Punta Cana or Mayan Riviera?

[BruceE]

Planning vacation now - can't decide between Riu Tequila in Mayan Riviera or Hodelpa Caribe Club in Punta Cana. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Bruce Engel

[rdonley]

Have stayed at Riu Tequila twice, May last year and March this year. It is a first class resort with great facilities. Not being on the beach scares some people but with a very pleasant short walk or riding in their shuttle, the beach is only minutes away. We went to the beach every morning, ate lunch and used all the facilities at the Riu Yucatan and headed back to Riu Tequila for dinner and night time activities. The beach is awsome and Riu runs a first class operation.

We are off to Riu Melao in Punta Cana on May 24th. We are anxious to see the Riu complex in Punta Cana to see how it compares.

[mrsfuzzmo]

Haven't been to the Riu Properties, BUT, there are BIG differences in things. Culture for one. Punta Cana is very "European", starting to get Americanized a little more, but when I was there two years ago, NO ONE spoke English including the Hotel Managers and staff. It is very secluded in Punta Cana. There is no "TOWN" so to speak. Just a strip of beautiful resorts, each one very nice and right on the beach. The beach is one of the most beautiful I've seen, though it is topless. There is no snorkeling off of Punta Cana. (You can do it, but no reefs, nothing to see). Riviera Maya has wonderful snorkeling and adorable quaint towns to meander through and stop and eat at restaurants and little bars. Punta Cana is very isolated. No town at all. Just Jungle and resorts. I loved them both, so You will have to decide which route you want to go. I guess, I'd say go Punta Cana, as it is still Not quite as well known and a little more on the adventerous side! I'd go back to Punta Cana in a Minute. Riviera maya? Been there done that, as has half the US.
Maureen

I have been to both, beach is very similar, PC is not structured like the PDC beach, trees are not planted they grow where they grow.
Riu resorts are indeed magnificent in both places, I do not know about the Hodelpa although it is listed as a 4 star. Prices at least from Canada are cheaper to PC than to the Mayan Riviera.
I have to differ with the other poster, there are reefs off Punta Cana but a long ways out, snorkelling expeditions are available and there is a lot of fish etc to see, try the Marinarium cruise.
There is no real town of Punta Cana but there is quite a built up area of strip stores for restaurants and shops, check out Plaza Bavaro.
The Hodelpa is now owned by Princess resorts and goes under the name Caribe Club Princess, you can find reviews at this link Debbies

[alexandria786]

Originally Posted by BruceE

Planning vacation now - can't decide between Riu Tequila in Mayan Riviera or Hodelpa Caribe Club in Punta Cana. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Bruce Engel

If you're under 35, I think you'll enjoy Riu Tequila better, more young people there, but the beaches and water sports are better in Punta Cana,

Lena Stekol