Totally confused now-Re: Island Vacation HELP!

[Mercy]

I posted a thread about where suggestions for an island type vacation for my DH and myself... next year is our 25th wedding anniversary

So some posted and gave me suggestions, which I have been researching. But now I'm totally confused as to where to go

So here is what we're looking for...

Beautiful beaches/water
Prob. an all inclusive resort
Don't want too secluded and remote
Would like to go somewhere where there is some nightlife/activities, etc.
But... don't want too wild and crazy (we're not old but not 20 something either)

Ok, so I've looked at Cancun, Dominican Republic, Aruba, The Islands (St. Thomas, Grand Cayman, etc.)

AAAAAhhhh too many choices!!!! HELP!!!

 

[J.Cooper]

Mercy

I'm really considering Aruba for our anniversary in the fall. I found a good website for Aruba- www.aruba-bb.com

Very helpful site. Even has live webcams. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Mercy]

Mercy

I'm really considering Aruba for our anniversary in the fall. I found a good website for Aruba- www.aruba-bb.com

Very helpful site. Even has live webcams. Let us know what you decide.

I've been to that website... matter of fact I think I've been to just about every website regarding the Caribbean, Aruba, Mexico, etc. Probably why I'm so confused.

How did you decide on Aruba? Have you picked a place to stay?

 

[DMickey28]

My mom has always wanted to go to Aruba and is going in April!! We got married on St. Thomas and I would recomend St. Thomas and St. Johns for a vacation. You can ferry between to the two, it's a safe island to explore on your own, decent nightlife from what I understand. Probably very similar to Aruba!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

good luck on whatever you decide! I was going to say Hawaii, but my kids just got back from the Grand Bahamas, and had a great time. Try not to look for the perfect place - you'll have more fun.

 

[madonna31]

ARUBA! ARUBA! ARUBA! ARUBA! ARUBA!

And if it's within the budget, go for the Hyatt.

 

[twocjsmom]

We just returned from a week in Bermuda and can't wait to return. While its not in the Caribbean, it has a wonderful island feel to it, and the people were the kindest and most polite I have ever experienced on any island I have visited. The country is incredibly clean, and there is no lack of good food, entertainment, excellent beaches/watersports, golf, and nightlife. The flight was only 1 1/2 hours from Philly which was a bonus too.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Maybe I should let you do all the research and then tag along since our 25th is also next year. When is your date? Ours is Aug 22. Happy planning!

 

[Mercy]

Maybe I should let you do all the research and then tag along since our 25th is also next year. When is your date? Ours is Aug 22. Happy planning!

Hey T&B our anniversary is Sept. 18! Maybe we can do a foursome.... Ooooo that sounded kind of kinky

 

[YachtClubWoman]

My husband and I love Mexico. Specifically the Riveria Maya region which is an hour south of the Cancun airport - from Peurto Morales to Tulum is the general area.

We love the Palladium resort - been there 3 times. I have also been to the Iberostar Tucan/Queztal. There is so much to do in Mexico, taxis are abundant and the price is great.

If you don't want kids around there are some adult only resorts - Secrets Excellence, Secrets Capri, Adventura Spa Palace, Royal Hideway - Riu Palaces also have few children although Rius are not adults only.

Depending on where in the country you are 2 places to look are Funjet or Apple Vacations.

I am at the point of looking for a place for our 15th wedding anniv. in Oct 2007. My husband wants to take a break from a beach vacation so I am looking at London/Paris or a cruise to see what islands we check out next.

 

[Beth76]

If Cancun is on your short list, I would do Riviera Maya instead. It's about 30 minutes south of Cancun and is a more relaxed, less-partying atmosphere. They have a TON of all-inclusives to choose from. Many of them get excellent reviews. We stayed at the Iberostar Del Mar and I would recommend the Iberostar Maya or Lindo--same complex, but a bit more upscale.

 

[Mercy]

My husband and I love Mexico. Specifically the Riveria Maya region which is an hour south of the Cancun airport - from Peurto Morales to Tulum is the general area.

We love the Palladium resort - been there 3 times. I have also been to the Iberostar Tucan/Queztal. There is so much to do in Mexico, taxis are abundant and the price is great.

If you don't want kids around there are some adult only resorts - Secrets Excellence, Secrets Capri, Adventura Spa Palace, Royal Hideway - Riu Palaces also have few children although Rius are not adults only.

Hey YachtClubWoman... since you are familiar with Mexico and I have been considering Mexico.... can you please tell me the difference between the different areas, Cancun, Riveria Maya, etc. I've never been, so the different areas are confusing me.

 

[Mercy]

If Cancun is on your short list, I would do Riviera Maya instead. It's about 30 minutes south of Cancun and is a more relaxed, less-partying atmosphere. They have a TON of all-inclusives to choose from. Many of them get excellent reviews. We stayed at the Iberostar Del Mar and I would recommend the Iberostar Maya or Lindo--same complex, but a bit more upscale.

Hi Beth, we must have been posting at the same time. I was wondering about the difference between the different areas. How are the beaches in the Riviera Maya section?

 

[disneymom3]

I have been to the Riviera Maya section and agree that it is very nice. Beaches that we saw were all very good as well.

