Caribbean virgin looking for advice.

Caribbean virgin looking for advice.

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Turn7

Original Poster:

23,500 posts

220 months

Wednesday 27th April 2016
quotequote all
We are considering a week in the Carib next April approx.

We are not well travelled and I would like to experience for myself the apparent idyll as the Carib is known for.

Would maybe think all inclusive ,and budget around £3k

Any hints tips and resorts welcomed.
.

lockhart flawse

2,040 posts

234 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
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Barbados - west coast is best if you can afford it.

trickywoo

11,701 posts

229 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
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Depends what you want.

Generally the Caribbean is pretty undeveloped - there is a tourist industry on pretty much every island but the additions around that vary i.e. independent restaurants / bars and things to do and see.

Barbados is probably the best introduction to the Caribbean if you aren't an experienced traveler. It feels like a home from home but different enough to get the exotic experience. The West and South and East coasts are all different. Beaches on the south are great for scenery and playing in the waves if you are a confident swimmer. West coast is the typical Caribbean post card. East coast is rugged and good to see but not for swimming.

There are lots of places to eat and things to do. Hiring a car is easy and not expensive however, there can be lots of traffic if you travel in school / office arrival / leaving times. You can download a free sat nav app (to Garmin at least) which will get you everywhere without fuss. There have been a few threads on Barbados with things to do which will help if thats your choice.

The downside with Barbados is that its no longer typical relaxed Caribbean everywhere. There is quite a lot of money around but also a lot of poverty and there can be some intimidating locals in some scenarios.

I've also been to Grenada and Tobago. I really liked Grenada but there isn't masses to do if you don't dive. The island tour was excellent but thats just a day. Grenada has relatively few beaches so you are likely to want to stay somewhere near the airport end. I stayed in the Grenadian by Rex which was pretty much walking distance from the airport (nice after a long flight) but also quiet.

Tobago has some great beaches and the tourist board also has lots of well tended beach facilities with lockers / showers etc. We were on Kings Bay beach for a few hours (flat calm) no one else there but two life guards on duty and a lovely beach facility - which you won't find anywhere in Barbados.

Tobago has a rain forest and is mountainous but the roads are excellent and good fun to drive around. Fuel was 17p per liter when I was there a couple of years ago. Again there isn't masses to do if you don't dive, even finding somewhere to eat (outside of the south of the island) can be difficult. We went out for dinner one night in Speyside to find the restaurant closed as they had a busy lunch and didn't feel like opening.

Overall I'd say Barbados would be your best option - you generally get what you pay for, cheap accommodation (if you can find it) will be rough. Thats normally my option wink


toasty

7,441 posts

219 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
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+1 for Barbados

A bit more leftfield is Cuba. Another great island with a vibe all of its own. I highly recommend going for a trip or two inland away from Havana and the Cayos.

Puggit

48,354 posts

247 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
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As always, I'll pitch for St Martin/Sint Maarten. The island is split in half between the Dutch side (full of Americans) and the French side (full of French and a better class of American). Very laid back and undeveloped in the Caribbean way on the French side, but with the bonus of French food, wine, and outlook on life!

You can fly direct from Paris or Amsterdam, avoiding the hell that is Miami. Obviously many islands have proper direct flights from UK though.

audidoody

8,595 posts

255 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
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Best Caribbean hotel I never stayed at is Carlisle Bay, Antigua.


Simon Brooks

1,517 posts

250 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
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Another vote for west coast Barbados, been a few times and always enjoyed it

St Lucia was very nice, great scenery around the Pitons

Turks and Caicos islands also rather pleasant

jonesof63

947 posts

136 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
quotequote all
We do Barbados every year and have done so for the past 15 years so I can give you a reasonable idea of what your 3k will get. I'm presuming the 3k is for a couple ?
In all honesty you won't get anything spectacular on the West coast in that budget, it's attraction to the super rich and famous keep the prices higher, you will get more value for money along the South coast. Have a look at The Mango Bay for a reasonably priced stay on the West Coast and The Turtle Beach on the South Coast.
Grenada is a nice Island but as above, there's not a great deal going on, during the evenings the students from St Georges University are out and about so it's busy and often loud.
As an alternative......We've just had a weeks break in Mexico, the first time we've been, the hotel (The Dreams Tulum ) was fabulous and your 3k will get you a lot more for your money, the beaches are wonderful, the locals very nice although not as 'warm' as the Bajans.
We regularly book with one particular travel expert who really knows her destinations and gives first class service, it's worth dropping her an e-mail with your requirements. susan.brown@kuoni.co.uk

GT03ROB

13,207 posts

220 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
quotequote all
We did the Caribbean for the first time last year. Went to Grenada.

