Booking Honeymoon - Would like to go to 2-3 island - suggestions?
Jul 21st, 2011, 12:31 PM
#1
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Booking Honeymoon - Would like to go to 2-3 island - suggestions?
Hi,
I am completely lost and any advice would be greatly appreciated. My fiance and I are looking to spend 14 days in the Carribbean. We are looking mostly at the Bahamas-(because I have read that it is beautiful and fun but my fiance doent seem to be to interested in the Bahamas), Aruba (because I have read they have good night life), Turks and Caicos (because I have read its SO beautiful, but I fear it may be a little boring?), Barbados (Sounds like the have everything), & St. Lucia (Because I read its a easy trip to Barbados). We both get bored VERY easily and think that 14 days in one place is to long, so we were thinking about bouncing around to 2 or 3 different places (ideally 3)
We are a FUN, lively couple - we like a lot of action, adventure, nice beaches, snorkeling, night life, shop, and great food. We are not looking to lay in hammocks and read - we want to do lots of activites, etc. We like to stay up late and sleep in....
I have read a lot about all the different islands, but once I start reading up on where to stay I get frustrated because its to hard to decide, ha!
We are planning to spend around 10K. We would be flying from NYC. Honestly, thank you in advance for any advice.
xo
I am completely lost and any advice would be greatly appreciated. My fiance and I are looking to spend 14 days in the Carribbean. We are looking mostly at the Bahamas-(because I have read that it is beautiful and fun but my fiance doent seem to be to interested in the Bahamas), Aruba (because I have read they have good night life), Turks and Caicos (because I have read its SO beautiful, but I fear it may be a little boring?), Barbados (Sounds like the have everything), & St. Lucia (Because I read its a easy trip to Barbados). We both get bored VERY easily and think that 14 days in one place is to long, so we were thinking about bouncing around to 2 or 3 different places (ideally 3)
We are a FUN, lively couple - we like a lot of action, adventure, nice beaches, snorkeling, night life, shop, and great food. We are not looking to lay in hammocks and read - we want to do lots of activites, etc. We like to stay up late and sleep in....
I have read a lot about all the different islands, but once I start reading up on where to stay I get frustrated because its to hard to decide, ha!
We are planning to spend around 10K. We would be flying from NYC. Honestly, thank you in advance for any advice.
xo
Jul 21st, 2011, 12:55 PM
#2
Overall the Caribbean is low key, and you've asked the same question a bunch of times.
Truly, you need to consider a cruise, so you won't be bored, and you get to see diffent places. Or Mexico, where you have a little bit of everything, excursions, tons of nit life.
Or both, 1 week Mexico, 1 week crse.
I ally don't see anything else for your criteria.
Definitely not T&C, the beach is stunningly beautiful, but it's all about the beach.
Truly, you need to consider a cruise, so you won't be bored, and you get to see diffent places. Or Mexico, where you have a little bit of everything, excursions, tons of nit life.
Or both, 1 week Mexico, 1 week crse.
I ally don't see anything else for your criteria.
Definitely not T&C, the beach is stunningly beautiful, but it's all about the beach.
Jul 21st, 2011, 01:13 PM
#3
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www.atlantis.com lots of action
www.puntacana.com Hard Rock
Negril www.rockhousehotel.com or Hedonism tonnes of action
mexico.bookit.com Cancun Ritz Carlton awesome.
luxurylink.com good prices.
Sounds like you party a lot you will not be happy
island hopping to smaller islands remote pretty dead
Faimont Barbados travelzoo.com nice less action
jademountain.com romantic remote even less action.
If summer lots of rain consider Konaweb.com great
beach adventure volcanoes dryer great hotels like
the Hapuna Prince ohers on the Kohala Coast
stayhawaii.com like to circumnavigate the island and have
grand adventures...
Congrats!
www.puntacana.com Hard Rock
Negril www.rockhousehotel.com or Hedonism tonnes of action
mexico.bookit.com Cancun Ritz Carlton awesome.
luxurylink.com good prices.
Sounds like you party a lot you will not be happy
island hopping to smaller islands remote pretty dead
Faimont Barbados travelzoo.com nice less action
jademountain.com romantic remote even less action.
If summer lots of rain consider Konaweb.com great
beach adventure volcanoes dryer great hotels like
the Hapuna Prince ohers on the Kohala Coast
stayhawaii.com like to circumnavigate the island and have
grand adventures...
Congrats!
Jul 21st, 2011, 01:18 PM
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I agree with blamona about Turks & Caicos. It's probably not for you. Probably not the Bahamas either based on your criteria.
