Anyone been to the Carribean, Bahamas or Mexico?

[cati]

What island did you go to? Did you like it? What did you like and what were the cons.

Trying to decide where to go this summer and can't decide between the islands (country) - Bahama's, Dominican Republic, Mexico.

We want beautiful beaches and turkoise (sp??) water.

Need suggestions!! Oh, I do have a 4 and 10 year old, plus be DH.

 

[Margie J]

I've travelled all over that region. In fact, I was just thinking about those trips today. I'm even wearing a Cayman Islands T-shirt today.

I consider parts of the Bahamas just gorgeous. The water is crystal clear and that beautiful color you see in pictures. There's lots of nightlife on the big island for the adults. During the day you can venture out and tour the island or go to the beach.

Next is the Cayman Island, known for it's beaches and scuba/snorkling areas. Grand Cayman is friendly and comfortable for families IMO. The snorkling is terrific and you can even swim with stingrays.

The St. Thomas area is touristy in parts, given it's huge number of cruise ship visitors. On the island itself there are tons of shops and such. However, I prefer to take a boat out to St. John. It's not as crazy as St. Thomas. It also has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Trunk Bay. Yes, it looks exactly like all the pictures, breathtaking.

Bermuda is also a nice, family friendly place. It's easy to tour the island even with public transportation. The pink sand against the blue water is a sight to see.

Granada, the spice island, smells terrific. You know where the name comes from and can buy fresh spices to take home.

St. Martin has a sophisticated flair IMO. Nice beaches, nice shops.

Cons on some of the islands were panhandlers, including children, bugging tourists. They are everywhere in some places, including the beaches. I was especially bothered by Jamaica. It's a gorgeous island but it's hard to deal with the constant following for money and not feeling safe. Parts of Mexico are that way too. There is drug trade on some islands and this you need to be aware of. I also stayed with organized tours on many islands. Since I was alone this was for safety.

 

[DawnCt]

With young children I would choose a destination that is fairly close. I just returned from a cruise and one of our stops was Nassau. in the Bahamas. I wasn't very excited about the stop, having been there years before but I really enjoyed my day there and I wouldn't hesitate to return. The beach at Paradise Island is gorgeous. Lots of white sand. I have heard that if you stay the Comfort Suites, you can use all of the Atlantis facilitites. That would be a plus for me.

 

[Catzeyes]

I live here now and have been to a bunch of the islands feel free to pm if you'd like.

 

[WDWHound]

We go to Jamaica every so often (we return for our for visit in June). We love this island. While its a lousy port for cruises (the port at Ocho Rios is a tourist trap and home to hustlers, Ganja pushers and theives), the rest of the island is wonderful. Contrary to popular belief, the island is very safe (with the notable exception of Kingston, which should be avoided) and there are many places to stay where you are not hounded for money.

I highly recommend Jamaica. The island is beautiful and the Jamaicans are wonderful, gracious people.

 

[niks81]

We've been to Cozumel, Mexico, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and San Juan.

They all have nice things to offer....I would say St. Maarten had the bluest water I've ever seen though. St. Thomas was great--a bit touristy, but there were plenty of things to do at least. In all four areas there were people selling stuff on the streets and trying to get you to buy as well.

Here's how clear the water is in Cozumel:

St. Maarten:

St. Thomas:

Have a great time!

 

[mickeyboat]

A vote here for St. John. IT IS AMAZING! If you want to escape to a not so touristy haven, this is the place. The beaches are gorgeous and the snorkeling is incredible. We rented a jeep and explored the island - which is almost all National Forest. There are hiking trails as well. There is a ferry which will take you to St. Thomas so you can have a taste of the shopping, tourist scene, and then escape back to paradise.

Denae

PS - the Carribbean's weather is pretty warm all year long. The weather in the Bahamas can be cool in the winter and early Spring.

 

[Disney Doll]

Years ago, probably like 1987, I went to Freeport Bahamas. I was underwhelmed.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Back in a former life I was a travel agent and people liked this program with their kids http://www.beaches.com/

I'e been to several Caribbean Islands but not he ones with beaches resorts, MY Favs Grenada, Grand Caymen and Aruba.

