Please help us decide romantic vacation - Caribbean

[Scott99999]

Hello,

My girlfriend and I are looking for a romantic vacation. We basically have $3k-$3.5K to spend. We're looking at: the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands and Jamaica. I put Mexico into the poll as well, just as another option.

Each place seems to have pros and cons.

Our priorities are:
1 - Beautiful scenery
2 - Nice beaches
3 - Few kids
4 - Good snorkeling
5 - Reasonable flight time
6 - Quiet, but not boring (stuff to do)
7 - Not too conservative or family-oriented
8 - Not too "tourist-y"
9 - Affordable
10 - Young crowd, but mature (early 30s)

Jamaica seems nice and geared toward a younger, more adventurous group of people, but the scenery doesn't seem as nice as St. Thomas. And I tend to think the poverty would be a reality check, rather than make us feel like we're having a "fairy tale" romance. And it seems like the snorkeling is better elsewhere. But I'm open to reviews. I like the fact that it's a short flight. The Bahamas seem a bit too family-oriented and tourist-y, but I like the fact that there's plenty to do (beach one day, casino the next). St. Thomas seems beautiful, but a friend told me that the whole economy is geared toward tourists, and the 8- or 9-hours of travel time seems to kill two days with getting there and getting back.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[AChiOAlumna]

I would say IF you go to Jamaica, go to an all-inclusive like Couples Negril or Couples Swept Away (also in Negril). First, these resorts are couples-only, no kids, beautiful views of the ocean and very tropical. The snorkeling is great (and they have a free resort course on SCUBA if interested), food and alcohol is included, no tipping allowed, and it''s very laid back, but NOT boring! The age ranges are vast, but we''re in our mid=30s and have never felt out of place here....and it IS affordable being that everything (except Spa services) is included...

If you want to know more, PM me...we''ve been there several times and always return!!!

 

[ame]

From what our travel agent told us, if you choose Jamaica you have to pick an all inclusive and be very careful about leaving the resort, because there''s a lot of theives just waiting to pounce. She said that if you go with the resort staff and a large group you are generally safe.

I think the Virgin Islands would be fun, I have been to the Bahamas and that is fun as well.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

We''re going to Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego bay, Jamaica at the end of May . . . the best part about the trip is that it only cost us $1,500 for 4 nights!

If you have Funjet leaving from your city, try them.

 

[sjz]

I had to vote Jamaica, because I''ve never been to the other places. We had a very positive experience when we were there. We stayed in one of the all-inclusive resorts and I reccomend that route all the way. Everything is included, like food, alcohol, cigarettes, whatever. You don''t have to worry about carrying around much cash for tipping or anything because you aren''t supposed to tip. There was plenty to do within the confines of the resort. There was bountifu lmusical entertainment, contests, boating, skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, vollyball, tennis, biking, horseback riding, several swimming pools and beaches (including a nude beach, since it was couples only). There were also spas, hair salons, arcades, shops, and a movie theater in the resort. They offered many varied group excursions outside the resort for shopping, sight seeing, dining, etc. As long as you were with a group, or had a driver you were safe. We established a relationship with a driver from day one who was familiar with the island, and he knew all the "good" places to take us. We never felt unsafe for even one minute when we left the resort.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

sjz...

Which resort did you stay at?? I''ve been there 5 times and never had my horseback riding included!!!!

 

[sjz]

Breezes. But I didn''t go horseback riding. There was also golf...

 

[jorman]

Have you considered Hawaii?
Maui, The Big Island and Kauai are less touristy than Oahu (Honolulu).
It is BEAUTIFUL and you can find all inclusive packages there. You can''t beat the snorkeling, especially in the summer when the turtles are so prevalent.
We rented mopeds for the whole day for about $50 and rode around looking at huge houses and all the trpoical scenery.We laid out, watched surfers, and we also went to the Marlin Pier and watched all the fishermen bring in their huge "catches of the day".
It was a blast. I recommend a helicopter tour if its in your budget. It is so cool to see the volcanoe and lava on the big island.

There weren''t many kids and the seafood was great.

 

[sjz]

Also, just to clarify, all inclusive usually means your food and drink. I think some of the activities might have a small fee. Snorkeling was free, but scuba diving involved a rental fee for the gear if you didn''t have your own. Also, if you went to the spa or the salon, you had to pay for most of those services, too. There might have been a fee to go horseback riding for all I know, I didn''t go. Pretty much everything I did cost zip. My hubby went scuba diving, and he had to rent the gear, but he said it didn''t cost much.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Date: 5/11/2005 11:46:57 AM
Author: jorman
Have you considered Hawaii?

