looking for tropical vaca for middle age folks

Look into Mexico's Riviera Maya. Lots of wonderful resorts and local culture to absorb.

I have not been to Aruba for comparison but I am 52 so I qualify on that count! Last year my husband and I spent one night and one full day in San Juan (did old town, forts, etc) then flew a puddle hopper to Culebra. We stayed there 6 nights then spent one more night in SJ before returning home. We really enjoyed it. If I were to do it over again; however, I think I would have rented a car and gone to the rainforest then to Fajardo to take a ferry or fly from there.
We are renting a house in Eleuthera in April because we do NOT like high rises, casinos, big crowds, loud places or too many people- want to snorkel, kayak, adventure but without too much civilization. We enjoyed Riviera Maya - ruins at Tulum, Xel Ha, Puerto Moreles, Cozumel on the ferry for a day to go to Chankahaab Park- lots to do there, too. St. John, USVI was one of our favorite trips a few years ago- rented a house and jeep and went adventuring every day. Maybe one of those 3 suggestions would work for you. People on this site rave about Anguilla but I have not been yet- maybe that is somewhere to look into. You might also investigate St. Croix- I liked it also and it does have a casino now I think - good snorkeling.

Thank you all for the response. I too have heard of Anguilla being very popular along with St. John. There are just so many to choose from. My husband says "throw and dart and see where it hits" he may be right. I shall keep on plugging. We are doing our big trip to Alaska in 2010 and want 09' to be relaxing yet interesting. We are not the lie on the beach type though do for a spell on our trips just to relax.

For my DH's 50th birthday in 2005, I took him to St. Thomas with a day trip to St. John. Though very nice, we found the area a little to boring. We like more nightlife options. We've also been to Grand Cayman and Aruba. I agree with the Riviera Maya or Playa del Carmen. Lots of the things to see and do off the resort. We've been to that area several times and are returning to Cancun in April for my big 4-0. We really wanted to try Curacao, but planned too late and the airfare was completly outragous. We'll go another time. I would also suggest St. Lucia. Total opposite of Aruba, but very beautiful. We've been looking at Barbados. Seems to have the beaches plus the nightlife we're looking for.

My vote would be for St.Lucia....Beautiful green lush island...Great people. We are 49 & 50 and have been there twice and loved it!

misschris, Aruba, which enjoyed very much, is quite different from both St. John and Anguilla, which are the two islands you mentioned you are considering. Perhaps if you told us what you liked about Aruba in particular we can better guide you in our suggestions.

If it's the beaches and the restaurants that were the main attraction, perhaps you would like Anguilla and Turks & Caicos, but be aware that beyond the beach and dining room there are not a ton of activities to choose from on these islands. They both have long, white sand beaches and a more arid and rugged interior, like Aruba's.

Did you like the shopping? The nightlife? The casinos? The ease of getting around? The glitz of the high-rise hotels? If that's the case, you might like Puerto Rico or St. Martin--these places offer ample opportunities to find fun away from the beach.

Wow let me first say this is great. and thank you all. i was going nuts trying to decide until i stumbled upon fodors and found the talk forum. best way to get advice i figured. what we liked about aruba is the beaches were beautiful, not having been to the caribbean before. also low key, clean, friendly, and safe were really important. but we do like hiking, biking, boating, snorkeling, good food. we are not too worried about super duper fancy accom. we did the all inclusvie which helped keep costs down. the ease of getting around and the beach at the hotels edge was nice. we did not encounter too many young half naked people (dont need that whole scene). we took in tours of the island, ate and enjoyed a little night life, snorkeled, catamaran ride, enjoyed the beautiful weather. we are planning a huge trip to alaska in 2010 and have been through a rough few years with parents deaths and estates to deal with so we need to relax but are NOT the type to just lay on the beach all day. any help is sooooooo appreciated

Don't know your budget, but you might consider:

St.John -- Caneel Bay
Virgin Gorda -- Little Dix Bay
Nevis -- Four Seasons or Nisbet Plantation

Well they are beautiful places but that is a bit out of budget range. lets put it this way originally thought a cruise so put aside 3 thou. will have to see what the next year brings and add to it. i appreicate all this help. out sick today dont tell the boss but its been great makes me feel better just checking things out.

