Millseas Minute: DR, MX, and JAM

If you read our post on 'Millseas Minute: How we Research' or 'Millseas Minute: Group Trips' you know we have some specific thoughts about the bigs, the greats, the populars Dominican Republics, Mexicos, and Jamaicas. I've said it before and I'll say it again - definitely some pros and cons and for sure a different type of vacation than one on a smaller island. We love an efficiency, so see below for our summary on the greats stolen from the 'Group Trips' blog.

• Mexico - of the above list, this is our favorite! I think Mexico of all of the other islands has the best food and bang for your buck. On the whole - there is a focus on the ambiance, being the lushest of the other locations and better food.

  • Riviera Maya - our top recommendation. Good beaches - nice luxury - lots of palm trees - good food - close to the airport and just a great all-around package.

  • Cancun - a great second option. I think that the quality of the hotels, beaches, and food take a minor seat behind Riviera Maya with the focus on a good time versus the luxury. We have been out to the clubs, we've done the beach parties - it’s a fantastic place to have fun! If you're not looking for a party - there are still plenty of options here being close to the airport. The beaches are soft, the water blue and warm - you really can't go wrong picking Cancun.

  • Tulum - we didn't make it too long in Tulum. One reason - the bugs. It could have been the time of year, it could have been the location of that particular resort but the bugs were horrible. I'm talking a normal small square tile with every inch covered in a stick bug-like critter. The doors - every inch filled - good luck finding that doorknob. It was a little too much for us to handle - and we were out. I'd like to say I'd be happy to give it another try because I don't think Tulum got the fairest of reviews. But with so many other wonderful destinations around the world - it's not high on the list. *UPDATE 2/|23|2022: So I don't know when but apparently Tulum as o recent has become the location of the bloggers and celebs alike. Sure the hotel look fine but has anyone looked at the beaches….THEY ARE COVERED IN SEAWEED. I don't know about you but what's drawing me to the Caribbean are the beaches - there's not even raking of the sand on these beaches. Now I know stereotyping Tulum again - ain't the greatest - but I challenge you to look at these pictures (the ones that aren't edited - but like video backgrounds, etc.) and tell me you disagree?!

• Playa del Carmen - we love a playa del carmen. If you don't want to stay here - you can easily do a day trip excursion to experience the town that has a ton of shopping. Playa del Carmen is located right next to Riviera Maya making it more populated but still just as great. In my experience, the hotels are a little smaller as the focus is getting into town more than rotting on the resort (we love to rot!).

• Jamaica - I'm sorry I didn't love me a Jamaica. Armed guards with AK47s on either side of the beach. The sand was fine but not great. The resorts - okay - not endless and bountiful - not very tropical but not bad. I like Jamaica but it's not our top choice. Now I understand Jamaica is now also experimenting with the huts over the water - very Maldives vibe - and I wouldn't say no to that. We definitely didn't do the right excursions or potentially stay at the right place - so I will hold my judgment on Jamaica until I go back - but similar to Tulum, it's not necessarily a high priority or high on that bucket list to go back. **UPDATE 3/21/2022: So we here at Millseas have not been back to Jamaica since our original and only trip in 2014; however, a friend did and had a completely different experience, encouraging us to write up a potential redemption section for Jamaica, owning the fact that our experience could have been a fluke. He and his wife stayed at the Moon Palace and did just about every excursion the island had to offer. We break it down below:

  • The Hotel: The hotel had 6 pools and access to 3 separate beaches. My friend stayed in the Honeymoon Suite which provided immaculate 180-degree views of the neighboring marina and pools. There was also a complimentary wave pool for simulated surfing and a Dave and Busters on the resort (huge arcade) that provided some fun. The food and room service was great - with my friend ranking the overall food on the resort an 8/10.

  • The local cuisine: My friend and his wife went off the resort quite a bit for the local jerk chicken and beef patties. Also, they went to Miss T's Kitchen in Ocho Rios which was just voted (2/25/2022) the best restaurant in the Caribbean by USA Today's 10Best. They got the oxtail and the sweet honey fried chicken and said that the food definitely lived up to the expectations and the hype.

