Mexico or Cuba | Debbie's Caribbean Resort Reviews Forums

	Trying to decide on where to go. Either the Blue Bay Grand Esmerelda in Maya or Playa Pesquero in Holguin Cuba. We have been to Cuba before but bringing new people that haven’t been to either place and we have not been to BBGE but have been to Maya. Other than the food issue any thoughts or comments on which one to go to. Price is sort of the same so we are trying to decide. Help

	Now let me think about this. You are on the Mexican forum so the answer would be …. I bet Mexico would be your best choice. Just my opinion though. Now seriously, Mexico hands down over Cuba.

Depends on what you and your friends are looking for. I find Mexico to be more service oriented and also it is easier than Cuba, esp if you forget something. Cuba has its own charms, and as long as you go prepared for many possibilities (pack as if you are going to Mars), it sure is a beautiful place.

The real question is: how much do you love guacamole? Because there is never guacamole in Cuba!

	I agree….Mexico all the way. i bet if you put the same question on the Cuba board your replies would quite the opposite.

	As much as we love Cuba, we are really, really enjoying our trips to Mexico!

	I say go to Mexico so you can experience something different. Just keep in mind the beach is not the same. Mexico has the second largest reef compared to the great barrier reef so if you know in advance you will not be disappointed.

	Well we decided to go back to Cuba as we know the hotel is good and there wasn’t much reviews on BBGE. Next time we will go back to Mexico as we do like it there also.

Mexico. I’m sorry but on the 6 times we have been to Cuba beach has been shut down 3/7 days Mexico!Due to Jelly fish!lolHappy Travels!Come on ald you choose Cuba cause of the price be honest!!!

Happy Travels!

Mexico. I’m sorry but on the 6 times we have been to Cuba beach has been shut down 3/7 days Mexico!Due to Jelly fish!lolHappy Travels!Come on ald you choose Cuba cause of the price be honest!!!

Happy Travels!

plus the diving is awesome in Cuba never did see any jelly fish in Cayo Coco or Playa Pasquero…

I must admit… Mexico is also beautiful and how about that guacamole eh! eloisegirl

wossa Guest	Mexico every time for me if I had a choice…..never really got the Cuba bug…..I prefer the diving in Mexico too over Cuba, but that’s just a personal preference thing.Have an awesome time away ald1, you must be off soon ;D

Have an awesome time away ald1, you must be off soon ;D

yes thanks Wossa I sure will, Only a couple more day to go ;D :D… Hope to dive 2 or 3 days of the 7 days.., borrowed my son’s Go Pro so hope to capture some good photos underwater and in and around Club Bucanero and maybe Santiago de Cuba if time permits…

	Mexico, Cuba, Timbuktu….imo, it’s not what others prefer, it’s what you prefer :). There are two popular sun destinations that aren’t on our bucket list: Mexico and Hawaii. Clearly, they have appeal as they are popular tourist spots but just not ones we are interested in visiting. It’s great to have the freedom to be selective: Mexico or Cuba.

Interesting thread, considering my wife and I are having the same dilemma.

(Just us though… at this point)We’ve got the time booked off but haven’t settled on a destination yet.

Holguin or Riviera Maya are the top contenders… but Roatan, St. Lucia and D.R. (as well as a couple of other spots) keep coming up as well.

Hope others keep chiming in and post their opinions!

Thanks for starting the thread, ald1. ;D

	Old habits are hard to break… Holguin, here we come!! ;D sandycracks is absolutely right… this would be a completely different thread on the Cuba board! Hola everyone!!

	Old habits are hard to break… Holguin, here we come!! ;D sandycracks is absolutely right… this would be a completely different thread on the Cuba board! Hola everyone!! Which resort? As indicated on the Cuba thread we are going back to Playa Pesquero for the 4th time… Woo hoo … Luv the fried chicken they have for lunch!

Which resort? As indicated on the Cuba thread we are going back to Playa Pesquero for the 4th time… Woo hoo … Luv the fried chicken they have for lunch!

We’ll be at the other end of the beach at the Blau!

	I have traveled to Cuba several times, even alone, and felt very safe. Going to Mexico in march for the second time. Yes , Im agreeing about the guacamole!

We used to alternate between Cuba and Mexico, both have their charms. Cuba to me is more about relaxing and Mexico there are more off resort options and it’s a more active vacation. However the last couple of trips have been Mexico, I just don’t like what I’m seeing in the Cuba reviews about shortages of booze or certain food items and at this point in my life I’d rather pay a bit more to get better food. We also really liked the kids club at Dreams so that is a factor too.

