amsta06

I am going on a trip with my girl-friend in June/july. We want to go to somewhere close (less than 4hr flight from Atlanta) and inexpensive. Only requirements are calm water & nice sand. This will be our first trip back since we both had our kids and we are leaving the husbands at home. We just need peace & quiet and maybe lots of rum. Any suggestions on where we can go to just do nothing other than sit on a beach? Here is where I have been- TCI, BVI's, St Thomas, St Martin and Jamiaca. Not interested in nightlife or gambling. Just sun and much needed sleep! We also don't want to have to worry about renting a car to get to resturants. Thanks!

doug_stallings

You need to look for islands that are on a nonstop route on Delta Airlines from Atlanta. Those will give you the best chance of meeting the four-hour window you've set. But you should be able to go to almost any major island in that time period. Don't neglect Cancun or Cozumel in your search, either.

I'm not sure what "inexpensive" means to you. The cheapest places in the Caribbean would be the Yucatan in Mexico or the Dominican Republic. There are some small inns in Negril that are relatively cheap and that would give you plenty of quiet and rum.

If you are willing to consider an all-inclusive resort, then the D.R. or Cozumel would be the best choices. Aruba also has some nice small hotels, but it's not usually as cheap as Mexico or the D.R. There are also some relatively inexpensive options in The Gap in Barbados that allow you to walk to restaurants, and it's easy to book tours if you want to see the island, though Barbados is generally a fairly expensive island.

The only places I would steer you away from would be Puerto Rico (not quiet and very difficult to do without a car---even on Vieques or Culebra), and St. Maarten (really impossible to do without a car unless you want to stay at the Great Bay Beach Resort).

Knowing

It sounds like you love just sitting on a beach with cocktails. I would suggest Aruba because your interest in lingering around the water is so high. The sea there really is idyllic. I don't know that you will be absolutely delighted with the choice of restaurants, but you have the opportunity to not need to rent a car to dine at many of them.

KVR

Arua is a great Island to relax and chill on a nice beach. Hotels on Palm Beach are within walking distance to many restaurants and bars in all price ranges. The local bus is cheap, easily and very convenient. You can go downtown for additional restaurants or use a taxi.

Turks & Caicos is also a great choice if you want to do nothing but rest and relax on a great beach. However, I didn't much care for the restaurants there as much as Aruba and I would definatley want to rent a car.

Grand Cayman is a good choice also. Great beach. Food and drinks more expensive than other destinations. We found the van/bus system good to get into Georgtown from 7 Mile Beach for dining or there are many condos with kitchens available.

Cozumel is a good choice also. We go AI there and enjoy it for the unlimited drinks and you can wander off and try some local restaurants and bars. For a total beach day, go to Chanknaab Park. Great area and they have waitstaff that will bring you food and drinks. Prices are very good. The best shrimp cervich I've ever had.

beachbum2

I did a girlfriend's trip last year to Playa del Carmen and we loved it. We stayed at the Royal Playa del Carmen which was a great AI within walking distance to everything. There are also lots of other hotels in the area if you want to experience more local food. La Tortuga is one we are considering this year..yes, we liked it so much that we are returning. Very fun town, safe, nice beaches.

ishkribbl

www.isla-mujeres.net for information about Isla- inexpensive, safe, laid back and not hard to get to- fly to Cancun, taxi to ferry then ferry to island. You can walk to restaurants and bars. Look at accommodations section on the website listed above. You will love it.

amsta06

I've narrowed it down to the folowing based on shortest flight (non-stop)from atl- Bahamas, Jamaica, Cancun & Cozumel. Which one has the best beach (calm water)? We are going to go AI so any recommendation for a good one that does not cater to couples?

Knowing

I think you deserve someplace a little better than the Bahama's, so I would go with Jamaica. The Riu Tropical is an AI where you don't have to be a couple. When you call the hotel to make reservations, make sure to request a top floor. They are located on the best beach along Bloody Bay.

doug_stallings

All of these destinations have some excellent beaches, but the Bahamas is many different islands, and Nassau is not my favorite (cheapest option would be the Comfort Suites on Paradise Island, which gives you access to Atlantis facilities without having to pay Atlantis prices). I think the beaches in Freeport are idyllic and might be nicer for a short trip.

In Jamaica, I'd recommend Negril, but please avoid the giant Riu resorts, which are the cheapest options there; these are just not very good and tend to be very crowded. Not what you want. There's a cheap, though very small, AI called Negril Gardens, but make sure you stay on the beachside (rooms are pretty basic but acceptable). At these prices, you can also afford to go out for a meal and not feel cheated. But AI is not the best option in Negril. MoBay is harder to find a good recommendation that's not either really expensive, couples-only, or too family-oriented (that's also an AI).

I can't recommend specific places in Cancun or Cozumel, but I'm sure other posters can. Just watch out because many hotels are big with families or singles, and I don't think either is the scene you want. Cozumel is typically more tranquil than Cancun.

Yaman

Hello Amsta06... Check out Snadals Negril in Jamaica. They have resturants right on the property so no car is needed. The seven mile beach is the best ! If you stay at Sandals you can also visit there sister resorts (Couples) on your walk along the beach. We would walk down to Jimmy Buffets everyday, it's about two miles each way. This is when you can stop in for a drink or the restroom at these other resorts. The water is calm and the beach is wonderful. If you don't care to walk each day the beach right at Sandals is very nice. Good Luck with finding something.