Holiday Trip to the Caribbean - Need advice!

Old Sep 15th, 2014, 12:09 PM
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Holiday Trip to the Caribbean - Need advice!

Hi - My husband and I, both in our mid-30's, are looking for recommendations on what island would be good to visit after Christmas 2014 for about 5 days. We're coming from the West Coast so flights may be a factor although we expect to pay top prices for this time of year. We both love the beach, having a nice pool, lively (but not crazy) atmosphere, good restaurants and food options. We're open to renting a car but would prefer not to. We're probably looking to spend between 4-5k for lodging and then whatever the flights end up being. We completely realize this is the most expensive time of year so are looking for recommendations on good islands/resorts to focus on to see what we might be able to make happen. Thanks in advance for your help!
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Old Sep 15th, 2014, 12:58 PM
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At $4,000 to $5,000 for 5 days your accommodations budget should give you a lot of nice options. Since you are coming from the west coast your travel time is going to be your biggest challenge. The flights will be long and involve at least one connecting flight if you visit one of the "bigger" islands and perhaps 2 or even three connecting flights if you pick one of the smaller islands. So, your best bet is to concentrate your search to one of the 'bigger islands" to reduce your travel time. I would pick your island first, then choose your resort.

Look at Grand Cayman, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and perhaps St. Thomas - there are lots of non-stop flights to those islands from many mid-west and east coast airports so you should be able to find plenty of "workable" connecting flights. Look at connections through Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta and especially Miami.
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Old Sep 16th, 2014, 03:30 AM
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That's a long way to go for five days, but I'll add Turks and Caicos to the list of islands above. Provo is an easy three hour flight from JFK on Jet Blue. The island has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and many top-notch restaurants, although you'll definitely need a car to get to them. Taxis are insanely expensive.

If you're serious about any of these islands, you'll need to get on it right away. Many hotels book up for the holiday period a year ahead.

Some hotels to look at on the island: West Bay Club,(one of the widest sections of beach on Grace Bay, gorgeous rooms) Gansvoort ( if you like a bit of a scene), Seven Bay Club ( in the middle of the beach), Windsong ( next to Coral Gardens, snorkeling area), The Venetian, ( beautiful, quiet, wide beach, amazing rooms, but no resort services).

Good luck!
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Old Sep 16th, 2014, 04:48 AM
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The one drawback for the T&C's is that they are pretty far north and can be cool in the winter which is when OP is planning to travel that's why I didn't mention them in my earlier response. We were there over Christmas a few years ago and it was too cold for swimming on 2 of the 7 days of our trip. If they are willing to take that risk the T&C's are a good destination since they are a shirt flight from many east coast US cities.
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Old Sep 16th, 2014, 08:16 AM
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Thank you both so much for your input! Would we encounter the chillier weather on any of the islands that RoamsAround
originally mentioned? DR, Saint Thomas, or Puerto Rico?

We're starting to look more into the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico and were wondering if there are resorts on either island that you would recommend over the others? Especially on DR - there are so many options it's hard to figure out which has the best beach, service, food options, and atmosphere.

Thank you again!
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Old Sep 16th, 2014, 11:50 AM
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We're taking our third early January trip to T&C in a few months. We've had consistently beautiful,hot weather every time, and only needed sweatshirts/light jackets for late afternoon/evening. Water temps have been hot enough to swim the whole time. I hope I haven't jinxed this trip, now that I've said that!
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Old Sep 16th, 2014, 01:09 PM
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If you want to avoid cool weather at Christmas time most savoy travelers will tell you to avoid Bermuda and any of the Bahamas and some people (including me) extend that to the T&C's since they are located just south of the Bahamas. FYI - none of these are actually in the Caribbean - they are in the Atlantic (in an area know as the Sargasso Sea)

Any of the true Caribbean islands, including DR, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico, will generally be warm in December.
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Old Sep 17th, 2014, 01:29 PM
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I just want to add something that I learned many years ago- There is a period right after New Year's that, while high season, is not so traveled. People get done with Christmas and New Year's and go back to work in the states. If you can work through that period and take off right afterwards, you will be rewarded with less crowding. ;-)
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Old Sep 17th, 2014, 02:11 PM
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Not to quibble over this too much, but we've had better weather in Turks end of December/early January than we have in some of the islands mentioned above.

