HELP!
 

I have never been to any Caribben island and I don't know where to visit 1st. I am having the worst attack of indicisiveness!!! I need somewhere with beautiful beaches and also romantic. The catch is that it still needs to be affordable. Maybe 4-5 nights for 1300 including flight and hotel.

Where will you be flying from?

What activities might you enjoy doing while on vacation? Active - snorkling, other sports?

Good dining options & nightlife important to you?

Almost every caribbean island has some beautiful beaches. Romance is in who you're with more than where IMO.

You might look at www.go-today.com they might have some inexpensive caribbean deals for you. $1300 isn't much when it includes airfare.

I'm flying out of Chicago. I'd like to plan for Sept. 16 - 21.

We are really just interested in really nice restaurants, lying on the beach and drinking. We'd like to do some sightseeing as well. My husband is not much of the "nightlife" type, so we can bypass that.

Negril,Jamaica would fit the bill.Check out www.expedia.com for deals at Idle Awhile.

I have not been there yet but alot of people on this site highly recommend that hotel.

I got a price for the dates that you listed..a few weeks ago for $1300.

Good luck!:)

september 16-21 is still hurricane season. I would forget Jamaica. Maybe Aruba

Inc,
Aruba would not fit the bill being that it is an expensive destination.IMO..not worth the money.

I would take my chances and go to Jamaica or anywhere but Aruba.Maybe Curacao..I have heard that it has more culture and sites to see.

I would never go to Jamaica during hurricane season again. Onece is more than enough. I heard interesting things about Curacao but never been there

Inc,
I totally understand..being that you have been through a hurricane in Jamaica.When and what hurricane was it that you experienced?

I have been through a few also..we live in NC.Fran was very scary in 96.

I've been to Negril and to Montego Bay. I really didn't want to do Jamaica again. I have heard some awful things about Aruba. That was going to be my choice but I hear it is extremely americanized and touristy. How bout the British Virgin Islands?? Anybody know anything about where I could go? Also, St. Croix is an option but I hear it's kinda boring.

Wow. You're kinda picky for only wanting to spend $1300 bucks.

Considering that airfares are going to eat up a big chunk of your budget, I'd start by finding out where I can fly to for the least $. Islands near the continental US would be a good place to start.

Alternately, I'd try to find a package deal to somewhere.

Have you considered somewhere in Mexico/Mayan Rivera areas?

That's the second time recently that I have heard St. Croix referred to as "boring." It just makes me chuckle because when we complained of being bored as kids, my mother would always say:"Only boring people get bored." St. Croix is like any other place is a matter of taste. I guess it depends on what you're into. I never bore of cheap booze, tropical weather, warm crystal waters and jerk barbeque. There's endless watersports options, some shopping and gorgeous scenery. And gosh, a downtown nightlife which can be a bit dicey. How exciting!

As for your BVI question. You might search under Tortola. It has a wider range of accomodations than the other BVI's and I think it offers all the beauty and romance you're looking for.

For great last meinute deals to the Dominican Republic, Riviera Maya and Cancun (and sometimes a few other destinations) check out this website....http://www.gonowvacations.com/index.html....and click on "Hotline Specials".

I'd like to spend around 1300 for a quick getaway. I can defintely spend more, but for 4-5 days I definitley don't want to spend 2K... I thought 1300 was reasonable. I haven't been to the caribbean and really don't know what to expect, which is why I am indicisive (not picky). I just need some good suggestions. It's just that we went to Maui for our honeymoon and I'm just finding it hard to find a place that compares.

Thanks for the insight on St. Croix tuxedocat. You are right. St. Croix will be as exciting as I want it to be or as boring as I want it to be. I have looked into Tortola and think I have it narrowed down to the two. If you've been to both, how do they compare?

Idubb,
Aruba definitely is too touristy and Americanized...I do not like Aruba.

I suggested Negril because you said that you had never been to the Caribbean and wanted to spend $1300 bucks..sorry I would not have guessed that you have been to Jamaica.;)

I have been to Kauai and it is very hard to find somewhere that compares..in the Caribbean.But for us..we really like St John.

We are going in 3 weeks.We paid $899 for air (with insurance)and $320 for our hotel room,and will spend about $240 for the rental car.

So maybe St John would be a good choice if you want nice beaches that are romantic,friendly locals and very good snorkeling.:)

I agree Aruba is far too commercialized/Americanized now and doesn't have a true Caribbean feel to it and isn't outside the hurricane belt as commonly believed, due to Aruba Tourism marketing their island. There was a hurricane warning out for Aruba last fall when hurricane Ivan passed through, luckily Ivan just missed Aruba, but there was major flooding, damage to some resorts and beach errosion. We have travelled a fair amount in the Caribbean and in Aruba, I got the feeling I was visiting a beach in the U.S. with all the highrises, American fast food chains and restaurants on this very small(19.6 x 6 miles)basically flat,windy desert island that lacks vegetation and where everything has to be imported and where almost every hotel has a casino. If you like to gamble you will love Aruba, but we didn't find it romantic at all compared to other Caribbean destinations.

I would suggest the Mayan Riviera of Mexico (south of Cancun), St. Lucia, Jamaica and Antigua. They are all beautiful and have a real tropical feel to them. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic has one of the best beaches, but there is not too much to do off the resort.

If you are worried about hurricanes try Barbados, Grenada, the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Tobago.

If you want to feel you have stayed in the U.S. visit Aruba, but if you want to feel you have visited the Caribbean or somewhere different visit another Caribbean destination.

Yeah, ONZGO I tend to block out the fact that I've been to Jamaica. I was pretty young and went with girlfriends. Stayed drunk mostly and partied ;-) I didn't like Jamaica much. I was looking for paradise and found a lot of poor people begging. Was very depressing to be on vacation "kicking it" when those who lived there were less fortunate.

