Caribbean Islands - which one?

Caribbean Islands - which one?

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V8Matthew

Original Poster:

2,675 posts

165 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
Me and the Mrs-to-be are looking at a honeymoon in the Caribbean, but a bit stuck as to which island to visit. We basically want somewhere we can laze about, get to easily and no hassle. We initially thought Dominican Republic. Has anyone got any experience they can lend?

JonChalk

6,469 posts

109 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
My preference would be St Lucia.

Went to Antigua last year, but found it similar to friend's reports on Jamaica (not been myself); i.e. just a little bit the wrong side of a bit too "edgy" outside the resort for comfort.

Went to St Lucia a couple of years ago & atmosphere everywhere we went, walking into St John's or in rented car, was really relaxed and a felt a lot less threatening.

Ozone

3,039 posts

186 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
We went to Antigua last year and it's very nice. Previously been to Dominican Republic a couple of times, Antigua seemed a lot 'safer' than DR which is a very poor country if you go out and about.

If you are staying on site at the hotel only and don't go out unchaperoned then you shouldn't have any particular problems on any of the islands.

Both Antigua and DR are very nice places for spending time around the pool.

Edited by Ozone on Saturday 18th March 12:11

V8Matthew

Original Poster:

2,675 posts

165 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
Relaxed is what we want, I did wonder about Jamaica but then I watched "Caribbean Cops"...

JDiz

1,070 posts

243 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
I've posted about it before, but I highly recommend Great Exuma in the Bahamas.
Very very laid back, no crime issues, plenty of empty beaches. If you want activities you can hire a boat to play in the sheltered harbour, feed the turtles, feed the tame sting rays at chat n chill, or do a swimming pigs/thunderball grotto/iguana island/nurse sharks tour

The downside(upside) to the laid back island is that there are very few large hotels, only sandals, but i'd recommend a villa anyway. This place is completely different from your antiguas or jamaicas, or even Nassau, no cruise ships, no chain restaurants, just laid back island life.

I'm going again in may for the 4th time.







danzltiu

585 posts

201 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
Personal preference is St Lucia and then Barbados. People are great on both and never felt unsafe which I wouldn`t say about Jamaica and DM. Never been to Antigua but will rectify that the year. If you are planning on going outside the hotel complex would stick to SL or Barbados otherwise it doesn`t really matter.

V8Matthew

Original Poster:

2,675 posts

165 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
JDiz said:
I've posted about it before, but I highly recommend Great Exuma in the Bahamas.
Very very laid back, no crime issues, plenty of empty beaches. If you want activities you can hire a boat to play in the sheltered harbour, feed the turtles, feed the tame sting rays at chat n chill, or do a swimming pigs/thunderball grotto/iguana island/nurse sharks tour

The downside(upside) to the laid back island is that there are very few large hotels, only sandals, but i'd recommend a villa anyway. This place is completely different from your antiguas or jamaicas, or even Nassau, no cruise ships, no chain restaurants, just laid back island life.

I'm going again in may for the 4th time.





Great pics! Currently looking out the window at grey clouds

Rollin

6,077 posts

244 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
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Not Caribbean, but as above Bahamas. Stayed in Hope Town, Abacos though.

JDiz

1,070 posts

243 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
Rollin said:
Not Caribbean, but as above Bahamas. Stayed in Hope Town, Abacos though.
Hope town is nice too, we have been there, Eleuthera, Nassau & Paradise Island, and Cat Island, but for us we prefer Exuma.

djc206

12,244 posts

124 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
I'm not sure I'd recommend the DR for honeymoon it's a bit low rent what with all the budget yank carriers flying there. In its defence though contrary to what people above have said I wouldn't say it was really all that poor or remotely unsafe. It's unsafe in an American sense of the word i.e. Trot around a sizeable town with a fanny pack full of $ and a gold Rolex mouthing off about how st the place looks and then act surprised when you get robbed.

TBH I wouldn't recommend the Caribbean at all I'd go to Mauritius. It has all that the Caribbean does and more. Some very nice driving roads in the interior as well!

The Leaper

4,937 posts

205 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
Wife and I have been to several Caribbean islands. Our order of preference is

Aruba (stay in the low rise area rather than the high rise: the latter is too much like USA)
St. Martin (not the Dutch St. Maarten)
Anguilla
Barbados
Grand Cayman
Grenada
St. Lucia

A great day trip from many of these is a visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Fly to Union Island, get on a schooner, and cruise the islands. Beer, BBQ, fab waters for snorkelling and lovely islands. As a result of this trip I dream of having a holiday at Union Island and Mayreau.

R.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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Really enjoyed Antigua - plus you can pop over to Barbuda too with its pink beaches.

parabolica

6,703 posts

183 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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St Lucia would be my recommendation too; lovely island. Tobago is a close second; Barbados third.

tt601

214 posts

174 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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Surprise no one has mentioned Nevis as yet. For me it was unspoiled and with a Great pace of life.

paulmakin

653 posts

140 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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as a previous resident and still on island almost year round now I'd probably advise against Tobago at the moment. The island is developing, rapidly in some areas (the SW). It's good for us as this means we now have things like round the clock internet, a few ATMs, 2 new sets of traffic lights, a new roundabout at the Buccoo RD/CNH junction and we almost always have water and electricity, even in the dry season.

the downside is that in the more accessible/visited areas it feels a bit "too much, too fast". head north though and it's all like it used to be. remember, though, that some towns/villages are on a different time-zone. last time I looked it was somewhere around 1952 in L'Anse Fourmi.

I'd say St Lucia as a good all-rounder; comes without the glitz of Barbados or the cattle-market feel of the islands dominated by the all inclusives but ample to see and do.

Belize, Honduras etc are in my thoughts quite a bit currently, will go and have a look sometime soon. I'm told that Panama has gone a bit "spring-break" but worth a look ?

paul

Nezquick

1,453 posts

125 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
quotequote all
Ive been to most of the Caribbean islands and in order my favourites are:
1. Tortola and the BVI;
2. Barbados;
3. Antigua;
4. Aruba;
5. Bonaire;
6. Grenada;

If you just want a beach and some sun, consider Mexico or Cuba.

CS Garth

2,860 posts

104 months

Sunday 19th March 2017
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Anguilla is fantastic and would be my tip - a short hop from Antigua.

C997

529 posts

165 months

Monday 20th March 2017
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Turks and Caicos, Providenciales is really good. I think your choice will depend upon what time of year you're going. Later in the year can be tricky with weather in the Norther Caribbean Islands from what I understand and the Southern islands seem to be better at that time. I'm always chasing wind so planning Union Island in the Grenadines at some point this year, looks amazing.

The Leaper

4,937 posts

205 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
Union Island is great, very quiet. In fact, anywhere in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines is really lovely.

R

campionissimo

578 posts

123 months

Monday 20th March 2017
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Another vote for SVG - Union, Bequia, take your pick. Lived there for 3 years, would go back in a heartbeat. We used to love taking a boat down to the Tobago Cays, watching shoals of flying fish on the way down, and then snorkelling, sharing the water with the fish, turtles and starfish.