Favorite Vacation Destination

[ippielb]

I took my first tropical vacation this January. My girlfriend and i went to Negril Jamaica. We left Saskatchewan when it was -54 with the windchill and got to Jamaica where it was +40 with the humidity, at 9pm. We really enjoyed ourselves, and for the first time seeing the ocean for both of us. We really got a shock when we went swimming in the ocean, the water was a lot saltier then i thought it would be! Plus it was extremely easy to swim in, and felt very warm! If anyone is interested in some of the things we did while in Jamaica, i did bring along my GoPro cameras to film along the way. If you're interested take a look. Like to hear of other great places to go, looking at making another trip next January as well!

 

[DDrake]

Our family just got back from the Bahamas. We went to the Memories Grand Bahamas resort in Freeport. It is owned by Sunwing and is the only all inclusive resort in Freeport as far as I know. Across the road from the resort is a great market and the beaches are the best we have seen. The food was fantastic and the people were the nicest we have encountered anywhere we have traveled. The temps were in the mid to high 20's all week and most of the time there was a nice breeze so it wasn't to hot. There is also a golf course close by that had green fee's included if staying at the resort if ur into golf. We have been to Jamaica, Cuba, Costa Rica and Maui and this place was our favorite place so far. It has several restaurants, an awesome buffet and a nightclub on the resort also. There is also a casino there as well if that floats ur boat. I would highly recommend this place to anyone lookin for a new place to relax and soak up some sun. They also have an awesome kids club and there are plenty of tours available.

 

[Joholio]

Cabo.

 

[wildman]

Went to mexico and stayed at occidental grand xcaret which is just south of playa del carmen. would not recommend stayin there if u want a beach. the beach is man made in a little bay. stayed in royal club part of resort which was great. private pool and resturant with awesome food.

 

[Murminator]

Our family just got back from the Bahamas. We went to the Memories Grand Bahamas resort in Freeport. It is owned by Sunwing and is the only all inclusive resort in Freeport as far as I know. Across the road from the resort is a great market and the beaches are the best we have seen. The food was fantastic and the people were the nicest we have encountered anywhere we have traveled. The temps were in the mid to high 20's all week and most of the time there was a nice breeze so it wasn't to hot. There is also a golf course close by that had green fee's included if staying at the resort if ur into golf. We have been to Jamaica, Cuba, Costa Rica and Maui and this place was our favorite place so far. It has several restaurants, an awesome buffet and a nightclub on the resort also. There is also a casino there as well if that floats ur boat. I would highly recommend this place to anyone lookin for a new place to relax and soak up some sun. They also have an awesome kids club and there are plenty of tours available.

I was going to go there this year but they kept pushing off the opening date nov, then dec 1 the dec 15 then jan7 then feb 1 I was leaving 1st part of feb and thought it was going to be a gong show....well mostly every thing with sunwing is a gong show.
I have been to Jamaica i did like it for the music, food and atmosphere alway a happy place but the beaches could be better and it is fairly expensive to go there. Mayan Rivera south of Playa de Carmen Tulum, Akumal have beautiful resorts and the beaches are good food is good. Both of these have lots of excursions if that what your into. I kinda rank these as the "in between" places to go.
My favorite so far has to be Cuba especially Cayo Santa Maria the beach and water is absolutely stunning have yet to duplicate that anywhere. The sand is like powder ankle deep it is actually hard to walk any distance in it is like trudging around in deep snow. no rocks no seaweed so no snorkelling off the beach cause there isn't anything, I actually snorkelled way far out past my comfort zone to where the water was about 25-30' deep and you could still count every grain of sand on the bottom it was that clear. The resorts are huge so be prepared for lots of walking only a couple of excursions to go on, this is for the beach and R&R. Resorts are dated but are clean and have all the amenities and are situated in the mangroves so be prepared to see tiny lizards and the odd big bug scurrying around. Everyone complains about the Cuba food I'm a picky eater and i always found something good to eat every meal but it is very repetitious almost same things day in day out.
Now saying that the pacific side of Mexico i have to say is my least favourite and everyone likes to argue me on this but one day I will go back again and give it another chance. The beach is good and long for long walks. The water is about as clear and as warm as the north Saskatchewan river big disappointment. LOTS of elderly tourists only place I seen where wheel chairs, walkers and scooters are lined up along the seawall to get on the beach. The rest is made up of 55-65 trying to re-live their youth quite the rocking party animals The resorts/rooms are nice food is ok I found it similar to Cuba lots of excursions to go on lots of historic type which I love and boat cruises which we did 5 excursions in 7 days. Very safe no worries about going anywhere we caught a cab at Midnight from Puerto Vallarta back to Bucerias. Maybe we went to the wrong place at the wrong time? I dunno most of our friends have been there and said they wouldn't go back either I have referred this place as gods waiting room but back one day I will give it another chance after Bahamas and Dominican

