Best Carribean Island Vacation for Non-Couples
 

A couple of my girlfriends and I are planning a carribean vacation for the end of April/Beginning of May 2012. We have been looking at a lot of resorts, but most seem to be catering to couples and honeymoons.

We are looking for a quiet resort, with a beach and spa. Also, we would like to have a few restaurants to choose from-nicer dining, casual dining and bar/grill. We would also like to be in an area of the island where, if we were to go off the resort, there are places to visit, shops, restaurants, etc.

Our budget is $1500 per person (not including airfare) for a 5 night vacation.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated..

bookit.com/.../puntacana/hotels/hard-rock-hotel-and-casino-punta-cana Pretty nice in the past travelzoo.com even cheaper
sale options. Rockhousehotel.com also nice beautiful sunsets.

Happy Hunting.

Thanks, I read about the hard rock in punta cana from another blog and tried to book it. Sold out for the dates I wanted :(

I have some additional feedback from my travel companions:
1. Must be walking distance to beach
2. Suites-3-4 people accodomating
3. Bar/Waiter service near beach

We are all in our early 30s so we want nightlife, but not college parties. During the day we are looking for a peaceful place to lounge.

I'm no expert on the Caribbean but do realize that the websites showing all those beautiful people and romantic couples are called 'marketing'. That doesn't mean there will only be honeymooners at a particular resort.

I'd look at the Caribbean coast of Mexico. It offers what you are seeking and will be more likely your price range than Caribbean islands. Check out the area around Cancun, down to Playa del Carmen, and including Isla Mujeres.

We are flying from Boston, so we have it limited down to Bahamas, DR, Turks/Caicos, and Jamaica.

Any preferences? We have never been to any of them.

OK then, from that list only...
I would suggest maybe Negril Jamaica (been 3x). And I'd cross of the Dominican Republic (been 2x).

I have been to all on your list and frankly have to say that none of them really meet the criteria that you stated you are looking for. I guess the closest would be Negril, Jamaica.

Look at the hotels around 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen, MX. Exactly what you described in the the budget you listed.

I think you can cross Turks and Caicos off your list unless you happen to find an unbelievable deal. It's one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean.

Your request for a suite is throwing me off for recommendations in Negril. We have often stayed at COCO LA PALM, which definitely meets the other requirements on your list, but I've heard through friends who've stayed during prime vacation weeks that is now drawing a rowdier crowd. And the suites are typically two queens or one king. Roomy though, with a large terrace.

You could also look at IDLE AWHILE ( bit more upscale than COCO) and CHARELA INN. IDLE AWHILE has a few one-bed accommodations, but I think the living room is not air conditioned. Not sure what's available at CHARELA INN.

Negril does have lots of excellent and cheap dining options both on and off the beach. Also some reggae/jazz clubs on the beach. I sometimes think my husband and I are the oldest ones there! Most tourists seem to be around your age.

Have fun!

What about Aruba?

You can rent a condo through www.redweek.com
(Marriott timeshares on gorgeous Palm Beach)

Can you get direct/ns from Boston/Aruba?

negril or playa del carmen would be excellent options.
punta cana is mainly all-inclusive so practically no dining options out of the resort.

Thanks for the tips! Yes, Negril isn't what we had in mind. One of my travel mates refuses to go to Mexico, so that's out. I ad no idea how expensive some islands are..

Has anyone ever been to vieques, puerto Rico?

Stumbled upon this.. and if you haven't already decided, Vieques is really nice. I would recommend it. It's pretty small though. I would take the water taxi over to the main island for at least a day. I think Vieques only has one resort that seems to be pretty high end (when I went there weren't any resorts on that island at all.. but I think they built one a couple years ago). Might cost you a pretty penny. If you book a house make sure to ask if it has air conditioning (if you want it). Outside of the resort on Vieques, the housing and living conditions are little run down. I was shocked when I first got there, but in the end it really made the experience that much better. If you plan on doing any driving to the beaches, I'd recommend renting a jeep or something similar. The roads to the beaches aren't paved and can be a little tricky.

Oh and if you go to Vieques, do the bioluminescent bay tour (bio bay)! It is an absolutely amazing experience.

Hey Jennifer,
I found this string since I'm researching the exact same thing - a Caribbean destination not swarming with couples, good beaches/spa/nightlife/shopping for 30-somethings. Did you end up going on the trip? If so, where to and what did you think?

Thanks!
Lauren