My wife and I are planning a mid-November trip to the Caribbean, but are undecided between visting Grand Cayman or St. John. Anyone that has traveled to both and could provide a recommendation?

Go to Cayman's if your choice is that or st john.

St john needs a year to settle down from its crisis.

I've been to both and they are 2 completely different islands. It all depends what both of you are looking for.

We loved St. John and liked Grand Cayman (just personal preferences). Grand Cayman is much bigger, more commercialized (if you stay where all the hotels are...mainly Georgetown), very nice beaches, very good restaurants (and a good variety too) very nice people, little if any crime at all.
Here's my GC trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34790307

St. John is lush, beautiful beaches (I personally give St. John's beaches the edge over Grand Cayman - sand felt much softer and nice entry into the water) although they're not one long stretch like Grand Cayman's 7-mile beach, not nearly as developed at Grand Cayman, very good restaurants (not the quantity/variety of GC though). People weren't unfriendly but there definitely was not the warmth that I've found on a lot of other islands. I've recently read on this board of some crime issues. I still would go but would definitely be more careful about what I do compared to the first time I went.
My St. John trip report is old and has no pics so I won't look for the link. But if you use the search box and type St. John, you'll find some recent trip reports with pictures.

I think there's a lot more to do on Grand Cayman, while St. John is a more laid back destination and more beautiful island physically.

Good luck.

We've done both and hope you will do one in Nov and do one next year. But since your question is which to do in November, I think it depends on what your dream is. St. John is more laid back, but GC, although more Americanized, has the most wonderful restaurants. If you give us a little more information of what is most important to YOU, we will be able to give you a little more direction.

Thanks for the quick responses...

This will be our first vacation to the Caribbean; we're typically either in Maui or Cabo San Lucas for vacation and love both, but wanted to change it up a little bit this year.

Early thirties with no children yet, we're content to lie on the beach for a day or two, but then get pretty restless and are anxious to get out and do something, be it snorkeling, hiking, or exploring. Not big on the traditional tourist trap destinations, we like to venture off the beaten path a little bit.
We have a passion for great food, and if possible, want to experience great restaurants while there.

Thanks to all for your responses and recommendations.

Cheers

fuse, I haven't been to GC, but from your last statements, STJ sounds right for you. We are mid 30's, no kids, love snorkling, hiking & restaurants and STJ is one of our favorite destinations. It's very laid back, no dressing up for dinner but plenty of good restaurants to choose from. You cna do a different beach every day, snorkle, swim, float on a raft or lay on the beach and relax. Plenty of hiking trails too. Day trips to the BVI's are easy to do as well.

I think November would be a great time to be there...although I don't think there is a bad time to be on STJ.

Trish

Been to both.
St John hands down.
End of story.

Returning in dec 06 for 4th straight year. Clean, nice, white (not a racist).

St. John, White? Really? You mean all those Black people I saw on the island were just White people with really great tans? Wow. Who knew?
I always find it amusing how people who make racial comments feel the need to add disclaimers, a la 'but I have Black friends".

fuse,

I have been to both and love both places.

Grand Cayman has better snorkeling and restaurants.(IMO)

St John is visually more beautiful.

You mentioned that you want to change it up a bit on your next trip...so I would suggest Grand Cayman as it is less like Maui than St John.

The only part of Grand Cayman that is real built up is Georgetown.There are many places to explore that feel like "off the beaten path".

I felt that the people in GC where a little more friendly than St John.(unless you talk to the NATIVES of St John which are very few now)

Both places are great!

Christie

The above poster hit the nail on the head. I've been to both and if I had to pick which one to return to, I'd prefer St. John over GC for its natural beauty and cove-like beaches. (Although I love GC too and would not hesitate to go there again -- They are just very different types of destinations.)

I am all set to go to St. John in October (booking flight today), and I am hearing that the people are not friendly??? So far the ones that I have emailed about villas have seemed wonderful. I was hoping that that was the norm on the island. Heck, we have a lot of unfriendly people right here. I don't want to go if there is any distension amongst the tourists. Of course, we are not out late at night and always keep our wits, but I want to feel safe in a villa, especially if it sits out somewhat. Maybe we should reconsider a villa closer to town?

MSS most people in STJ are friendly. I don't think being closer to "town" makes much of a difference...in fact if I had to choose, I'd think being in Coral Bay side would be better.

All the people we encountered in STJ were friendly and helpful, of course we were courteous and polite in our interactions with them as well.

caribtraveler,

I am with you on your comment to jkleyeguy...why would he/she even say that.Sounds tacky.

Christie

Have been to both - I prefer Grand Cayman. I like the Cayman Kai area of GC the best. All of GC is great but we like to be away from the larger hotels, etc.

Don't know where I have been but... what crisis on St. John? Did a hurricane hit there?

Lvsun,

Over the last 1 1/2 years..St John has experienced more crime than normal,racial tensions,vandalizism and robberies.

A certain person on this forum is making sure that everyone is fully aware of that.

I was there last September and had a great time.We did not feel unsafe or scared.

Christie

Caribtraveler: LOL. You are so right about folks who make racist or other offensive comments quickly followed or preceded by a disclaimer. What can jkleyeguy mean other than something racist, whether he means to offend or not.

fuse220: IMO, your decision needs to be based on what you are looking for in a vacation. I think Caribtraveler and Christiegr gave you some great differences between the two. I hope to go to the Caymans someday as an avid diver and snorkeler. But to add to your considerations now for STJ: the island is beautiful. The Virgin Islands offers endless opportunities for activities. The people are as friendly as any people I've ever met. But they're people, and you can meet a bad one sometimes. It's an intimate community setting where there is an unspoken understanding of courtesy that if you are not in a hurry or have other considerations, you give any hitchhiker a ride. I've met many lovely, kind people of all persuasions while giving them a lift.

Christie (and others) mean well...but have seemingly have a problem facing the truth about St. John.

Tuxedo is more realistic. In relative terms...

My advice is the same: Stay away from St. John until the situation has calmed down....and time heals wounds.

I think you should stay away from STJ also, Carib & not go there 3 times a week since you're so scared.

Carib,
I have NO problem with "Facing the truth" about St John.

I have just been simply stating that I had no problems at all while in St John in June and Sept. of 05.And we walked around Cruz Bay even late at night.

I grew up in Raleigh NC (which I have now moved from as SO many people have moved there).Crime has risen in Raleigh as it does anywhere that has an increase in population.BUT,that does not keep me away from Raleigh.

It gets old when all of your posts are almost identical postings articles.

I do not care for Aruba but when someone asks advice on good restaurants,I give suggestions and I do not say "Don't go to Aruba".

Christie

IMO, the "truth" about STJ is the truth about anywhere on this planet. Of course you want to be relaxed on your vacation, but that doesn't mean there is any escape from the possibility that something unpleasant may happen wherever you are. IMO, STJ remains as safe and predictable as any Caribbean destination, or just about any vacation destination. S**t happens. Haven't you all read about the hikers out west that have been picked off by some crazed gunman? What? Are we supposed to stop going to and enjoying our national parks? Are we supposed to stop going to and providing much needed support in every part of the world which has socio/economic issues? Why travel? It's unpredictable. You can only do your best to be vigilant not paranoid. IMO, a life well-lived and especially travel involves taking some risk.