Caribbean & Mexico Vacations

From all-inclusive beach escapes to island-hopping cruises, we'll help you find the vacation that fits you.

Turquoise water, white-sand beaches, incredible resorts and warm weather make the Caribbean and Mexico some of the most popular vacation destinations—and some of the most overwhelming to choose from.

Should you stay at an all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya or head to Jamaica? Is Aruba better for your family than Punta Cana? Do you want a lively resort with activities from morning to night or a quiet adults-only escape? And once you've chosen a destination, how do you narrow hundreds of resorts down to the one that's actually right for you?

At Great Plains Travel, we don't believe the best resort is simply the one with the highest rating. We help match you with the right destination, resort and experience for the way you want to travel.

Find Your Perfect Escape in the Sun

START PLANNING YOUR VACATION

How Do You Want to Experience the Caribbean & Mexico?

Relax at a Resort

Unpack once and settle into vacation mode.

Mexico and the Caribbean are home to hundreds of resorts, from family-friendly properties with water parks and kids' clubs to romantic adults-only retreats and luxury escapes.

All-inclusive resorts can make vacation planning especially easy by including many of your meals, drinks, entertainment and activities in the cost of your stay.

But not all resorts are created equal.

Great Plains Travel can help you find a resort that fits what matters most to you—not simply one with good reviews.

All-Inclusive Resorts

Explore by Cruise

Want to experience more than one destination?

A Caribbean or Mexico cruise allows you to visit multiple ports while enjoying the dining, entertainment and amenities of your ship along the way.

Cruise vacations range from quick getaways to longer sailings and from action-packed mega-ships to smaller, more relaxed and luxury experiences.

The right cruise isn't just about finding the best price. The cruise line, ship, itinerary and stateroom can completely change your vacation experience.

We help you compare those details and find the sailing that fits you.

Cruises

Where Should You Go?

One of the first decisions isn't which resort to book, it's which destination fits you best.

Mexico

Mexico offers an incredible variety of vacation experiences. The Cancun and Riviera Maya region combines all-inclusive resorts and Caribbean beaches with easy access to cenotes, Mayan archaeological sites and eco-adventure experiences.

On Mexico's Pacific side, destinations such as Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta offer completely different scenery and vacation styles.

Mexico is particularly appealing for travelers who want a large selection of resorts at different price points.

Dominican Republic

Punta Cana is one of the Caribbean's major all-inclusive destinations, with an enormous selection of resorts ranging from affordable family properties to luxurious adults-only escapes.

It's an excellent place to consider when the resort itself will be a major part of your vacation.

Jamaica

Jamaica combines all-inclusive resorts with a distinctive culture and plenty to experience beyond the resort.

Different areas—including Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios—offer different experiences, making location particularly important when choosing a Jamaican vacation.

Aruba

Aruba is known for its beaches, desert-like landscape and location outside the main Atlantic hurricane belt. It's especially popular with travelers who want to combine beach time with restaurants, activities and exploration outside their resort.

The Bahamas

With convenient access from the United States and beautiful turquoise water, the Bahamas can work well for everything from shorter escapes to luxury resort vacations and family trips.

More Caribbean Islands

There is much more to the Caribbean than the most familiar destinations.

Depending on the experience you're looking for, we can also help you explore destinations such as St. Lucia, Antigua, Turks & Caicos, Curaçao, Barbados, Grenada and other Caribbean islands.

Not sure which one fits you? That's exactly where we come in.

An all-inclusive vacation sounds simple, but choosing one often isn't.

Two resorts with similar prices and star ratings can provide completely different experiences.

Some are quiet and romantic. Others have DJs, entertainment and nightlife. Some cater heavily to families, while others are adults-only. One property may have an incredible beach but average dining, while another is known for its restaurants but has a beach that may not meet your expectations.

When recommending an all-inclusive resort, we look beyond the photos.

We consider what's important to you, including:

Beach: Is a swimmable, beautiful beach a priority?

Food: Are you looking for variety, upscale dining or easy options for picky eaters?

Atmosphere: Quiet and relaxing, romantic, family-focused or lively?

Activities: Do you want water sports, entertainment, nightlife, golf or excursions?

Family needs: Kids' clubs, teen activities, water parks, room configurations and age-appropriate entertainment can make a huge difference.

