Safe for Family
Apr 18th, 2015, 06:23 PM
#1
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Safe for Family
I'm looking at taking my family (2 boys 17 and 7) with my wife and I on a Caribbean vacation. We have looked at the USVI, Antigua, Bahamas and Grand Cayman. My wife is worried about the rise of crime and I just want a safe place where my family can enjoy the Caribbean sea, snorkling and other activities with some good local foods. What would be my best bet?
Apr 19th, 2015, 04:32 AM
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First, if you use common sense most Caribbean Islands are safe for tourists. The Caribbean is not a "hot bed of crime" with pirates and buccaneers running rampant. Now, of the islands you mentioned, Grand Cayman is considered "very safe", as are many of the Out-islands in the Bahamas (the bigger islands in that chain like Nassau, Grand Bahama, Freeport, etc., are much more populated so, like anywhere else statically there are higher crime rates. Most crime is committed by locals against locals. The thing is, tens of thousands of tourist visit those islands (and many others) every week without incident. So you just have to be aware of your surroundings and you should be just fine.
Second, you'll find the Caribbean Sea, good local food and activities on all the islands you listed so using those criteria won't actually help narrow down your choices. Please note the "Bahamas" are technically not in the Caribbean but in a part of the Atlantic know as the Sargasso Sea - still you'll find some wonderful calm clear waters so they are a very popular vacation destination.
That leaves, snorkeling - Grand Cayman has some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. In the USV's St. John has the better snorkeling followed by St. Croix and finally St. Thomas. You don't say where in the Bahamas you are considering (there are over 800 islands and cays in the chain) so it's difficult to advise you but generally speaking the better snorkeling can be found around the Out-islands vs. the main islands like Nassau or Grand Bahamas, etc. Of the islands on your list Antigua has the poorest snorkeling.
It would help if you could tell us what time of year you are planning to travel as it could have an affect on the recommendations - for example the Bahamas are fairly far north and can be cool in the winter months while late August through the end of October is the height of hurricane season in the Caribbean and may not be the best time to travel. Also, mid-December through Easter is peak travel time and you'll experience some of the highest room rates of the year.
Where are you traveling from and how long a trip are you planning?
What type of budget do you have?
Without more info from you it's difficult to give you specifics but from what you've written Grand Cayman would be my first choice so you might want to concentrate your research to that island.
Second, you'll find the Caribbean Sea, good local food and activities on all the islands you listed so using those criteria won't actually help narrow down your choices. Please note the "Bahamas" are technically not in the Caribbean but in a part of the Atlantic know as the Sargasso Sea - still you'll find some wonderful calm clear waters so they are a very popular vacation destination.
That leaves, snorkeling - Grand Cayman has some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. In the USV's St. John has the better snorkeling followed by St. Croix and finally St. Thomas. You don't say where in the Bahamas you are considering (there are over 800 islands and cays in the chain) so it's difficult to advise you but generally speaking the better snorkeling can be found around the Out-islands vs. the main islands like Nassau or Grand Bahamas, etc. Of the islands on your list Antigua has the poorest snorkeling.
It would help if you could tell us what time of year you are planning to travel as it could have an affect on the recommendations - for example the Bahamas are fairly far north and can be cool in the winter months while late August through the end of October is the height of hurricane season in the Caribbean and may not be the best time to travel. Also, mid-December through Easter is peak travel time and you'll experience some of the highest room rates of the year.
Where are you traveling from and how long a trip are you planning?
What type of budget do you have?
Without more info from you it's difficult to give you specifics but from what you've written Grand Cayman would be my first choice so you might want to concentrate your research to that island.
Apr 21st, 2015, 06:47 AM
#5
Grand Cayman is a very safe, laid back island with beautiful water and beaches. We traveled with our children there and never felt unsafe. The food was very good and the people were very friendly.
We stayed in a hotel on 7 mile beach, but there were many condo complexes along 7 mile beach.
We stayed in a hotel on 7 mile beach, but there were many condo complexes along 7 mile beach.
May 29th, 2015, 09:46 AM
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"Safe islands" an snorkeling
Grand Cayman - lots of villas in that price range
Turks and Caicos
Isla Mujeres, Mexico..ferry boat ride from Cancun
All have beautiful beaches and are fairly quiet, Isla is the liveliest and the cheapest for food and drink
Grace Bay, North Caicos is one ten most beuatiful beaches in the world
Grand Cayman and T&C cost about the same for food and drink
Grand Cayman - lots of villas in that price range
Turks and Caicos
Isla Mujeres, Mexico..ferry boat ride from Cancun
All have beautiful beaches and are fairly quiet, Isla is the liveliest and the cheapest for food and drink
Grace Bay, North Caicos is one ten most beuatiful beaches in the world
Grand Cayman and T&C cost about the same for food and drink
