Which Caribbean Island Should We Go To?

[soozaay]

DH & I are trying to plan a vacation for us and our friends (2 adults/2 kids - 15 & 13) to somewhere in the Caribbean for next Spring. We are looking for suggestions on which island we should try. We were thinking of Aruba or St. Maarten, but then started to think about trying either Barbados or St. Lucia. So now, we're all confused...that's why I came here! This is a 1st trip to the Caribbean for all of us (minus cruising - 1st trip to the Caribbean island - staying on that island for a week, instead of 4 hours).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Also...are there any vacation package companies we should stay clear of?

 

[SydneyFalco]

We're going to Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) this coming February because all of our coworkers who've been there love it and rave about it. In sizeable numbers, I might add.

Other than that, my wife's been to Cuba, at a five star, where she says the food was not very good but the beaches were great. The opposite, she said of her two Mexico trips at similar type resorts.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Beaches Turks and Caicos

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Grand Cayman Marriott....HEAVEN

 

[soozaay]

Thanks guys! I'm writin' them down!

 

[XTinabell]

If it were me and I had the money I would go to St. Maarten in a heartbeat.
I'm getting married in Aruba and have heard nothing but great things.
My dad has been to Jamaica a few times and each time he comes back he says it's getting worse every year.
Friends and family LOOOOOVE the Cayman Islands.

 

[Darcy03231]

Here's another vote for the Dominican Republic, or the Mexican Rivieria. Both are great places to take kids. We particularly like the Iberostar Resorts.

DH and I both didn't care for Aruba. St. Lucia is really nice, but we found it to be more for the adults. While the whole family liked Barbados, the kids both like the DR and the Mexican Riviera better.

 

[DrCavin]

St John would be high on my list, St Thomas as well.

 

[Denine]

Love Grenada but don't k now if it for kids.

Curacao was very nice.

 

[soozaay]

Thanks guys! I knew I came to the right place!!!

 

[sharonW]

Not exactly Caribbean but Bermuda is beautiful,
very quiet, safe and I love it!

 

[scrappy910]

Just got back from a southern caribbean cruise and the whole group we were with voted to go back to St. Maarten in order to spend more then the one day. We did an ATV tour there and loved what we saw. Had the best beaches from where we had gone in Barbados and Antiqua. We had previously gone to St. Lucia and did the zip line so this time we were just going to wander the island. But due to non relenting taxi and tour companies outside the terminal we turned around and went back to the ship. They were plain HORRIBLE. They would not take no for an answer and would continue to walk with you trying to convince you they had the best deals. Ruined us for St. Lucia (although the the zip line tour we had done on a previous cruise was really nice).

 

[SondraC]

Beaches Turks and Caicos

We have been wanting to go there for a few years, but I just can't seem to get a good price.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

St. Maarten was lovely when we visited on a cruise, but it didnt' seem the kind of island that I would spend an entire vacation on if that makes any sense.

Grand Cayman for some reason has always captivated my attention.

We avoid Jamaica. My mother did an all inclusive there and the van ride from teh airport to the "commune" was horrendous (there were issues that freaked her out) and essentially they stayed in the all inclusive the whole time. She will never go back though.

We stopped their and enjoyed Dunn's River Falls (she was on the opposite side of the island so didn't get to go there), but it really isn't a place where I feel comfortable returning to.

I might suggest going and looking cruise websites with itineraries to for those locations you are looking at. Then look at what shore excursions are available. The island with the activities that interest you most--wins.

While not the Carribean, my friends immensely love Costa Rica. One couple adopted a girl from them about 4-5 years ago. (Actually almost 7 as they adopted her at birth, but they were "stuck" in the country for almost 2 years before they were permitted to remove her from the country.) They go back often to visit. The surfing is great and I know the last time they did zip lines. The scenery is beautiful in the pictures they have shared with me.

 

[DMickey28]

If I wanted to go somewhere to explore the island and get the lay of the land I'd go to St. Thomas. We were married on St. Thomas and have been several times ... you can also very easily get to St. Johns.

 

[Jeanne B]

St John, been there twice for land vacations (combined with a short stay on St Thomas). The first time we rented a private villa with a pool and amazing views, it was heaven, by far THE most relaxing vacation I have ever had.

And what I love about St John, besides it's amazing beauty, is that it's so easy to island hop so you can experience several different islands during a single vacation. St Thomas is only a 15 minute ferry ride away, you can also take a ferry to the British Virgin Islands or do an excursion that takes you there (highly recommend one that includes a visit to the Baths on Virgin Gorda).

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me!!

Here's a couple websites that are great for the Virgin Islands, the forums were very helpful in planning our trips...

www.vinow.com
www.usvi-on-line.com

 

[Seahunt]

Beaches Turks and Caicos

I agree 1000%!

http://www.beaches.com/main/tc/tc-home.cfm

 

[soozaay]

you guys are incredible! thank you!!!

 

[iggbees]

my favorite beach ever was devils bay at the baths in virgin gorda. we didn't get to go to tortola, but i've heard that it's a nice island (and virgin gorda is only a 30-40 min ferry).

 

[a1tinkfans]

I would not return to Jamaica, not safe IMHO
I would not go back to St Martin, just think there are better places.
Would return to Riviera Maya area of Mexico, but this "increase" in drug trafficking and issues makes me leery, especially with kids...
Would not return to St Lucia WAY WAY WAY too poor to enjoy anything and a trip to a volcano was not worth the entire trip for us.
Would not also go back to Barbados, though resort was nice, just not a good fit for us.
Would go back to Cayman Islands (and swim with Stingrays again!!!)

Would like a Turks and Caicos trip BUT, the cost seems SO HIGH, (2 weeks would be like 8-9K) so far we have not gone there, but HEAR from everyone that goes, they LOVE it!!

Where ever you choose to go, have a great time!!