Caribbian or Bahamas...does anyone have any experience or recommendations?

[TwinMom7]

Another vote for the U.S. Virgin Islands. We stayed on St. Thomas in November, but spent a day visiting St. John.

Absolutely "paradise".

 

[Jeafl]

Be very careful if you go to Jamaica. Some friends of ours were kidnapped and robbed at gunpoint when they stopped on the side of the road to read a map. And this was in broad daylight! They were taken up into the mountains and robbed and beaten. They eventually escaped and are ok now, but it was a terrifying experience.

I vote for St. John. Trunk Bay beach is absolutely gorgeous. Cozumel is also very pretty. I've never been to Aruba, but I've heard great things about that too.

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

We've been to the Bahamas, Jamaica, and St. Lucia.

Bahamas was very nice, food prices a little steep, but if you're in an all-inclusive you'll be fine. Beautiful beaches and friendly people. Never stayed at the Atlantis, but a few friends have and came back with only great memories. Shopping markets, pretty good. Saw some great deals on gems and perfume. Food was pretty good. Gambling was ok, tight though and high stakes table games. More of a relaxing trip, as there are not too many sight-seeing things, but there is a dolphin dive and I think we heard about a shark dive there too, well not diving, but snorkling.

St. Lucia - Long flight, but BEAUTIFUL. Again more of an R and R trip. Food very good. People friendly. Very nice beaches. We didn't do side trips, so other then this can't really comment on what's offered for those. Here the venders have access to the beach, but simply tell them no thanks and they leave you alone.

Jamaica - Well people freaked when we told them where we were going. Jamaica has gotten a really bad rap over the years. We have many friends that travel here every year, some go several times a year. Some stay in all-inclusives and others rent hut type of things right on the beach. Not once have I heard anything bad happening to them. Now our personal experience was wonderful. We never felt unsafe, yes we were offered drugs one time and a simple no thanks was fine and he was on his merry way. We did many tours and always had a blast. We even went to a huge street party in Ocho Rios and I think we were the only non-Jamaicans there and it was a great time. They were so wonderful to us again this was a party with upwards of 10,000 Jamaicans and we never felt threatened or unsafe.

As for shopping markets, the venders can be a little pushy, but a simple no thanks is all it takes and they back off. Prices for things are great there. I got a diamond channel ring for $1200 there and it was appraised out, back in the US, at over $5k. The jewler couldn't belive the deal we got. Got some great deals on other items too. One tip is to watch where you shop tho, some places are a rip-off. If buying high dollar items ask for help at the hotel, they know who's good and who's not.

Food!!! Oh my stars!! Never had a bad meal. We ate at places from local places to fine dining to little backwoods stands and everything was great. Even had curried goat and it was yummy. Keep in mind some of the places are outside, so flies can sometimes be a problem, just warning you.

So many things to do, don't know where to start. LOL You can do all kinds of things, but remember traveling around Ja is sometimes a pain. We did a bike tour and had a ton of fun, but the bus ride was 2 hours up into the mountains. If your wife gets motion sick, use those wrist things or have her take something. My hubby is the same and took pills in the am and was fine for the day.

People in Ja were great, very helpful, friendly and ready to chat and tell you about things you may not know. The only thing I heard, even from the locals was to stay out of Kingston at night, unless your with a Kingston local. My one gf has a friend there and she travels to Kingston all the time, but only when he's there to watch out for her.

Yes, like anywhere you need to be careful and keep your wits about you. There are places in the Orlando area that I wouldn't go to at night. But if you get out and talk to locals, at any of the islands, it can be a wonderful experience. Try new things, do new things, see new things, meet new people, that's our trip motto!! LOL

I think any of the places you are looking at will be wonderful.

Good luck choosing.

Pammy

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I can tell you how Nassau was at the end of next month, after we come back! We are staying at an all-inclusive...SuperClub Breezes on Cable Beach. A friend went there a couple years ago and said it was nice, the food was good, the people were great, the hotel was nice. There's always something going on here. You can join in or just relax. The only thing I'm worried about is the weather...I think it's going to be VERY hot! Another friend has been to Aruba and loved it there.

 

[Patrick IL.]

Thank you everyone...I am learning something with every reply, Thanks a ton!

 

[glo]

I have been to Bermuda, and plan on returning sometime next year. The people are awesome, no one chasing you around trying to sell you something and just gorgeous. I would reccommend it to anyone.

I loved St. Thomas...I would stay there again in a heart beat, though I did find it more expensive then Bermuda. I love the Island. We visited St. John's and that is truely a beautiful island and would love to try to stay there.

I stayed in the Bahamas, and id a connection in Grand Bahama Island. I hated the straw market and the college groups we saw. It was to much of a party attitude for us. I will say that we stayed in Exuma one of the family Islands and it was also beautiful. We stayed in a hotel on the side of a cliff with its own private island It was gorgeous and the most relaxing vacation I have ever had.

I did not like St. Marteen, and unless you want to get in trouble if you decide on there, stay on the Dutch side. DW may not appreciate the beaches on the otherside Though you might...lol

Have heard horro stories about Jamica and some of the Dominican Republic, but have never been there.


Good luck n your decision, and have a blast wherever you guys decide