Biggest surprise to me was how poor the place was. I've been places that are a lot worse, but it was still a surprise to me. We spent the bulk of the time in the resort which was Sandals. Went into St Georges one day. To be honest interesting to have a quick look around but not a huge amount there. Hired a car on another day & drove round the island. Again interesting to see the place, but really not a lot there. Had a great lunch on a cliff top hotel on the north of the island run by an old British couple.

I liked the place for a some relaxation, chilling on a beach.

Adam Ansel

695 posts

105 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
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Beware the Zika Virus, the story is getting worse day by day. Here is the CDC page with all the latest information: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/

Flying out doesn't matter, go steerage if necessary and curl up with a movie or book. Flying back overnight after a long day an upgrade is a very good idea.

Remember you want to be on the West coasts, away from the Atlantic

Barbados, as noted above, is an excellent first time choice.
Antigua has too much chav tourism and the locals can be hostile.
Grenada is lovely, stunning, but tourist females on their own round the fish market area, even in daylight, aren't going to have a happy time.
Kitts and Nevis used to be brilliant. Drug trade gangsterism has stopped that. Nevis is really nice but very quiet.
St Maartens is funny. The Dutch side is like being in America, the French side is very French. Nice. St Barts and Anguilla are near and are easily visited and well worth the trip. Saba is a fantastic trip too. A world class experience.
St Lucia is one of the very best of the touristy islands, I love the place.
The French islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe, flying from Paris, are very interesting. Still technically in Europe and very French.
The Dutch islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacau, flying from Amsterdam, are excellent and more organised than much of the Caribbean. Bonaire is SCUBA heaven.
Avoid Trinidad. Tobago is a different kettle of fish, a quiet paradise.
Puerto Rico and BVI are a lot like being in the USA.

Finally, where to go to still get that authentic Caribbean experience. You will need to take a transfer and use a local flight to get there.
St Vincent. Can't get enough of the place. Like going back 50 years.
Dominica (the commonwealth country, not the Spanish hell hole). Just fantastic.

Obviously can't do such a broad subject justice in so few words, but I hope this helps your research. Remember that the islands are all different countries with different cultures. They are very different places. Even Nevis and Kitts, which are very close together and are one country, are utterly different to one another.


Nezquick

1,453 posts

125 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
quotequote all
I've been to most of the Caribbean on cruises and my favourite islands, in order, are as follows:

1. Tortola with trips to Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda (but you probably won't get a decent stay for £3k).
2. St Maarten - as above though, the French side is far nicer. Excellent beaches and food.
3. Barbados - we've stayed for a week at Coconut Court Hotel which is on the South Coast and near the racecourse. Great family run hotel with a nice beach and a good walk to Carlisle Bay. Excellent island and very friendly but avoid Oistin's fish fry on a Friday - I thought it was crap. Awesome catamaran trips to be had from the nearby harbour. It's the atmosphere and people that make Barbados and it's one of those places I could return to year after year.
4. Any of the Dutch Caribbean islands are nice - Aruba/Bonaire are highlights though.
5. Antigua - 365 beaches and most of them are excellent.

I'd seriously recommend a Caribbean cruise if you want to make the most of it and then decide which island you like best.

Enjoy.

Adam Ansel

695 posts

105 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
quotequote all
Nezquick said:
I've been to most of the Caribbean on cruises and my favourite islands, in order, are as follows:

1. Tortola with trips to Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda (but you probably won't get a decent stay for £3k).
2. St Maarten - as above though, the French side is far nicer. Excellent beaches and food.
3. Barbados - we've stayed for a week at Coconut Court Hotel which is on the South Coast and near the racecourse. Great family run hotel with a nice beach and a good walk to Carlisle Bay. Excellent island and very friendly but avoid Oistin's fish fry on a Friday - I thought it was crap. Awesome catamaran trips to be had from the nearby harbour. It's the atmosphere and people that make Barbados and it's one of those places I could return to year after year.
4. Any of the Dutch Caribbean islands are nice - Aruba/Bonaire are highlights though.
5. Antigua - 365 beaches and most of them are excellent.

I'd seriously recommend a Caribbean cruise if you want to make the most of it and then decide which island you like best.

Enjoy.
I agree and have done this. However:
1) Cruise liners don't go to many great places, they tend to go to the touristy places.
2) A couple of big cruise liners will often double or triple the population of a Caribbean port. Things only get back to normal when they leave in the evening or out of season.

