Caribbean vacation suggestions

[Tommy-G]

OK let’s hear them.
Was thinking of Bahamas for a 4 night getaway but I can’t justify $5k for an island we have already been and honestly not having much to offer.

Bonus points for St Martin, Dominican Republic or other Euro Friendly Islands (ie, thongs and topless)
Jamaica and Mexico are 100% out right now.

What site do you use to book?

[Tyga11]

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

OK let’s hear them.
Was thinking of Bahamas for a 4 night getaway but I can’t justify $5k for an island we have already been and honestly not having much to offer.

Bonus points for St Martin, Dominican Republic or other Euro Friendly Islands (ie, thongs and topless)
Jamaica and Mexico are 100% out right now.

St. Croix!

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

St. Croix!

What resort though?

[Tyga11]

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

What resort though?

I posted this before but we stayed at a little boutique hotel

https://sandcastleonthebeach.com/

If you are looking for a very private beach and a small hotel with minimal people, this is for you. I'm talking like <10 people during the week at a given time.

There is a grill / restaurant onsite.

Only downside is the food otherwise sucks and there's really no good options close by.

So if you are looking for a very quiet, private beach to yourself you will like it.

[Gossypiboma]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

I posted this before but we stayed at a little boutique hotel

https://sandcastleonthebeach.com/

If you are looking for a very private beach and a small hotel with minimal people, this is for you. I'm talking like <10 people during the week at a given time.

There is a grill / restaurant onsite.

Only downside is the food otherwise sucks and there's really no good options close by.

So if you are looking for a very quiet, private beach to yourself you will like it.

Not a great recommendation if the food sucks.

[JMcLellan]

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

OK let’s hear them.
Was thinking of Bahamas for a 4 night getaway but I can’t justify $5k for an island we have already been and honestly not having much to offer.

Bonus points for St Martin, Dominican Republic or other Euro Friendly Islands (ie, thongs and topless)
Jamaica and Mexico are 100% out right now.

What site do you use to book?

Just got back from Eleuthera Bahamas last Friday. We used Expedia to book our flights, and VRBO for our villa. Great experience with both sites and the logistics/flight options were great.

I vote for the Dominican. Haven't been but many friends and family have been and the feedback has been consistently good though everyone did the all-inclusive larger crowds type of things. My brother in law (who is a pig like me) mentioned there were a few topless women where they stayed and he loved it.

[Smonkbmw]

If you wanted a bit more variety and better food could look into a cruise on one of the no kids cruise lines. Pricing last time I looked (been a minute) is around the same. And could see a few islands and decide if you want to spend more time at one or the other.

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by Tyga11

I posted this before but we stayed at a little boutique hotel

https://sandcastleonthebeach.com/

If you are looking for a very private beach and a small hotel with minimal people, this is for you. I'm talking like <10 people during the week at a given time.

There is a grill / restaurant onsite.

Only downside is the food otherwise sucks and there's really no good options close by.

So if you are looking for a very quiet, private beach to yourself you will like it.

If the food isn't exceptional, I'm out....I have to be able to enjoy great meals on vacation

Originally Posted by JMcLellan

Just got back from Eleuthera Bahamas last Friday. We used Expedia to book our flights, and VRBO for our villa. Great experience with both sites and the logistics/flight options were great.

I vote for the Dominican. Haven't been but many friends and family have been and the feedback has been consistently good though everyone did the all-inclusive larger crowds type of things. My brother in law (who is a pig like me) mentioned there were a few topless women where they stayed and he loved it.

I went to D.R. back late late 90's and the resort was great. Food there was a little behind but I hear now, 20 years later it has really come up to standard or above

Originally Posted by Smonkbmw

If you wanted a bit more variety and better food could look into a cruise on one of the no kids cruise lines. Pricing last time I looked (been a minute) is around the same. And could see a few islands and decide if you want to spend more time at one or the other.

Forgot to mention, Cruises are out. My wife wont even entertain the thought. It could be the most lavish cruise in the world for free and she wouldnt go. She has this (somewhat) misconception that its a major cesspool of germs and diseases. I have been on 3 prior to her but its a mute point so I dont even bring it up

[ppointer]

We have been to St. Croix, Aruba and Grand Cayman. I would say Aruba is #2 and Grand Cayman #1 on that list. St. Croix we will never return to, though we enjoyed the Marriott property where we stayed.