Room: Ocean view? Swim-up? Private pool? Connecting rooms? We help you understand what you're actually booking.

Budget: We help you determine where your money provides the most value rather than simply choosing the cheapest, or most expensive option.

Finding the Right All-Inclusive Resort

Caribbean & Mexico Cruises

A cruise is one of the easiest ways to experience multiple Caribbean destinations in a single vacation. Instead of choosing just one island, you can wake up somewhere new throughout your trip—all while keeping the same room, dining and entertainment onboard.

Caribbean and Mexico cruises range from quick getaways to weeklong and extended sailings, with options for families, couples, groups and travelers looking for a more upscale experience.

At Great Plains Travel, we help you compare more than just price and itinerary. The cruise line and ship you choose can have just as much impact on your vacation as the ports you visit.

We can help you find the right fit based on:

Cruise line and ship — from activity-packed family ships to smaller, more relaxed and luxury experiences
Eastern, Western or Southern Caribbean itineraries — each offers a different combination of islands, beaches and experiences
Mexican cruise destinations — including Cozumel, Costa Maya and cruises along Mexico's Pacific coast
Stateroom selection — interior, oceanview, balcony, suites and location onboard
Onboard experience — dining, entertainment, pools, kids' and teen programs, nightlife and activities
Shore excursions — from snorkeling and beaches to cultural experiences and adventure
Pre- and post-cruise planning — hotels, transportation and other arrangements before or after your sailing

Which Caribbean Cruise Itinerary Is Right for You?

Eastern Caribbean itineraries often appeal to travelers looking for beautiful beaches, shopping and island-hopping, with ports that may include destinations such as St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico.

Western Caribbean cruises frequently include destinations such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Belize, depending on the sailing. These itineraries can be particularly appealing to travelers interested in snorkeling, Mayan history and adventure excursions.

Southern Caribbean itineraries can reach islands farther south, including Aruba, Curaçao and Barbados. They're often a great choice for travelers who have already experienced some of the more common Caribbean ports or want an itinerary with a different mix of islands.

And sometimes the ship is the destination. If water slides, entertainment, dining, kids' activities or nightlife matter more to you than checking specific islands off a list, we'll take that into consideration too.

Why Book Your Caribbean or Mexico Vacation With Great Plains Travel?

With thousands of resorts across Mexico and the Caribbean, the challenge usually isn't finding a vacation.

It's finding your vacation.

At Great Plains Travel, we take the time to understand your priorities before recommending a destination or resort. We help compare options, explain important differences and put the pieces of your vacation together.

Depending on your trip, that may include your resort, flights, airport transfers, travel protection and excursions.

And our job doesn't end when your deposit is paid.

We continue servicing your reservation as you travel, helping you prepare for your trip, keeping track of important deadlines and monitoring for applicable promotions that may provide additional value to your booking.

If questions or unexpected issues arise, you also have a travel professional who knows your trip and can help you determine what to do next.

You enjoy the vacation. We'll help take care of the details.

Frequently Asked Questions

It varies considerably by resort. Most include accommodations, meals and many beverages, but premium restaurants, certain drinks, spa treatments, excursions, airport transportation and some activities may cost extra. We'll help you understand what's included before you book.
It depends on your children's ages and what your family wants to do. Some families prioritize water parks and kids' clubs, while others care more about beaches, excursions or spacious accommodations. Rather than recommending the same island to every family, we help narrow the choices based on your needs.
They can be fantastic, but choosing the right resort matters. Some properties offer teen clubs, water parks, sports and evening entertainment, while others primarily cater to younger children or adults. Let us know your children's ages when planning so we can recommend accordingly.
For international air travel to Mexico and most Caribbean destinations, U.S. travelers should expect to need a valid passport. Entry requirements vary by destination and traveler, so requirements should always be verified for your specific trip.
There isn't one perfect month for every destination. Weather patterns, hurricane season, crowds, pricing and even seaweed conditions can vary by destination and time of year. We'll help you consider those factors when choosing where and when to travel.
Booking earlier generally provides a better selection of resorts, room categories and flights, particularly during spring break, holidays and other popular travel periods. If you need connecting rooms, larger family accommodations or a particular room category, planning ahead can be especially important.