And great advice above about going right after New Year's. The weather has been beautiful the last few years, and it's generally much less crowded.
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Old Sep 17th, 2014, 04:01 PM
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Go for new years! Grace Bay is soooo magical--12-15 different sets of fireworks over the water, you can see them in both directions for miles!

Weather is a funny thing--I've gone Christmas for 20 years to TCI and only 1 was bad enough to complain about.

Another of the years weather was so bad at the rest of the Caribbean that Victoria Secret and Sports illustrated both flew in from other islands to finish their shoots. (record breaking private plane landing for any airport ever!)

I've been to Virgin islands during December, anuguilla in January, etc and had horrible weather (rainy and damp and chilly for 2 weeks)

I've good weather at them too other years.

In Virginia this year, weather has been rainy and snowy until April (unusual) and chilly (30s at nit) until June.

Yet Provo this January was sunny and mid 80s, no humidity--perfect!

What's my point? Weather happens.

I'll still go to TCI every January!

8-)
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Old Sep 17th, 2014, 08:18 PM
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Thanks for everyone's replies!! TCI sounds wonderful and is definitely on our someday list. For this trip, we decided to focus on Jamaica and DR since the flight to TCI at this time of year is far more pricy from San Diego. That said, would anyone have suggestions of Jamaica vs Punta Cana? The Breathless Punta Cana vs Couples Swept Away in Jamaica? We're trying to book quickly and just aren't sure what the major differences or highlights of one place over the other might be.

Thanks again!
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Old Sep 18th, 2014, 02:09 AM
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Okay, me again.

DR has the worst restaurants in Caribbean! There I said it! Also had tummy problems for a couple if weeks after the trip, not enough for Doctor, but enough to be "uncomfortable"

DR is all about al inclusives. Most vacationers stay contained at the resorts. It can be "crazy" lively

Sounds like I'm knocking it, I had fun, think the Beavhes are pretty, but not one of my favorite destinations (I've been to about 85% of the islands)

Jamaica-- there are many Jamaica lovers on hereFir or me, again, not my favorite. Negril Beach is very pretty, food was okay to good. the scenery is beautiful, and there's some fun excursions. It definitely has a vibe.

For a first Caribbean trip, you might want to try St. john's Virgin Islands. A little bit of everything and gorgeous. But this depends if you have 5 full days from your post or wether they include flights.

If your 5 days include flights, then you really need to stick to Mexico, especially Cabos (which is fantastic by the way) as if flying is included then you'll only have 3 days in paradise. Marmona on the Mayan Coast mit work too.

For shorter days you can also try Caymans.

Other islands you'll really use up time getting there and leaving

PS back to weather, I've found that TCI compared to say, Jamaica, which is only 298 miles apart, so means only 2-3 degree average difference.

But I understand about the flights being expensive to there! It is! Having said that, your $5000 budget could include the flight and you're still staying at a gorgeous places as there's not a bad place to stay-- all resorts there are quite luxurious (and some of the best restaurants in Caribbean)

Going back to 5 days-- if not including travel, I still highly recommend St. John, VI
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Old Sep 18th, 2014, 02:13 AM
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PS my spelling and autocorrect is atrocious! How did beaches turn into Beavhes? And might into mit? And for into fir?

Ugh!
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Old Sep 18th, 2014, 04:07 AM
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I've visited Negril many,many times. COUPLES SWEPT AWAY is on a gorgeous section of Negrils' very long white sand beach. It also has tennis courts and a gym complex across the street.

But it's all-inclusive, which I don't think is necessary in Negril.There are so many small restaurants along the beach and on the cliff road (West End) that offer much better food and are reasonably priced.

Also-as you may know- Negril is about an hour away from the airport, so you need to factor that in to your decision with such a short vacation.
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Old Sep 18th, 2014, 04:13 AM
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Lastly, just wanted to mention that some people find Negril too rustic. Many hotels may not match the level of luxury and reliability that you're looking for on a short break.
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Old Sep 21st, 2014, 10:34 AM
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Do you definitely want an all-inclusive?
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