Posted on 06/20/2026 10:49:45 AM PDT by BOBWADE
To all my fellow Freepers. My wife and I are considering a nice vacation next spring probably in April of 2027. My daughter had told us about an all inclusive vacation to Riu Palace Kukulkan. We were pretty excited about this and were planning on this for next year. My brother-in-law is into security and intelligence. He absolutely positively poopoo-ed on that idea. Has extreme concerns about safety in Mexico. What are your feelings about traveling outside of the US? Has anybody had experience at this resort or other resorts which would be all inclusive and not terribly expensive. Also, from your experience, Are times really that dangerous right now?
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I’ve never been to Mexico and would never go.
NOT THERE SINCE 1960.
WILL NEVER GO AGAIN
It is impossible to predict for something nine months in advance. Have you considered a cruise that visits multiple ports in the Caribbean?
I live in Mexico and cross to the States pretty much daily. While not nearly as bad as it was 20 years ago, it’s still pretty not great.
It upgraded from being like Mogadishu to the bar on the original Star wars.
It ain’t for the faint of heart.
if you do a cruise like another person mentioned, spend.the.money. so you are not stuck with riffraff for any length of time. Especially if you go to the Carribean. Just my humble opinion.
I have friends who go to Mexican resorts every year.
And millions of Canadians and Americans live there… so
My family loves going to AInclusives in Mexico. Depends on what you call “reasonable” . We usually do 4-5. Ight stays. Riviera Maya/ Cancun or Cabo are the two locations we typically go to. If you go to Cabo, you would swear there are more Americans there than a typical US town. Check Garza Blanca or Le Blanc…. Great, friendly service!
Try Wally World (/S)
LOL. Sorry, I don’t have anything constructive to add. About 30 years ago my parents splurged and spent two weeks at an all-inclusive seaside resort in Mexico. They — and presumably their fellow vacationers — were subject to countless mostly small crimes, mostly thefts. My dad had a pair of prescription glasses stolen! They were able to laugh about it later, but they would never do it again or recommend it to friends. It was a well-known company, but I forget the name.
My wife and I have made a total of 18 trips to various Caribbean locations. We have always stayed at one of the Sandals resorts. We’ve been to 8 different islands.
I won’t step foot into Mexico though.
The only part of Mexico I’d go to now is Cozumel, which is an island.
The stories about drugged drinks in Mexico scared me.
From AI:
Reports indicate that tourists at Mexican all-inclusive resorts, particularly in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Vallarta, have experienced sudden blackouts, injuries, and deaths after consuming drinks. These incidents are largely attributed to tainted or adulterated alcohol, with investigations revealing that up to 43% of alcohol consumed in Mexico is illegal and potentially dangerous, containing high levels of methanol or grain alcohol.
Key Findings on Resort Drink Safety
Tainted Alcohol: A significant portion of alcohol served is bootleg or unregulated, leading to severe toxicity. Symptoms include rapid incapacitation after only one or two drinks, memory loss, and medical emergencies requiring hospitalization.
Resort Involvement: Investigations suggest some resorts may use cheap, illegal booze to cut costs. Guests have reported that even sealed bottles tasted unusual or had no intoxicating effect, while others were served “special mixes” that caused immediate collapse.
Associated Crimes: Beyond accidental poisoning, travelers have reported being targeted for robbery, sexual assault, and extortion while unconscious. Some victims were charged exorbitant fees by resort-affiliated hospitals.
Notable Incidents: The death of Abbey Conner at the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar in 2017 sparked widespread scrutiny, with her brother and dozens of other travelers reporting similar blackout incidents at the same and other major resorts.
We live 3 miles from mexico here in Arizona. My advice is see the USA. I-40, I-10 and I-95 harbor many pleasant and off beat surprises.
Thank you everybody for your input. I think we may be marking Mexico off of our vacation list. We did take a cruise two years ago and really liked it. But the Island drop offs were just too short to enjoy. We are going to meet with the travel agent and get more ideas. Thank you again for everyone you weighed in
Don’t take I-40 through New Mexico!
Worst road in America!
Except in Albuquerque!
Have you considered going further afield? Apart from the $1K air fare, Bali and Vietnam are said to be comparable to Mexico price-wise and safe in the sense of tourists or locals being able walk around just about anywhere any time of day. The downsides are the long flight and jet lag. Both are cheap because of low wage scales, so packages may come with an English-speaking local guide.
1. Riu Palace Kukulkan (Cancun, Mexico)
* Type: 24-hour Adults-Only, All-Inclusive
* Cost: Ranges from ** $300 to $500 per room, per night ** (or about ** $1,500 to $2,000 ** for a 5-night package with flights from Houston).
* What’s Included: All meals, snacks, top-shelf liquor, self-serve in-room liquor dispensers, 24-hour room service, and daily activities. You also get access to the famous Riu Party events at nearby Riu properties with included drinks.
* Hidden Costs: Tips, off-resort excursions, spa treatments, and premium Bali beds by the pool.
* Vibe: Relaxed yet vibrant. Excellent beach access in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, located about 25 minutes from Cancun International Airport (CUN). [6, 14]
2. Bali, Indonesia
* Type: A la carte, destination exploration (though all-inclusive resorts do exist)
* Cost: Highly variable depending on travel style. A mid-range luxury stay costs about ** $150 to $300 per night **, but daily food, drinks, and excursions add up. Expect to pay ** $2,000 to $3,000+ per person ** for flights and accommodations.
* What’s Included: Usually just your room and breakfast.
* The “Bali Magic” Factor: While the initial accommodation price looks similar or cheaper than an all-inclusive, you pay for your meals, drinks, and activities as you go. However, a dollar goes very far in Bali—you can eat incredible local meals (Warungs) for ** $3 to $10 ** or dine at top-tier restaurants for ** $30 to $50 **.
* Vibe: Culturally immersive, spiritual, adventurous, and lush. You spend time exploring temples, rice terraces, and waterfalls rather than sitting by a single resort pool. [10, 21, 22, 23]]
About 30 years ago I took I-40. Somehow I managed to survive .
That road though, concrete blocks held together with tar. Every block guaranteed to be crooked, misaligned and other wise independent of the other randomly placed blocks.
I thought my intestines were going to pop from the non stop beating they took from that cursed stretch of road.
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