kdqe44

My husband and I are taking our kids (ages 3 and 8) to the caribbean this January. Does anyone have any suggestions? I lived on St. John for a number of years but haven't been back to the islands in over 10 years - and never with kids. We like to swim and hike and explore. The thought of going to some place like Beaches makes me ill. We are flying from Boston and will be staying 6 nights. I'd like to keep the per-night cost to under $400 per night. Has anyone taken kids to some of the under-the-radar islands? Guadaloupe? Dominica? Martinque? I should say I'm not oposed to a large resort - just not something so commercial as Beaches or Sandals, etc.

Any suggestions are great!

lovethecape

Where you go might be influenced by your children's tolerance for travelling. Puerto Rico is a quick flight from Boston. We stayed at El Conquistador which is not on a beach but has a private island. You might prefer the Wyndam Rio Mar because it is on a beach. Both are near El Junque rainforest. Old San Juan is historic and fun to explore.

St. Kitts and Nevis is a short connection from San Juan on American Airlines. We stayed at the Marriott (big, new, very nice) on St. Kitts but there are smaller more intimate inns and plantations. The island is very undeveloped and beautiful with fields of sugar cane, a rainforest and a volcano. You might prefer Nevis which we really didn't have a chance to explore but many posters love. Perhaps someone can give you advice onthis island?

Good luck. Hopefully, you'll get more suggestions.

beachbum2

Have you considered Mexico? It's an easy flight to Cancun and easy drive to Playa del Carmen or less commercialized Tulum. There are ruins, cenotes, ziplines, etc. The local food is great and there are plenty of places to stay in either location. We are heading to Isla Mujeres (a small island off cancun with our kids for Easter break this year. That could be an option, but you won't have as many activities there. Mexico is a great place to take kids.

SAnParis

PR is a great destination for/with kids. If you want to get off the beaten track, we've gone to Montserrat the past couple of years & the kids love it there as do we (they are 5 & 2).

SAnParis

But...there are NO resorts.

TomCayman

"the thought of going to some place like Beaches makes me ill"

LOL !

Here in Grand Cayman we don't have any all-inclusives, but plenty of places with lovely beachfront 2BD condos that woudl suit your family very well... but US$400 per night for a nice condo is a tough ask in Winter season, although in January you might be able to get something as it is really still a "shoulder season".

ejcrowe

Is your $400/night budget just for the room, or is that for food, activities, room, etc?

Oualie Beach Hotel on Nevis gets raves for family travel in small resort setting. Nevis is beautiful and offers lots of opportunities for exploration with kids.

You could fly nonstop to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and then drive down to the Treasure Beach area, a real gem of a place. go to www.treasurebeach.net to see this wonderful community--it's an area driven more by fishing villages and sustainable tourism than resorts and a very nice off the beaten path experience. Perfect for exporing with kids. www.jamaicaescapes.com is a good website for finding a nice villa, fully staffed with folks who will take care of you during your stay.

If you don't have to be beachfront, you old stomping grounds on St. John would also be great with kids.

For a little more than $400/night, you could get one of the self catering cottages at www.longbayhotel.com on Antigua, where the room rates include breakfast, dinner, taxes and service charge. It's on a great beach for kids--white sand, calm water, pretty good snorkeling off shore. The staff there are wonderful and it's one of the last family run inns on the island. I've been there many times, once with kids, and it was a big favorite with them. You could get one of the cottages, which has a full kitchen, good for keeping leftovers from dinner or just keeping snacks and juices on hand for the kids at all times. This place is definitely old-style Caribbean and I love it.

kdqe44

Thanks to everyone for the ideas and suggestions. Our budget for $400 per night is for lodging only. I'm going to check out some of the suggested lodgings. I'm getting excited to book something. This forum is great - thanks again.

doug_stallings

For that kind of money, I'd definitely rent a condo or villa. Your funds will get you a lot more, and you'll save on expensive restaurant meals. St. John would be a great destination for that if you want to return.

There's a lot for older kids in Dominica, but I don't know about a 3-year-old. The bit draw is some great hiking and diving (but also whale-watching). Anyway, I'm not sure if this is a good idea for such a young child.

Grand Cayman is an excellent suggestion, though not off the beaten track.

The important thing is that you should look for places you can fly to nonstop from Boston. With 2 kids, I think that's very important.