europe2011

I am taking my Mom to the Caribbean. I have been to many countries before, but she hasn't. We are going in August and I don't have much time to plan this so I am begging for guidance. I started with the idea of the Bahamas or St. Thomas, but I am wondering if they are too commericalized. So, now I am thinking more like St. Barts, Dominica or Jamaica. However, while searching flights (early stages!) I am not sure about some of my options because of the timing. We will leave Kansas City on a Friday and fly back on Thursday.

An ideal setting for the two of us would be a variety of things to do - beach, shopping, pools etc... a very secluded setting (only nature and beaches) wouldn't be ideal for this trip. I go on an international trip every year and the more 'exotic' place for this quick trip would be great, too.

Please guide me...

Odin

St Barts is hugely expensive. I don't think you mean Dominica, most likely you mean Dominican Republic. I've been to all the islands you've tagged, they are all great but Anguilla again is expensive. You may find less expensive options on the other Caribbean islands but it is prime hurricane season. Bahamas ie Nassau & paradise island are quite commercialised. Where are you flying from, the availability of flights might help you narrow down the options if you still want to go at that time if year. Saying that I almost always go during hurricane season & so far never been affected. In fact we are going
Consider Aruba too, it's a good beginner island.

Odin

Sorry didnt see you are leaving from Kansas.

KVR

Your comments are conflicting. You don't want "commercialized", but you want "shopping, pools, etc." You also don't want just nature and beaches. Usually, it's one or the other. You will find more things to see and do in a more developed Island.

Are you interested in all inclusive resorts? If not, the Dominican Republic would probably not be a destination to consider. Aruba has tons of things to see and do and hundreds of restaurants. Many people complain it's too "Americanized".

St. Barts and Anguilla are really expensive. Do you want to spend that kind of money?

It would help if you could narrow down exactly what you are wanting to see/do on your vacation and your budget. That makes a huge difference in making recommendations.

August is prime hurricane season and in some destinations overly hot and humid. Be sure to buy the hurricane/trip insurance that you can cancel for any reason and not just if your flight is canceled or hotel closes.

RoamsAround

In order to make meaningful recommendations we need some idea of your budget for airfare, accommodations and food - please give us a specific dollar range not some nebulous terms like "affordable", "won't break the back", etc. as they are meaningless without a point of reference.

Flying from Kansas is going to entail at least two flights. Depending on the airline you use you'll probably have to get a connecting flight in Atlanta, Charlotte or Miami and from those airports you'll have to fly into one of the "major" Caribbean islands that have airports that can accommodate large jets. Going to any of the smaller islands will mean either a third flight or a ferry ride adding significantly to your travel costs and travel time.

So give us your budget, that will have the biggest effect on where you should concentrate your search.

suze

Jamaica can be affordable and it is very beautiful. I like Negril myself.

To your list I would also add the Caribbean coast of Mexico ("Mayan Riviera"). It is a gorgeous coastline and Mexico is typically more affordable than any Caribbean islands.

sharona

I'd probably first start by looking at the flight schedules. With so little time you don't want to spend a lot of time reaching your destination. I agree you'll likely want to go to an island with a large airport so you can minimize your flights to two.

St. Barts will require at least 3 flights or 2 flights and a ferry/private boat. That's a lot of travel for a short trip.

The Dominican Republic can probably be reached with 2 flights. Your lodging choices will almost assuredly be an all-inclusive. They'll offer a lot of activities with the added benefit of knowing what you'll spend up front.

I think Jamaica could be a good choice. It's probably a 2 flight destination and lots of choices in places to stay and restaurants. It also offers lots of activities, beautiful beaches and gorgeous scenery.

On the other hand, you're going in prime hurricane season and my inclination would be to head south. Barbados and Aruba are good choices and both will give you restaurants, shopping, beaches. Barbados will be the more "exotic" for sure. It's funny that Odin calls Aruba a good beginner island. I always call it a good starter island. In fact, it was our first Caribbean destination. And we have gone back. There are usually lots of flights to Aruba so it might be the winner for you simply based on flight times.

suze

Good point about the month. Honestly I probably wouldn't go anywhere in the Caribbean in August. Because of the heat, humidity, and possibility of rain in so many locations. I also take back my Mexico suggestion knowing the month.

promisem

One option is St. Maarten with day trips to St. Barts, Anguilla or both. That's what we did. It takes care of the expense issue.

promisem

I'll add Aruba to the list as well. It has great beaches, a decent town, easy to tour.

europe2011

@ Odin: I did mean Dominica. What do you mean it that Aruba is a good 'beginner island'?

