Some basic parameters/context

- family friendly (kids aged 9-15)
- travel begins in CA
- good value (eliminates a place like Hawaii)
- traditional hotel-type accommodations
- big preference to all-inclusive for the value
- great snorkeling is a must
- travel likely April/May (in 2027)
- potentially several families going, for what it’s worth

I think Punta Cana in the DR is a leading contender. However, my wife being of Dutch descent, had expressed interest in Bonaire and Curaçao, but I’ve heard they aren’t as good for all-inclusive type resorts but that they do have excellent snorkeling.

Let’s hear it!

Daughter and her husband have gone to PC twice stayed on some all inclusive, second trip they got to live through a Hurricane that closed the airport and resort. Other than that they liked it but they didn't take kids.

Take a look at Costa Rica.
San Jose- not so much, but either coast is beautiful, the volcanos and the jungle are beautiful, food is great, a ton of stuff to see and do!

I've been to Bonaire twice for dive trips. You will need/want a car/truck. It's a great dive destination, and I like that there is a town you can eat in and get supplies. I wouldn't say it's an all-inclusive like you get in the DR, Jamaica, and other places. We would always hit the grocery store when we got there for water, breakfast, some lunch, and beer. We would get dinner in town.

Curacao is expensive, from those I know that have been there. Don't forget Aurba if she wants a Dutch island.

For all-inclusive, I think there are better options than the ABC islands. Don't get me wrong, I love Bonaire, but for other reasons. Freedom to dive, eat, and do whatever on my schedule and location. Not having to be tied to a resort and set places for meals.

I haven’t priced it lately but I’d look at Anguilla. 3 of the 10 best beaches in the Caribbean. We honeymooned there ages ago. Great snorkeling and very friendly people. Virtually no night life but great restaurants.

Have you thought about a cruise that stops at some of the Islands with activity's you might like?

Based on your great snorkeling is a must comment, I'd rule out Punta Cana in the DR. My wife and I were there almost exactly a year ago. I'd rate the snorkeling as below average. I had a much better time snorkeling/scuba diving in Cozumel.

St.Maarten. DR sucks outside of the resort itself.

Cozumel.

If she wants Dutch, try Saba? I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped to, but that doesn’t mean her experience might not be different.

CPD sig, please tell me about Costa Rica if you would. I’m hoping to go there in the very near future. Apologize for any drift- my email is in my profile.

I was impressed by Aruba in Jan of 24. My son went to Costa Rica last month and loved it. He said the the rip tides on the beaches are deadly.

I'm with jimmy123x. Sint Maartin / St Martin is an excellent choice. Costa Rica is also excellent.

quote:

good value (eliminates a place like Hawaii)

Go to the Philippines, has everything Hawaii has, but it's bigger and less expensive.

Boracay if you want the white sands experience.

Cebu if you want to swim with whales, turtles, and schools of sardines, amongst other great dive/snorkeling options.

El Nido is great for beaches, island hopping, snorkeling.

Coron for island hopping and amazing adventures to remote islands.

Exchange rate is 56-58 ₱→$. If you are not doing fine dining most meals are ₱300-700.

The people are the friendliest people on the planet. They all speak English. I love the place. I'm thinking of retiring there because it's so cheap. I could retire today there if I wanted to because it's so cheap, but I prefer to pad my retirement some more because I'm 14 years from being able to draw from 401.

I'm not sure you get the snorkeling in Costa Rica that you would get in the Carib. I was west coast of CR for a wedding in Guanacaste, and the resort was wonderful, the people friendly, the touristing inland interesting, but the ocean was rough, and there were no snorkelable reefs withing easy distance.

ETA: I've sent you an email with a suggestion.

Yeah, the DR is popular, mostly the eating & drinking crowd. Outside resort property, can get sketchy, though I’ve rented cars several times.

I can get very specific, may or may not be what you’re looking for, Aruba. The island is safe, of course no going off alone with strangers at 2:00 A.M.

Check out the Divi Resort, all inclusive. There are plenty of other options around.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/C66SgisU1KjnGza17?g_st=ipc



Just up the road is the Eagle Beach area, then a little further Palm beach area. Besides the beach a plethora of eating, night capping, stores & other establishments of interest. Of course if all inclusive, no need to eat a lot off the property.

The good thing about Aruba is there are excursions to keep people entertained. You could branch off to the other islands nearby, may complicate logistics with a group.

There are other options, just throwing it out there. I don’t know prices. I think there are a fair amount of rentals within walking to Eagle beach, then a grocery store not far away. Eagle Beach scores very high as a beach vacation.

Cozumel has great snorkeling, but I do not know about the pricing. It has been decades since I spent a week on Cozumel.

Honduras has some great diving islands on the Caribbean side. Panama has has excellent diving on the Atlantic side.

Travel from Cali to the Caribbean- you’re going to lose a day and a half each way with travel. Remote destinations may burn up more travel time. Might be better to consider Mexico/South America.

Yeah, if all coming from CA, maybe a spot in Mexico or Central America. Costa Rica is very USA friendly, easy. There are excursions available.

Besides any fishing, you can get a boat to take you to great snorkeling locations. From CA you can be in Liberia, CR in 3+ hours or so. It’s got to be much cheaper than Hawaii.

We have never stayed at the point of destination so I cannot be of help with that but we have cruised quite a bit on Royal Caribbean cruise lines and Roatan Honduras was one of our favorite snorkeling destinations.

We like picking packages with multiple destinations and booking excursions at each destination or just leaving the ship and going on our own. Not advisable for all destinations but some are better than others. Some are better to be guided for safety.

The cruise ship was great as well with plenty of great food and activities or just relaxing and doing nothing at all.

Really wish we could get back to Roatan and snorkel just one more time before we get too damn old.

Our last cruise was pre covid so its been awhile.

We’ve stayed at Sandals resorts all over the Caribbean. Last was Sandals Negril (west end of Jamaica) there were several other resorts there, there’s a Beaches which is kid friendly. The snorkeling was so-so but I’ve scuba all over. The resort food was top notch. And you can bounce from sandals to beaches for food or pools etc.

Like others have said, some places are not ok to leave the resort like Dom Rep. St. Lucia, Curaçao

St. Martin, St. John’s, Aruba, VI all GTG

What about Cabo San Lucas? I know nothing about the place except it seems like it would be very convenient since you're coming from California.

JP