 

[themepark]

I have been to St. Thomas, St. John, St. Maarten, Barbados, Martinique, Bahamas, and Cancun. Out of those, my vote would be for St. John. It was GORGEOUS and less developed. The water was a beautiful turquoise and the beaches were very nice. We really enjoyed the National park there.

Cancun was fun, but I would be careful if taking children there. It has a real college party atmosphere. We went to an island called Isla Mujeres while there. It was beautiful. It is a small island and you can rent mopeds or golf carts to get around. We snorkeled and saw some breathtaking views of the beautiful clear water. If I were to go back to that area, I would try to stay there.

As for the other islands I have been to...St. Thomas was very nice but very expensive. The beaches have beautiful white sand and the water was very pretty as well. We were only in St. Maarten for a day and it was rainy so I can't give you any good info on it. Barbados was beautiful. We even wandered into town (not sure what town) late in the day and into the evening and felt safe there. Martinique was a pretty place but the people there were very rude. All I remember about the Bahamas were people trying to braid my hair or trying to get me to buy something. The scenery was pretty but sad to say it's tarnished by my memory of being harassed for $ by all the locals.

 

[WhenUwishUponAstar]

I have been to St. Thomas, St. John, St. Maarten, Barbados, Martinique, Bahamas, and Cancun. Out of those, my vote would be for St. John. It was GORGEOUS and less developed. The water was a beautiful turquoise and the beaches were very nice. We really enjoyed the National park there.

Cancun was fun, but I would be careful if taking children there. It has a real college party atmosphere. We went to an island called Isla Mujeres while there. It was beautiful. It is a small island and you can rent mopeds or golf carts to get around. We snorkeled and saw some breathtaking views of the beautiful clear water. If I were to go back to that area, I would try to stay there.

As for the other islands I have been to...St. Thomas was very nice but very expensive. The beaches have beautiful white sand and the water was very pretty as well. We were only in St. Maarten for a day and it was rainy so I can't give you any good info on it. Barbados was beautiful. We even wandered into town (not sure what town) late in the day and into the evening and felt safe there. Martinique was a pretty place but the people there were very rude. All I remember about the Bahamas were people trying to braid my hair or trying to get me to buy something. The scenery was pretty but sad to say it's tarnished by my memory of being harassed for $ by all the locals.

DITTO!!!


I would suggest honeymoon bay @ st. John it was the most beautiful place I've ever been and i include hawaii in that list.

I would also add seems like there is always crappy weather in the bahamas maybe just my bad luck but it always seems to rain a lot when I'm there.

for the money you can't beat cancun but I would not be taking my kids there. especially after seeing the movie with denzel and the kidnapping problem they got going on over there.

 

[siac]

I live in Puerto Rico. check this site:

www.gotoPuertoRico.com

 

[makaylee]

We went on a fabulous Disney Cruise that brought us to: St. Maarten and St. Thomas in the Caribbean and Disneys Castaway Cay in the Bahamas. They were all gorgeous, but my favorite was St. Thomas where we did an excursion to St. John which was the most beautiful place I have eveer seen in my life. I have been all over Europe while we were stationed in Germany and alot of that was gorgeous, but still nothing was better than St John in my book. I cant wait to go back next year. The snorkling was breath taking.

 

[cati]

Hey these are great. Here is some more info. We are on a tight budget this year. We have been on the internet looking over all the islands, countries, etc.

I have not heard anything about kidnapping in Cancun. Can you fill me in on this???

Turks and Caicos - That is my dream vacation - especially staying at Beaches there - just cant afford it right now.

I have checked puerto rico - it is a gorgeous country, but the flight out of Charlotte is really expensive to go there.

The pictures of Cozumel and St. Thomas are wonderful Your camera did such a great job!! Thanks for sharing and taking the time to upload these!!!!!!!

How about the Grand Bahama Island or Puna Cana or Cozumel? Did you like them?

Thanks to everyone who has answered post. Keep them coming. We are soooo undecided.

 

[WDWAurora]

I've been to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios (Jamaica), San Juan, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John...here's a little on each

Cozumel-Awesome Mayan ruins (at Playa del Carmen). I would love to go back there. The ruins were amazing and we really learned a lot. The actual city might have a little too much of a party atmosphere to take kids to though...

