Aruba, Anguilla, or PV, Mexico?
 

Hello,
I am in the VERY beginning stages of planning (and saving $ for) a possible trip in the first week of August 2005. This would be a surprise 1 year anniversary trip for my then husband. (We are getting married this Aug. and honeymooning in Hawaii.) I did A LOT of research for our honeymoon on Hawaii, Caribbean, and Mexico, so I am aware of the differences in locations. As of now, I am thinking of Aruba, Anguilla, or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the Aug. 2005 trip. Has anyone been to these locations that could give me their recommendations? (Also, any other recs in Mexico -- I have already been to Cancun)

Some of the things I am looking for are:
* a nice hotel/resort on a beach with a big pool, possibly swim-up bar. Clean, comfy, spacious rooms and friendly service
* a swimmable, wide beach with warm, pretty water (warmer than here in the Northeast!)Not too crammed with people.
* great restaurants (mainly casual with a couple of nice dinners) within walking/short driving distance
* plenty of palm trees with an "islandy" feel
* a few watersports (sailing, snorkeling) or activities like horseback riding
* a bit of culture
* not interested in all-inclusive
* opportunity to interact with wildlife in some way (snorkeling, whale watch, etc..)

In Aruba, we would stay at the Radisson or Hyatt; on Anguilla we would stay at Frangipani, and PV, Mexico we would stay at the Westin and maybe splurge at the 4Seasons the last couple nights.

Would Aruba be the best bet because of hurricane/rainy season? Aruba seems fun and kind of like a "sure thing" in terms of fun. Anguilla's beaches look beautiful, and I like the idea of having St. Martin to take a day trip to. PV, Mexico seems like there are so many options for food, activities, etc.

Thanks so much -- these boards have been a great help with planning my upcoming trips to Hawaii and California!

Hi again,
A poster on the Latin America board said Puerto Vallarta would be miserable in August...any other Mexico suggestions, resort specifically, (Playa, Cozumel, Acapulco?) on Pacific or Caribbean coast that looks like it would fit what I'm looking for? Thanks!

Love Frangipani; stay there every year. Here's what it doesn't have: no swim up bar in the off-season; no restaurants in walking distance (a lot of very good restuarants are just a short drive away); no wildlife; no water sports (you can charter a boat to go snorkeling or diving or sight-seeing); not a lot of vegetation -- Anguilla is flat, arid & scrubby. There are 33 beautiful beaches & nearly 80 restaurants -- Check out www.news.ai for what the island does offer (it's also very small).

Hi gain Beachgirl. I really think Anguilla (and Fran gi)would be perfect for a honeymoon. Aside from the spectacukar beaches and out of this world restaurants, you can take the trip on Chocolat and go over to Scilly cay for Crayfish, rum punch and live music. And if you wnat to gamle or go to a night club, St. Martin is just a 20 minute ferry ride away.

But then again you can't go wrong with the Radisson or Bucuti in Aruba either especially if you are concerned about the weather at that time of year.

I can't comment on PV but I know you will love either Aruba or Anguilla.

Having been to PV in August, I would not recommend it. It is unbearably hot & humid. It would, however, fit the culture & great restaurants that you're looking for.

Puerto Vallarta needs to be eliminated: water is COLD (Pacific), beaches aren't nice compared with Anguilla/Aruba, and the weather in August won't be a treat.

I've been to all three, I'm not a big fan of Mexico to begin with, but I really didn't like PV much. Most Pacific beaches (North American) just aren't special compared with good or great Caribbean beaches.

The other two are both nice options based on your needs.

Hi, my recommendation would be to skip Puerta Vallarta (or just visit there on day trips) and stay at the Four Seasons for the entire trip. I was there in April, it is an absolutely incredible resort (do a search on Latin American forum for my comments, also see my review on tripadvisor.com titled "Heaven on Earth." The summer rates for that caliber of resort are a steal. However, it will be hot and humid. If you don't go there in August, put it on your list, I have been lots of places and it is the best I've experienced thus far!

Thanks! Well, it seems that part of Mexico is out for that time of year!

Will a lot of the restaurants on Anguilla be closed in early-mid August? I know some places close down during the off season, and I wondered if this was true here. Part of the reason Anguilla is appealing is for its restaurants! (I can't imagaine anything on Aruba shuts down, even during the off season!)

Most of the major hotels are closed from Sept to mid October, check the specfic web sites for definite dates. The restaurants limit their hours and days now, and later on in the summer. Mid August I think you will find most of them open a few days a week, and closed the same as the hotels.

I have been looking into Anguilla and from what I have read, Anguilla and Aruba are like night and day. Aruba is supposedly very built up with a strip of hotels and lots of gambling and nightlife. Anguilla is supposedly very quiet and laid back, with nowhere near the level of development. If you have a preference in style, you may want to ask others on this board for more information.