Maui, The Big Island and Kauai are less touristy than Oahu (Honolulu).

We''ve tried to go to Hawaii multiple times, but the only time we have off is during the summer (DH is a teacher) and our trips to Hawaii, just for airfare, hotel and rental car cost as much as an entire week in Jamaica!!! It''s very sad

as we would love to go, but if cost is an issue (which it usually is for us) then Jamaica it is...

 

[Mara]

For me it''s all about Tahiti....but it''s a long plane flight. We started in Hawaii and went to Tahiti, it''s just fabulous and stunning and the island we were on was NOT about tourists which we loved. Similarly in Kauai its less about tourists than Maui and Oahu. The key is to finding the right island IMO.

I would love to visit the VI...I have heard that St. John is beautiful as well as St. Thomas..and to steer away from St. Maarten.

What about a cruise around the VI/Carribbean islands where you can visit all the islands for a day but not get bored? Some people recommend that for those interested in those particular islands.

I''ve heard from a frequent traveler that the Bahamas is very windy (?) and I would love to visit Jamaica but if you aren''t sold on it, then find a way to make the Carribbean/VI work. Sounds like that is what you really want anyway!

Good luck!

 

[Scott99999]

Thanks for all of the input. It's very helpful.

We're trying to squeeze 6-7 days out of $3500 or so, so I imagine that Hawaii is out of the question for now. Also, we're not yet engaged (coming soon), so I imagine that we'll probably do Hawaii or Italy next year as a Honeymoon.

I was actually looking at the Couples chain in Jamaica. Re: safety...I would be concerned a little about safety, not for myself, but for the fact that if I propose around this time, I "went the extra mile" on a custom ring that's taken 5 months to put together, so I'm not sure I want to be worried about getting robbed on the trip! We could always leave it behind, or I could make a proposal a separate deal (before, after)...

Thanks again for opinions.

 

[con17]

Have you thought about Cabos San Lucas/Los Cabos. It is a bit cheaper than somewhere like Hawaii and much cheaper than Tahiti! It is one of the best spots in the world for Scuba Diving...there''s lots of golf courses, nice beaches, horseback riding..etc! Lots to do!

 

[Mara]

Date: 5/11/2005 1

6

2 PM
Author: con17
Have you thought about Cabos San Lucas/Los Cabos. It is a bit cheaper than somewhere like Hawaii and much cheaper than Tahiti! It is one of the best spots in the world for Scuba Diving...there's lots of golf courses, nice beaches, horseback riding..etc! Lots to do!

I am so not a Cabo fan...definitely too Americanized and half the time it's like party central, for me it was definitely not a relaxing quiet vacation nor was the weather spectacular either, too much like N. California mild weather where I actually live. Plus it's not as cheap as you'd think if you want to stay in a decent hotel...so I'd just spend the extra and take a real vacation.

The funny thing about Tahiti is that we spent 7 nights there on one of the nicest island hotels with a bungalow on the beach for under $4k including airfare etc...so it's really not as expensive as people think. Maui in a similar hotel was actually more expensive! However, the airfare would be more coming from somewhere father away!

 

[codex57]

All inclusive like one of the Sandals resorts. Otherwise a cruise. All the places you listed have such abject poverty, it can be a real downer for a vacation unless you''re isolated in one of those all inclusive places.

A cruise is kind of like an all inclusive thing, cept you get to hop around and see more islands. have to pay for the activities on shore tho.

 

[NyssaLynne]

I vote for Jamaica. I''ve been there twice, to the Bahamas once, and to Mexico 5 times. We are planning to return to Jamaica later this year or sometime next year.

Jamaica is actually quite scenic and the people are the friendliest of all the places I have been. We have stayed at Couples Negril once (didn''t like it) and Couples Ocho Rios twice. Horseback riding is included at Couples Ocho Rios, but not at Couples Negril or Couples Swept Away. The poverty isn''t really apparent in the resort areas, mainly on the way to and from the resorts. The thing to realize is that the Jamaicans don''t view poverty the way we do. It might be "poverty" to us but it might not be considered poverty for their country. From what I have heard, the poverty is worse in places like Punta Cana (Dominican Republic).