I think you should also consider St. Martin in your mix. Lots of night life on the Dutch side and the very active Orient Beach on the French side. There is plenty of shopping on both sides of the island and great food, particularly in Grand Case. SXM is also a big and busy airport and you can possibly get from there to another island without too much hassle and travel time.
St. Lucia has a lovely rain forest and the Pitons if you are interested in hiking. It's a beautiful island but it's a bit hard to get around if you are thinking of going from one end to the other. It's also a volcanic island and therefore the beaches don't have the blinding white sand and turquoise water you get on some other islands. I'm not sure about night life.
Barbados probably works for you. Things to do, nice beaches, good food, shopping, etc.
Aruba probably also works. It's an active place.
You might also consider an all-inclusive. Most of them offer activities throughout the day. There are some good ones in Jamaica (the Couples resorts, Sandals, and Iberostar Grand) and the Dominican Republic also has a slew of all-inclusives. Jamaica also offers things to do off-property, i.e., zip lining, a couple of waterfalls, some nice island tours, etc.
I think you should also consider St. Martin in your mix. Lots of night life on the Dutch side and the very active Orient Beach on the French side. There is plenty of shopping on both sides of the island and great food, particularly in Grand Case. SXM is also a big and busy airport and you can possibly get from there to another island without too much hassle and travel time.
St. Lucia has a lovely rain forest and the Pitons if you are interested in hiking. It's a beautiful island but it's a bit hard to get around if you are thinking of going from one end to the other. It's also a volcanic island and therefore the beaches don't have the blinding white sand and turquoise water you get on some other islands. I'm not sure about night life.
Barbados probably works for you. Things to do, nice beaches, good food, shopping, etc.
Aruba probably also works. It's an active place.
You might also consider an all-inclusive. Most of them offer activities throughout the day. There are some good ones in Jamaica (the Couples resorts, Sandals, and Iberostar Grand) and the Dominican Republic also has a slew of all-inclusives. Jamaica also offers things to do off-property, i.e., zip lining, a couple of waterfalls, some nice island tours, etc.
Jul 21st, 2011, 01:58 PM
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These islands are grouped close enough for either short hop planes or ferry transportation between them:
St Martin/St Maarten-Anguilla-St Barts-Saba
Each island is very different (English, French, Dutch and flat vs mountainous), so you will feel that you are having a grand tour.
Another idea is a crewed sailboat charter along with a stay on land in the US or British Virgin Islands.
Happy planning!
St Martin/St Maarten-Anguilla-St Barts-Saba
Each island is very different (English, French, Dutch and flat vs mountainous), so you will feel that you are having a grand tour.
Another idea is a crewed sailboat charter along with a stay on land in the US or British Virgin Islands.
Happy planning!
Jul 21st, 2011, 04:29 PM
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you'll find the best variety of things to do in maya riviera. this is the coastal area south of cancun to tulum. tons of ai's, hotels, condo's & wonderful villas. some decent duty free shopping in playa del carman as well as some fun night spots.
activities include ziplines, golf/tennis, fishing (bone & deepsea), mayan ruins (coba, chichen itza, tulum), atv jungle rides, horseback, diving/snorkeling, kayaking - especially in the sian ka'an biosphere, caves & cenotes* to explore, a botanical garden & 2 wonderful eco-marine parks: www.xelha.com & www.xcaret.com
* : http://www.ecardmedia.eu/data/media/...p%20Mexico.jpg
all the info you could want on one site at locogringo.com
activities include ziplines, golf/tennis, fishing (bone & deepsea), mayan ruins (coba, chichen itza, tulum), atv jungle rides, horseback, diving/snorkeling, kayaking - especially in the sian ka'an biosphere, caves & cenotes* to explore, a botanical garden & 2 wonderful eco-marine parks: www.xelha.com & www.xcaret.com
* : http://www.ecardmedia.eu/data/media/...p%20Mexico.jpg
all the info you could want on one site at locogringo.com
Jul 23rd, 2011, 07:03 AM
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Spend some time looking at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas. They have the ocean, many pools, lazy river, slides for the day and then at night many restaurants and casino. Also during the day there are many excursions. Probably 14 days there would be too much, but you could fly to Miami from there and go on to Cancun, Mexico. Easy flight from Miami. Cancun has much to offer or from there travel south to the Riviera Maya and stay near or in Playa Del Carmen. Also, from Playa Del Carmen you could take the ferry over to Cozumel. Three separate places to spend 4-5 days in each place. Fly home from either Cozumel or Cancun. Lots of excursion from Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel. Ziplines, Cenotes, snorkeling,sailing to mention just a few.