Food on Aruba and Grand Cayman was excellent. We rented cars and had no problems getting around. Cayman is left-side driving ("look right, drive left!"), but not too hard to get the hang of. We stayed in Marriott properties, and they had great beaches. Swam with the stingrays in Cayman (they're like friendly dogs). Shopping was fun. Dollars worked, which was never the case in Europe. Went in January and it was always plenty warm. Brought home some cash from the casinos. Would definitely return to either of these islands.

[ppointer]

Regarding your booking question, I booked directly on Delta, Marriott, and Hertz sites.

[Watching The World Burn]

Curacao.

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by Watching The World Burn

Curacao.

Always been very curious about that island

[cooolone2]

Aruba!!! There's food that'll knock your socks off, easy simple cabs to get around, and great beaches! Stay at the Hilton and don't look back. Enjoy!

[cmyx6go]

I would pass on DR. I don’t like the destinations where you stay behind locked gates at an all inclusive because it’s not safe to venture out. I was not a fan of DR. I vote Aruba, Cayman or Turks. Haven’t been to Turks but my sister raves about it. Been to both Aruba and Cayman.

[KevinC]

I've been to St Maarten, Nevis (twice), Anguilla, and Great Exuma. All were spectacular. Hard to pick one over another, though maybe Anguilla would get the slight edge. At St Maarten, you get to experience their famous airport...

[tdott]

Aruba gets my vote. Awesome island, very clean and safe feeling.

We stayed at the Riu all in but there are so many nice restaurants and places around, if I went back I wouldn't do an all inclu again. Rented a car and drove the whole island, lots to see and do.

[wtwo3]

We just got back from the Dominican a few weeks ago. It was hit or miss. The weather was incredible, the beach and the resort grounds were gorgeous, but the food was super bland and just generally tasteless with a couple of exceptions. Also the service was inconsistent at best. We thought it was maybe our resort (we stayed at the Finest in Punta Cana), but i hear it's similar throughout the Dominican. Still... it was a good time and the kids had an absolute blast. But obviously that's no help to you if you're looking for topless type places

[Watching The World Burn]

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

Always been very curious about that island

There are parts to it that aren't recommended to hang about in, but by and large, a very safe island, people are pretty friendly, and the food is good. There are actually some really nice restaurants there, but then there is also the occasional street food places / outdoor bbq which typically has good piri piri type chicken and that for a reasonable cost.

If you go, I recommend a day trip to Klein Curacao (an island). Water is amazing and the island is neat too.

I liked how there weren't many Americans there the first time I went...they tended to stay in the cruise ship part of town and didn't venture outside. That was nice. Sadly, they were much more prevalent the second time I went.

[DubaiRich]

Originally Posted by Watching The World Burn

Curacao.

I was in Curaçao early 2000's on a deployment. Love that place, and the food was incredible...even in its simplest form. Would go back!!

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

I would pass on DR. I don’t like the destinations where you stay behind locked gates at an all inclusive because it’s not safe to venture out. I was not a fan of DR. I vote Aruba, Cayman or Turks. Haven’t been to Turks but my sister raves about it. Been to both Aruba and Cayman.

I get that and understand fully. I just can’t stop to think the bang of the buck in D.R. is the best around.

Originally Posted by wtwo3

But obviously that's no help to you if you're looking for topless type places

Attachment 3111129

I have a bunch of singles left

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by Soul_Glo

Watched Renovation Island (Island of Bryan) on HGTV last fall and was thinking of this place:

https://www.caerulamar.com/

That looks gorgeous. Prices are too bad. Little small for me as I LOVE to people watch but that resort looks really nice for a Boutique spot

[bagekko]

The DR/Punta Cana is good if you want a nice all inclusive adults only resort and you are going to be lazy/veg at it the whole time. The Excellence Resort there is great. One of the reasons we went there was it was a veg lazy vacation, friend recommended Excellence, and had direct flight from Boston. Food & service at the resort was good, got the upgraded VIP package.

If you can handle long flights, Bali & some of the southeast asia islands I have heard put the Caribbean to shame.

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

I get that and understand fully. I just can’t stop to think the bang of the buck in D.R. is the best around.
I have a bunch of singles left