Carribean or Tahiti
 

Thats the question pure and simple. 10 days in may. Thank you.

Where do you live? What is your budget? Do you mind want to get there and back in one day? Given the info you provide, I will say Caribbean. It is easy to get to, better value and lovely! But, then you must ask the next question..."Which island?" In which I would have another list of questions. Sorry I can't be of more help!

Tahiti

Bora Bora, incomparable.

I would say that you need at least 13 days to do Tahiti. Perhaps at this time the Caribbean may be a better choice. Unless this is a once in a lifetime chance.

I say this has to be a trick question:0. Vulcan isn't asking us which we like best, he actually wants to go there in May for 10 days. So, given that Tahiti takes many more qualifications (which we are in the dark about)than the Caribbean, the Caribbean is really the only answer. In order to go to Tahiti he would have to 1. Have a big budget, 2. Be willing to travel in transit for a huge amount of time (west coast still worse than Caribbean), and 3. If a US resident he must have a passport. For the caribbean, none of the above qualifications would apply. Common sense has to answer CARIBBEAN.

I agree with wtggirl - 10 days just doesn't cut it and the cost is out of the world compared to the Carribean.

My wife are I are regulars in the Carribean and we spent 12 days last year in Tahiti (7 day windstar cruise -loved every second of it!) and 4 nights on Tahaa private Island Spa then main island before returning home.

THe flight times also need to be considered. From the East Coast it's nerly 13 hours in the air, although, Air Tahiti is about to start direct flights from NYC this summer.

Lots to think about but considering all the choices in the Carribean, that probaly makes more sense.

Cheers! :-)

from the west coast of the U.S., 10 days would be fine for Tahiti. That's where I'd go if I had the $$$!

I agree with Sharkdiver - Tahiti is very expensive compared to the Carribean - even for those of us on the west coast. We are returning to Tahiti in December - taking a 10 day cruise on Princess (balcony cabin), with ports of call in the Marquesas, Tuomotu & Society Archipelagos. We're then flying to Manihi for a 3-night stay in an over-water bungalow (two meals per day included). This trip will cost twice as much as our last 2-week vacation in Bonaire & Aruba. Is it worth it? Oh yeah!

Regarding the comment about no passport needed for a US citizen travelling to the Caribbean.

No longer so, many island and airlines will only accept passports for travel.

(And so it should be, why should US citizens be allowed to travel abroad without a passport, when the rest of us, has to have a passport and in some cases a visa to enter the USA?)

OT, which islands are you speaking of that US citizens must have passport to travel? I know Costa Rica is a new addition (not caribbean), also that Margarita Isle is passport only (not visited often). Am I braindead or are there some caribbean islands that I am not aware of? I of course recommend passport for anyone leaving US, but many travel with no problem on Birth certificate and drivers license to most caribbean islands.

Several years ago, my husband had a really good deal for Tahiti and I said "no" because 7 days wasn't long enough for me. Well, I still haven't been and it is now more expensive than ever. Still wish I would have gone, even if it was only for 7 days!! My vote goes for Tahiti.

In my opinion, the Caribbean cannot beat Tahiti and islands. I think if I was going I would do a cruise so that the meals are all part of the cost, no surprises. If you can afford the Paul Gaugain, that's the one to be on but there are lots of others ike Princess and Windstar.

And BTW, Sint Maarten and Anguilla require passports, Sint Maarten just started requiring it January 1st.

Barbados requires a passport.

Jamaica does, too. As of 1 January 2005.

Oh, I forgot about barbados. But, I honestly did not know about Jamaica. Are you sure? I have not heard this and I should have!!!

I took a look and all I could see was that passport is required for NATURALIZED us citizens. But, for leisure travel (not business) us citizens can still use drivers license and B.C. Correct me if I am wrong! Also, I suspect something similar with ST. Maartin. I have a passport, but many in my party traveling for a cruise to St. Maartin in April have been told they still do not need one.

Okay, this site http://www.st-maarten.com/ under "new requirements as of january 1, 2005" says under list of "must have one of the below requirements" still lists B.C. If someone can confirm that US citizens need passport for leisure travel to either Jamaica OR St. Maartin please show some proof. The past posters had me nervous- but I think the info may not be correct.

I got my information from TIvertonhouse, the frequent poster on Jamaica, who informed me when I was asking him some questions offline that a passport would be required for US citizens traveling to Jamaica after 1 January 2005. I don't have the "proof" myself, but if it's important to you I'm sure the info to prove or disprove it is out there.

Ok, I didn't make this up about the passports for St. Martin. Here's one of the websites where I found it but there was another too:

http://www.islandtrips.com/st%20martin/islandinfo.htm

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