Have you thought about giving Mexico a try? My wife and I went to the Dominican Republic for the first time a few years ago, enjoyed it but then decided to give Mexico a try, this year we are returning to Mexico (Playa del Carmen to be precise) for the 3rd year running. Great place to chill out, but plenty of things to see and do if you feel a bit more active.
The one big difference with Mexico is that we are quite happy to wander around the town in the day/evening (obviously using common sense) whereas in the Dom Rep we felt that we were restricted to the resort (we went into Punta Cana in the Dom Rep during the day on an organised trip and I must admit did not feel comfortable) and I believe the same applies with Cuba.
Prices don't seem to be that different between the 3 places.

The one big difference with Mexico is that we are quite happy to wander around the town in the day/evening (obviously using common sense) whereas in the Dom Rep we felt that we were restricted to the resort (we went into Punta Cana in the Dom Rep during the day on an organised trip and I must admit did not feel comfortable) and I believe the same applies with Cuba.

I cannot comment on either Mexico or the DR but I've certainly never felt uncomfortable wandering around in Cuba on my own - this has included the old town district of Havana in the early hours of the morning. Yes, some of the purpose built tourist resorts are almost like gated communities but this is to keep the locals out, not the visitors in.

SM

I've been to DR, Jamaica, Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados and Tobago and, to be honest, the Dominican beaches are hard to beat. Especially when you consider value for money. Barbados has become very expensive, but I heard on local radio recently that the government are looking at ways to revitalise the tourism industry, as they are being hit badly by the recession.

The only way they can realistically expect to achieve that it to bring prices back to a level that makes them economically viable against the cheaper islands. My wife and I had one meal in Barbados that cost me around 120 quid. Great setting, lovely meal and excellent wine, but we don't go on holiday to splash cash like that too often.

When we were in St Lucia, 4 weeks ago, Sandals were doing deals at 60% off, that's how desperate they were getting. I was told by someone in our hotel that these prices are not on offer to people booking from the UK, but I'm sure there are ways of getting around that, such as having friends or family in the USA book it for you.

Checking the internet for such deals might be worth your while.

Hi,

Have visited St Lucia, Antigua, Grenada, Jamaica & Barbados and going to DR next month. A 3 / 4 * hotel on these islands will, on average, offer better quality than a 4 star in, say, Dom. Rep in my experience.

However, if your intention is to just chill as opposed to lap up the culture, visit local restaurants etc, then there is little point paying the extra in my humble opinion. The beaches are just as good if not better in places like DR/Cuba compared to St Lucia for example. In saying that, each of the above islands have their own flavour and unique atmosphere that I wouldn't have missed for the world and am so glad I visited them.

Lisa x