 

[RXN]

Everyone likes the tropics. I must be messed in the head. I love the Yukon and Alaska area. Small communities. Less people. My kind of holiday.

 

[snopro]

Hawaii. Tropical paradise, beautiful beaches, friendly people and safe.

 

[DDrake]

Everyone likes the tropics. I must be messed in the head. I love the Yukon and Alaska area. Small communities. Less people. My kind of holiday.

My son who is 10 and I have both been tryin to get my wife/travel agent to go on a sleddin vacation but she likes the sun and heat to much so no go so far. But our son is till workin on her so maybe one day. And yes she does ride her own sled so there is hope.

 

[Crazy8]

Just returned from the Bahamas as well. Stayed on Paradise Island, across the street from Atlantis.
Didn't do the all inclusive this time like we usually do in Mexico. Not as convenient but still was a great time. People were amazing, super nice.
Beaches were incredible, water was warm.
Even picked out a new toy, just waiting for the lottery to come through. Her name is Sexy.

 

[Crazy8]

Made a few new friends while snorkelling off a private island. Be sure to bring an under water camera.

 

[RXN]

My son who is 10 and I have both been tryin to get my wife/travel agent to go on a sleddin vacation but she likes the sun and heat to much so no go so far. But our son is till workin on her so maybe one day. And yes she does ride her own sled so there is hope.

For a Sledding vacation, do Yellowstone. That was by far the best 7day sled trip I've done. Such a big area lots of places.

 

[snopro]

For a Sledding vacation, do Yellowstone. That was by far the best 7day sled trip I've done. Such a big area lots of places.

You must have lucked out on snow conditions as there is less than more there most years of late. I would take my chances at Revy, Sicamous or Whistler for a sledding vacation. You cant beat deep snow! Lol.

 

[bobsledder]

For a Sledding vacation, do Yellowstone. That was by far the best 7day sled trip I've done. Such a big area lots of places.

I tried it last year. Dissapointment....better stuff in BC for sure
Heck if I want to ride a sled where I should be dirtbiking I can allways go to the Crowsnest Pass. lol

 

[rotormech]

Big island lots to see and do drive wherever you want eat whatever you want perfect temps

 

[Bogger]

I'd skip the Dominican and do Cuba again..... Veradero is my favorite place in the wold to date. I found while in the Dominican we were stuck to the resort with the exception of excursions which were not great. I like to be able to come and go as I please, we were warned not to venture off alone in the Dominican, Cuba on the other hand was go where you want when you want friendly & safe.

