We are a couple in their late thirties looking to book a last minute beach vacation in August. Looked into Curacao since it's one of the islands outside of the Hurricane Zone, but more drawn to Mexico b/c it'll feel like more of a getaway (though I know that Cancun will be pretty commercial rather than have a "true" Mexican feel, but we're short on days.) To give you a sense of what we're looking for, a couple of beach locations we've enjoyed in the past few years are the Amalfi Coast, Capetown, St. John's/Jost van Dyke ....

So three questions for you Mexico/Caribbean experts:

1. Which destination will be more bearable in August - avg high temperature for the month seem to hover in the lowe 90s which isn't any worse than NYC in August, but other postings say it's unbearably hot....
2. Which has prettier beaches and better water sports? and
3. We'd also like a spot with some charm and some good casual restaurants - not into the club scene but a few fun outdoor beach bars to hang out in for some drinks would be a definite plus.

Any suggestions on these or other spots for August welcome!

PS we're not too keen on all inclusives. thanks

I would suggest looking into Playa del Carmen. You would still fly into Cancun. It's not nearly as commercial as Cancun. Great little restaurants and bars, etc.
Some of the smaller boutique places are Playa Maya and Tortuga. Check out reviews on trip advisor for htoels in Playa del Carmen.
Also check out
http://mybeachboard.com/smf/index.php and locogringo.com

We really enjoyed Shangri La Caribe in Playa Del Carmen but we were there early April and it was really hot so wouldn't want to go in August. We've also been to Curacao and really liked it, unlike other islands it was not Americanized so it really felt like a getaway, it's a great european/ caribbean mix, wonderful snorkeling, interesting history, pretty cove-like beaches, great restaurants. The Marriott there is a smaller, low-rise hotel, much nicer in my opinion than the Marriotts on other islands. We're going back next March and splitting our time between the Marriott and the Kura Hulanda Lodge and Beach Club. I did not care for the beach right in downtown Playa Del Carmen -- it's really getting crowded and built up. However, the beach at the Shangri La is nicer but all in all, for August, I would choose Curacao, it will have lower temperatures with a breeze.

Many thanks - looking into Playa as the likely option if we do Mexico. For the Carribbean option, of the ABC islands, is Curacao the right one to explore?given what we're looking for (ie is it nice beaches, a few casual outdoor restaurants/bars etc? or is it more of a built-up casino resort?

of the ABC islands, I think the best one is Aruba.
It has the nicest beaches, better restaurants and is more tourist oriented.
Curacao is nice but it is more commercialized and the beaches are not as nice as Aruba's, IMHO.
The town of Willemstaad in Curacao is a wonder to behold with all the colorful charming Dutch houses.
but for beaches, eating, and fun, go to Aruba.

Though warm Curacao, like Aruba is quite breezy so you will feel a bit more relieved in that sense. There are some nice beaches in Curacao but Aruba gets the nod by far in this area. As for restaurants both A + C are good though Aruba is more developed and thus has more variety. Though we have not been there in a while Aruba was and I think still is far more commercialized than Curacao. Both have very good shopping too. Cheers, Larry

I think Barbara 1 is mixing the islands up. One thing Curacao in NOT is commercialized. I would say Aruba is a bit Honky Tonk. It is true that overall the beaches in aAruba are nicer but with a car you can drive to the WEST END for 6-7 lovely bays with quiet beaches that offer very good snorkeling which is not available in Aruba. While the number of restaurants are fewer in Cuacao there are 6-7 good to very good dinner places ranging from $35-$60/person with a modest bottle of wine.If interested search on this site for Curacao and you will see my suggestions and those of a number of other travelers.The water sports are limited unless you stayat the Marriott a low rise facility not a sprawling resort. The island has it's charm in the main town and as mentioned the quaint Dutch homes and offices that are 75-100 yrs. old in very good condition. Neither island has much vegetation and you are correct the ABC's are out of the Hurricane Belt though they were hit with 2 major ones in past 9-10 years but no evidence to us in our 4 visits over the the past 4 1/2 yrs.Night clubs is limited. I guess there are 5-6 "real" ones but the only one we went to was Avalon but that is after 11.

no, I am not mixing the islands up. when I say commercialized I should have said industrialized. It is a large busy island and other than visiting Willemstaad which is glorious, I am not so impressed with Curacao as a vacation destination.
I know both islands very well as I live in the Netherlands Antilles.
Aruba can be honky tonk, yes, and the West End of Curacao does have nice beaches but I think if the original poster wants a beach vacation then Aruba is still the best.
and by far the Aruban people are the friendliest people on earth.

What island do you live on Barbara and what sort (s) of industry is there on Curacao? Cheers, Larry.

I live on St. Maarten , and there is an oil refinery on Curacao.
The West End of Curacao where the best beaches are is beautiful, but there are few hotels up there. and it is a long distance from the Willemstaad area..a good couple of hours drive.

Thanks Barb. BTW we are strongly considering a cruise next summer which stops in St. Maarten. Could you recommend something to do besides the shopping which I hear is terrific. Thank you, Larry

I would suggest the 12 metre yacht race.
it is fabulous
everyone loves it.
you don't have to know how to sail..they do all the work and it really is a lot of fun.
http://www.12metre.com/
you can also just relax and have a nice lunch on a beach somewhere since we have wonderful restaurants.
I suggest either Orient or Oyster Pond.
probably you could do both since I think the 12 metre race is only 1/2 day.

Cool! Thank you. Larry

Aruba IMO is stark and full of high rise hotels. Beaches are fine but other islands in the Caribbean offer better without the sanitized, commercial, Americanized feel one gets in Aruba.

It is not a place I would care to return to.

I enjoyed Curacao on a day trip and found the port itself charming.

I prefer the BVI and BWI to the ABC's overall.

It is true that the WEST END with the many lovely bay beaches is a drive. From the capital it is 60-70 minutes and from the Marriott/Hilton(not as nice a hotel) it is 35-40 minutes. But what you get once there are quiet beaches during week days with 10-20 people on each beah at the most. We were on several beaches alone on 2-3 trips for 3-4 hours. It is true the 2 hotels I know of, one I saw, are was very basic but clean and is on a quiet lovely beach and 5-10 minutes from the other beaches I referenced with the off beach snorkeling. Always use a swimmers inflatable vest.

Just to add it is not hours to WEST END having made the trip 5-6 times in the 3 visits in the past 4+ yrs.

What does this mean: "sanitized, commercial, Americanized feel one gets in Aruba". Only, I never got this feeling but I have read this comment several times in reference to Aruba.

Curacao is also a great island, more what I would call a "real" island.

Actually I think the answer to your question can be found in the context of your comment. That is the part about Curacao having the feel of a "real" island vs. Aruba's more modern build up with alot of shops, fast food places, bars, etc. For me I liked both and in addition found Arubans to be very friendly, almost as friendly as Fijians who we found to be the most friendly people of all the islands we have ever visited. JM2C. Larry

I enjoyed Aruba, but the last time I went I decided Palm Beach is too much like Miami Beach -- too built up and too crowded. Eagle Beach is better but overall I actually like Marco Island Florida as a better/more upscale alternative -- same long stretch of beach but a much better beach space ratio per person and the airfare is so much less. Curacao feels like the european/caribbean mix it is, restaurants are great, there's much more to see in the town (history, etc.) and the cove beaches are prettier than Aruba's overbuilt beach. So the high cost of getting there seems to be a better value to me than Aruba.