Jul 25th, 2011, 10:43 AM
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You have 14 days, plenty of time to get a non stop to Barbados from JFK, a few days on island, pick up a cruise for a week which will visit, on average, 5 neighbouring islands, and back to Barbados for a few days before another non stop back to JFK. Get the most out of your time.
However, if that's not an option, Barbados does serve as a hub for international and regional flights (REDJet/LIAT/Caribbean Airlines/SVGAir), which makes it very easy to island hop.
Grenada is a 55 minute flights on a Dash 8, St Lucia is a 45 minute flight on a Dash 8, Bequia in St Vincent & the Grenadines is a 1 hour flight with SVGAir on a 6/8 seater, Guyana is a 1 hour flight with REDJet. So many choices, all within easy reach of Barbados.
There's lots of info about Barbados and the rest of the region, including cruises here:
http://www.destinationcaribbean.net/...=35&Itemid2=70
However, if that's not an option, Barbados does serve as a hub for international and regional flights (REDJet/LIAT/Caribbean Airlines/SVGAir), which makes it very easy to island hop.
Grenada is a 55 minute flights on a Dash 8, St Lucia is a 45 minute flight on a Dash 8, Bequia in St Vincent & the Grenadines is a 1 hour flight with SVGAir on a 6/8 seater, Guyana is a 1 hour flight with REDJet. So many choices, all within easy reach of Barbados.
There's lots of info about Barbados and the rest of the region, including cruises here:
http://www.destinationcaribbean.net/...=35&Itemid2=70
Jul 25th, 2011, 02:55 PM
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Hi!
I have to agree with most posters in that the Carribean is very low key and will be all about the beach and relaxing. I USED to be the same as you and your fiance, not too long ago before I had my child! I don't know if you have considered it, but Costa Rica is a magnificant country. We spent two weeks there and enjoyed every minute of it!
We hit 3 different areas and stayed at Arenal (where the active volcano is), enjoyed the hot springs direct from the volcano. We went waterfall repelling (my absolute favorite thing I've done)! There is zip lines and 4 wheeler tours, you name it, they have it. Then drove down to the beach town of Manuel Antonio. They have zip lines here too, great food, gorgeous public beach, albeit smaller.
Then off to the Osa, in the rain forest, the southern most tip of the country. No night life or entertainment here, as there is no electricity it's all about the outdoors. Saw beautiful parrots in the wild, a sloth and army ants!
Then finished our trip back at San Jose and did a wonderful river rafting trip down the Paquare river. This is one of our most favorite trips. The only thing, not much night life around this country, at least when we went. The people are incredibly friendly.
Check out: www.lovecostarica.com, this is the travel agent I used, he was very helpful! Good luck! I LOVE the carribean, but loved Costa Rica also.
Have a wonderful honeymoon, wherever you go!
I have to agree with most posters in that the Carribean is very low key and will be all about the beach and relaxing. I USED to be the same as you and your fiance, not too long ago before I had my child! I don't know if you have considered it, but Costa Rica is a magnificant country. We spent two weeks there and enjoyed every minute of it!
We hit 3 different areas and stayed at Arenal (where the active volcano is), enjoyed the hot springs direct from the volcano. We went waterfall repelling (my absolute favorite thing I've done)! There is zip lines and 4 wheeler tours, you name it, they have it. Then drove down to the beach town of Manuel Antonio. They have zip lines here too, great food, gorgeous public beach, albeit smaller.
Then off to the Osa, in the rain forest, the southern most tip of the country. No night life or entertainment here, as there is no electricity it's all about the outdoors. Saw beautiful parrots in the wild, a sloth and army ants!
Then finished our trip back at San Jose and did a wonderful river rafting trip down the Paquare river. This is one of our most favorite trips. The only thing, not much night life around this country, at least when we went. The people are incredibly friendly.
Check out: www.lovecostarica.com, this is the travel agent I used, he was very helpful! Good luck! I LOVE the carribean, but loved Costa Rica also.
Have a wonderful honeymoon, wherever you go!
Jul 25th, 2011, 03:30 PM
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For a cruise - why not check out Island Windjammers....this is a spin off of the old Windjammer - but apparently a lot nicer....a 6 day cruise is expensive...but does include most everything.....why not fly into Barbados....spend a few days there - head to Grenada - spend a few days there - jump on your cruise - and voila! They go to fabulous places - Mayreau, Bequia, Tobago Cays to name a few - hard to get bored.......
Jul 25th, 2011, 03:32 PM
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I should have also mentioned - this is a 100+(a little) sailing ship - it holds 12 people...you can check out their web site www.islandwindjammers.com and/or check out the windjammer flotilla - where you will see rave reviews.....this is not luxury sailing - but - people who go cannot get enough....combine this with a stay on an island - sounds wonderful to me!
