cmk1215

My husband and I only have a few nights away so we are trying to plan a trip to the Caribbean. My first choice is Costa Rica but I just don't think we have enough time this year. I really am not a huge fan of the big all inclusive resorts or the shorelines of resort after resort. I know if we want to make the most of our trip and not spend a fortune that is what we will need to do. I don't want to spend half of the trip traveling. We are coming from Chicago.

Any islands to focus on that are not crazy touristy/over populated but still "easy" to get to?

WoinParis

I like the 'french' islands - they are not that touristy (yet) but well developed.

Guadeloupe (but don't speak French there), St Martin (french side). I'm due to go to Martinique and St Barth soon.

schmerl

What time of the year are you going? If it's not in the winter, you might want to look into some of the out islands of the Bahamas.

jacketwatch

Consider PR's "out islands" Vieques or Culebra. I too am in Chicago so it's about 5 hrs. to San Juan and a short hop there.

Bonaire is less touristy than its more well know sister islands like Aruba and Curaçao but it is further away.

Also consider Mexicos Isla Mujeres. It's off the coast of Cancun but is much quieter and less touristy. People I know who have gone there like it for its quietness.

Cheers, Larry. .

RoamsAround

How long is "a few nights"? The answer will probably be the major factor in deciding which destination is best. For example, from Chicago it's going to take you at least 4 to 5 hours flying time to reach the "closest" destinations in the Caribbean that you can reach non-stop and many places will require connecting flights and/or ferries making your overall flight & travel times much longer. So for all practical purposes with the time it takes to getting to/from the airport, waiting time in the airport and actual flying time you are going to spend at least 6 to 8 hours getting from "home" to your final destination and a similar amount of time getting back. That assumes you choose a destination you can reach non-stop from Chicago. If you need connecting flights and/or ferries to reach your destination that could add anywhere from 1 to 5 hours to your travel time or maybe even require an overnight stop.

Also, define in terms of an actual dollar amount what you mean by "not cost a fortune"? What's a "fortune" for you might be chump change for others.

You are going to have to make some concessions since you want a destination that is: 1) Easy to reach, 2) Not "touristy" and rather secluded and 3) Relatively low priced.

Quite honestly that's a very difficult task as those specifics tend to be mutually exclusive. Islands that are easy to reach are by definition the ones that are more crowded and get the largest number of tourists. They have the most hotels/resorts and thus "competition" which leads to lower prices. The more secluded the resort is the higher prices you'll pay. And the more secluded a place is the more difficult and time consuming it will be to reach.

For a short duration trip you are probably going to have to forego the "secluded non-touristy" destinations unless you are willing to trade "more time getting there" for "more time being there".

Now, all that doesn't mean you can't stay in a smaller boutique hotel/resort in a more crowded destination. Doing so will give you the illusion of being secluded even though you'll be in an area where there will be plenty of other tourists. The trade off is the boutique hotels often cost more that the more crowded full service high-rise resorts.

jacketwatch

Just to give you an idea I popped in a trip from Chicago to Isla Mujeres Dec. 1 to return Dec. 6. Found a very reasonable flight and total was about $1500.00 for two at what is called a 4* hotel the Privilege Aluxes Isla Mujeres and comes with daily breakfast. Found this on Expedia.

Good luck!

Larry. .

suze

Negril Jamaica is very laid back. Lots of nice choices for lodging either on the 7 mile beach or up on "The Cliffs". You fly into Montego Bay and take a shuttle (90 mins.) out to Negril.
www.negrilonestop.com