St. John is beautiful and safe with good snorkeling. You can rent a villa or stay at the Westin's villas where taxis are readily available for your older sons who cannot drive.

I haven't been, but Grand Cayman is very safe, has beautiful beaches, and the older sons can probably have some night life along 7 Mile Beach without a car or straying too far away.

Any Grand Cayman experts with a condo recommendation?

hi denette, i don't know if an all inclusive would interest you and your family, but i have friends with kids just a bit older than yours are now, who have been going to ai's on the coast south of cancun for years. the kids like it because there plenty of on site activities and there are clubs that don't even open til 10 or 11 but which don't serve booze. and of course bars that do for the older one. happy parents because the kids can party "unsupervised" - never leaving the property. i don't think there are any with kitchens but ai's have food/drinks available all day and night. maya riviera coast has tons to do: zip-lines, atv jungle tours, very good diving & snorkeling, visits to ruins, the 2 marine parks - xel-ha (smaller and a bit more laid back of the 2) and x-caret, etc. trips to all these activities can be arranged by your resort so no car necessary.
playa del carman would be fun for mom to shop.

have been to Playa already 3 yrs ago in Oct. great time of year to go
have been to St John also, left the sons at home- we have been to ST.Thomas, Jost, St. Martin, St. Barts,St. John, Turks(3), Cooper Island, Bermuda so I had some reference point on these islands-
The Turks was a great fit for them, but we have already been blessed with visits there- while we adults LOVE THE less developed islands, younger sons would be fine with it, older sons would become bored at night- why someone would complain in a heavenly environment??? - says alot about the kids this day and time, or maybe just mine- toooooo spoiled,
so need advice on where they can get
out at night that they would be safe, safe, safe
thought about St. John and am now checking Grand Cayman
any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Have you considered Aruba?
your sons would love the island, plenty to do, great nightlife, bars, casino's, beautiful calm beaches and it is one of the safer islands in the region.

lodging with kitchen ,look into Playa Linda, La Cabana or Costa Linda.

i emailed my friend who has done the ai's with her family. she replies:
" The best were: The Catalonia in Puerto Adventuras, you will love the club and the town, it is very very special……………the resort is thatched roofs and beautiful balcony/terraces with magnificent views, ocean nice, lots of things to do………….the very best

We’ve been to Iberostar in Playacar, walking distance to Playa Del Carmen, lovely, nice nice

The Bahia Principe, Tulum, or Aqumal, lovely, lovely, lovely…………………..

My strong recommendation would be the CATALONIA, Puerto Adventuras"

hope her suggestions can be of some use to you denette. and if you choose grand cayman you will probably want to be on the south end of 7 mile beach. more going on.

I could not possibly think of Aruba as a safe place. Natalie Halloway was abducted and killed on the island during her senior trip.