Your Caribbean Island recommendations!!

[CRB#33]

DH and I want to head to the Caribbean next summer when the kids are with their other parents.

I'd love to hear about your favorites, experiences and why you love it to help us make some decisions!

Thanks!

 

[mom2grace]

What type of atmosphere, activities, scenery, etc are you looking for?

We love St. John, not touristy, very private, friendly, lots of well-preserved natural scenery and beaches.

We rented a house and a jeep, it's really fun!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

ARUBA!!!!

I have never been to a better island!!

The diving is fab!! The beachs, pristine!! THE SHOPPING!!

 

[Sandy V.]

St. John is a great place to go - like mom2grace said, not as touristy as some other islands and it has more pristine beaches than many other islands.

We're fans of the Playa Del Carmen area - 30 miles south of Cancun. Turquoise water, white sand beaches, palm trees, and as much or as little to do as you want. Didn't know if Mexico was something you'd considered, but I thought I'd mention it.

 

[CRB#33]

Well, we're in our 40's, not party animals, but will probably go to an all inclusive. We do not dive, but we do snorkel. We are sun-lovers and would like to do some touring around to see the country. We would like to be on a beach resort.

Thanks so far guys, we did a snorkel tour at St. John's Trunk Bay this past summer on our stop on the Disney cruise and it is definitely beautiful

 

[Felicia]

My two favorites have already been mentioned... Playa Del Carmen and Aruba!!! We loved both of these (been to Aruba 4 times and Playa first time last year, but already booked for July '05!!)

Curacao and Bonaire are great if you are into scuba diving, but nothing as far as night life goes.

St. Maartin is nice for a couple - went there before the kids and had a wonderful time (gotta try a nude beach at least once in your life !!)

Antigua was just OK for me, I didn't find the people friendly there and well, being robbed of a few dollars in the airport did give me a bad taste for the island.

Where ever you choose, have a super time.

 

[NHAnn]

Summertime is hurricane season.....Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are a little more out of the hurricane belt than the other Carribean Islands.

Bermuda, though not in the Carribean, is beautiful in the summer.....

 

[CinderellaIam]

If you are considering Mexico, why not Coxumel? It is absolutely beautiful, layed back and the snorkeling can't be beat. The island is located along the worlds second largest coral reef. Jacques Costaeu (SP?) filmed many of his specials here.

I know that the part of Cozumel you see when you stop on a cruise ship is not so impressive, but believe me the island is gorgeous and you come to know the town as quaint. We stayed at an all inclusive two years ago, the Grand Occidental Resort. It was great, the rooms were HUGE, the service exceptional, and to snorkel we waded into the water right off the hotels beach! You could also arrange for an off shore snorkel tour. Then if you get bored on the island there are ferries over to Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

We too love St. John, but found a new love in Cozumel and will be heading back this February!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

My friend is obsessed with St John. She was just there for her wedding / honeymoon this past May and just booked yesterday to go back in Feb '05.

 

[Sandy V.]

CRB#33, if you want to get some good general information about these places, you can go to http://www.applevacations.com

The website is an excellent starting place to look at various locales and resorts; you wouldn't have to book with them unless you wanted to.

Good luck! Now I want to go too!

 

[briannesmom]

We stayed at Sandals Negril in Jamaica a few years ago and LOVED it. It is not a "party" resort like some of the other Sandals are. They had the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. There are two other Sandals owned resorts in the immediate area that you can go to to eat, drink, play, or whatever. Beaches Sandy Bay is just a short walk down the beach and Beaches Negril was about a 5 minute shuttle ride away. Sandals Negril is all-inclusive adult couples only. I am hoping to go back for my 10 year anniversary, only 1 1/2 years to go!

Amy

 

[soccercruiser87]

Grand Cayman!

 

[mickeyboat]

Another vote for St. John. I don't think there are any inexpensive all-includives there, but it is an amazing place to vacation.

Denae

 

[Dan Murphy]

Cuba??

 

[snoopy]

We loved Aruba when we were there about 10 years ago.

We also like Negril in Jamaica, but its not for everyone.

 

[debster812]

BRITISH Virgin Islands--Tortola, Virgin Gorda. We honeymooned on Virgin Gorda 12 years (OMGoshness) ago, and LOVE it.

St John is quite lovely also. St. Croix.

Although the Carribean in summertime is sketchy because of Hurricanes, ITA with NHAnn, get a little more south of the Hurricane Belt if possible.

 

[CRB#33]

Cuba Dan?

I heard there are beautiful places in Cuba however.

Thanks everyone! We would probably go late June, early July, so the hurricane threat won't be too high.

 

[Figment22]

Just my opinion, but I'd skip the Caribbean and head for Bermuda instead. I think it is the most beautiful of all the islands, hands down. The only negative I can think of is if you were looking to gamble in the evenings. There is no gambling in Bermuda.

 

[tkyes]

I've only been to Cozumel and Grand Caymen, out of the two I've been too I vote for Cozumel. The snorkeling is wonderful! Lots of shopping. We only saw the cruise ship touristy area and I would definately go back.

 

[disney4me4ever]

So many great places to go ........but I would suggest Barbados. Some great information on www.tripadvisor.com

Nancy