All inclusives - not leaving the property

You don't necessarily have to choose. For example, I was in the Dominican Republic last month, and I spent a day in Santo Domingo, saw the old part of town, went out to eat in a great local restaurant, went to the Three Eyes National Park, and then I spent three nights at the Hilton La Romana resort, an all-inclusive.

I am with you in that I generally prefer to be more a a traveler than a tourist. But all-inclusives can be very nice. I honestly get bored of them after 3-4 days, though. The Hilton La Romana has a dive shop attached to the resort, and I enjoy scuba diving, which is why I chose that place.

Whats the deets on the possible places yall heading

quote:

---

our little group is leaning toward an all-inclusive in one of those places where you shouldnt leave the property

---

Double whammy. I hate all-inclusive captive spots, and seriously dislike traveling with groups.

RE groups, the amount of people that are considered "foodies" that then take you somewhere crummy is sky high. I had this happen with a dear friend in a popular coastal town earlier this year. Him and his wife (no pics) are good friends and very decent human beings, but somehow I caved and wound up at every low-rent fried food joint that can't be bothered to change their fry grease yearly.

I'd find a place where you can rent a few airbnb a few blocks apart. Give yourself some space and less constrictions. Some of you can wander off for a beverage without always holding a vote or mindf**k. Then wander back later and rejoin the group and crush some beverages.

I may be a bit on the extreme side about groups, I travel very fast and adventurously. I'll be on the other side of town before anybody is awake or off the pool deck. I did not like traveling with old girlfriends and have taken deliberate steps to travel with my wife. We have a blast.

quote:

---

My ideal day is active early - fishing/hiking/biking/i even enjoy going to local shops....and then i can sit on the beach from
lunch to dinner and just ponder the abyss.

---

Check out the different resorts and amenities they offer. While this may not be the exact trip you would plan, a lot of them (especially Sandals) will offer those exact things. It just may not be first thing in the morning and you will need to be with a group (doesn't have to necessarily be your group). The last AI I went to was in Antigua and we did the hiking, horseback riding, trip to center of town to see local shops/diners, spa day, snorkeling, sunset cruise. We did not do, but they offered, parasailing, fishing, biking tours, ATVs, and I am sure there were more options.

quote:

---

AIs are great when the most you want to do during the day is lift your drink. And at night just walk to a restaurant.

---

Yeah, generally agree with OP, but sometimes it’s nice and needed to just completely check out and be lazy for a few days while being served.

Why not just stay in the US then? Seems like a hassle to seclude yourself and eat regular food. Fly to a spa resort in Arizona (they have some amazing resorts there), or something like the Peaks in Telluride. frick all inclusive, break out your credit card and they’ll charge anything you want to the room.

With an AI you’re already paying for the food, drinks, entertainment, amenities, etc so doing things off the resort is kind of double spending. Not that there is anything wrong with that but it will obviously impact cost.

I’d steer away from Sandals and Jamaica particularly and look into Excellence Resorts..either Dominican Republic or Mexico.

We have done a few Sandals resorts. My only recommendation is if you leave, use the resorts travel planning.

You could. Some counters are cost and type of scenery you are looking for. Admittedly most of it is psychological. People like the feel of being somewhere "exotic" and different. They also like not having to "worry" about breaking out the credit card or lugging around a wallet or purse, however irrational that is. Like I said, it isn't my first choice or something I would do every time, but I've done it and would do it again at some point to mix it up.

quote:

---

There are some nice ones in Jamaica that have plenty to do to keep you on site. Couples is a great one with a few locations. Great restaurants with options, catamaran cruises, snorkeling, scuba, several pools and hot tubs and lots of bars. There’s even a small casino and nightly entertainment. We have been many times and some we never leave the property. Not out of fear for safety but because there isn’t much reason to.

---

My wife and I went to Couples Tower Isle in Ocho Rios. It was a nice trip, and I we left the resort for excursions most days