Hi - <BR>I am planning to spend 2+ months in the Caribbean. I would like to pick one island to make my home base and then travel from there. <BR>Additionally, I will be traveling alone. Has anyone ever done this? Any recommendations, advice,etc. would be greatly appreciated. <BR>Susan

Susan, I've travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean filming and always the American island of Puerto Rico and St. Thomas serve this purpose well. First, for air connections to other islands San Juan is no 1. For boat trips to the smaller Islands I would choose the U.S. virgin Islands. Have a great and safe time.

Do you want a Caribbean experience or a U.S. experience in the Caribbean? The US islands are completely different from the other islands. I have lived in the Caribbean for almost 30 years and think of the US islands as a poor apology for mainland USA in terms of all of the negatives and few of the positives! <BR>Every island has a diffent character and different good and bad points, but going to a US island will expose you to the least interesting characteristics of the Caribbean.

2 months in the Caribbean !! That's disgusting. <BR>Can I come along ??

Which islands are you considering?

Why not skip having a base? Travel exceptionally light. If, however, you want a base...San Juan is VERY expensive...trust me, I live there! San Juan is a Caribbean hub, though. If you stay in Puerto Rico...find a cheaper place out of the city. Or, try to share a place with others..(I would offer, but I am already sharing w/ hub and toddler!) STT would be great as it is a hub for American Eagle. Have FUN!! Be safe and aware.

<BR>That's excellent advice about traveling light! Pack just the bare essentials for toiletries & a few lightweight things that can be washed in the sink & hung to dry fast. Also, wear your most comfortable shoes! No only do you not want to be a camel, you don't want to be disappointed & have your luggage left behind (smaller planes & some boats limit baggage severely). <BR> <BR>I also agree with island hopping rather than a home base. You'll spend all your time & money going back & forth. Plus you'll do customs so many times. <BR> <BR>You might consider starting in Barbados & ferrying down through the Grenadines, spending a few days here & there. Or you could do STT, STJ & the BVI. You could do Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao -- on to Trini & Tobago. You could do the 3 Cayman Islands, Jamaica and finish up at Punta Cana, DR. <BR> <BR>Whatever you chose, at least have your arrival & final departure well planned. Being a woman alone in the Caribbean can be very challenging at times. Use your common sense. Don't draw attention to yourself. Don't flirt with local men unless you plan to follow through. <BR> <BR>Mail your purchases home before leaving each island (check for customs regulations on each). Research your destinations in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises. <BR> <BR>Hope you have lots of money. You'll need it! <BR> <BR>Bobo <BR>

Susan; I agree with traveling light, since 2 months is long time. Forget about having a base camp somewhere. There are plenty of inter-island hoppers, usually twin-engine cesna's, you could use to island hop. Also, if you stay, say, one and a half weeks at each spot, you may as well not rent hotel rooms, but a villa or cottage with kitchen. You could buy groceries at the local store and cook your own food. You learn much about different foods by doing that. You could start in Nassau, fly to a Bahamian outer island(I recommend Abaco or Exuma's Hotel Peace & Plenty), then Turks & Caicos, then Tortola(BVI), and further south to the Leeward Islands. You could e-mail and phone each island, and research eateries, grocery stores to shop at, rental car agencies, and things to do. Lucky you. Robert