We don't need an AI. We would like to stay in the $2000 per person range.

We would love white beaches, pool, day excursion of shopping and not a large party scene.

I know it is August so would Aruba be okay? I guess I want to know if it is tropical. I've been to Fiji several times and I know I won't find that in the Carribean, but any thoughts on how that may compare to Aruba?

sharona

europe2011, do you mind if I jump in here again? You're sending us some very mixed signals. You say "a very secluded setting (only nature and beaches) wouldn't be ideal for this trip" and then you say you are interested in Dominica. Dominica is called The Nature Island. It doesn't really even have beaches much less shopping, the major attractions on your list. Plus it likely requires 3 change of flights -- a full day of travel. The fact that Dominica doesn't have anything on your list is, I believe, what lead to the confusion that you might have meant the Dominican Republic. People sometimes say Dominica when they mean the DR. The Dominican Republic fits your criteria much better than Dominica.

I can't speak for Odin but as I also recommended Aruba I'll answer that as well. Aruba is out of the hurricane belt so when someone asks about going to the Caribbean in prime hurricane season then I often recommend one of the more southern islands. Does being out of the hurricane zone guarantee no hurricanes? No, of course not. But those islands are generally out of the path of the storms and are generally a safer bet weather-wise.

Aruba is absolutely tropical. It's very far south so it's quite hot. Without the sometimes brisk breezes it could be unbearable. I haven't been to Fiji so I can't compare them. What i know of Fiji, however, I doub Aruba is similar culture-wise. The reason I said Aruba is a starter island is that it's easy. It's easy to reach (lots of flights from the US), it's easy to eat familiar foods if that's what you want although there are plenty of multi-cultural eating opportunities, everyone speaks English, they take US dollars, and they have a lot of American hotel chains so it's all a little familiar. Plus it's very safe as long as you don't do something silly, it's easy to get around, the water is very safe to drink, and it's not super expensive. You even clear US immigration in Aruba when you fly back home.

promisem has a good point about St. Martin. Great beaches, wonderful restaurants, major shopping opportunities and day trips via ferry to St. Barts and Anguilla. There's a French side and a Dutch side. The French side is more French than the Dutch side is Dutch. If you stay on the French side everyone speaks French and most speak English as well but it definitely feels a little more "exotic."

Again, I urge you to check flight schedules to figure out the easiest locations to reach. You don't want to waste your limited time trying to get there.

Odin

Yes Sharona is exactly right about what I meant, I thought because you said a very secluded setting is not what you are looking for, then wondered why you said Dominica which is exactly what you didn't want, therefore concluded you may have meant DR.
As for Aruba, it's a good island for someone who hasn't travelled or travelled much to the Caribbean as in the case of your mother. It has alot of amenities, restaurants, bars, great beaches etc. You want white sand beaches, shopping somewhere tropical so Aruba fits the bill. You have been given some very good options inc St Martin. Barbados as well. Some of the best shopping and restaurants are in Barbados, the west coast has beautiful beaches.

europe2011

Okay. I understand what you guys are saying. Great advice. I know that if my husband and I were going we would love a place like Dominica so that is probably why I included it.

Given that it is hurricane season and we are going in early August(2-7 or 8), would you go to St. Martin or Barbados or Aruba? Any thoughts on those options?

I think those are the main options at this point.

KVR

You'll have a better chance with the weather in August going to Aruba or Barbados. However, there are no guarantees. Do buy the hurricane/trip insurance just to be on the safe side.

mnag

I think Bermuda would work great....natural beauty as well as nice shopping...very sophisticated island. Not sure about budget and connections from Kansas. Another island to consider would be renting a condo on Grand Caymans 7 mile beach.

europe2011

We decided to go to Aruba. After all of your help and more research, that is the place that would suit us best.

blamona

FYI, Caribbean is nothing like Fiji, not even close. I personally prefer Caribbean much more than Fiji.

Another FYI, Aruba is one of the most commercialized islands in Caribbean, so I don't understand how you ended up picking it?

Not trying to confuse you, trying to see what interests you about it when you said St. Thomas and Bahama were out, just as commercialized.

Personally, I think Virgin Gorda or St. John might fit many of your requirements.

schmerl

Aruba doesn't "look" like a tropical island. It is a desert island and doesn't have the lush foilage you might expect in a tropical island. It does have very nice beaches.