Because of these factors cruising does not really give you an authentic Caribbean experience. It gives you the tourist version.
To get really local you need to be the only white person in a bar, staying at a hotel, at a sporting event, in an eating place, on a ferry or using a bus. You need to relax and spend time with locals who are not involved in the tourist trade in any way.
Go to an island and explore it using local public transport. On minibuses they dump shopping and even kids on your knees if they are standing and you are sitting. All to the sound of the local radio station and the local patois. You will have far more to talk about when you get back than if you take a cruise.

The cruise liner has the advantage that your bedroom and luggage moves with you, automatically from island to island. But your level of engagement is a lot lower.

Turn7

Original Poster:

23,500 posts

220 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
quotequote all
Thanks all, a lot to consider it would seem.

Will be digesting and researching but Im sure I will be back....

paulmakin

653 posts

140 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
quotequote all
having previously lived and worked on tobago for several years and now again spending more time down there readying things for retirement in TnT, i'd advise against tobago for a week.

there is no low-cost carrier to the region and UK flights are via antigua (BA) or St Lucia (Virgin). journey time is now 11+hours as against 8 or so to St Lucia and the like. in addition, the stop means that you arrive on tobago late afternoon/early evening as opposed to mid-day ish and unless you're staying in the crown point area you effectively lose a day. flight availability is limited and although you can get BA into Port of Spain 4 times weekly if you're late in you may not make the connecting flight to tobago (although there is the "red-eye" at 23.00) and have to overnight in Piarco.

keep in mind that the more southerly islands weather is more influenced by s.america and that time of year is on the cusp of wet season. usually, a little more rain in the p.m. but good sunshine as well. however, weather systems can stall (pressure differentials around the ITCZ) and you could get 2 or 3 days of dull, humid, damp weather

paul

Edited by paulmakin on Thursday 28th April 21:16

rpm1969

91 posts

160 months

Friday 29th April 2016
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for a nice all inclusive check out The Verandah on Antigua

Nezquick

1,453 posts

125 months

Monday 9th May 2016
quotequote all
Adam Ansel said:
I agree and have done this. However:
1) Cruise liners don't go to many great places, they tend to go to the touristy places.
2) A couple of big cruise liners will often double or triple the population of a Caribbean port. Things only get back to normal when they leave in the evening or out of season.

Because of these factors cruising does not really give you an authentic Caribbean experience. It gives you the tourist version.
To get really local you need to be the only white person in a bar, staying at a hotel, at a sporting event, in an eating place, on a ferry or using a bus. You need to relax and spend time with locals who are not involved in the tourist trade in any way.
Go to an island and explore it using local public transport. On minibuses they dump shopping and even kids on your knees if they are standing and you are sitting. All to the sound of the local radio station and the local patois. You will have far more to talk about when you get back than if you take a cruise.

The cruise liner has the advantage that your bedroom and luggage moves with you, automatically from island to island. But your level of engagement is a lot lower.
Oh I absolutely agree with you but a cruise is a good way to see a lot of places in a short space of time.

When we've been on them, we'll generally just walk out of the port, jump in a local taxi or on a bus and go exploring and do our own thing. All of the worst experiences we've had have been on the cruise organised "tours".....utterly crap!

Far better to do your research and then you know what you want to do when you get there.

RumRunner

2,338 posts

216 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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St.Lucia.....lived all over the Caribbean running yachts....it offer more variety then any other of the Islands.

pidsy

7,958 posts

156 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
quotequote all
RumRunner said:
St.Lucia.....lived all over the Caribbean running yachts....it offer more variety then any other of the Islands.
Marigot bay.

stunning.

HorneyMX5

5,306 posts

149 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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Topic title eye catching, content disappointing. hehe

Jockman

17,912 posts

159 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
quotequote all
Nezquick said:
3. Barbados - we've stayed for a week at Coconut Court Hotel which is on the South Coast and near the racecourse. Great family run hotel with a nice beach and a good walk to Carlisle Bay. Excellent island and very friendly but avoid Oistin's fish fry on a Friday - I thought it was crap. Awesome catamaran trips to be had from the nearby harbour. It's the atmosphere and people that make Barbados and it's one of those places I could return to year after year.

Antonio's happy hours are famous !! Went last year, this year again (November).

Walk along the boardwalk past the excellent Tapas Restaurant to St Lawrence Gap and Champers Restaurant. Go to Oistins on a Friday only if you want to partake in 'speed eating'. Avoid Bridgetown.

For a real treat LeSport Bodyholiday in St Lucia. Amy Winehouse used to go for a detox. Ah well....