Hi Everyone, Let me know some of your favorite excursions as well as some you wouldn't recommend. As always, I hope this helps you all in your travel planning -Vanessa ❤
Hi Vanessa, This is an essential video. I avoid tours that include animals who have been stolen from their natural habitat and forced to live in unnatural enclosures and entertain humans. It's so wrong to me and leaves my conscience disturbed. Not a feeling I want on vacation. I've had terrible experiences on booze cruises and have been bored on glass-bottom boats. Rasta Village in Jamaica and the Glistening Waters tours have been immersive and fun as has been diving into the cenotes in Mexico and DR. I now seek out nature and immersive experiences or go on my own. Definitely must read tour description with magnifying glasses. More tips videos please. Much appreciated.
NO to Dolphin Encounters when dolphins are living in an enclosure and humans are profiting from it. Dolphins should be free to swim in the ocean. Go to places where you can do dolphin encounters in their natural habitat.
I totally agree about the amount of excursions for the amount of days. I went to St. Lucia for 5days l did 3 excursions including zip-lining and l was exhausted wish l had this info beforehand 😂😂😂 l will only do 1 excursion per trip for now on. Thank you for always providing good information.❤❤❤
That day to excursion rule is one I live by. I've advised my friends who are rookies to all-inclusive to follow this. It's easy to want to do everything when you get to these resorts.
I loved climbing Dun River Falls. It was amazing. We did however have a guy climbing who had just been on a booze cruise. He was clowning around and fell. Luckily he wasn’t really injured.
I actually took a booze cruise to Dunnes river falls LOL and I liked it, up until the water got rough and I was horrified on the way back to the resort 😬
Did the same type of trip. Sail there and snorkel along the way then climb then party on the way back, hitting all the waves on the way back haha what a blast!
Thank you for bringing this to light .This is the result of kids being lead around by their nose using none of their own brain power .It's just sad .Experience things on your own and don't depend on others ,your a big kid now ! thanks Tim Nj.
The best excursion I ever had was in the Grand Cayman Islands at Stingray City. Steve Irwins accident aside, these big stingrays are very frendly and you feed them with cut up squid provided by the tour operator.
Excellent tips. We stayed at an all-inclusive optional resort in March 2021 for 8 days, 3 days of excursion was just about right (Tulum, Chichen Itza, Xel-ha) - good mix between on resort days (where we could explore sister resorts even tho we didn't do the all inclusive) and amenities at our resort. Also agree with the dolphin excursion-did it once a few years ago, never again. Guess it depends on the catamaran cruise-we did sunset sail with included drinks and snacks in Hawaii and was a fantastic experience-still keep in touch with some people we met on it!
From our trip to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, I’d recommend horseback riding, snorkeling, and climbing Dunns River Falls; and would avoid the shopping excursion and booze cruise.
Anything where I can experience something wonderful in that country. I’ve been to Chichen Itza and went zip lining through the jungle in Mexico on our holiday to Cancun. Also anything I wouldn’t be able to do at home- snorkel, SUP, etc.
Great video! Whenever I see the horse train I’m happy Iv never done that! Love doing an atv or snorkeling trip. Rented a Seabob (underwater jet ski) before and it was well worth it! Felt like James Bond!
I always go on the booze cruise catamaran every time I go down south that’s one of my favourite excursions and a lot of times you can bargain with them about the price if you shop around with different tour companies also inquire about the length of the bus ride to sometimes get to the start point of the excursion I personally don’t want to spend an hour on a tour bus to get to my excursion however, one time in Dominican I went on the monkey excursion I was lied to, and told it was only a 20 minute bus ride. It was more like an hour and a half I wasn’t happy.
Hi. Love your channel. Please make a video or direct me to some you have made as my searches don’t result in what I am looking for. I have teenagers. Ages 14-17. I would like a list of resorts good for these age groups. Most videos out there target families with young children and this definitely not me. My preference is Cancun & Riviera Maya, Puerto & Nuevo Vallarta and Punta Cana that also have great dining as my kids love good food and we have family that have gluten sensitivities. Sorry if I posted in the wrong area. I couldn’t find a general area to post my request. Looking forward to your next releases.
