I'm trying to decide on my next vacation for about 4 - 6 people. We've been to Cancun and loved it.We like the option of doing excursion or sightseeing, but we also like the option of just relaxing on the beach. We also like nightlife. Any suggestions as to a good FUN and RELAXING location. I'm Possibly thinking Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, or back to Cancun.

We seem to have about the same interests. I've tried multiple visits to each of the following: Puerto Rico, USVI, Bahamas, Jamaica, and the BVI. I've settled on the BVI as the best balance of kicking back with occasional fun/excitement. Been there now 5 or 6 times. The pluses for me are that it is a non-commercial, non-touristy island; i.e., resorts don't sit on the beach in row after row after row of mega-story behemoths that are more reminiscent of NYC than the tropics. Instead, there are about a dozen or so mid-to-upscale resorts on the two main islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda, and then there are some unique small resorts on otherwise deserted islands that altogether comprise the 30 or so islands of the BVI. You can have as much or as little civilization as you want. Resorts cannot be taller than a palm tree. Laid back is the order of the day. The people are very nice and don't walk around in "island costumes" to sucker the tourists. They're real. On the fun side of things, if you want casinos, sophisticated clubs, and anythng even approaching glitter... go to St. Thomas and avoid the BVI. Instead, the BVI is more about renting a 4WD and driving around the island exploring tiny bays and tall peaks on narrow roads, snorkeling out off some of the deserted islands on the cat, Patouche II,and luxuriating on your own beach with no one within 100 yds or more. <BR>There is nightlife, but it's low key. If you want shopping or glitter, you can still jump on a ferry (runs about every 2 hrs) and zip over to St. Thomas or St. John in about 40 min. <BR>BVI is also easy to reach. Compared to most islands it is close to the US. We take Delta to San Juan and catch a small plane about an hour later to Tortola.

Consider Barbados. Ive been to MANY caribbean islands, both low key and "overbuilt" like Cancun. Barbados is somewhere in the middle, there are many restaurants/bars/clubs/shopping/sightseeing adventures, but mainly, there are many beautiful beaches. This is the island that remains in my heart as the most interesting of the active islands. I usually stay at the Sandy Beach Island Resort, excellent location, near the capital of Bridgetown, and very close to St. Lawrence Gap (where most of the action is). Email if interested in any more details. Have fun!!

Good question! We are a family and friends group who look for a fun adventure each winter. We've been to a number of wonderful spots (maybe they are all wonderful!). We love BVI's and recommend the island of Virgin Gorda. Lots of fun and no one hassles you for handouts. If you can find someone in your group who can manage a sailboat, the very best is to charter a bareboat and live aboard for a week. Been doing this for a decade and can only hope that my body/mind hang on for the duration. My will says to my family - fry me and dump my ashes over the aft in full sail in the islands! don

I know that it's not caribbean...but Puerto Vallarta, Mexico has been our most fun location, along with stunningly beautiful surroundings, a fantastic value, top and varied cuisine and the warm hospitality of arguably the friendliest culture around.

It is interesting. None of the people who have responded appear to have been to Cancun. We went to Cancun when it first opened and left after the first night and went to Akumal. However that just proves that the action of Cancun is not our bag. However there is a lot going for it and there are no excursions in the Caribbean that can compare with what exist in the Yucatan. Purerto Rico and the Dominican Republic offer some of the things that are available in Cancun however you can't find the large variety of things as close. Some of the best diving is off of Cozumel. The ruins in the general area are as good as you will find in many parts of the world. If you have not been to some of the major ruins, I suggest you combine your trip to Cancun with some exploration to perhaps as far north as Merida. It is any easy drive to the major ruin part way there. Also, consider the Mayan coast further south. If you really enjoy Cancun, I don't think the BVI will be your bag. Also the costs are more modest. Just watch what you eat and drink.

It all depends on your personality and what you are looking for. Personally, I like Louis' suggestion regarding Akumal. Located about 1.5 hours south of Cancun, the beaches are great, you can visit ruins (Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza), and head for Playa del Carmen for nightlife or to take the ferry to Cozumel. Whatever your choice, enjoy! Buen viaje! <BR>

Hello, looking for a really nice place to go, Just returned yesterday from Sandals Royal Bahamian in the Bahamas. <BR>The place is a wonderful resort and alot of things to do and see. We swam with the dolphins and did the dinner cruises, shopped at the straw market down town Nassau where there are a lot of jewlery and liquor shops we also visited Alantis. There are a lot of things the resort have on the board you can do during your stay. Their are 5 restaurants and they are all very good. <BR>The resort has a island about 5 min from the resort by boat you can go to on the hour and return at a quarter of the hour from 10:00-3:45 everyday. That is where we went everyday it was more private and the beach was bigger. We did snorkleing <BR>scuba diving also and they have alot of water sports. It is a very good place to go, if you have any questions please feel free to email me.