A cruise sounds like a good bet. That's how to find out about the Caribbean. It is like checking into one luxury hotel and having the hotel move you about. It's almost an all inclusive and will take you from island to island. If you are leaning toward Cayman and the Mex. Riviera a Western itinerary would work for you. The Southern routes are usually St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada... and the Northern routes are the British and USVI. The Caribbean is so divergent. Atolls like Grand Cayman or Aruba and volcanic islands like St. Lucia and St. Kitts and mini-continents like Puerto Rico. Choose your ship carefully. Have your travel agent scope out the age of the travelers and the party atmosphere of the cruise. NCL, Celebrity cruises might fit your criteria better than Carnival.

That was my first thought actually for that reason. just feel like i might be missing out on something if i dont stay ON the island. my husband actually likes to cruise he has only been on one and that was us virgin islands and myself to canada and this april to bahamas. it is his 50th bday gift and i should really consider that i guess. i suppose if we truley like a place we can alwasy go back. besides alaska we will do hawaii for 10 or so days on the island not a cruise. so much to think about. thanks

I think you should take a look at staying at one of the condo resorts on Provo in Turks & Caicos or in Grand Cayman, as I think both of those options would give you a lot of what you liked about Aruba. I don't know much about the condos on Grand Cayman, so I'll leave those recommendations to other folks, but on Provo take a look at the Sands, Ocean Club, and Alexandra. All will provide a stunning beach and kitchen facilities, which means you can save lots of money by eating breakfast at "home" each morning and keeping snacks on hand in the fridge, and drinks, too, saving your money for nice dinners out and excursions around the island.

In reading your responses to some of the suggestions and looking again at what you said you liked to do as well as budgets, have you considered Culebra or Vieques? We spent 9 days in PR last year- a day in SJ then to Culebra then back to SJ and it was wondeful. We are your age and seem to like the same things. Take a look at some pictures and information and see if that would be an idea- safe, friendly, reasonable, low key and very beautiful. If you want more info, just ask.
Ann

OOPs- sorry, already suggested that for no response. I guess middle age has set in indeed!

Let me tell you about middle age. I am 47 this May and this week feel like 107. I am keeping a running list of all the places people suggest. this is the best, to be able to chat and get ideas. People really like PR I was so leary of going. You hear one or two horror stories and your head is all wrapped around that. today is sat and i am home allllllll day not moving going back on the forum. good thing i dont have little kids anymore and hubby knows how to cook LOL

We are now 60, but have been going to the Caribbean for 17 years, so we have hit alot of islands.

Our favorites:
St. John, you can rent a condo to keep costs down.
Barbados, St. Bart's, wonderful, but probably too expensive. Anything in the lower Caribbean will be because the flights are high now.

Dominican Republic has good prices, and Punta Cana was one of the prettiest beaches we've seen. Downside--we all got sick.

Anguilla, Shoal Bay West, was also one of our favorites. Shoal Bay Villas are right on the sand, and the prices come down the beginning of April. sbvillas.ai

Also check "Vacations to go" and "apple vacations" for good prices.

As far as cruises, "Windstar Cruises" are wonderful. 2 smaller(150 passengers) and 1 larger (325 passengers) ships. You can get good prices 90 days or less before on Vacations to go or other cruise discounters. The sailing is great and the food outstanding.

Have fun making your decision!

