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Vacation Help: Choosing an Island

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jparsell82

Sophmore
Hi,

I'm trying to get help on choosing a Caribbean island for my girlfriend and I's vacation destination. Any input is appreciated!

So, I'm looking to go on a vacation next year to somewhere in the caribbean with my girlfriend. Neither of us have been out of the country before besides Canada. We've been to multiple places in Florida before but are wanting to go some place tropical. I'm sure some of you have had experience with travels in the Caribbean before so I'm looking for your help. I want to go to Hawaii or somewhere in the Pacific but I'll save that for our honeymoon and go Caribbean for this trip. Hopefully it's not too expensive... haha.

We'd like to go to some place that has beautiful clear water beaches with plenty of wildlife... that probably sounds like most caribbean islands but some are better than others when it comes to water clarity and the amount of reefs,etc. We want to be able to see marine life and coral right off the beach like we saw at Bahia Honda key in the Florida keys. We'd like to snorkel and look at coral, fish, shells, etc. I know you need to take a boat out to get to most reefs but usually you can still see a lot of marine life near the shore. We're also looking for an island that has hilly/mountainous areas... it doesn't have to be mountainous but we'd prefer not to go to a flat island like the Bahamas or Aruba. We're really wanting to be able to explore some inland areas with waterfalls and streams.

Besides the nature part, we want to go to an island that's safe and friendly... this is very important. I'm sure any place has it's problems but I'm sure some are worse than others. I don't want to take my girlfriend to a place that she doesn't feel safe at. It would be nice to go to an island that you don't feel you need to watch over your shoulder at night or even during the day. Where we can explore without constant worrying. Safety adds to your comfort level and makes the experience a much better time.

We're not looking for some place extremely expensive... I can't afford that. I can't even afford mildly expensive... haha. I'd like to find a place at a good price with decent airfare pricing too. From there, would I need to rent a car?? I've never done that before and have no idea what the costs are there. All-inclusive would be nice maybe... any input on that? I've never been to an all-inclusive before so I don't know if it's worth it or not.

What's everyone's favorite islands in and around the Caribbean? Should I stay closer... as in Jamaica? How's crime there? Or should I go further southeast?? We'd like something atleast somewhat secluded or not too overcrowded. We're thinking of going maybe next fall but are open to change.

Any suggestions, help, ideas, etc. are greatly appreciated!! Thanks guys!!
 
St Lucia is a wonderful tropical(green) island. But not cheap!
Truth be told, the Caribean is not cheap any more. :(
Now, Mexico is still a bargain.
And Cabo San Lucas is still relatively cheap.
Think about learning to scuba dive. That way you can see more and get very close to all kinds of fish.
I'd try Cabo!
 
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St John in the American Virgin Islands can be done on the cheap if you camp at Maho Bay Camp grounds. We did that for our delayed honeymoon and it was fun, if buggy. Take OFF!

Cinnamon Bay a National Park is even cheaper. You need to make reservations far in advance.
index link
 
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Having been to many, I find that the British colonized islands are generally nicer and more efficient than the French, Spanish or Dutch. Avoid Aruba like the plague. It sucks. Barbados was interesting and fun, but not so much good reefs and clear water. While not "Caribbean", Bermuda is a great place to chill, but it is expensive. St. Lucia is indeed nice like everyone says. Get the travel insurance if you go anywhere during hurricane season. I personally do not like Jamaica, but that is me. Wander off the tourist track and you can be in deep trouble. Treasure Key, Greater Abaco Island in the Bahamas is nice.

Go diving in the Mayan Coast is my suggestion. Spend some time in Isla Mujeres NOT Cancun - and go to some smaller venue along the coast, Playa del carmen, etc The area is exploding, tourist wise
 
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I've been to St. Lucia and Veiquez, PR. St. Lucia is really nice, and definately hilly/mountainous. In my experience, it is lacking in sprawling sandy beaches, the snorkeling (where we went anyway) was also so-so. SCUBA is brobably a better bet at St. Lucia. There is a volcano that is worth checking out as well as rainforested areas.

Veiquez, PR was relatively inexpensive, had an incredible variety of nearly deserted sprawling beaches and had awesome snorkeling (off Green beach, on the west side of the island). The island is a bit of a diamond in the rough, as the U.S. Military had used a majority of the island for a navel base (and firing range on the eastern tip!) up until the mid-90s.

Good luck!
 
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Here are reviews from some so called "National Geographic experts":

Island Destinations Rated: Caribbean @ National Geographic Traveler

Note: A higher score is better. Go to their introduction to see how the reviews were done, etc. They have Dominica and the Grenadines rated highest. Personally I think Dominica sucks. However, the Grenedines is really a great group of small islands with fantastic beachs, very friendly people, and off the beaten path for cruise ships (not real touristy or crowded). :biggrin:
 
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volcanic_island.jpg


i like this one, its very private. exclusive you might say and the price is right. service could be better though
 
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As others have said, St. Lucia is great. My wife and I got married on the beach at the Sandals Regency. Although (depending on the room you select) it can be a little expensive, the all inclusive aspect is amazing and well worth it. This is obviously not the case with all inclusive deals.
 
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If you want cream of the crop Mustique is your island... if price is a concern (as it is with most of us mortals) Mustique isn't a good choice.

The ABC islands are far away and cost a pretty penny to get there (not tropical... think Arizona).... The virgin islands are fairly easy to fly into and are well developed. St. Lucia is nice and tropical, although I wouldn't roam around in the evening on that island. The cayman islands are nice and close. If you want cheap, them Mexico is your choice.

The Bahamas aren't too shabby (not the carribean though)... close, not too expensive, etc.

I frankly don't think you can go wrong in the carribean... same time zone, reasonable flight lengh if you live on the east coast, US dollar's are good at most of the islands, nice beaches almost everywhere.

If you really want to sample the carribean without a high cost, look into a cruise. Most leave out of Florida (reasonable flight) and include food, room, shows, etc. You can snorkle a different island every day if you want...
 
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