I am going to go the opposite way and tell you where NOT to go. I personally think that sometimes that can be even more helpful. Do not go to St Croix. We went there for our honeymoon even though I had really wanted to go to Barbados(long story) and it is a pretty dismal place. I would never return. I also would never go back to Jamaica. Seems fine if you stay at your all inclusive, but the minute you step off the property the local riff raff are in your face all the time. And I do mean the riff raff. There are plenty of nice locals there, but unfortunately they seem to be outnumbered by the creeepos.

 

[YachtClubWoman]

Hey YachtClubWoman... since you are familiar with Mexico and I have been considering Mexico.... can you please tell me the difference between the different areas, Cancun, Riveria Maya, etc. I've never been, so the different areas are confusing me.

Hi Mercy:

Riveria Maya is quiet and there are all inclusive resorts lining the coast. The resorts are no taller than 3 stories and in some resorts, the jungle is intact and the resort built around it.The town of Playa del Carmen is the closest town with restaurants, shopping, small non-inclusive hotels. This is also where you pick up the ferry to Cozumel. There are 2 ecoparks for snorkeling, tubing, swimming with the dolphins, etc - Xel-ha and Xcaret. Xcaret has an amazing night show that showcases Mexican culture from the Mayans through today. There are also many other tours with the ruins at Tulum and Coba.

I personally do not like Cancun itself. My husband and I went up for the day and hated it. Many high rise hotels (a mix of all inclusive and regular hotel) and the same restaurant chains as the U.S. (Friday's, Outback, etc). and big shopping malls. It had a very different feel and not for us. Some people love it.

Look at the Apple Vacations web site there are some good maps on there and the hotel differences are explained. If you have any other questions let me know.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Hey T&B our anniversary is Sept. 18! Maybe we can do a foursome.... Ooooo that sounded kind of kinky

Hey, we can get a group deal from Maryland at least.

I bet that I could easily convince my DH to go to Bermuda--his parents honeymooned there. And it's a short flight so a lot of the trip wouldn't be travel time. Our DD would be 19yo by then--that's old enough to watch her younger brothers, don't you think? Hmmm, you have me thinking. I know someone who just went there--I'll have to ask them how they liked it.

 

[jan/cape]

We went to Aruba 2 years ago and loved it! I am an early bird so I was awake and ready to start my day at 6 am (gotta love a warm sunny beach) so I was in bed pretty early. We did go into town a couple of evenings and the shopping and restaurants are fun. We also rented a jeep to see more of the island one day. That was a lot of fun.

Last year we went to the Dominican Republic. We stayed at an Iderostarr. The hotel was very, very clean and the entire staff was wonderful They were very friendly and playful. I will not go back there again though. It rained A Lot while we were there!!! We rented a taxi for 3 hrs and went into town etc. It was dirty. Every where we went someone would follow and ask for money or to buy something. I hated that. Oh, and a kid was standing next to an ATM with a sawed off shot gun hmmm was he the gaurd?? I did go to the cigar store and was able to roll a cigar and bought a box for my dad and that was fun. But I can not say that I felt super safe when I left the resort, But that was my experience. After that morning I stayed on the resort which was beautiful!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I was laughing thinking.....hey what about Nantucket that is an island or Martha's vineyard and you could drive here....I live on Cape Cod and do love it. There are some beautiful resorts, great lobster dinners, and lots of fun.

 

[ducklite]

I've been looking as well, and have pretty much ruled out the places you've named, except maybe Riviera Maya.

I'd like something a little less built up, and we are looking at Turks/Caicos, Antigua, Trinidad/Tobago, St. John, or Martinique. Does anyone have any thoughts on these?

We dont' need all-inclusive, but wouldn't turn away a resort because that's what was offered. We want something with top-notch accomodations, the equivalent to Mobil four star or above. Amazing food is VERY important to us--but it doesn't have to be super gourmet, just really good if that makes sense.

(Don't mean to hi-jack, but the OP would probably benefit from this info as well)

To the OP--Probably the safest of all the Caribbean islands is Grand Cayman, with a negative unemployment rate and lots of off-shore banking, it's affluent. There are some beautiful resorts, some are all inclusive, and there's some nightlife but it's not too crazy. And everyone speaks English. You'll find branches of US and Canadian banks, and great shopping. There's also great snorling and amazing beaches. My DH loved the turtle farm but it skeeved me.

A note on Bermuda, it will be on the cool side in late fall, it's got weather pretty much like North Carolina. It's also more expensive as far as hotels, and VERY expensive to fly to.

Anne

 

[luvflorida]

Riveria Maya is quiet and there are all inclusive resorts lining the coast. The resorts are no taller than 3 stories and in some resorts, the jungle is intact and the resort built around it.The town of Playa del Carmen is the closest town with restaurants, shopping, small non-inclusive hotels. This is also where you pick up the ferry to Cozumel. There are 2 ecoparks for snorkeling, tubing, swimming with the dolphins, etc - Xel-ha and Xcaret. Xcaret has an amazing night show that showcases Mexican culture from the Mayans through today. There are also many other tours with the ruins at Tulum and Coba.

This sounds exactly where I want to go and what I want to do! We were trying to decide where to vacation next April and my choices were Aruba, Mexico, or Puerto Rico, but the rest of the family says they're "tired of going to beaches and islands." Killjoys! I'll never tire of visiting an island with warm, sunny beaches!

We finally all agreed on California and now I'm excited about it, but the next trip is going to be MY choice!!

I'm going to follow this thread because it's interesting to hear about other islands and it's also very informative hearing about places people DIDN'T enjoy staying at.