SUMMAGOLD

What is your favorite Caribbean Island? We are looking for something new, with fun lively nights. We've already been to Cancun, Puerto Rico and Culebra, Cozumel, Barbados, Anguilla, St. Bart's, St. Martin, Bahamas, Jamaica, and a day in Grand Cayman (on a cruise). What do you all think of Aruba? Does Grand Cayman have any nightlife? Thanks in advance.

TPAYT

Been to all. Our new favorite is Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos, but other than going out to dinner there is not much night life. Aruba does have good night life if that's what you are looking for, but the beach and restaurants can't beat Grace Bay.

Kristen1206

Anguilla....amazing beaches, phenomenal food and incredibly friendly people. Only thing lacking is the snorkeling. Close behind are Turks & Caicos and St. John.

KVR

Our favorite Islands are Cozumel, Aruba and Grand Cayman in that order. However, each offer a different vacation.

Aruba is pretty comercailized, which is one of the reasons why we like it. There are so many resturants and bars to choose from and many within walking distance of the hotels. We've enjoyed the tours of the Island, snorkeling and it has some good nightlife. Aruba is safe and transportation is very accessible. I enjoyed the shopping there more than I thought I would.

If I could afford to go to Grand Cayman more often I would. The snorkeling is the best feature. Not much of a night life and food/drinks can get expensive.

Grace Bay on Turks & Cacios has to be the one of the best. The Island is all about the water. Not much for non-water related activites, shopping or night life.

Kristen1206

KVR - I like Grand Cayman a lot too but it expensive. And Aruba is a fun island. Maybe we didn't see the right parts of Cozumel (was a cruise ship stop) but I didn't care for Cozumel too much.

KVR

Kristen1206, Yeah, Cozumel really needs to be explored on a land vacation. Of course, I'm quite bais since that is where we spent our honeymoon and our very first glimspe of any type of beach vacation which infused the addiction. We've been to Cozumel twice on cruises also and then we just did another land vacation in December. We enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, the shopping and dining center and the snorkeling. Not to mention is has to be the cheapest and easist destination to get to from our departure point. That helps alot when you just want to go some where.

kfusto

Jamaica is my favorite, and Negril my favorite area. I love the beach, the cliffs and the vibe of the island, as well as the food.

Next would be Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Martin. These are all expensive to get to and take a long time while Jamaica and Mexico are 90 minutes away.

We also like Grand Cayman but it is really pricey.

Least favorites are Aruba, St. Thomas.

SUMMAGOLD

What is the nightlife like in turks and caicos grace bay?

TPAYT

As I said above, all we did was go to the fabulous restaurants, we were not looking for anything else.

I suggest you put in another question with a Turks & Caicos heading asking about nightlife. I'm sure you'll get responses from blamona, virginia, and other TCI lovers.

Kristen1206

There isn't much nighlife in Provo but there are some fun bars. You can watch live entertainment (singers like Daniel & Nadine and Quentin) at restaurants like O'Soleil and The Sands. And there is the popular infinity bar at Grace Bay Club. There used to be a Nikki Beach Club on the island but is no longer there.

LUVvacation

I must agree with many of the other comments. Provo/Grace Bay/Turks & Caicos is my favorite place on earth. Not much in the way of sightseeing. We don't do "night life" scenes, but I don't believe the island is known for that. If you want the most beautiful water, great snorkeling, and relaxation this is the place. If you want a party atmosphere perhaps Club Med on Grace Bay would fit the bill. I think Club Meds are known as party places (I could be wrong??).

SUMMAGOLD

Thank you to everyone! You all have been so helpful. I think we will try Aruba this time around. We are looking for relaxation and then a lively bar scene at night, and I think Aruba might be our best bet. Turks and caicos definitely sounds heavenly, and will save for next year.

KVR

In Aruba try Sopranos Piano Bar, Bugaloe Pier Bar, MooMba Beach Bar, Kukoo Kunuku Bar hopping Bus, and a dinner/party cruise. Also, try the Sunday Champagne Brunch at the Hyatt.

Across the street from all the hotels lined up on Palm beach there is a shopping complex and several resturants and bars. Salt & Pepper is a good place for tapas and Sangria.

If we get lucky, we may be returning this year. Fingers crossed.

SUMMAGOLD

Thank you to everyone! You all have been so helpful. I think we will try Aruba this time around. We are looking for relaxation and then a lively bar scene at night, and I think Aruba might be our best bet. Turks and caicos definitely sounds heavenly, and will save for next year.

Kristen1206

In Aruba, don't miss El Gaucho for the best Argentinian steaks and Iguana Joes for amazing ribs and some very cool drink concoctions.

travelenthusiast

Summagold - I think you'll like Aruba. It's a very fun island and the food is pretty good too. We've been to Kukoo Kunuko and the Sopranos Piano bar and just can't say enough about how much fun had at them. Check out my Aruba trip reports for some restaurant recommendations. We loved the Manchebo Beach resort. They have a gorgeous beach and their bar stays open pretty late. Many nights we hung out there after coming home from dinner, chit chatted to the bartenders, drank and listened to fun music.

KayO416

DEFINITELY do kukoo kunuko! It was a nightlife highlight of our trip! We met a bunch of great people who we met up with later in our trip!

Also, though not a lot of people do it, rent a scooter for the day (your hotel should be able to provide you with a service for this). It was the BEST thing we did - we drove up throughout the resort area during the day and started toward the lighthouse and found some INCREDIBLE snorkeling!

Anguillagirl

I can't imagine you would want to go anywhere but Anguilla. It's the best place ever.

ljv

I have to agree with Anguillagirl...beaches,people,food are phenomenal. Some of the upscale resorts offer evening entertainment, as do some of the local bars and restaurants. wWe did some decent snorkelling on Shoal bay(fantastic beach) where you can access the reef right from the beach.

We stayed at the Malliouhana...can't say enough great things about this place!

Finally, if you really want some nightlife(or shopping), take the 20 minute ferry ride over to St. Marten

JeanH

Since you asked, my favorite island to visit in the Caribbean is Isla Providencia, off the coast of Nicaragua, but part of Colombia. Nothing but small, local hotels, a few restaurants and a couple of beach bars. It's wonderful.

My island to live on for the winter is Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize. I'll be here until April....