  • Excursions: Ziplining, ATV riding, horseback riding through the ocean, a sunset catamaran cruise, snorkeling, banana boating, bamboo rafting down the river, the Dunn River Falls & Parks - all were checked off the list with the latest excursion being constantly better than the last!

  • Overall: 'Everything was great about our trip - the hotel, the food, the people/service, the beach, the activities, etc. - I never felt unsafe even walking by ourselves off the resort and don't have a single complaint lol. I definitely thought it was true what they say about the people there. it goes beyond service/wanting tips, they're genuinely really nice/friendly people!"

• Dominican Republic - I think the beaches at the Dominican are the nicest of the options. But while you have great beaches - you compromise on the quality of food and the risk of an upset stomach from drinking the water. Do I think the quality of the food makes it a no-go? No - not at all.

Now that we've re-covered the basics, let's talk about why and how the bigs, the greats, the populars are different than your smaller island vacations e.g. the BVIs, the USVIs, your Arubas, Bermudas, etcs0. Those big resorts in your DR, MX, and JAMs are meant to entertain you. Especially if you flourish in an all-inclusive like we do - activities, food, beverages - you have everything you need at your fingertips to have a grand old time. Most people might do an excursion if funds and time are available, however, it isn't a necessity. There is no boredom or 'cabin fever' on the big resorts. Let's go take water aerobics at 9AM or play volleyball at 2PM - no matter what you fancy - entertainment is locked down….and if you're more chill, the bars open nice and early for a morning cocktail! We are on vacation after all.

So let's say we're at the greats and we do an excursion - ooh fun - what do we do?! No matter the place - the options don't vary too much. We have our active excursions: scuba diving, snorkeling, cenote hunting, ATV, or horseback riding adventures; and then we have our more relaxing excursions which include sunset sails and day trips to other islands or the shops (for more information on excursions, see post: 'Millseas Minute: Excursions') . We personally love an all-day catamaran cruise with some snorkeling and private island access - but are we really that surprised after our love of Dream Yacht Charters?! (Check out the blog post 'DYC - Overview'). But that's it - in a week - sprinkle in 1 maybe 3 tops of these activities and the rest of the time you're at a resort. These resorts have multiple restaurants specializing in different cuisines or a rotating menu to wet the whistle. That's your vacation. Now that to me - sounds relaxing. I know every day (minus excursion days) where I'll be - by the beach - what I'll be doing - drinking, reading, soaking in the sunshine, and living it up to the fullest. That's what I want to do on a vacation - I don't want to have to plan, plan, plan and stick to an itinerary - similar to that of a European vacation. I can rot in the sunshine - and rotting is what we do best.

Think I've sold you on the greats. Wondering why someone might want to go to the smaller islands? Let me tell you!

The smaller islands might be small but there is might behind their size. The beauties, the diversity, the culture, the experience is untouched. There's no one size fits all model here because there's too much to see - too much to do. Go explore because this little beach with the softest sand is only the greatest until you've traveled to the one a few miles away and see that view; that reef; those mountains. From my experience when going to these islands - the hotels are smaller - because the focus isn't the hotel - it’s the island. I think in part - this is because traveling the island is do-able and on the smaller islands, typically a bit safer than Jamaica or DR. In Aruba, we were out exploring downtown; in St. Martin, we traveled the entire island in a day by ATV traveling on both Dutch and French sides stopping at little beaches and restaurants along the way; in the Caymans - we traveled to restaurants on all sides of the island preferring to stick to the renowned 7-mile beach during the day. In short - doing more - allows you to see more - which is a much different experience to checking an island off the bucket list. I will say the spectacularness that is the small islands is hard to spell out in the written form because there is so much that is just the vibe, the essence, and the feeling that is exuded from the tiny islands that aren't necessarily quantifiable.

These smaller islands are typically a little longer, harder, and more expensive to get to however, we think the hassle is worth the experience if it is a feasible option for you.

Don't hesitate to reach out to us with more specific questions or inquiries on the comparison between the stereotypical two types of Caribbean vacations. Refer to the 'Millseas Minute: Blogs Coming Soon' post to see all destinations that we have traveled to and see if we can assist in planning your next trip!