settosail

Help Decide.... We are a family with young children and are thinking of traveling over the holidays next year to one of the caribbean islands. We enjoy just relaxing on the beach and renting a car to explore. Do not want a all inclusive resort. Not quite sure what our budget is but looking for a place that is at least $400 and under per night.

Suggestions?? We have been to St. John before and enjoyed it very much. Did not stay on the island as we stayed in St. Thomas. Looking for a place that has a swimable beach for young kids and not necessary has to be a place on the beach. Any ideas or opinions would be great. I realize that it's the most expensive time to travel during the holidays over to the caribbean but we will see what we come up with.

blamona

Do you mean Christmas holidays? How many persons?

If yes, $400 or lower won't get you anywhere but Mexico and Dominican Republic (I'm assuming 4 total?)

If you can stretch it a bit check out Ocean Club Resort in Turks and caicos

shawnmichaels80

Do you know about West coast in Barbados, it could have been a nice addition. This pristine beach island flaunts great natural beauty, from the wonder of underground caves to the beautiful vistas and the tropical colours of flora found across the island! Believe me you will love this place (and its people).

settosail

Barbados is actually a destination we are looking at. Any suggestions on where to stay? Not sure of a budget yet. We have enjoyed staying at a resorts but we found that we are more into exploring places than just laying by a pool all day. Looking into possibilities of rental places but not sure what sites to look at for those besides VBRO or FlipKey. Any suggestions where people with young kids have stayed before would be helpful. We are open to suggestions. Also, want a place that we feel safe to come home to after dark if we are out later. Not that anywhere is completely safe and always be aware of your surroundings but is there a specific area of Barbados that is not safe to stay?
Thanks for all input.

OrhidejaH

I stayed in Time out hotel near Dover beach ad st. Lawrence gap and it was great. I even wrote my travel blog about my awesome holidays in Barbados:

http://www.ilovejourneys.com/barbados/

xyz99

We always rent, and used successfully VRBO and FlipKey for St.John, Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, Bonaire, Curacao. I think $400/night can take you to any island if you rent a 1-2 BR villa, or a condo. We never exceeded this amount, but I realize prices go up every year. Good luck!

settosail

Thanks for all the advice. I do have my heart set on Barbados now by the information I have looked up. It looks to be everything we are looking for in a vacation. We do realize that over christmastime is going to be the most expensive time but would like to go right after Christmas of next year if we can get our ducks all lined up. Just not sure if we are more into renting a condo or villa or hotel. We won't really be spending alot of time at a resort but in a way I think having more people around is a security blanket especially with kids. Advice is always helpful.
thanks again

Delishbajansauce

Happy New Year!,

I would say go for Barbados. IT may take a little doing research to find the perfect affordable property that meets your comfort level, but it can be done. The island has vacation options wide and far but it is good to search early because most travellers during the busy Holiday season are looking for their perfect combination of Vacation property.


All the best and good luck.

janerb

Our family of four went to Barbados a few years ago and had one of the best vacations of our lives. The island was beautiful and the people friendly. We stayed at the White Sands Beach Villas which was part of the reason why our stay was so awesome. These condos are right on one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. There is great swimming right from the condos. There is also a nice small pool there which the kids enjoyed. We rented a car and explored St. Nicholas Abbey, did a day tour where we went to the caves, snorkeled with turtles and went to the zoo. We could walk to many restaurants in the evening at the Gap. There was a small grocery store across the street from the condos.

diann24

janerb who did you rent a car from? What company? We are headed to Barbados in early February and I have been undecided about a car. Just my DH and myself. Thanks glad you had a wonderful time.

kumabear

I love Barbados, we are going back this spring with our two kids, this is where we are staying, looks great and excellent reviews....
its called The Cottage at Buchanan, found it on airbnb, check it out...
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2434392...uests=4&s=yso3

Delishbajansauce

If it is not to late, a good resource for finding lovely properties to rent is Home Away .com.

Also based on your information for safe swimming , somewhere on the west coast of the island would be ideal.

diann24

I just returned last week from Barbados. We stayed Bougainvillea Beach Resort. The staff are wonderful and the place is spotless. Very nice place but the water was rough. It is close to St. Lawrence Gap and Olsteins. I am sorry to say in an entire week I never had a great meal. I found the food to be less than tolerable. The island is pretty, the people very friendly, and from a geographic turn point it has a lot of variety. If food is not important, then it is nice but I would stay more on the West side where the water is calmer. Driving is on the left with wheel on the right. We toured and did Taxis. Time out in Dover is right down from where we staeyed. Again a rather rough ocean.

Sassafrass

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