Hi Peter! Thank you so much for your kind words! I do have a video on All Inclusive Resorts for families but it’s several years old so I need to do an updated version. Depending on your budget, the Grand Velas properties, especially the one in Riviera Nayarit, are very good for families with teens and have excellent food. That’d be my recommendation. Hope this helps!
Thanks. I think that is a good recommendation albeit a bit pricey especially as I am Canadian. Any other more budget friendly options, please let me know.
Hi Kim! I’m not sure what your budget is but Christmas is one of the most expensive times of year to visit the Caribbean so try to look for budget islands. I’d suggest my new video , islands on a budget, and I think that would help narrow down your options. Hope this helps!
Hi Ashanti! Some do allow, and others don’t. All-Inclusives usually have an issue w it, so I’d just double check the resort policy beforehand and they usually tell you there. Better safe than sorry!
Two worst tours my wife and I have ever done: 1. Tulum ruins, cenote and then snorkeling. 2. Jamaica Luminous Lagoon. The All day Tulum tour was a problem because my wife and I were the only English speakers among a group of 20. Instructions and tours were all done in Spanish with an occasional "oh yeah you guys are here" quick summary. I am an intermediate Spanish listener, and often had to translate for my wife. The Tulum tour was also a long day and I felt we could have booked a few ourselves and had more fun. The Luminous Lagoon tour in Jamaica, involved a long ride where our driver picked up a women he said would be our tour guide, (They then both laughed). It turns out she was a prostitute to entertain him while we left all our stuff in the van and went out on the water. The tour itself was a small packed boat, strong smell of gas, then somewhat lit up mud. Then returning to a very sketchy bar with disgusting bathrooms.
If you’re going to Dunn’s river falls, whether you do the climbing tour or just explore prior to going down south, bring water shoes or else it will make it very slippery and hard to climb on any of the rocks
I do excursions but rarely . i look at vacation as time to relax party eat drink so I always feel like I’m wasting the money I spent not enjoying the resort itself and I feel that’s part of why the resorts push they save money by you not using their resources
@@thebraz21 not saying that, you will not get to know the culture and how things are made and it what’s the difference of one country to another then but to each its own
@@davegriffith6409 i get what you were saying now your correct many people do travel to learn about the culture etc do that at the hotel on the beach with a drink lol
Vanessa i agree with your no no no, I’ve done so many excursions i can’t count, but snorkeling, pair sailing,glass bottom boat ride the horse in the water should be a 1 and done and it do a minimum 2 if i stay a 6-5
Very good info on the tours per days at your resort. Me and my wife usually stay seven nights and do a full day tour and then a four hour tops type of tour. Also totally agree on the dolphin and other encaged animal sites. In my comment I listed my worse tours. My absolute favorite was an hike through the rain forest in Costa Rica. I thought we would die as heat at our resort was in the 90s, But sure enough it rained in the rain forest and was such a sensory experience. From the noises, smells and a series of pools at the end. The tour did include scary snakes, spiders and when it rained hard, mud. But we both loved it.
Hi Vanessa! This is a great video with really awesome tips. Since it is one of your favorite resorts in Cancun, we will be at The Beloved for a week in the beginning of June. What do you recommend as far as local tours?
Hi Everyone, Let me know some of your favorite excursions as well as some you wouldn't recommend. As always, I hope this helps you all in your travel planning -Vanessa ❤
Hi Vanessa,
This is an essential video. I avoid tours that include animals who have been stolen from their natural habitat and forced to live in unnatural enclosures and entertain humans. It's so wrong to me and leaves my conscience disturbed. Not a feeling I want on vacation. I've had terrible experiences on booze cruises and have been bored on glass-bottom boats. Rasta Village in Jamaica and the Glistening Waters tours have been immersive and fun as has been diving into the cenotes in Mexico and DR. I now seek out nature and immersive experiences or go on my own. Definitely must read tour description with
magnifying glasses. More tips videos please. Much appreciated.
Yes!
Since I watched the cove documentary, I will never do a dolphin swim. I've never done one or have any interest in doing one.