I looked into Mexico also. Thanks for the suggestions!

When someone says Aruba is "expensive" you have to remember that expensive is relative. Aruba's prices are very much in line with those in a major metropolitan area of the US. We live in the NE and Aruba's prices are in line with what we pay for everything. As to being Americanized, I see it with the restaurant chains but if you look beyond that they absolutely have their own culture and customs. Aruba is also probably the safest place from hurricanes in the Caribbean. How many direct hits has it taken? I realize some may not like Aruba and that's cool but when you begin to use words like "expensive", "commercialized", "touristy" etc. you have to remember that again, it's all relative.

Idubb: Tortola is British and it's interesting that even though it is right next to the USVI, it has a distinctly different feel to it. Tortola is the largest BVI, and St. Croix is the largest USVI. St. Croix is more isolated as it is about 40 miles from the rest of the large Virgin Islands. Due to the distance, St. Croix seems to have a stronger "West Indian" vibe to it than St. Thomas or St. John. It is also less rugged in terrain than Tortola. Perhaps Tortola is a better choice for your first go-around. There are plenty of opportunities to check out neighboring islands on day trips from there.

I believe you have every right to be "picky" .... , even on a budget !!! It's your money after all ! We researched Tortola last year , and it can be done inexpensively .

Muylinda,
It all depends on if someone wants a true *exotic* feel as to if they will like Aruba.If that is what they are looking for..they will be disappointed as I was.Aruba is great for the beach lounging person..but for the person who likes to explore.

typo: NOT for the person who likes to explore.

Has anyone else noticed that Author5 seems to contribute only negative comments about the Bahamas ?

Is this another "Harald" reincarnation ?

Good grief, just when you think it's safe, he pops up again.

What's that carnival game where they give you a club and you try to smash the heads that pop up ?

Yes...that's my image today ;-)

Marion

Tuxedocat, I just had to jump in and say that my mom used to tell me when I was a kid that only boring people get bored. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've used it in reference to myself for the last couple of decades! When my husband and I took our granddaughter to Tortola in July, that was the one phrase I insisted she not use after the first day--I think teenagers are so inured to that phrase. But waiting in the airport was boring, waiting for a taxi was boring, etc. I'm sure she found later activities boring, but she kept those thoughts to herself. :)

Imagine finding the ENTIRE island of St. Croix to be boring!

Marion: Leave it to you to say: "The Emperor has no clothes!" I think we've all been ignoring him. I thought about just writing more nice things about the Bahamas, but even that is too much attention. Nuff said!

ejcrowe: You probably hit the nail on the head. I bet it was some teenager who's responsible for the "St. Croix is boring..." thought.

Marion,
I think that *whatsthezipit* posing as authorV is back.They are posting on all of the forums again.Fodors must have made the *nut* mad again.

Uh Oh !!

Spent two weeks in Dec. in St. Croix, with three kids we all loved it,many many places to see and explore great snorkling from many of the beaches, Do not miss Buck Island. Many reasonable places to eat, lots of culture., many great places to explore that have no cost. I highly recommend St. Croix. Never once heard I'm bored. go for it...

Tuxedocat,

You're right :-) ! As I've said before, I often don't follow my own advice...and today is one of those days.

As another insomniac and an admitted *news junkie*, I've spent far too much time watching the tragedy of Katrina.

To qoute you again (and you do have a way with a phrase :-) )...I guess I'm having one of my "off kilter" days :-) !

Marion

$1300 for 5 nights, including airfare, for two people? I don't see how you can do it for so little. Airfare alone will run you at least $900 from most US cities. Your best bet is probably Puerto Rico because the airfare will be cheaper than other Caribbean destinations. If I were you, I'd either look for a budget place in Puerto Rico or else look to pay more money.

The USVI is a great choice for a first island. Great beaches. Although $1300 is not a great deal of money. Airfare from Chicago doesn't go very far. Look into a package deal and see if that helps.

I did actually find airfare, and 5 nights in both St. Croix and Tortola. As a matter of fact, St. Croix for 5 nights at a 3* hotel was 1027. 5 nights in Tortola at another 3* was 1159.14. Do your research before you critique someone's budget ;-)

Since Katrina hit, now my hubby is doubtful that we should take the trip to Tortola. I'm getting frustrated :-(

I have to convince him that we should go! I want to book TODAY and leave on Sept. 16th. I say just book and reschedule or cancel if weather treatens to ruin it! That's what travler's insurance is for!

Lbubb007, there's no reason to be harsh to those who are offering you suggestions. You asked for help and people have offered their ideas. My suggestion of Puerto Rico was a reasonable one because airfare there tends to be less than the other islands. I answered you with courtesy. You should do the same.

"Do your research before you critique someone's budget"

That's pretty funny, especially considering it's actually Your research you're asking Laby to do!

Idubb007....

Your original post stated that you had never been to any Caribbean island, and you asked for help.

There are many here who gave you good advice without judgement of your budget.

When I started to lose interest was when you suddenly remembered that you had been to Jamaica, which is definitely a Caribbean island.

I hope you'll be able to convince your hubby to go to Tortola. And I hope you'll be sober enough to remember that you've been there.

Maybe you'll even consider writing a trip report for us ?

Marion

Ohmigod! You guys are WAAAAYYYY too serious. I put the smiling winky guy just to let you know I was trying to be funny... I apologize if I've offended. I truly joined this site to get advice from others who are more traveled than myself. I have much respect and again I apologize :-)

Marion -

Funny thing about me is that I have a memory of convenience! It was some time ago that I went to Jamaica and as I said, I was not so impressed. I know that Jamaica is in the Caribbean and I apologize for the lapse in memory... I am human!

Thanks again for your help as well!!!!