Christmas in Caribbean - advice?

Christmas in Caribbean - advice?

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crofty1984

Original Poster:

15,858 posts

204 months

Wednesday 7th December 2016
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Hello all,
After all the buggering about involved this year, my partner and I have decided to have Christmas 2017 somewhere hot with white beaches and cocktails served in coconuts.
We're looking at the Caribbean, has anyone been, do you have any advice where to look for/avoid?
I've been to Barbados and Trinidad with work. Didn't have any time to sightsee really, but Accra beach seemed nice.
Is there enough to do to keep us occupied for 10 days in the same place, or should we consider an island hop.
Budget is towards the low end.

TeeRev

1,644 posts

151 months

Wednesday 7th December 2016
quotequote all
We spent Christmas 2005 in Antigua, we wanted a quiet and chilled break to help us get over the loss of our son and Antigua was just what we needed at that time.

We're going to St Kitts via Antigua this Christmas and hoping that will be similar vibe but with a bit more activity, a nice hotel, some good food and drink, a little bit of lazing on the beach and for activity a mix of sightseeing, diving and golf.

You need to define what you want out of your holiday, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica and Barbados will both have a large selection of hotels and plenty going on, most of the other islands will be quieter and probably a bit more expensive but all will have activities of some sort.

craig1912

3,295 posts

112 months

Wednesday 7th December 2016
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Spent Christmas in Antigua (Grand Pineapple) three years ago and loved it.

Catamaran round the island, Sting Ray City and Shirley Heights. St. john's worth a visit. Friendly people. Had a rain shower nearly every day but it lasted less than 20 mins and dried very quickly in the heat.

Would definitely go back. We were there for a week and could have done more- maybe a naught or two on Barbuda

peterg1955

746 posts

164 months

Thursday 8th December 2016
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We stayed in Barbados for Christmas the year of the Boxing Day tsunami (2004) we had a picnic lunch on the beach on Christmas Day and watched Santa zoom by on a jetski.

Plenty to do and see there - we stayed from 18th to 31st, wished we hadn't flown back on New Year's Eve as 1) they were setting up street food stalls for a big party on what they called Old Year's Night and 2) the plane was rammed with families flying back to have their kids back in time to return to school... if I did it again I'd go something like 21st Dec to 4th Jan

TeeRev

1,644 posts

151 months

Thursday 8th December 2016
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Old Years Night in Barbados is really good, we flew out for a week just after Christmas one year and met up with friends who have a place there, we spent the evening in a great little beach bar with a few other friends who were out there at the time and some locals that we all knew.

The place was absolutely rocking and there was one dreadlocked bajan guy who was going around hugging everyone, we thought he looked a bit too "happy" so kept our distance, when we were walking home we saw him up the road going through the purses that he had stolen.

Our friends called the police and it turned out that they knew him well, luckily everyone got there stuff back and we heard that he was banged up for six months. A great trip though and would definitely recommend Barbados for New Year.

joshcowin

6,804 posts

176 months

Friday 9th December 2016
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Low budget? Mexico? My parents are off soon to this place, we have been and it was great!

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g499445...

matjk

1,102 posts

140 months

Saturday 10th December 2016
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Aruba !! Great Island , safe everywhere no hastle at all from anyone , just locals that are tourist friendly ! I've done most of the Caribbean and it is my favourite

trickywoo

11,789 posts

230 months

Saturday 10th December 2016
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matjk said:
Aruba !! Great Island , safe everywhere no hastle at all from anyone , just locals that are tourist friendly ! I've done most of the Caribbean and it is my favourite
On a budget toward the low end?


a4cabrio

904 posts

159 months

Sunday 11th December 2016
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Wouldn't Christmas in the Caribbean be hard to do on a low budget??

Depends what you class as a low budget, I'd say you'll be looking at 4K and up for anywhere half decent, we've been to the Caribbean a few times and love it, we've looked at spending Christmas there too but prices go crazy

Nezquick

1,461 posts

126 months

Monday 12th December 2016
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I've done three Caribbean cruises over the past three years, all of them over Christmas.

The first was a Thomson one - one week cruise then 1 week in Barbados.

The second and third were both 2 week P&O cruises on the Azura.

If you want a relaxing holiday and to see somewhere new everyday it's a great way of doing it. We paid £1100 each last year full board for a balcony cabin - that was booking 2 weeks prior to departure on Iglu Cruise website.

Also - get on the Caribbean Warehouse website - they have some amazing deals.