Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Where in the Caribbean should I go ?

quigleybc

quigleybc

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jun 17, 2005
2,966
0
Beautiful Vancouver British Columbia, Canada
Hi,

My G friend and I are planning a trip to the Carribbean soon,

There are many enticing options, but I would appreciate feedback from those who have been there previously.

-Where do you recommend we go?

She-wants cultural experiences, hikes, big views, and some chill time resort style.

Me-wants relaxation chill resort style fancyness....and some Cutural/tourist stuff would be good too.

We will be on a "medium" budget, not big pimpin, but not counting our pennies either...

So, any advice, recommondations or warnings would be highly appreciated.

Right now I am leaning towards the Cayman Islands, or Puerto Rico

I'm doing some research over at This Site, but I figure some of you may provide better feedback.

Thanks in advance!

:)
 
quigleybc said:
Hi,

My G friend and I are planning a trip to the Carribbean soon,

There are many enticing options, but I would appreciate feedback from those who have been there previously.

-Where do you recommend we go?

She-wants cultural experiences, hikes, big views, and some chill time resort style.

Me-wants relaxation chill resort style fancyness....and some Cutural/tourist stuff would be good too.

We will be on a "medium" budget, not big pimpin, but not counting our pennies either...

So, any advice, recommondations or warnings would be highly appreciated.

Right now I am leaning towards the Cayman Islands, or Puerto Rico

I'm doing some research over at This Site, but I figure some of you may provide better feedback.

Thanks in advance!

:)
Click to expand...

I recommend Grand Cayman Island, St. Maarten (dutch side, not the french side), St Barts, I'd do without Mexico and Jamaica, hmm, I hear the U.S. Virgin Islands are nice at this time of year.
 
Puerto Rico is pretty amazing. My husband and I went last year.

Lot's of culture, Rain forrest is pretty easy to get to for hiking and waterfalls, where the view is spectacular. Little islands for day trips, salsa bands, even casinos. Lots of decent resorts, not too expensive.

What I liked about Puerto Rico is that it didn't feel touristy.

Anyway, good luck on your search.
 
Abstract said:
Cuba. C'mon, it was once Spanish. Think of the architecture.

Martinique, Guadaloupe are both good.
Click to expand...

Wow...:eek:

No, don't go to Cuba. As for architecture, well, Cuba isn't what it used to be. :(

Nassau would be nice if you're looking for something resorty. The Atlantis Resort from what I've heard is quite incredible. :)

Though it's in the Bahamas rather than in the Carribbean.
 
benthewraith said:
I recommend Grand Cayman Island, St. Maarten (dutch side, not the french side), St Barts, I'd do without Mexico and Jamaica, hmm, I hear the U.S. Virgin Islands are nice at this time of year.
Click to expand...

i've been to every one of those places listed. of all.. grand cayman is probly my fav (except jamaica, but thats for way, way different reasons ;)).

the caymans have gorgeous water, and magnificent reefs. check out "hamburger reef" -- ive been diving there, and they offer snorkeling trips and stuff. its an amazing reef, one of the worlds greatest or something like that.

also, it is not a poor country. other places are poor and potentially dangerous... the caymans is the way to go!
 
d wade said:
i've been to every one of those places listed. of all.. grand cayman is probly my fav (except jamaica, but thats for way, way different reasons ;)).
Click to expand...

ditto, ditto, and not telling :rolleyes: grand cayman is my recommendation also :)
 
Varadero in Cuba is a lovely chill out spot for a resorty type holiday, and is only 2 hours from Havana.

There is considerable poverty in Cuba (due in large part to certain countries blockading it) but the people are fantastic and were the highlight of my holiday. They're a really proud people, although consumerism is starting to make inroads.
Thee architecture in Havana is fantastic, if very run down, but the public buildings are amazing - El Capitolo is a replica of the Capitol Building. Baseball is the national sport - have you ever noticed the similarity between the Cuban flag and the US one? At one point Cuba was trying to become a US state.
It's extremely safe there, but you will get annoyed by a lot of touts for various things.

If you want chill out for a few days I'd recommend Varadero, and then some immersion in the culture of Cuba in Havana

I was there 5 years ago, so much could have changed since then though.
 
I would say Tobago (with me being half T&T:D), but its a bit dodgy at the mo. So I'd say out of the other islands, St. Lucia gets my vote...
 
Never been myself (being a big homo most places in the Caribbean aren't exactly welcoming) but I hear good things about St. Lucia from friends that have been.
 
If you want to stay away from the touristy scene, I'd avoid St. Thomas, USVI. But, I highly recommend its neighbor, St. John. If you're looking for quiet beautiful beaches it can't be topped. Also, give a thought to some BVI places like Tortola as well. They are all an easy boat trip away from one another, if you wanted some variety.

Cinnamon Bay on St John is my world's favorite beach.
 
quigleybc said:
Hi,

My G friend and I are planning a trip to the Carribbean soon,

There are many enticing options, but I would appreciate feedback from those who have been there previously.

-Where do you recommend we go?

She-wants cultural experiences, hikes, big views, and some chill time resort style.

Me-wants relaxation chill resort style fancyness....and some Cutural/tourist stuff would be good too.

We will be on a "medium" budget, not big pimpin, but not counting our pennies either...

So, any advice, recommondations or warnings would be highly appreciated.

Right now I am leaning towards the Cayman Islands, or Puerto Rico

I'm doing some research over at This Site, but I figure some of you may provide better feedback.

Thanks in advance!

:)
Click to expand...
Hmm, If you want resort style, kicking it time, I wouldnt recommend the caribbean. If you want to just kick it freestyle with the homies, maybe with a couple brews, and some local made coconut rum go there. Stay in a hotel and island hop. But if you want to just go one island and a resort, go to barbados. Beautiful resorts, scenery and is relativly large in comparison to its neighbors. I loved barbados, and concider it my favorite carribean island.
-dsm
 
Puerto Rico has everything that you are looking for. I've never been there but everyone that I know that has visited has loved it. There are supposed to be some great areas to hike and excellent beaches. I've heard that Old San Juan is pretty cool too.

St. Maarten is just beaches, restaurants, and shopping. There are no hikes and very little culture (that I could see). It is cheaper to stay on the Dutch side but the French side has better food.
 
Would not recommened Barbados. Went there is 2003 on a late deal and would never go back. Got ripped of 3 times, some tried to nick my backpack with me attached to it, and got left in a taxi as the driver decided to stop at a cafe so he could get some food!

Actually the best part was the Bourne Identity style route taxi drive to Bridgetown, hell that was scary as hell at the time but looking back it was so much fun!
 
even though i say go to the caymans...

you can do some real good shopping in st. maarten. and i dont mean like gay shopping, i mean like real hi-tech stuff for cheap, and very advanced technology.

i got the 7.0 pixel nikon camera in st. maarten before it was out in the states. and for cheap :D

but i still say go to the caymans and see their reefs.. amazing
 
Wow,

A lot of great reply's and suggestions.

Thanks!

Puerto Rico is moving to the top of the list for me now...simply because it isn't just all beaches...there apparently is hikes and rainforest ect...so that will make my girlfriend happy, and me too....

To those that have been there, what do you recommend we do, stay, eat ect.

Thanks again everyone!

:D :) :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back