Caribbean vacations for Canadian families

[40ariel]

We normally travel to Florida every year because it it close (direct short flights ), warm, and well I love the Disney resorts. We are looking for alternatives since we have decided not to go back this year.

We are looking at places like Turks and Caicos, Aruba, Barbados, Saint Lucia etc that the gov’t advises to take normal security precautions.

Does anyone have experience with vacations in these areas? We are looking at New Years or March 2026.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

We normally travel to Florida every year because it it close (direct short flights ), warm, and well I love the Disney resorts. We are looking for alternatives since we have decided not to go back this year.

We are looking at places like Turks and Caicos, Aruba, Barbados, Saint Lucia etc that the gov’t advises to take normal security precautions.

Does anyone have experience with vacations in these areas? We are looking at New Years or March 2026.

I’m an American but have been to all those places, the only one we’ve been to recently was Turks and Caicos (last summer) and it was incredible. We stayed at Windsong on the Reef, sort of a condo/hotel hybrid and had beautiful sunsets almost every night. Food is not cheap but it was pretty good. We went around the island a few times and never felt unsafe, but we mostly stayed on the resort beach.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I have been to all these places. What do you want to know?

My favorite was Turks and least favorite was Aruba.

Food is expensive on all the islands. I didn’t feel unsafe at on any of these islands.

When I was on St lucia the volcano was active. The sulphur smell was like nothing I ever experienced and was so off putting. It clung to you, your clothes, your hair.

 

[Tripscarcare]

The Bahamas are also very nice, other then there currency is basically on par with the USD. Found that out when purchasing some funds.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

These are all too rich for my blood LOL Especially Aruba!

What is the currency these countries use?

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

The Bahamas are also very nice, other then there currency is basically on par with the USD. Found that out when purchasing some funds.

Bahamas also has the VAT tax, so keep that in mind.

 

[badiggio]

Turks looks great,but appears out of the question moneywise.Barbados,loved the beach at the hilton,but didn't feel safe leaving the resort;no interest going back.Aruba by far our favourite and our go to holiday when we just want to relax and unwind.We stay at Costa linda,a timeshare,and imo,not expensive at all in comparison to other places.Not impressed from what I seen of Bahamas and paradise island when we did our Disney cruise.

 

[ElCray]

I don't know if it could potentially be on your list, but we went to Costa Rica and had an amazing time. We spent 4 or 5 days in Guanacaste and the rest of the time in La Fortuna.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Turks looks great,but appears out of the question moneywise.Barbados,loved the beach at the hilton,but didn't feel safe leaving the resort;no interest going back.Aruba by far our favourite and our go to holiday when we just want to relax and unwind.We stay at Costa linda,a timeshare,and imo,not expensive at all in comparison to other places.Not impressed from what I seen of Bahamas and paradise island when we did our Disney cruise.

I would love more info on Costa Linda!

I have a friend with a family timeshare there and it looks amazing.

 

[badiggio]

I would love more info on Costa Linda! I have a friend with a family timeshare there and it looks amazing.

I would love more info on Costa Linda!

I have a friend with a family timeshare there and it looks amazing.

It truly is.....right on the beach too.Go on their website and you find" rentals and resales" to see what units are available for what dates and asking prices and contact info.different prices for diff seasons ,so naturally it would cost more to go during our winter seasons.we usually go with another couple or 2 and rent either the 2 or 3 bedroom units and split the rental.

 

[Djm_in_buffalo]

What about the British Virgin Islands or Bermuda?

Places like Curaçao, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Dominican…direct flights are nice. But I personally wouldn’t want to do Dominican Republic, given its proximity to the unrest in Haiti. When we went to Jamaica, the report was beautiful, food great, but it gets dicey when you go off resort. Even in resort there are number of reported instances of inappropriate contact on females.

 

[Lesverts]

The border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is sealed. Also all the resorts are on the far side of the island well away from the border.

You also need to take the travel advisories with a grain of salt. The Dominican Republic is at the same rating as Guinea. There is a world of difference in safety and tourism infrastructure between punta Cana and Conakry

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

Junkanoo can be neat to see in The Bahamas. It can be cool there over New Years (although so can Florida). Personally if I’m going to the beach I want to be able to hang out on the beach and swim.

Are you looking for all inclusive or just beach locations? We like St Maarten and St Lucia. For all inclusive, Dominican Republic has some good deals. Aruba is off putting for some, I think maybe because it is more desert-y?

We’re looking at Costa Rica for next year. Costs have gone up a lot since before Covid when we had a trip planned and canceled. But that’s kind of true for most trips I think.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Heading to Punta Cana in DR at the end of April. Love it there.

 

[Djm_in_buffalo]

The border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is sealed. Also all the resorts are on the far side of the island well away from the border.

Sure, it’s “sealed” at designated, government-sanctioned crossings, but otherwise, no it isn’t. In 2023, the DR started building a border wall to combat illegal crossings, smuggling, and crime. There are plenty of resorts in the ‘La Ciénaga area and closer to the border’ region of DR. Even the absolute farthest from the border DR areas, La Romana and Punta Cana, are only about a 6 hour drive from the border. If I were an enterprising ne'er-do-well, I’d probably make my way to where the comparatively wealthy tourists are.

(https://www.barrons.com/news/dominican-republic-to-extend-border-wall-with-haiti-01cef254)

To each their own. For me, if just looking for a nice, warm, stress-free vacation, to enjoy at the resort and on the beach, there are multiple potential small islands/countries that would slate in nicely. Essentially interchangeably. I choose to stay away from those that within a few hour drive, I would be in a war zone.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

@Djm_in_buffalo Punta Cana is on the southern coast. It is very safe.

The distance between the Haitian border and Punta Cana is approximately 400 miles (644 kilometers), requiring a 10-12 hour drive.

 

[Djm_in_buffalo]

@Djm_in_buffalo Punta Cana is on the southern coast. It is very safe.

The distance between the Haitian border and Punta Cana is approximately 400 miles (644 kilometers), requiring a 10-12 hour drive.

Before I posted, I plugged it into Google maps, which indicates the distance between Punta Cana and a hotel in Belladere, Haiti is approximately 438 kilometers away. The distance between that same hotel and La Romana, another popular town, is approx. 366 kilometers. For perspective, the distance between Toronto and Ottawa is approximately 404 kilometers.


I have friends and family who go to Punta Cana. They love it. Personally, it’s just not for me. To all who go, I hope it’s an enjoyable and relaxing time!

 

[40ariel]

We are looking at Beaches Turks and Caicos which has direct flights from Montreal. Has anyone been? Was it worth the money? It look like it has a lot of great restaurants and activities.

 

[Djm_in_buffalo]

We are looking at Beaches Turks and Caicos which has direct flights from Montreal. Has anyone been? Was it worth the money? It look like it has a lot of great restaurants and activities.

Haven’t been to that specific one, but the Beaches chain in general is pretty standardized. By that I mean they’re generally regarded at pretty nice and not hit-or-miss. They’re owned by Sandals.

 

[mort1331]

Turks looks great,but appears out of the question moneywise.Barbados,loved the beach at the hilton,but didn't feel safe leaving the resort;no interest going back.Aruba by far our favourite and our go to holiday when we just want to relax and unwind.We stay at Costa linda,a timeshare,and imo,not expensive at all in comparison to other places.Not impressed from what I seen of Bahamas and paradise island when we did our Disney cruise.

Im shocked you feel that way about Barbados. We stay in The Gap..walk everywhere..no issues..no beggars..all Can banks are there due to PM Pierre Trudeau and their PM at the time went to school together.