Hi,

Husband and I want to go to a carribean island. Want to go in April 2008 and try to keep budget around $3,000 for both. We enjoy hiking, great beaches, & natural beauty. Not really into night life but maybe restaraunts with carribean atmosphere. Like to explore but don't want to be afraid of safety. We've already been to Bahamas, Cancun, G.Cayman, Cozumel. Which island would you suggest?

No, I wouldn't want to be afraid of safety, either. Good thinking.

Okay, I'm just teasing you. I know what you meant.

If you can go in the latter half of April and/or after Easter, your money will go further on most islands because that's when the high season rates change to either low or shoulder season.

I would suggest St. John as a place to start looking to meet your requirements for hiking, great beaches, and natural beauty.

Assuming the $3000 does not include air and you will be oing for a week besides St. John, St. Lucia and Jamaica (not my favorite place) are worth considering. In these location you will stay in a mid-level resort with some nice amenities but not all. The hiking will be better than the places you have visited.
Hiking in Jamaica bears some investigation, though.

I would suggest that you look into St. Kitts/Nevis or Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has the only rain forest in the U.S. and Nevis and St. Kitts have easy to difficult rated climbs on and over their rain- forested volcanoes. ejcrowe is correct in suggesting the beginning of low season (after Easter). Your money will go much further and you will be at the end of the rainy season so your hikes will be drier. You should be able to find a hotel deal on Condado Beach, P.R. (resort row) or one of the Plantation Inns on St.Kitts/Nevis.

ooopps.......I should proof read prior to posting, was concerned about safety. I checked out everyone's suggestions and am leaning towards St.Lucia or St. Kitts, but has anyone been to Belize? Had 2 people tell me to check it out, but one said the beaches were rocky and the other said the beaches were great. Every sight you go to everyone claims most beautiful beaches in Carribean........what's your opinion. Also, what's the best means of travel to get around the islands.....rent a car or jeep?

I love Belize, will spend our winters there once we retire. Obviously, I'm biased....

Anyway, the places I've been there, I wouldn't call the beaches great. On the northern cayes, Ambergris and Caulker, they're only half a mile or so from the barrier reef. That means no waves, and lots of sea grass. Most swimming is done off of docks and piers. The sand is white and soft, but the beaches are narrow.

I've not been to the area of Belize around Hopkins, can't speak to those beaches.

The beaches on the Placencia peninsula are said to be the best in the country. I've only spent time on the southern end of the peninsula, in Placencia village itself. The beaches are wider, there isn't as much sea grass (the reef is 19 or so miles out). But, the sand was coarser and not as soft.

There is tons to do in Belize. Many people split their trip between the San Ignacio area for cave tubing, Mayan ruins, canoeing, hiking etc. Then head to the beach for the remainder of their trip.

Another island you might consider is Grenada. Grand Anse is a beautiful beach. We hiked to the top of Mt. Qua Qua ourselves, it was a very nice hike.

We were looking at Jaguar Reef Resort in Belize but I don't know exactly where it is. Have you been there or heard of it? It shows really nice beaches and states the water is clear.........do you think it really is?