My wife and I are trying to decide on a vacation spot. It's between Cancun in Mexico or Punta Cana in the DR. Resort will be an all inclusive. Would like some first hand accounts from those who have been to either. Especially interested in how nice the beach is, food on site, and service. Any particular resort recommendations?

Morning Erick,

I can comfortably speak about both because of work trips and I live 30 minutes South of Cancun.

In terms of safety, if you stay at an all-inclusive and arent out doing something illegal you are going to be fine in both destinations.

PC probably is a bit more rustic and will not have as many amenities as CC - this is either a positive or negative depending on what you are looking for.

I can certainly help you with any questions you may have about the CC region regarding hotels, side trips to Playa del Carmen and/or Cozumel, Tulum, Chichen Itza etc...

Lots of LCDH in the CC area if that sways your vote!

Travis

Travis I have been to PdC and Cozumel but never been to Cancun. I went to Xcaret once and it was really cool. I plan to stay around the Cancun area mainly. Just looking for a resort with great service, great food, and a great beach.

I've stayed at AIs in both Punta Cana and Cancun and my thoughts are as follows:

Both have great beaches/service/food.
Both are simularly affordable.
PC would be a shorter flight/travel time (Assuming you live in Miami), which leaves more beach/chill time.
Punta Cana would be safer and they say you can drink the water (I still only drank bottled water).
Cancun has a better off resort nightlife, but you've already been to Cancun so you already know.

My parents live in Isla Mujeres off of Cancun and I do not think the Cancun beaches are that nice, and frankly I do not like resort feeling of Cancun; very un-Mexican in a bad sense. That being said, the resorts get as fancy as one's wallet and perhaps those beaches are more manicured?

It's like Isla Mujeres is blocking alot of the water that goes to Cancun and Cancun water is more like a bay.

Intercontinental sure looks nice (in Cancun) and are known for service

Punta Cana beaches are nicer, Cancun hotels are nicer. I've been to both a few times, and it's really a matter of what you prefer.

I prefer nicer beaches!

Then as long as you stay at the nicer places, you'll enjoy it I'm sure. The beaches in Cancun, even at the nicest hotels, are very small because of a lack of real estate, hurricanes and geography. The resorts in Punta Cana have more space so they have more beach area.