Where would you go with points?

[Unique User]

I took a new role with my company and am traveling frequently, usually on the road 2-3 weeks a month minimum.  When this project winds down, I think I'll have around 500k Hilton points, 100k Amex points, 300k IHG points and 70k Delta miles when I finish my current project in May.  We'd like to take a vacation late July for around 10 days.  I'm totally flexible with dates and where to go, just somewhere in the Caribbean (not Jamaica) and DH loves to snorkel.  He wants an all inclusive, but the points for Hilton all inclusive in the Dominican Republic seems excessive and their snorkeling is not the greatest.  I'm lost with trying to figure out where to go to minimize our out of pocket.  Can any Mustachian help me out with pointers?

[Sugaree]

For snorkeling/diving, my favorite place is Roatan, but there's not much in the way of chain hotels there, so only your Delta points (and maybe Amex) would be helpful in getting there.  I think there's a Hilton property in Ambergris Cay, Belize.  It will probably have a resort fee on top of the points so it won't be completely free though.   

[Zamboni]

This is a super old thread, but maybe you didn't get to go yet because of the pandemic?

For snorkeling, I like Cozumel. Most airlines fly to Cancun and you can then take a cab and ferry to the island. The only problem is that Cozumel doesn't have a Hilton chain hotel as far as I can tell (I wish it did since we're Hilton Diamond status.) There is a really nice Westin there, though, and prices are very, very reasonable right now. It works out to be cheaper than all inclusive unless you drink like a fish, and even then it might be cheaper. The hotel provides snorkel gear for free and you can snorkel right off the shore and see plenty of fish, especially if you go under the pier over to where the breakfast restaurant overlooks. There is also great snorkeling at the Columbia reef and other locations such as the shallower clear waters such as Xel-Ha (basically pronounced Soul Ha) if you want to book a private boat tour, which is again very reasonable right now, go out with Cuchi on Mystic Snorkel.

Good luck in your adventures!

[Duke03]

If you like to snorkel go to Cozumel, but stay in Cancun or Playa Del Carmen with your points.  I've used Hilton points to stay at the Hilton Playa Del Carmen several times and highly recommend this property.  It's all inclusive and has some really good restaurants. You are steps from 5th avenue and can walk less than 10 minutes and hop on a ferry that will take you to Cozumel for about $13.  This resort has a laid back 30-50yr old crowd.  No obnoxious spring breakers are allowed.  They also have a sister property right next door that is newer and really nice, but it isn't All Inclusive.