My friend and I are planning a trip to the Caribbean in late March/Early April 2008.
We are considering one island for the week, but not sure which one would be best.
We are considering Grand Cayman for the snorkeling and maybe a day trip to the Maya Riveria to visit ruins,
or Bahamas for historical and more sight seeing, St. Johns' - but not sure if it might not have enough to do.
Thanks for any recommendations you have.
We are considering one island for the week, but not sure which one would be best.
We are considering Grand Cayman for the snorkeling and maybe a day trip to the Maya Riveria to visit ruins,
or Bahamas for historical and more sight seeing, St. Johns' - but not sure if it might not have enough to do.
Thanks for any recommendations you have.
hi nanabee, i think some geography is needed. grand cayman is not close to mexico. certainly not close enough for a day trip. perhaps you meant cozumel the islanad off cancun. also known for snorkeling and def close enough to go to mainland to visit tulum, coba or chichen itza.
bahamas also too far. a trip of their own needed. could still have cool air & water temps in march.
now st.johns': i assume you mean the island of st. john in the usvi, which has wonderful snorkeling but does lack in activities and resort options. st. john is good for island hopping, as it's close enough to st. thomas and all the bvi's for day visits. did i mention it has really good snorkeling?
or the city of st. john's on antigua??? not known for snorkeling at all. if you wish to island hop antigua might work as you could go over to barbuda for a day.
if you want to see ruins i would advise staying near playa del carman and not out on cozumel. pdc is a great town with with plenty of shopping!, local flavor, restaurants and dining options. addtional nearby activities abound.
it is a city though and if you'd like the same atmosphere only quieter just 20 mins down the coast is the wonderful town of akumal.
bahamas also too far. a trip of their own needed. could still have cool air & water temps in march.
now st.johns': i assume you mean the island of st. john in the usvi, which has wonderful snorkeling but does lack in activities and resort options. st. john is good for island hopping, as it's close enough to st. thomas and all the bvi's for day visits. did i mention it has really good snorkeling?
or the city of st. john's on antigua??? not known for snorkeling at all. if you wish to island hop antigua might work as you could go over to barbuda for a day.
if you want to see ruins i would advise staying near playa del carman and not out on cozumel. pdc is a great town with with plenty of shopping!, local flavor, restaurants and dining options. addtional nearby activities abound.
it is a city though and if you'd like the same atmosphere only quieter just 20 mins down the coast is the wonderful town of akumal.
Hi Virginia- you provided a lot of great information. Yes, I think I was confused between the two islands (Grand Cayman and Cozumel).
I also meant St. John's in the USVI.
To narrow it down -- between the two, (PDC and ST.J) which do you think would better. We do like the island feel and nice beaches, but want to do other sightseeing as well.
Thanks so much.
I also meant St. John's in the USVI.
To narrow it down -- between the two, (PDC and ST.J) which do you think would better. We do like the island feel and nice beaches, but want to do other sightseeing as well.
Thanks so much.
re st. john: the island is lush and hilly. most visitors rent a villa. the 2 main resorts are caneel bay w/7 of it's own beaches (pricey but everyone seems to love it, unless they seek luxury rooms) or the westin. a reasonable selection of restaurants. i've not been on st. john, but people love it. i don't think they go for the long list of activities though.
pdc: tons of all-inclusives near by. also lots of hotels and villas w/staff. lush but not hilly. gorgeous beaches. lots & lots to do: ruins (the 3 within easy day drive time), 2 fun eco-marine water parks, jungle atv tours, zip-lines, cenotes. very good snorkeling off beach in numerous locations & and boat to dive/snorkel the reef (2nd longest in world). we really had fun exploring here and i can't wait to go back to see more.
i guess for you i would choose pdc area because there is so much more to do.
pdc: tons of all-inclusives near by. also lots of hotels and villas w/staff. lush but not hilly. gorgeous beaches. lots & lots to do: ruins (the 3 within easy day drive time), 2 fun eco-marine water parks, jungle atv tours, zip-lines, cenotes. very good snorkeling off beach in numerous locations & and boat to dive/snorkel the reef (2nd longest in world). we really had fun exploring here and i can't wait to go back to see more.
i guess for you i would choose pdc area because there is so much more to do.
Hi Virginia:
Thanks so much for your excellent information and advice. I agree with you that PDC sounds like the best of both worlds (good beaches and lots of sightseeing).
I will try to zero in on that area and will post again later to find out if you have more specific infor on restaurants, hotels. I need to check with my travel friend and see if she likes the idea too and (most importantly) if I can use my RCI exchange there.
Again, Thanks!!
Thanks so much for your excellent information and advice. I agree with you that PDC sounds like the best of both worlds (good beaches and lots of sightseeing).
I will try to zero in on that area and will post again later to find out if you have more specific infor on restaurants, hotels. I need to check with my travel friend and see if she likes the idea too and (most importantly) if I can use my RCI exchange there.
Again, Thanks!!
well first my thoughts on bahamas. i have not been in decades. i think it will be too cool to hang on the beach a/or do much swimming or snorkeling. also i think the islands have a british feel more than a caribbean feel.
st. john has the caribbean look but it is an american territory and an awful lot of mainlanders have moved there. again the snorkeling and day trips to bvi a/or st. thomas.
not from your original list but - jamaica offers a very strong 'island culture' experience. puerto rico does as well. both islands offer lots of activites, historical sight seeing and accomodations in all price ranges.
for a smaller more intimate island i think i'll throw in guadeloupe. gorgeous island, good snorkeling, very strong island culture.
the further south you get (except aruba) the more islandy the islands.
st. john has the caribbean look but it is an american territory and an awful lot of mainlanders have moved there. again the snorkeling and day trips to bvi a/or st. thomas.
not from your original list but - jamaica offers a very strong 'island culture' experience. puerto rico does as well. both islands offer lots of activites, historical sight seeing and accomodations in all price ranges.
for a smaller more intimate island i think i'll throw in guadeloupe. gorgeous island, good snorkeling, very strong island culture.
the further south you get (except aruba) the more islandy the islands.