Hi,
I am a native from Aruba and all I can tell you ia that your choice for Aruba you won't regret it looking at your list that post with your criterias.
I am of the sale soffice at the Costa Linda, but I am writing you o0n behalf of your choice, Aruba will comply with all your criterias, have any doubt than just feel free to ask me anything where I can be able to help you, I will.
Warm regards,
Angel

We have been to both islands more than once, Anguilla 3 times in a row, Aruba four or five times. We like both but they are very different. Aruba is very built-up, very touristy - many tourists from cruise ships etc., lots of shops, MacDonalds, Burger King etc. etc. On the other hand, it is clean and safe, the people are friendly, the beaches esp. in the so-called lowrise hotel section, are great and the climate is the best imo, dry and with a constant refreshing wind.
Anguilla is much more 'authentic' with little shopping as such, but several tiny local shops and boutiques. Incredible beaches, excellent restaurants. Be prepared for everything to be very expensive! The climate is a bit more humid than Aruba but still very nice. Hope this helps - if you have any specific questions about either island just ask.

I've been to PV and also to Aruba. Disliked PV very much and would never spend $1 to visit again. Loved Aruba. We also went to Zihuantzo (spelled wrong) on that same trip. Loved the resort and the village but not much to do and the water there is not half as nice as the caribbean. We are considering St Marteen for our next trip this December/January and I like the idea of going to Anguilla as that was my 2nd choice over doing Aruba again. That was our 3rd anniversary trip last year and I can't wait to go back. So far, we can go to St. Marteen less expensive for the same dates this december vs. Aruba. Aruba has a lovely nature side as well as a tourist side. Lots to do or nothing to do. And the people were wonderful (except a few rude tourists here and there however we do go in peak season).

Much luck,

Theresa

I ahven't been to either, but for what its worth, I am in the same boat trying to plan a hoenymoon for next Aug. We were trying to decide between Zihuatanejo (south of PV), Anguilla, and Aruba. Anguilla had the most appeal to me, but as we want to lessen the chances of our trip being shortened or modified due to weather, we are going with Aruba. Mexico is way too hot and humid in August...

Hi beachgirl I have only been to Aruba so I will comment on that. I think you would love it there. There are two beaches Eagle or Palm. Eagle has wider beaches and small hotel. Palm is more built up and more crowded, but the hotels/resorts are more plush. We stayed at the Marriott and really enjoyed it. They have a swim up bar.)I have been in the Hyatt and it's grounds are beautiful. The restaurants are great, the water drinkable straight from the tap, it has a low crime rate and night time action(gambling, bars,etc....). There is a bus that picks you up at your hotel and takes you bar hopping all night. There is watersports galore (this is mostly found on Palm beach near the big hotels). Anything you want to do for watersports there is. I sound like a walking advertisement, but our family enjoyed this trip very much. Oh and the water is very warm(I actually swam) and that turquoise green color with the white sand....

Having been to each of these islands several times (Aruba just last month), there is no doubt I would chose Anguilla. I was in P.V. in July, met a friend who was working in Arica on the equator..we both agreed it was the most god awful hot place we had ever been!

Anguilla has the most beautiful beaches I ever seen on any of the Caribbean Islands. Aruba has nice beaches and resorts but feels almost like Las Vegas to me. Very Americanized. Also you now clear U.S. customs and immigration in Aruba. It was the most grueling experience I've had. Very long lines throughout. In the departure area, the chairs are very uncomfortable, there is one restroom with more long lines and one vendor selling cold drinks (more long lines).

"...I was in P.V. and met a friend who was working in Africa on the equator..."

Ohmygosh...there's something wrong with the equator?!? Is the Republican party covering this up to keep us in the dark about it?

My husband and I went to Anguilla in 1997 for our 10-year anniversary and loved it. The food is fabulous, the beaches are beautiful and the people are friendly. Frangipani looks like a great place (although we stayed at La Sirena just down the beach). I can't imagine that you would regret a trip to Anguilla, and the first week of August should be relatively safe as far as weather goes. We're going again in June.

For what it's worth, I've been to Africa..stood on the equater...and found the weather & experience very nice.

Hi Beach girl

Congratulations.

I am very familiar with Anguilla and love it! There are some fabulous resorts on the Island and Frangipani Resort is the best in my opinion, it is very intimate. My favorite beach is Shoal bay east where you can find me in front of the restaurant Le Beach. They have great food which is very reasonable. I have made reservations for January at Allamandas http://allamanda.ai/ on Shoal Bay. It has the best Restaurant on the island (Zara's) and a very colorful chef named Shamash. This resort is very low end and native, but it is on the beach I end up going to every day so why fight it. LOL The snorkeling at Shoal bay east is amazing. There are large areas of reef a short swim out in the water. The island is totally relaxing. The night sky is amazing, you can see satelites as they glide across the heavens. There is 1 maybe 2 traffic lights on the whole island. There is no poverty or beach peddlers. The natives are friendly and polite. No casinos, malls, fast food or cruise ships. Most of the secondary roads are dirt and there aren't any street lights except downtown. You will need to rent a jeep if you plan on visiting anything outside of your hotel. Keep your eyes open for celebrities. You need to swim with the dolphins, I did it last year and will never forget it. Go to
http://www.dolphinfantaseas.com/
Down sides... No topless beaches, it is a british island and they inforce this law. You will definately have a problem with off season closures. A lot of the small restaurants are run by couples that summer in europe, so do your homework. I am off to Aruba in February so I will update you when I get back.