Why thank you. St John seems to be the place to go a lot of people have written in on that.

ishkribbl, we are also renting a house on eleuthera in april. where will you be staying. we will be on ten bay. hope you have a great time. deb & mark

Hey Deb- we will be in the N. Palmetto Point area April 12-19- we have been to many places in the out islands but this is a first for Eleuthera. Will you be there at the same time? I was so torn between the Atlantic and "Caribbean" side- the "Caribbean" was much more to my nature but I was worried about mosquitoes/gnats ( we live where they can carry you off in the summer and had read lots about it- I think I should have ignored it) The write up in the NY Times (or similar) about Bahama Villa on Ten Bay was what attracted me to Eleuthera in the first place. Hope you have a great trip, too. If you will be there the same week, let me know- we can trade "house tours" for future reference! Ann

Hi Ann, We will be there april 8-22. If you are in N. Palmetto you are on the atlantic side? at ten bay we are on the sound side. Yes it would be interesting to share house tours, how could we get in touch. We (BF & I) will be spending our 50th BD's and like you don't like the crowds. Also our first time, hope we love it as much as i've heard others do. We are from wisconsin and from the weather we have had of late i am so looking forward to it. Deb

Deb- wow- lucky you with 2 weeks. You can email me at ishkrbbl@comcast.net before you go and I can give you a (house) location/directions in Eleuthera and cell phone number so maybe you might want to stop by one day when you are out exploring the island. See if you can make the next 8 weeks go by fast, ok? Happy Birthday- I had that one a couple of years ago but my husband is not there yet so we are all in the same ballpark, I think.
Ann and David
PS The Ish is spelled differently on comcast- see above - no "I"

My husband and I went to Costa Rica with our son, his wife and 7 mo. baby. It was BEAUTIFUL! We stayed in two areas in the same wonderful hotel/resort called Xandari. The 1st was in the hills about 20 minutes from the San Jose airport. The 2nd was at the beach - don't remember which coast but it's on their web site. The 2nd place is close to the Antonio Manuele Park as well as other lovely places to explore. The beach that the hotel is on is the most beautiful beach I have EVER seen - I'm from SF and have seen many beaches! The Xandari resorts are exceptional. Each room is it's own little villa with patio and tiny garden. The public area are open air as in most tropical resorts, and either look out on views of towns and valleys or as in the case of Xandari at the beach, on the magnificent palm lined beach that one cannot see the beginning or end of. The resorts also have very nice spas with all the services and, of course swimming pools that feel natural as the designs and positiions of the pools are carefully thought out...in fact these resorts are super invironmentally conscienscios which makes your stay even more enjoyable.
My vote is COSTA RICA - Xandari resrots.

Check out Isla Holbox Mexico - it's a little adventuresome getting there but for us it was well worth the effort.

I am going to Nicaragua next week. Will be staying on the Pacific side, but have friends who stayed on Corn Island on the Caribbean ... all extremely affordable ...

I would suggest the Nicoyan Peninsula in Costa Rica which is so layed back. We have stayed in Tambor three times and rented a house on the ocean inside the Tango Mar Resort. There are two hotels I would suggest. The first is Tambor Tropical http://www.tambortropical.com/
which couldn't be more private (if you don't mind having no air-they will provide a fan). As information, this is a collection of 5 cabanas surrounding a pool which was featured on TV series "Temptation Island." The second is Tango Mar Resort http://www.tangomar.com/ which sits on the beautiful Pacific Ocean and is very private as well. From either of these two you can go zip-lining at Montezuma; horseback riding on the beach; take a boat from Tambor Marina to Tortuga Island for snorkling; visit Montezuma a quaint little hippie town that has some great dirt floor restuarants; go deep sea fishing; visit nature preserves; hike; just swim in your pool or the ocean; or just lay in a hammock! If this interests you, I'd be happy to give you more details. If you go to TripAdvisor and search for Tambor Tropical I have posted pictures. As information, I am in my 50's as well and have been to Tambor with family and friends three times and plan to return. It's easy to fly into San Jose and you can get a taxi to take you to Puntearenas where you board a ferry to Jicaral and they will take you all the way to your hotel; or you can board Nature or Sansa Air for the 30 minute flight to Tambor. Tambor is both beautiful and private but still has plenty to do. Try it, you'll love it.

Wow thanks for all the info. all sounds so wonderful