Grand Cayman-Gorgeous, ritzy, everything is pretty expensive as exchange rates aren't so great, but I loved it, water was beautiful and it felt like you could just float all over...absolutely perfect though...

Jamaica-Didn't love it. Well, I did. We took a cool tour of a plantation and climbed the waterfall there...Dunn's River Falls I think it's called...Fun, but I think you could do better at one of the other locations.

San Juan-Awesome. I loved the historical areas and I just generally liked the feeling I got there, good "vibes" to use that term that I don't normally use...

St. Croix-Fun street party, not a huge touristy area, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you're on a cruise ship.

St. Thomas-A little too touristy for my tastes, but I did find a beautiful tanzanite ring that I wear everyday from there (until it's replaced by a diamond, ready to replace it!!)

St. John's-*sigh* Perfection in an island. Trunk Bay is the most beautiful place I've ever been. I love it more than I love Paris, which says a lot. It's absolutely amazing in every sense and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

As far as the kidnapping-I'm nearly positive that's Mexico City and not Cancun, correct me if I'm wrong. Let me know if you have any specific questions about any of those places, I'd be happy to help!

 

[WhenUwishUponAstar]

WDWAurora you are correct I was referring to Mexico and latin american countries in general especially Mexico City. It is just too corrupt down there for me to take a small red headed child. (they are considered lucky)

Living in Oklahoma we have a lot of mexican transplants and they touch his head then bow to him and thank him, it's kinda weird but he's used to it, hardly even notices anymore he just says gracias and goes on.


anyway sorry for the mix up!

 

[shortbun]

You are considering Punta Cana, Cancun or the Bahamas?

different as night and day. Punta Cana has no sightseeing or
activity outside of the beach basically. It's beautiful and possibly
boring but with a four year old, boring could be fantastic.

I prefer the Mexican riviera to Cancun. Akumal is my personal
favorite. There are several resorts down that far now so you
could easily charter into Cancun and get down there. The snorkeling possibilities are wonderful but a 4 year old could
put a damper on those unless you had a nanny or a resort
with a child's program you were comfortable with.

I don't like much about the Bahamaian resort areas. I find
the tourist cost high priced and the service not so great. Atlantis
(the resort) is one exception but still not fabulous.

My favorite, like other posters, are the Virgin Islands. I love
St. John!!!! We stay at Maho Bay but it's not good for really
little ones as it's covered with stairs on a hillside and the
bathrooms are shared, communal. Maybe a few years from
now. Caneel Bay is a wonderful luxury resort on the island
and there are amazing home rentals-really amazing! The small,
hard to reach beaches are fabulous, the water is clear and
the snorkeling is incomparable. Water Lemon Cay in Leinster
Bay during a starfish migration-OMG! When DS was 2, we rented
a marvelous home and took my DS with us as an extra hand.
It was during Hale Bop, great sunsets every night and night time
comet shows....beyond compare. DH and I once spent 8 hours
in the water with a short beach lunch. We carry Meals Ready to
Eat which are sealed in a tow bag and look for each and every
octopuses garden we can find!!
I'm gonna start making reservations tomorrow!
Have fun!
mimi

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I was going to suggest Beaches on the Turks and Caicos Islands. We took DS when he was 2 1/2 and it was spectacular! DD is 7 months old and we hope to go back when she is a little older. How about one of the other Beaches resorts in Jamaica? jamaica is beautiful and the people are wonderful, contrary to what you've heard. We've never stayed at the Beaches resorts in Jamaica, but when DH and I were at Sandals Negril in Dec. 2002 we visited Beaches and it looked very nice. Beaches Bosocobol looked pretty nice too, and its fairly new. The Beaches in Jamaica are cheaper than T&C. Have Fun!

 

[princessmomma]

We have been to Jamaica twice with our kids. We loved it both times. Beaches Boscobel is not new, it is an older resort that was originally operated by Superclubs and then about three years ago Beaches took it over and did some refurbishing to it.

We have also been to Beaches Negril. Great beach and really nice resort but extremely expensive.

Had a great time at both. We would go back to Negril before Bosobel because of the beach.

 

[cati]

Thanks everyone. I am going to go and do some extensive searches. Does anyone know if the airfares go down any in the months of June or July?

I appreciate all your help. I will let everyone know where we decide to go - may be a while though (LOL). Have a great day
Cati