@@nathanieleasonbign81970I love to hear that. 🙌🏾
NO to Dolphin Encounters when dolphins are living in an enclosure and humans are profiting from it. Dolphins should be free to swim in the ocean. Go to places where you can do dolphin encounters in their natural habitat.
I totally agree about the amount of excursions for the amount of days. I went to St. Lucia for 5days l did 3 excursions including zip-lining and l was exhausted wish l had this info beforehand 😂😂😂 l will only do 1 excursion per trip for now on. Thank you for always providing good information.❤❤❤
Great point
Thanks for sharing! 😊🙏
i do 2-3 and I’m never tired, be too geeked to be away from Chicago lol
St. Lucia! 🤩🥰😍🥰
That day to excursion rule is one I live by. I've advised my friends who are rookies to all-inclusive to follow this. It's easy to want to do everything when you get to these resorts.
I loved climbing Dun River Falls. It was amazing. We did however have a guy climbing who had just been on a booze cruise. He was clowning around and fell. Luckily he wasn’t really injured.
I actually took a booze cruise to Dunnes river falls LOL and I liked it, up until the water got rough and I was horrified on the way back to the resort 😬
😄
Did the same type of trip. Sail there and snorkel along the way then climb then party on the way back, hitting all the waves on the way back haha what a blast!
Do the excursions labeled sunset cruises usually turn into booze cruises?
Thank you for bringing this to light .This is the result of kids being lead around by their nose using none of their own brain power .It's just sad .Experience things on your own and don't depend on others ,your a big kid now ! thanks Tim Nj.
Thanks so much for the great tips! Precisely why I love your channel! 🥰❤️💛💚
You are so welcome! 🤗 Thank you!!
The best excursion I ever had was in the Grand Cayman Islands at Stingray City. Steve Irwins accident aside, these big stingrays are very frendly and you feed them with cut up squid provided by the tour operator.
I agree . Best excursion ever!! I still look at my video and pictures from that trip!
Completely agree! It was an amazing experience❤️
Omg awesome video! I love it ❤
Yay! Thank you! 😊
Excellent tips. We stayed at an all-inclusive optional resort in March 2021 for 8 days, 3 days of excursion was just about right (Tulum, Chichen Itza, Xel-ha) - good mix between on resort days (where we could explore sister resorts even tho we didn't do the all inclusive) and amenities at our resort. Also agree with the dolphin excursion-did it once a few years ago, never again. Guess it depends on the catamaran cruise-we did sunset sail with included drinks and snacks in Hawaii and was a fantastic experience-still keep in touch with some people we met on it!
From our trip to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, I’d recommend horseback riding, snorkeling, and climbing Dunns River Falls; and would avoid the shopping excursion and booze cruise.
Anything where I can experience something wonderful in that country. I’ve been to Chichen Itza and went zip lining through the jungle in Mexico on our holiday to Cancun. Also anything I wouldn’t be able to do at home- snorkel, SUP, etc.
Great video! Whenever I see the horse train I’m happy Iv never done that! Love doing an atv or snorkeling trip. Rented a Seabob (underwater jet ski) before and it was well worth it! Felt like James Bond!
Thank you Nick!
I always go on the booze cruise catamaran every time I go down south that’s one of my favourite excursions and a lot of times you can bargain with them about the price if you shop around with different tour companies also inquire about the length of the bus ride to sometimes get to the start point of the excursion I personally don’t want to spend an hour on a tour bus to get to my excursion however, one time in Dominican I went on the monkey excursion I was lied to, and told it was only a 20 minute bus ride. It was more like an hour and a half I wasn’t happy.
I felt like I only change the weather versus actually traveling when I stayed at a resort.
My best excursions have been when we made a deal with the hotel chauffeur to take us around to all the places, privately.
Best thing we ever done.
Hi. Love your channel.
Please make a video or direct me to some you have made as my searches don’t result in what I am looking for. I have teenagers. Ages 14-17. I would like a list of resorts good for these age groups. Most videos out there target families with young children and this definitely not me. My preference is Cancun & Riviera Maya, Puerto & Nuevo Vallarta and Punta Cana that also have great dining as my kids love good food and we have family that have gluten sensitivities. Sorry if I posted in the wrong area. I couldn’t find a general area to post my request.
