip at a reasonable price.

Thanks for all the info on the Hawaii trip.

I'm checking out Expedia right now. I'm looking at the Hawaian packages, but don't see anything for Outrigger Reef. Did you make the trip yourself or customize one of their packages?

Got it from expedia...I dind't have to customize it. I just did a search that pulled up all hotels. It's possible that its booked up, you may also want to check travelocity.