Suggestions for a Caribbean Vacation

[lisareneeo]

Last April we went to Riveria Maya in Mexico and loved it. Want to try someplace different this year. Our children are 7&9. We would be going 3/23-3/28
We want a family vacation and not have to worry about a ton of Spring Breakers. Was originally thinking about Bahamas but now worried about Spring Breakers. Also considering Puerto Rico. Want to try and keep it under $4,000. Were able to do that in Mexico staying at an all inclusive at the Iberostar Tucan. Does any one have any suggestions or great websites or a travel agent where I can find some great deals?
Thanks for your help,
Lisa

 

[Papa Deuce]

Don't know if Belize technically qualifies as Caribbean.... but it was AWESOME. Very laid back tho.

http://www.belizefirst.com/

 

[DawnCt1]

I think that St. John is one of the prettiest Carribean Islands. I think that Puerto Rico has a lot to offer as well. They certainly have beautiful beaches, historic forts, a rain forest (El Yunque), I love Old San Juan, friendly people, a LOT of baseball diamonds, I love Puerto Rico. The only down side is, that it is one of the dirtiest islands. They have a major litter problem that stands out against most of the other islands. It really is a shame. I have never noticed any litter on Barbados, Aruba, St. Kitts, (some on St. Thomas), Grand Cayman, but for some reason, its everywhere in Puerto Rico. Otherwise, it would be perfect.

 

[luvflorida]

We spent a week in the Bahamas in May 2004, and loved every minute of it. We stayed at Our Lucaya Beach Resort on Grand Bahama Island. The location was gorgeous, right on a beautiful stretch of beach. There didn't seem to be a lot of people around and there were times when we felt like we had the beach to ourselves. If you're looking for scenery, though, you probably wouldn't like Grand Bahama Island. We took several trips to different parts of the island, and the island itself is pretty flat and brown. Not as pretty as other islands. We did take a day trip to Paradise Cove and that was a beautiful area. The snorkeling was terrific!!

 

[DawnCt1]

I would seriously consider a trip o Nassau and stay on Paradis Island at the Comfort Suites, right across the street from the Atlantis. Unless something has changed in the last year, guests of the Comfort Suites could use all of the amenities of the Atlantis, pool, beach, etc if they were guests of the Comfort Suites. You will have a bigger room for a LOT less money, a great beach and there are nice places to eat in Nassau as well. I love the beach there.

 

[Jennifer S]

Last April we went to Riveria Maya in Mexico and loved it. Want to try and keep it under $4,000. Were able to do that in Mexico staying at an all inclusive at the Iberostar Tucan.
Lisa

We are going to Iberostar Del Mar in early June. How was your trip to the Tucan? Any reason you aren't going back?

 

[lisareneeo]

Jennifer,
We loved the Iberostar Tucan. I know we will go back sometime. We just wanted to try some place new. I know you will have a great time
Lisa

 

[Jennifer S]

OK good. Glad you like it. I can't wait to go.

Why not try Jamaica?

 

[princesspumpkin]

You could do the Enchantment of the Seas (RCL) for 4 nights with a junior suite for around $3000 (without airfare). If hits Ft. Laurderdale and Key WEst and Mexico.

 

[jedi_librarian]

How about a Southern Caribbean cruise?? Then you can get a "tasting" for different islands. I think you could easily find one for your budget.

 

[debbiedoo]

Costa Rica
St. John/Thomas
Bora Bora

 

[bicker]

How about a Southern Caribbean cruise?? Then you can get a "tasting" for different islands. I think you could easily find one for your budget.

We did exactly this, for that exact reason. The result was our first choice would be a week on St. John. No passport necessary, and just a wonderful place to visit. The beaches look incredible. The hiking is super. And we found this incredibly little Mexican (of all things) restaurant that convinced us that there's going to be more than enough great places to eat there.

Second choice would have to be Antigua. The water is utterly incredible. We went kayaking and hiking, and couldn't be happier -- better than St. John really, but just barely -- so close that trivial factors like being able to skip the trip through immigration on the way home, and a couple of really good margaritas are enough to make us choose St. John.

 

[ckret01]

What about the dominican Republic? We stayed in Punta Cana.

 

[luvflorida]

What about the dominican Republic? We stayed in Punta Cana.

Off topic, but I just wanted to say that your puppy is about the cutest thing I've ever seen!!!

 

[highland3]

The Dominican is beautiful. Punta Cana has the beutiful power-white sands and crystal clear waters you always envision when you think about the Carribean. It's clean and the people are wonderful.

 

[ducklite]

Grand Cayman might be one of my first choices given your situation. It's very safe, very beautiful, not over run by spring breakers. They have a couple of brand new hotels, a Ritz Carlton and a newer Marriott. They are a British colony, and thus offer safe hospitals in an emergency. You can safely get cash from one of several Canadian banks with a presence there.

St. John might be another good choice, also beautiful and safe for all the same reasons mentioned above.

As much as I LOVE Jamaica, it wouldn't be my first chocie with kids. Nor would Nassau...yuck.

And I wouldn't book a cruise on Royal Caribbean, we sailed with them a couple months ago and were EXTREMELY disappointed. They have changed a lot of the written policies they ahd when we booked, and never notified us of the changes. Service was poor, the food was just plain bad, and although our cabin was clean, there were maintenence issues (including burned out lightbulbs) that we reported the first day that still weren't corrected when we disembarked. A letter to them that clearly stated I didn't want any compensation--it's too late for that, but would like a reply is still unanswered six weeks later.

Anne

 

[lisareneeo]

Thanks everyone for your replies. We just booked the El Conquistador in Puerto Rico. We got a great deal on two rooms (friends are going with us) and our airfare was also very reasonable.
I will keep some of your suggestions in mind. I am a beach person and I am sure we will be making other caribbean trips in the future.
Thanks
Lisa