I would stay away from the Sandals resorts because they are overpriced and quite commercialized. I prefer a more personal touch, which Couples Ocho Rios offered. I have heard that Grand Lido is nice, but pricey. Your best bet is to go all-inclusive if you plan on drinking more than 1 alcoholic beverage a day and eating at least 2 meals a day. You will save money in the long run.

Mexico might also fit your description as long as you stay out of Cancun. The Riviera Maya is nice, we just returned from there last week.

Check out my website at www.MyTravelTruths.com I have written trip reports for everywhere I have been and also have some reviews that my friends have provided. There are also links to pictures. If I can answer any specific questions, just let me know.

 

[JohnQuixote]

I'm going to offer a different perspective that you can store away for next time.

I have been to Sandals Negril. It was breathtaking, romantic, pampering and exotic. I laughed, I cried. It was better than CATS!

So for a first-time vacation or a honeymoon this or a couples only option is purrrfect. I will go again. I would like to visit Montego Bay next time, however.

Now, the different perspective...

I have been to several other all-inclusives that rank between "so-so" and "just fine" compared to Sandals, but for a ridiculously reasonable cost the Riu Palace resort in Playa Del Carmen is every bit as breathtaking and pampering.

Coincidentally, I posted some photos from last summer in this thread in the ATW forum. (bottom of page 4 and top of page 5).

Compared to Sandals, it's only slightly less romantic - families are there - and slightly less exotic - hey, it's Mexico, not Jamaica or the South Pacific. Whenever I go I trade stories with other guests about different resorts and we always agree that this place is an amazing steal for the $. I keep waiting for them to raise prices. The service, the opulence, the cleanliness of the grounds and high quality of food and drink is all at the highest level of quality and the beaches are the good ones on the Yucatan (there are bad ones).

As for local options: The Mayan Riviera is at your leisure - much snorkeling, ruins to visit, etc. If you're there for an extended stay, Playa is a $5 taxi ride away, Cozumel is a ferry ride away and your all-inclusive wristband for the Riu Palace gets you into 2 neighboring AI resorts that are literally nextdoor (but those people cannot come to the Palace). Many different bars, restaurants, discos and activities.

It should never be considered a last resort.

(hehe. sorry)

PS: Mara...Tahiti is SO on the list. I must go.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Date: 5/11/2005 6:31:53 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
PS: Mara...Tahiti is SO on the list. I must go.

I totally agree! Once I''m done with my SCUBA lessons, I want to take the WindStar cruises down to Tahiti and see the islands, SCUBA and snorkel...that''s as close to heaven (I''m guessing) as I''m going to get before my time on Earth is over!!

 

[jorman]

BF and I went on a 7 day Carribbean cruise in December of 2003 through cruise.com.
It was a brand new Royal Carribbean ship and we were upgraded to a better suite. V. cool.

We left from the Port of Miami and went to Nassau, St. Maarten, San Juan, and Libadee (Haiti, private island). For 7 days, all inclusive (but alcohol and soft drinks) was $750 per person FOR THE WEEK. We both had free air fare tickets, so that made it even better. We loved every stop but St. Maarten. YUCK!

 

[windy1365]

We just got back from St. Thomas and St. John. It had the most beautiful beaches that I have ever seen. But, it was super expensive to eat there. A can of coke cost $2.75. Suntan lotion was $15. To go out to eat cost at least $60 at most restaurants.

 

[mightyred]

I voted for St Thomas but I agree it is a little pricey (but not as pricey as Tahiti - ouch!) but you can take stuff like sunshine lotion yourself.

No matter where you travel to you essentially lose the first and last day travelling so don't let that enter the equation.

I think the perfect balance is a resort but with the option of being able to explore the island you are staying on (Jamaica will limit that).

I will add Fiji to the mix just simply because its cheap as chips when you get there - you can't give your money away! Paradise on a budget without feeling like you are on a budget! Of course if you are flying from the west coast this is easy...easy coast little longer!! Where are you flying from and what month are you travelling? That will have an effect on you getting the best deal.

 

[windy1365]

St. John is perfect because you can go hiking, you can do just the resort thing, you can go scuba diving, you can go exploring without worrying about anything happening to you. You can island hopping.

Yes, things are expensive, but there is a McDonalds, so you can get a meal for you and your husband for under $10. There are also grocery stores, so you can get some essentials. There were Subways, so we ate there a couple of times. It was the restaurants that were so expensive... and most places did not have free coke refills... we found that out after $10 worth of cokes one night!!

I would love to go back to St. John!!

