Aruba vs St. Martin and Barbados?
 

Who has the better beaches, and better vibe? Also, I know to exercise caution anywhere in the world, but where would you say is more appealing as far as safety, and lesser poverty. I visited Jamaica last summer and definitly gave back to the country and would do so again, but I am expecting this time around and would appreciate not really worrying about tooo much.

Also, throwing Bermuda in the mix! :P

Why is lesser poverty such a big concern lately? Not every country is the US. You have to get over that. Poverty, or what you perceive as poverty, is relative. People dont make as much; they homes are not as nice, but life is less stressful. I'd trade my big house for a poverty shack in the caribbean somewhere (preferably Grenada).

Safety? Unless your going to roam the streets after hours by yourself (which I wouldnt do in my town, Atlanta), I wouldn't make that one of my biggest concerns. (sorry...rant over)

More of a caribbean vibe, I would say Barbados. I like the beaches in Bds because of the waves. Love the waves.

Aruba has a nice vibe, it's just more south american IMHO. Nice beaches here also..no waves that you can swim in tho.

I haven't been to SXM, but I think it's safe to assume, its more of a caribbean vibe.

Peace, Greenie

Better beaches Aruba IMO, flour white sand, turquoise water albeit not crytasl clear as the water in Anguilla or T&C but calm as a swimming pool. although Barbados, bermuda and ST Martin also have very nice beaches as well.
better caribbean vibe ST Martin followed by Barbados.
BERMUDA is the most upscale of these choices.
I would say that Bermuda and then Aruba are far and away the most appealing as far as safety & little poverty.
ST Martin has had some issues with petty theft and crime and has a fair amount of poverty but as long as you use common sense you will be fine like anyplace else.

Greenie, I for one think that was a great rant. You read my mind as I have observed much of that in the forums lately as well!
I also concur with the choice of Barbados. Not only does it have wonderful beaches, but a variety of dining - everything from candlelit dinners to very casual. Absolutely everything that you could want to see and do is there. I highly recommend it.
BTW, congratulations on soon becoming a parent.

Thanks for the replies and rants. In no way was I trying to say I wanted to go a place that I would avoid poverty as a whole. I know there are lesser developed regions of every place on earth and one has to survive. I myself would not walk around my own neighborhood (Wash, DC) late at night ever, or even in Arlington anymore. I visited Jamaica last summer and though it was beautiful, it was just depressing to see so much of it and to not be able to help everyone. It was just so prominent that I was depressed part of my trip. I visited a few of the schools and donated books, supplies, and etc. I helped out a few of the locals, I donated to some of the charities. I don't mind helping out at all. In Jamaica, my husband was actually percieved to be Jamaican, so I think he sort of fit in a bit more, but because of that too, it took away from our experience a bit because many of the men looked at him as if they owed him something and treated me the same, even going as far trying to pull me off. One guy came at as with a machette, hence me not wanting to return. This was just my experience, and though I may return some day, I just want to go someplace this time where I can truly relax and not worry so so so much...I just want to enjoy some time with my husband in a beautiful serene setting before delivery...thats it...its nothing against any country, region, or whatsoever, just what I want this time around. Beauty and peace. Sorry for the length.

I have been to both Bermuda and Aruba. I liked both for different reasons. Aruba has very white sand beaches, and green waters, very good food, gambling (not a big gambler, but had fun one night in the casino). It is windy there, but to us this was good. Otherwise, you would die in the heat. Weather is generally sunny and hot year round.
Bermuda is beautiful and more lush. Think pink and aqua cottages vs big hotels. It has charm and a cute town to walk around in. It has better snorkeling, and pink sand beaches. Food is good and people are friendly.
We felt very safe in both places. I lean towards Bermuda for it's beauty and it's more relaxing.

Oh I would only go to Bermuda from May to Oct. Preferebly more towards June/July.
The weather is too cool to swim in the winter months.

eliware1, sorry you got the brunt of my rant and please understand, in no way was I directing that to you. It's just the poverty posts kind of annoy me.

Have fun on your trip. Mind those machetes! =)

Peace, Greenie

Thanks Greenie, I understand, no offense taken. I will do my best!

Bermuda is too small - you can see both sides of the island when standing in the middle - the highest speed limit is 35kph - it is over developped for an island its size - it is too expensive - violent crime has gone up in recent years.

Aruba is also relatively small compared to Barbados, the people are only slightly more friendly, but not really enough to give it an edge, the two main beaches on the island are very nice, but are at best comparable to beaches in Barbados. Some people say the beaches in Aruba are nicer, I think it is too difficult to tell, besides Barbados has wellover 20 different beaches of different sizes shapes and flavours, so I don't know how they could make that claim. Too many high rises in Aruba. Aruba is not a tropical island, but rather a desert island, probably because the constant tradewinds keep it dry. The only real edge Aruba has on Barbados is the gambling. Many who preffer Aruba cite that it is a better place to just kick back and relax, but Barbados and Aruba are in the same price point, so IMO if all you want to do is relax on the beach, save your money and do AI in Cuba or the Dominican or Mexico. If you are paying as much as you would to go to Aruba or Barbados, you may as well at least have the option to do a variety of excursions, and Barbados has Aruba beat by miles when it comes to variety of activities and scenery. Some people say Aruba has the best sunsets.. I say same sun, same sky, I've seen some decent ones from my Condo in Toronto.

I don't know too much about St. Marteen, but I knoeow it's got that cool beach where you can watch the planes land!

For me it is Barbados. I love the people and the diversity on ten east and west coasts of ten island. The food in Barbados is amazing and I love ten highly British influence that is there :). We spend every new year theta and a portion of our honeymoon lad year!