I’ve been to both and for us, it depends on how much $$ we can afford that year. If it’s tight, we do Cuba and go for the highest star and reviews possible. Headed back to Mexico later this year.There’s a big difference in food and booze (if you are one that cares about such things) between 3 star, 4 star and 5 star in Cuba. IMHO, food in Cuba is going downhill, not up. This has less to do with the embargo and more about what the resorts are willing to spend for supplies. I’m seeing more complaints from Cuban 5 stars than ever before.

Apart from food, I prefer Cuba on most other comparisons, regardless of $$. In Mexico, you have more to do because they have more interesting and exciting things to see (like Mayan temples), unless Havana is a big thing for you. People gush about how Cubans are so friendly and hard working but the ‘normal folk’ in rural areas of Mexico or most other countries are just as friendly and helpful. Probably cause a fight over that comment.

Just had an interesting discussion on TA about comparing Royalton, Melia Las Dunas (Santa Maria) & Bahia Levantado in DR. Two of the people who had been to both agreed that food & booze quality was in another league at the Bahia. We found the food at Bahia in Mexico to be worth the extra $$, if we can afford it.

I sometimes feel like Cuba shouldn’t even bother to attempt the mega 5 star resorts Have to agree with that. I think it sets up a lot of people for disappointment. Was reading a review today of Bahia Levantodo DR. It’s a 5*+ and someone gave it a 2 due to being located to close to the disco so his daughter couldn’t sleep until 11. He should have been treated better but …. I remember being kept awake until 3 am at a disco in Veradero. Not pleasant at all and they refused to move us even though the resort was less than 50% capacity.

Have to agree also that some of the small, older resorts are much more conducive for relaxing and just plain doing nothing all day. I have no idea why they can’t market a few resorts for people who do not like the speakers cranked up to full volume all day long.

I sometimes feel like Cuba shouldn’t even bother to attempt the mega 5 star resorts, some guests are always going to be disappointed, and Cuba can’t really keep up with Mexico in the high end luxury area at this time. But some of the Cuban older, lower starred places offer a laid back, local kind of experience that’s getting harder to find in Mexico (at least on the Mayan Riviera). And despite it’s 3 star rating, the Villas Jibacoa had the best bar drinks and coffees I’ve ever had, in any country or resort! Have to agree 100% canoesue.Have you been to the Akumal Beach Resort in the Mayan Riviera? Comes reasonably close to the Cameleon Jibacoa although the drinks at CVJ are indeed superior. Food at ABR is slightly better though but that’s often the case in Mexico for 3 star resorts.To be honest, luxury 5 star resorts aren’t our cup of tea for a whole lot of reasons so I won’t even be tempted to book one again. The problem with some 5* Cuban resorts is that the prices are very low and this tends to attract clients who often forget to bring 5 star manners, or any basic manners, on vacations.

To this day I chuckle when I think back to our vacation at the Barcelo Solymar in Varadero when it first opened. They tried so hard to portray themselves as 5 star (ie:- white gloved employees opening doors for guests, thermal mugs were not allowed to be filled, very tight dress code even in the buffet, etc.). I thought at the time that the 5 star concept could work, but only if the price were increased substantially to reflect the clients they wanted to attract (and were not with the rock bottom deals offered at the time). My review was the first one posted and within a month, the whole initial concept for the resort was down the drain. These days, the Solymar has a reputation as the party resort of choice and it’s not anywhere near the originally planned 5 star concept.

The problem with some 5* Cuban resorts is that the prices are very low and this tends to attract clients who often forget to bring 5 star manners, or any basic manners, on vacations. That holds true with many places that are not 5*. The advantage of a smaller resort is that the ‘crazies’ do not usually book there. Not many smaller ones can achieve 5* ratings because you need a long list of amenities that seem to get little use.

I have no idea how a Cuban mgr. of a 5* can possibly know what a really good 5* resort experience is like as they can’t go to one in other countries. It’s not something you can fully understand by reading in a book. About the same concept with Cuban food.

YVRck, yes I’ve been to ABR twice – I think we’ve exchanged posts on the LG forum too! I also loved Akumal Oasis back in the day, and am sad I never got to Club Maeva Tulum. There is no way my hubby will go to a Bahia or Palladium. The Cuban resorts I’d still like to visit are Bucanero or Marea del Portillo, seemed like interesting places with a high number of repeat guests, although I understand the south coast was badly damaged in Superstorm Sandy and Bucanero might not be an option anymore. At this stage though, with an active 7 year old with no siblings we’ll probably go back to Dreams Tulum for its excellent kids club so that we can relax. Dreams wasn’t too big for us, and is on a fairly isolated stretch of beach which we like – some guests found it too far from everything.

Which brings me to another difference in the two countries: Cuba’s relatively underdeveloped coastlines and unspoilt beaches are a big plus in my opinion, and I hope that when change inevitably comes it is handled a little better than the rapid development of the Mayan Riviera.

	Just came back from my first trip to Cuba, my first choice would be to go back to Mexico

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