Punta Cana or Riviera Maya

We were looking at Punta Cana as well, but we've decided to go elsewhere. Just come to Vegas ... ha ha

I am going to the Majestic Elegance in Punta Cana. We did the VIP upgrade. I am so looking forward to the Michael Jackson show they have there.

All the travel agents I've talked to (three - one of them is my friend) told me Riviera Maya over Punta Cana because the food is better.

We are going to the Majestic Elegance in Punta Cana as well. I did a lot of research and this seemed to be the best hotel in the area. If you are considering the RIU palace, read some of the reviews on tripadvisor. Most of the RIU hotels are older hotels.

We are staying at an All-Inclusive in Riviera Maya's Playa del Carmen, very affordable and so beautiful!

It's Sandos Playacar, we are staying in the adults only suites, and comes with access to the adults only restaurant, bar, pool and section of the beach. It is walking distance to downtown with lots of other bars, restaurants and shops for night time fun.

Majestic elegance in punta Cana is AMAZING. We went summer '12 and had a blast. One of the best vacations I've ever had and the resort is amazing. I do recommend the VIP upgrade. So worth it!!

There are lots of things to do in the Rivera Maya, you have Cancun, Xcaret, Playa Del Carmen and are a 20 min boat ride away to Cozumel from Playa. There is really something for everyone in that area and it's very safe.

I would suggest staying in Playa or Cancun if you want lots of night life. Playa is nicer than Cancun IMO.

I agree with Bridgette, I would recommend playa del Carmen over Cancun. I'm been to Punta Cana once and The Mayan Riviera four or five times. I'd go with Mexico. The food is better ( less people seem to get sick there), and you can leave the resort. Things may have changed but when I was in Punta Cana we could only leave the resort with a paid tour group. Armed guards would stop you and tell you that it wasn't safe to go out on your own. That was years ago though so it may have changed. The beaches in the DR are beautiful , but I'd still recommend the Mayan Riviera.

^^ I heard this as well.

Thank you so much for the information.... I have heard both places can be questionable depending on the resort on safety outside of the resort. But did read more places in Mexico where you can explore the area with little to no risk. I noticed food was about equal on reviews that its on both sides. I was a bit surprised by that. I noticed food depended more by resort vs location. All in all I hear not to put too much in to food. I guess it's like weddings making a bunch of food for a bunch of people it may lack some quality? I know we are in our 30's so we didn't want to to be a full party zone BUT we wanted fun. Basically we didn't want to be at a resort where it's a bunch of old people sitting at a pool lmbo. Silly I know but some video's online showed a lot of older people and some places obviously are more geared to peace and quiet which I would like to find a balance to both. (I am more peace and quiet but fh is social). The main draw back to Punta is the travel.

It's going to take us like 7-9 hours with punta vs 2-3 with Mexico. Being in Texas Mexico makes sense as well. But we don't mind traveling further either. I just want to find us an awesome place that fits our budget. Thanks for the info so far!

Hey Mallory and advice you can share on Majestic Elegance would be appreciated. I will send an invite to connect so you can PM.

@futuremrshicks I've stayed Majestic elegance and the Michael Jackson show was amazing! I would definitely recommend the resort, one of the best vacations I've ever been on.

Hi.. so not exactly where you were speaking of..but the fh and I are going to Catalonia Royal Tulip in xphua Mexico! I went there with my parents when I graduated from college. The beach literally made me cry.. I have tons of info on it..so let me know if you need anything. http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g499455-d220209-Reviews-Catalonia_Royal_Tulum-Xpuha_Yucatan_Peninsula.htmlhttp://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g499455-d220209-Reviews-Catalonia_Royal_Tulum-Xpuha_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

Not tulip haha tulum!

I'll be honest, I would hands down pick Riviera Maya over Punta Cana. Have been to both and found the food 100 x better in Mexico.

Trip Advisor will be your friend to determine the suitability of the resort.

I have been to Valentin Imperial Maya and loved it. It is a possibility for our honeymoon as well. The Paradisus, Secrets and Excellence resorts look fantastic as well.

The larger resorts will have clubs etc on site just off the top of my head the Iberostar (complex of 5 resorts, 1 being AO) in Playa Paraiso and Grand Palladium (complex of 5 resorts, 1 being AO).

Katie, thank you!!

I've been to both, and I'd definitely pick Riviera Maya over Punta Cana! I've also been to Jamaica (twice) and it's my FAVORITE! The beaches in Jamaica were more beautiful than the beaches in Mexico (been to Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen) or Punta Cana!

I haven't been to to Riviera Maya, but I was just in Punta Cana a couple weeks ago and I absolutely loved it! The ocean and beaches there are absolutely amazing. We stayed at Hard Rock (not one you listed), and it had a million activities to do on the resort. You didn't have to leave to do anything. Our food was also delicious.

That said, we had to stay at Paradisus for one night and there really wasn't much to do there. It was more of a lay around the pool/beach type of thing. It was beautiful and I'm all about laying on the beach, but you said you were looking for more than that. They had some nightlife activities, but not many daytime ones. I'm not sure if that's the way it is at all of their locations, but just thought I'd share since you mentioned looking into one of their resorts.

I've been to Jamaica, too. They have beautiful beaches too!

Mrh14 we have really considered Jamaica the Jewel Dunn I think was the only all inclusive AO one I found that had decent reviews in our budget. But I wasn't fully impressed when I went to look at videos on Youtube.

I think we might of last night decided on Mexico mostly the Riviera Maya area. Lauren I do know of that resort and it does look nice, there was a reason though why we were not picking it (I can't remember now) I do know the travel agent I called did suggest it.

The ones I have looked at an like so far ar Riu Palace Mexico, Valentin Maya, Luxury Bahia Principe Sia Ka'an, El Dorado Royale, Paradisus Playa del carmen, and excellence Riviera If anyone knows anything about these that would be great. I know you Jessica mentioned the Valentin I heard that one is nice but did read it didn't have much entertainment?