I was going to go there this year but they kept pushing off the opening date nov, then dec 1 the dec 15 then jan7 then feb 1 I was leaving 1st part of feb and thought it was going to be a gong show....well mostly every thing with sunwing is a gong show.
I have been to Jamaica i did like it for the music, food and atmosphere alway a happy place but the beaches could be better and it is fairly expensive to go there. Mayan Rivera south of Playa de Carmen Tulum, Akumal have beautiful resorts and the beaches are good food is good. Both of these have lots of excursions if that what your into. I kinda rank these as the "in between" places to go.
My favorite so far has to be Cuba especially Cayo Santa Maria the beach and water is absolutely stunning have yet to duplicate that anywhere. The sand is like powder ankle deep it is actually hard to walk any distance in it is like trudging around in deep snow. no rocks no seaweed so no snorkelling off the beach cause there isn't anything, I actually snorkelled way far out past my comfort zone to where the water was about 25-30' deep and you could still count every grain of sand on the bottom it was that clear. The resorts are huge so be prepared for lots of walking only a couple of excursions to go on, this is for the beach and R&R. Resorts are dated but are clean and have all the amenities and are situated in the mangroves so be prepared to see tiny lizards and the odd big bug scurrying around. Everyone complains about the Cuba food I'm a picky eater and i always found something good to eat every meal but it is very repetitious almost same things day in day out.
Now saying that the pacific side of Mexico i have to say is my least favourite and everyone likes to argue me on this but one day I will go back again and give it another chance. The beach is good and long for long walks. The water is about as clear and as warm as the north Saskatchewan river big disappointment. LOTS of elderly tourists only place I seen where wheel chairs, walkers and scooters are lined up along the seawall to get on the beach. The rest is made up of 55-65 trying to re-live their youth quite the rocking party animals The resorts/rooms are nice food is ok I found it similar to Cuba lots of excursions to go on lots of historic type which I love and boat cruises which we did 5 excursions in 7 days. Very safe no worries about going anywhere we caught a cab at Midnight from Puerto Vallarta back to Bucerias. Maybe we went to the wrong place at the wrong time? I dunno most of our friends have been there and said they wouldn't go back either I have referred this place as gods waiting room but back one day I will give it another chance after Bahamas and Dominican

 

[Murminator]

I'd skip the Dominican and do Cuba again..... Veradero is my favorite place in the wold to date. I found while in the Dominican we were stuck to the resort with the exception of excursions which were not great. I like to be able to come and go as I please, we were warned not to venture off alone in the Dominican, Cuba on the other hand was go where you want when you want friendly & safe.

Friends parents just got back from Punta Cana their 1st time there they said they loved it they did do excursions but I doubt any venturing. We talked to a lot of returning Cuba visitors last one was just this morning they all say to skip Varadaro and go to Cayo Santa Maria or Cayo Coca...I will try Varadaro to get some culture time in and visit Havana CSM there is nothing but beach nearest town an hour away. It is a culture shock people think Mexico is poor...Mexicans are billionaires compared to Cubans

 

[Jordan1924]

Turks and caicos is top notch for a beach vacation... Little pricey but worth every penny

 

[RXN]

I tried it last year. Dissapointment....better stuff in BC for sure
Heck if I want to ride a sled where I should be dirtbiking I can allways go to the Crowsnest Pass. lol

Really that sucks. It's been 10years. And was unreal when we went.

Can't win them all I guess

 

[ippielb]

Some experiences from when we went to Jamaica, Sunwing is someone i'd stay away from, they really suffered on the customer service and organization. Our hotel was Riu Negril, which wasn't on seven mile beach. Which i HIGHLY recommend going to, it is amazing, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville is on seven mile beach. Which is cool to see. My favorite thing to do was when we went on a Catamaran, even though we had to wait 3 hours to get on the thing, and get out there, i think it was still my favorite. We took the catamaran out to a reef to go snorkeling, seen some wildlife and experienced the current of the ocean which was also a huge shock. Then we went to Rick's Cafe. The food there is amazing, the music was good, and the diving was extremely entertaining. They usually have a local band playing live music to watch. Like i've said a few times, it's highly recommended.

Couple down falls of Jamaica are it's expensive. The people are always trying to sell you things, and they expect tips(the people that don't work for the resort). I found the people who work at the resort to be the better of the population. Except when our safe broke 3 time and we couldn't get our money and then wouldn't close to lock our passports and valuables inside, both times it took over an hour, and then 5 hours for them to fix it so it would close.

All in all, i'd recommend getting as much time in the water and on the beach as possible. I LOVE snorkeling, and i want to try scuba diving next time.

 

[the_real_wild1]

If you liked cuba you are in a low percentile. Most Canadians I have asked would not return. And I have asked about 50-60 people that have gone in the last few years including everyone I talked to while there. Our favourite spot is still maui.