sschneck22

Help! I have been researching honeymoon destinations for months now and still cannot decide... We are interested in a tropical beach vacation traveling the last week of August and would prefer to do an all-inclusive - adults only would be even better.

We were planning to do Sandals in St. Lucia, Grenada or Barbados because we've heard they are "out of the hurricane belt". After looking into it further we found although these areas are out of the hurricane belt it rains a majority of the month.

We've started considering Aruba as its supposed to be drier but the only adults all inclusive that looked nice (Bucuti) is booked solid part of the time we would be traveling. We are open to destinations outside of the Caribbean but would like to stay in the North, Central or South America regions.

If you have traveled in August to these regions can you tell me how your trip went? Did it rain for a majority of the time?

ps I understand I will be taking a risk no matter where I choose in that area - I will purchase trip insurance but just want to know what islands have the least amount of rain and chance of hurricane.

Thank you!

KVR

We have been to many AI resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean including the Sandals Grande in St. Lucia. That resort was our 2nd worse stay. It's over priced for what you get and the service was questionable. They cater to the return guests and basically ignore everyone else. There are better resorts in St. Lucia to go with.

Though I love Aruba and love all-inclusive vacations, all-inclusive in Aruba is not worth it. There are so many really great restaurants and bars there that part of the experience is to try as many as you can.

We've been to Mexico several times in an August/September and the weather was always so questionable, we stopped going during that time. We went to Aruba in a September and it was perfect. Went to St. Lucia in a November when a hurricane was hitting. We got a lot of rain and cloudy over cast skies, but it didn't stop us from enjoying the trip. Generally, you'll never know about the weather, but the Southern Caribbean Islands sometimes you'll have a better chance with good weather.

Haven't been to Barbados because the AI resorts there are about 2 - 3 times more expensive and no where near as lux as what we can get in Mexico and Jamaica. We're saving it for a cruise stop on a future vacation.

WWK

The ABC Islands ( Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) historically have the least risk of hurricanes. That doesn't mean it can't happen though, so it's good you're purchasing trip insurance.

As KVR said, AIS are not really worth doing in Aruba. Look at some of the less expensive properties like The Holiday Inn, which was recently renovated.

KVR

I have stayed at the Holiday Inn in Aruba. It's OK for a vacation, but not for a honeymoon. Look at the Radisson. Sometimes they offer a resort credit of "X" amount of money for "X" amount of days. It's also in a great location to walk to various restaurants and bars.

In St. Lucia look at the Rendezvous resort. It's an adults only AI.

sschneck22

Thank you KVR & WWk for your advice... the reason we were mostly interested in AI is because we tend to spend most of our money vacationing on alcohol and food.. I will take a look at the places you mention above..

we aren't on a strict budget but would like to keep it under $8,000 for everything for around 8 or 9 nights.

We didn't want to be concerned with carrying around money or budgeting while on our honeymoon but it seems as though the best AI's are in regions that aren't an option for us at that time of year. Thanks again!

suze

I don't go the all-inclusive route & do drink and eat plenty. My total vacation costs for one person to Hawaii or Mexico for 1-2 weeks including air from Seattle, place to stay, all expenses come in at $1500-$2500.

The trickiest part of your question is going in August to somewhere tropical.

schmerl

Check out the Riu in Aruba. All inclusive on a great beach.

rogandgee

St. Lucia! St. Lucia! St. Lucia! That's my recommendation. Unless there is a disturbance in tbe area, which may happen occasionally, if it does rain you get an early morning quick shower and a late evening one. What's wrong with that?

It's a great romantic island with very friendly people.

travel96

What about a cruise to the Caribbean...you can visit many different destinations in one trip and cruises offer many deals...tons of entertainment on board..spas, pools, tons of restaurants...I encourage you to consider it!

WWK

We've stayed at The Radisson in Aruba many times. The standard rooms are no better in my mind than rooms at the newly renovated Holiday Inn, but cost much more. The main difference is the beach which is much nicer in front of The Radisson than in front of The Holiday Inn.

For what it's worth, I would not take a Caribbean cruise in August. I think you're taking a much higher risk for poor weather than basing yourselves the entire time in one of the historically drier islands like Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao.