I'm researching a late-March or early-April trip for my husband and myself from the Washington, D.C. area to the Caribbean. I think I've decided upon St. John based on my priorities (below), but I'd love to hear what other people with experience with Caribbean travel have to say. I've never been.
I've been scouring the web, reading strings of conversations on sites like Fodors, and checking out homeaway.com. But I was wondering if anyone out there has a specific condo, hotel, area on the island to recommend based on our priorities. I'm also completely open to ideas of other places in the Caribbean all together, but most signs so far have pointed to St. John.
Our priorities are, in this order:
1. Good, off-beach snorkeling;
2. A sandy beach;
3. A few good to great restaurants/bars we could walk to;
4. Some decent nightlife--though not packed, touristy madness; and
5. Some decent hiking.
We open to staying at a hotel, but might prefer a condo (grilling, kitchen, cooking with some of the local ingredients).
I'm capped at about $2500/week.
Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your advice!
Trip tips for off-beach snorkeling, sand, restaurants, some nightlife?
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In my experiences I have found Curacao tobe the best island for snorkeling. Although most of the beaches doesnot have long sandy beaches but I like them the way they are. I would suggest Kura Hulanda Lodge Resort. It has all the requirements you mentioned except for a decent nightlife. It gets pretty quiet around there during the night. But still it is close to most awesome beaches, some good restaurants and you could hike Chritofer Berg. The Marriot Curacao would also be a decent option closer to town.
St John is indeed a very good fit for your listed wants. STJ is villa-centric and there aren't many on the water. Most offer stunning views from hillside perches, but you probably already know that.
I can't imagine a wider variety of awesome shore snorkeling from the many gorgeous beaches. Hiking throughout the National Park that cover 2/3 of the island.
STJ is pretty much a drive around island, but that's how you access the variety. Restaurants and nightlife won't be walkable unless you're staying right in Cruz Bay which you won't likely want to do.
You'll do fine for under $2500
st. John comes closest to your criteria.