chillout

I'm looking for an island in the caribbean that has something similar to Waikiki where there is a major strip full of dining and shopping options located alongside a beautiful beach.

I will be going solo, so I wouldn't want to be is an isolated resort area, but rather somewhere where I could step outside the resort on foot and find some sort of city life.

I've only been to St Kitts and Nevis in the caribbean, and there was nothing but our beautiful resort in Nevis on the beach, which was great. But on the way back we had a transit in St Martin, and I thought it seemed to be "the most happening" island in the region in terms of what I'm looking for this time around, especially with its European influence.

Any specific island/city names or hotels/resorts would be appreciated!

Thanks

Bassguy66

Thank God there are none in the Caribbean that resemble that strip in Waikiki.

Best bet for something conjested and crowded like that would be Aruba.

If Mexico is an option, maybe Acapulco.

Bassguy66

Or Cancun

Jimmie

How about San Juan?

RoamsAround

San Juan, Puerto Rico comes closest to what you described.

On St . Martin the Grand Case area has a good mix of shops and hotels but it is definitely not like Waikiki.

doug_stallings

I guess San Juan comes closest. But it's only really convenient to walk around Condado, and that beach is not my favorite. Surf tends to be rough, and the water isn't very clear. Isla Verde probably feels more like Waikiki, but not as busy and with properties further apart.

Odin

I wonder if Willemstad in Curacao might be suitable. It's nothing like Waikiki of course, but it is a real city with shops, restaurants and hotels within easy distance with nice beaches, eg the Marriott Curacao. There really isn't anywhere I can think of in the Caribbean which is like Waikiki, Cancun has shopping malls and restaurants too but has no European influence (apart from the drunk Europeans). Havana is a great city, but not for shopping nor beach but is happening, Gustavia St Barts has shopping and restaurants but it's very expensive.
I can recommend Rio though, as a beautiful city with a beautiful beach.

schmerl

Playa del Carmen Mexico has nice beaches and then the town with shops, restaurants, etc.

sharona

I think the Maho area of the Dutch side of St. Martin could work for you. There are some nice hotels, restaurants, nightlife, casinos, etc. all within a small, walkable area. I can't recommend a specific hotel as we usually stay on the French side but a lot of the Maho hotels are very nice. Some have their own private beach clubs although I'm not sure any of them are directly on the beach. As others have said there's really not a similar place to Waikiki in the Caribbean but St. Martin is definitely one of the more active islands.

genio67

I strongly agree that San Juan is a good choice and I think Condado in particular. While the beach might not be the best, the area has a lot going on and it's very close to old San Juan as well. If I was planning a solo trip and wanted to be near beach and action, I would definitely choose the Condado section of San juan.

WWK

Grand Cayman might be a decent choice. Not really a city, but 7 mile beach is located just in front of the main shopping/dining strip.

chillout

I Really appreciate the suggestions, though I'm just looking for a beach area with a nice strip of restaurants and bars and perhaps a few shops- not a big city by the sea by any means.

Are there areas like that in St Martin or the Grand Cayman perhaps?

WWK

Sounds just like Grand Cayman, as I said above. There's a beautiful long beach. Stores/restaurants/bars are just in back of it.

Odin

Dutch side of St Martin was already suggested. Philipsburg for instance. Gros Ilet/Rodney Bay area of St Lucia is near Reduit Beach which is probably the best on the island and is walking distance to bars/restaurants. Gap/St Lawrence area of Barbados too. Playa del Carmen in Mexico, also already suggested has a long beach with plenty of restaurants/shops etc close by. Several other French islands eg Martinique's Trois Illets and Guadeloupe's Ste Anne (see photos on TA) which has the most stunning beach in front of a town.

genio67

I guess it is a matter of perspective as I live in NYC, but the Condado section San Juan does not feel like a big city by the sea at all. It doesn't feel like a small town either but it does feel like a tourist area as most people you see are staying in the hotels and walking from the beach to restaurants, stores and bars.

genio67

Also, Old San Juan feels like a European village or the historical center of a small European city. It is very quaint and historical with some great restaurants and sights. Condado has good restaurants as well. However, if you are seeking something with more of an island, village vibe then San Juan is not for you.

diann24

I would cast my vote for Aruba. I like San Juan for many reason but the beach is not of them---does not feel like a Caribbean sea to me--very rough. That one strip along the beach in Aruba does remind me of Miami, or Hawaii. One hotel after another and there is a boardwalk where one can walk along the past from hotel-hotel.

There may even be a cam you can look and see for yourself.

I would avoid SXM and the Grand Case area--just my opinion

tom42

(( I like San Juan for many reason but the beach is not of them---does not feel like a Caribbean sea to me--very rough))

That's only true for condado. The surf at isla verde is pretty calm.

doug_stallings

One reason the sea in San Juan doesn't feel like the Caribbean is because it isn't. San Juan is fronted by the open Atlantic Ocean. Isla Verde is largely shielded by a bay, but that is also not the Caribbean.

diann24

Well---there ya go!! It isn't. LOL. I never actually thought about that one. Great point.