Looking forward to your next releases.
Hi Peter! Thank you so much for your kind words! I do have a video on All Inclusive Resorts for families but it’s several years old so I need to do an updated version. Depending on your budget, the Grand Velas properties, especially the one in Riviera Nayarit, are very good for families with teens and have excellent food. That’d be my recommendation. Hope this helps!
Thanks. I think that is a good recommendation albeit a bit pricey especially as I am Canadian. Any other more budget friendly options, please let me know.
Thank you for the information very useful
Glad it was helpful!
Poor dolphins 🐬
Hi Vanessa, do you have any suggestions on what's the best area in the carribean to celebrate xmas? We are looking to go Dec 24 2023 for 2 weeks.
Hi Kim! I’m not sure what your budget is but Christmas is one of the most expensive times of year to visit the Caribbean so try to look for budget islands. I’d suggest my new video , islands on a budget, and I think that would help narrow down your options. Hope this helps!
Hi Ms. Vanessa. Just curious, can you bring your own alcohol to a resort? I heard you can travel with liquor in a checked luggage.
Hi Ashanti! Some do allow, and others don’t. All-Inclusives usually have an issue w it, so I’d just double check the resort policy beforehand and they usually tell you there. Better safe than sorry!
Don't do monkey island in the DR
Noice.
Two worst tours my wife and I have ever done: 1. Tulum ruins, cenote and then snorkeling. 2. Jamaica Luminous Lagoon. The All day Tulum tour was a problem because my wife and I were the only English speakers among a group of 20. Instructions and tours were all done in Spanish with an occasional "oh yeah you guys are here" quick summary. I am an intermediate Spanish listener, and often had to translate for my wife. The Tulum tour was also a long day and I felt we could have booked a few ourselves and had more fun. The Luminous Lagoon tour in Jamaica, involved a long ride where our driver picked up a women he said would be our tour guide, (They then both laughed). It turns out she was a prostitute to entertain him while we left all our stuff in the van and went out on the water. The tour itself was a small packed boat, strong smell of gas, then somewhat lit up mud. Then returning to a very sketchy bar with disgusting bathrooms.
If you’re going to Dunn’s river falls, whether you do the climbing tour or just explore prior to going down south, bring water shoes or else it will make it very slippery and hard to climb on any of the rocks
I do excursions but rarely . i look at vacation as time to relax party eat drink so I always feel like I’m wasting the money I spent not enjoying the resort itself and I feel that’s part of why the resorts push they save money by you not using their resources
Interesting take. Thank you! 👍
i don’t understand your reason lol
@@davegriffith6409 in other words i can’t eat and drink unlimited and lay by the pool then pay more to be off the resort the entire Day
@@thebraz21 not saying that, you will not get to know the culture and how things are made and it what’s the difference of one country to another then but to each its own
@@davegriffith6409 i get what you were saying now your correct many people do travel to learn about the culture etc do that at the hotel on the beach with a drink lol
Vanessa i agree with your no no no, I’ve done so many excursions i can’t count, but snorkeling, pair sailing,glass bottom boat ride the horse in the water should be a 1 and done and it do a minimum 2 if i stay a 6-5
Thank you Dave! 😊
Very good info on the tours per days at your resort. Me and my wife usually stay seven nights and do a full day tour and then a four hour tops type of tour. Also totally agree on the dolphin and other encaged animal sites. In my comment I listed my worse tours. My absolute favorite was an hike through the rain forest in Costa Rica. I thought we would die as heat at our resort was in the 90s, But sure enough it rained in the rain forest and was such a sensory experience. From the noises, smells and a series of pools at the end. The tour did include scary snakes, spiders and when it rained hard, mud. But we both loved it.
Hi Vanessa! This is a great video with really awesome tips. Since it is one of your favorite resorts in Cancun, we will be at The Beloved for a week in the beginning of June. What do you recommend as far as local tours?
Great tips!!!! We end up just staying at our resort and not venturing out, but we will change that for our next trip.
And in the cancun area - cenotes! So fun to explore and so unique
Do you know a good resort for paddle boarding?
Great tips. I definitely try to get out at least one day during my AI & cruises
Thanks Nikki! 👋😊