Cancun, Punta Cana or Jamaica? Choosing an all-inclusive destination from Nashville

September 11, 2026BlogComments Off

Most Nashville travelers shopping for an all-inclusive end up choosing among three places: Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, and Jamaica. The brochures make them look interchangeable. They are not. Each suits a different kind of trip, and picking the right one matters more than picking the right resort.

Cancun and the Riviera Maya: the easiest trip

Best for: first-timers, families, anyone who wants more to do than lie on a beach.

Getting there: nonstop from BNA for much of the year, about three hours in the air. No other all-inclusive destination is this simple from Nashville.
What you get: the widest choice of resorts anywhere, from lively Cancun hotel-zone towers to quieter properties down the coast near Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Beyond the resort: Mayan ruins at Tulum and Chichen Itza, cenotes to swim in, snorkeling at Cozumel and eco-parks that children love.
Worth knowing: seaweed can wash onto this coast in the warmer months. It varies by beach and by week, and some resorts manage it better than others. Ask before you book.

See our Mexico trips from Nashville for more.

Punta Cana: the beach purist’s choice

Best for: travelers who want a long, soft, palm-lined beach and good value.

Getting there: usually one connection from Nashville, through a hub such as Charlotte, Atlanta or Miami.
What you get: miles of white sand on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, large resorts with a lot of room, and prices that often undercut Mexico for the same standard.
Beyond the resort: catamaran trips to Saona Island, golf, and not much else nearby. Most guests stay on the property, and the resorts are built for that.
Worth knowing: the Atlantic side can be breezy with some surf; resorts at the Bavaro end tend to have calmer water.

Jamaica: the one with character

Best for: couples, honeymooners and travelers who want a sense of place.

Getting there: into Montego Bay, typically with one connection from Nashville.
What you get: three distinct areas. Montego Bay is closest to the airport. Negril has the famous seven-mile beach and cliff-side sunsets, about ninety minutes away. Ocho Rios has waterfalls and greenery.
Beyond the resort: Dunn’s River Falls, river rafting, Blue Mountain coffee, and music everywhere. Jamaica is the island where the all-inclusive was invented, and Sandals still has more resorts here than anywhere.
Worth knowing: transfer times vary a great deal by area. We check them before recommending a resort, because nobody wants two hours in a van after a day of flying.

As a Certified Sandals Specialist, we can compare the Jamaican Sandals resorts for you one by one.

How to choose in one minute

You want the simplest travel day and plenty to do: Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
You want the best beach for the money and plan to stay put: Punta Cana.
You want romance, scenery and local flavor: Jamaica.
It is a honeymoon and none of these feels special enough: look at Saint Lucia, the Bahamas’ out islands or Turks and Caicos, and see our honeymoon packages.

One thing that matters more than the destination

The room category. At many resorts, the level you book decides which restaurants, pools and stretches of beach you can use. A mid-range room at an excellent resort is often a better holiday than a top suite at an average one. That is the kind of detail we sort out when you ask us for all-inclusive packages from Nashville. Call (615) 889-1886 and tell us who is traveling and what you want from the week.

Frequently asked questions

Which all-inclusive destination has nonstop flights from Nashville?

Cancun, for much of the year. Punta Cana and Montego Bay usually need one connection, though seasonal nonstop flights are sometimes scheduled. We check the current timetable for your dates.