 

[windy1365]

I forgot to mention the people and touristy thing...

The first day that we got there, the bugs attacked me b/c I had on perfume. I didn''t like being mixed in with all the ''poor'' local people. I hated the place and thought it was so ugly. I was also use to Mexico, where you are in the resort area and the so called locals are super friendly. In St. Thomas, the people might say hi, but usually they are minding their own business. They just kind of ignore you.

Then, I saw the beaches. They were the prettiest beaches that I have ever seen!!!

Then, we went to St. John. I think you will love St. John. There are so many beautiful beaches. I saw maybe two kids over there. Of course, there are tourist areas there when you first get off the boat, but you can easily walk past it. There were little islands off of the main island...you could take a float and swim to them. It was just awesome!!!

And, if you wanted a little more action, St. Thomas is only 20 minutes away on a cheap ferry ride.

I thought Mexico was much more touristy than St. Thomas.

 

[Scott99999]

Well...we finally decided. I researched all of the options, and we're going to St. Martin.

If you look down my list of original priorities...it seems to fit nice:

1 - Beautiful scenery
2 - Nice beaches
3 - Few kids
4 - Good snorkeling
5 - Reasonable flight time
6 - Quiet, but not boring (stuff to do)
7 - Not too conservative or family-oriented
8 - Not too "tourist-y"
9 - Affordable
10 - Young crowd, but mature (early 30s)



We're taking a 4-hour direct flight; we can stay on the French side for nice beaches, and the Dutch side has casinos. The snorkeling and watersports are supposed to be good...it's not too overdeveloped, and it seems to cater to an "adult" crowd. Plus, the food on the French side is supposed to be excellent (even if it's a litte expensive). We went through Liberty Travel and our hotel + flight was about $400-$500 cheaper than what we could find on Expedia.

Can't wait!

 

[mightyred]

Ooooh FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!!!


Sounds like it will be fabulous gien all the thought you have put in to make sure it has everything you are both looking for.

Have a wonderful time!!

 

[Mara]

I would love to hear what you think of St. Maarten, as I have heard from various people who traveled to the Carribbean that they loved all the other islands, EXCEPT SM, since it is apparently according to them the poorest and dirtiest of the islands...as compared to the other islands mentioned.

I always wanted to visit there since I loved the idea of the French vs Dutch side...seemed like it would be the most interesting, but have always been a bit put off by multiple people saying nay to it as a good island for a *sole visit*. We''ve been kicking around the idea of a cruise so that we don''t have to committ to one island out of so many !

So please when you come back, post your thoughts and let us know how things went!! Have a blast!

 

[Scott99999]

I'd be happy to.

Luckily, I've probably looked at about 500 web pages, photos, and forum threads, and everything was pretty positive. We'll see. I've traveled through Central America, so I'm pretty familiar with places that are poor, but beautiful. I guess it depends on the expectations -- someone used to backpacking is going to have different expectations than someone who prefers perfectly manicured resorts. Also, some of these islands have been hit hard by hurricanes, so someone's personal experience might be based on a particular time period.

There are many galleries on the Web (and trip reports), like these:
http://www.bywindkal.com/SXM2005.htm

Looks good to me!

We're staying on the French side, which is supposed to be quieter and "nicer." The Dutch side is more commercialized and developed, according to what I've read.

 

[tinatark]

We visited St. Maarten and St. Thomas while on a cruise - didn''t make it to the French Side - although we heard Orient Beach is a can''t miss (clothing optional!)... the cruise ports and more of the tourist-y things are on the Dutch Side. We did most of our shopping in SM, snorkeling and sight-seeing in ST.

You''ll be in the warm Carribbean - WAAY better than a day at work anywhere!!

 

[websailor]

We also visited St Maarten while on a cruise - if you like active types of things, we found this to be very exciting - the St Maarten 12 Metre Americas Cup Challenge.

This is the Stars and Stripes - a 12 metre yacht that sailed in the America''s Cup. You race against another 12 Metre yahct (pone of the Canadian boats). You do no need any sailing experience (about half the people on our boat had never sailed before).

A good time was had by all, with many taunts flying back and forth over the water every time the boats got close to each other. At one time, our boat did a good job of deflecting a wave onto the other crew - my older sister was still soaked from that when she got back to shore!!!

 

[Carolina Girl]

We also visted St. Maarten while on a cruise and I loved it!! We went to both sides of the island and found it to be very clean.

The beaches are beautiful and the people very friendly.

Hope you have a great time