TroutmanJ

My fiancé and I are envisioning a relaxing time on the beach for our honeymoon (Now the end of April). We both would prefer an island that has excellent food or established food culture. I have read a little about some eco-resorts that have organic foods and/or insist on sustainability, those would interest both of us. I have read that St. Martin has the best food in the Caribbean, but a conflicting report that Tulum, Mexico is better because it isn't an island so it can source its food from the mainland. Any thoughts on this or recommendations would be welcome! I have always been skeptical about the Caribbean, can someone please sell it to me without just mentioning the pristine beaches?

RoamsAround

Yes, St. Martin, because of its French culture, has some of the best food in the Caribbean. If you are true "foodies" another island to consider is St. Barth's ( again a French island that some say is the Paris of the Caribbean). Anguilla has over 80 different restaurants, some that rival the ones on the French islands.

If great food is important to you, concentrate on those three islands - everything else is a step down.

One more point, those three islands are in close proximity to each other so it is fairly easy to visit all three in one trip.

TroutmanJ

Ok sounds like I will narrow it down to those 3. Any resorts or recommendations?

I think we would tend to favor a place that is reliant on organic/locally sourced foods rather than an all inclusive resort that will give you truckloads of food anytime you ask but it has all been flown in from mainland.

Any thoughts on Tulum? Or elsewhere in Mexico that might be best suited to these sorts of things?

RoamsAround

OK, you need a bit of a reality check - the vast majority of produce that you find on most Caribbean Islands (and that includes Tulum and the surrounding areas) is going to be imported. To put things in a nutshell only certain types of fruits & vegetables grow well in a tropical environment and those items have limited growing seasons (sometimes it's way to hot for cool weather veggies/fruits and other times there's not enough rain for other types of crops. Often times what's grown "locally" isn;t as good as imported produce. Exceptions are fruits like pineapple, bananas, coconuts and vegetables like yams, breadfruit, christophine, squash. Leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, etc., certain types of beans and tomatoes have very limited growing seasons. So no matter where you go the better resorts, hotels and restaurants will be using a combination of imported and some locally grown produce. The more "upscale" the place (be it resort or restaurant) the greater the odds are the meats and produce will be imported. And it doesn't all come from what you you refer to as the "mainland" (which I assume you mean the US). The imported foods come from all over the world.

Now, it's difficult to recommend resorts without knowing what type of budget you have for your accommodations?

In the mean time on Anguilla look at Cuisinart (they grow many of their own vegetables), Viceroy or Cap Juluca. On St. Barth's look at Isle de France, Le Toiny or Eden Rock. On St. Martin look at La Sammana,

TroutmanJ

Thanks for the reality check. That's the information I needed. It helps narrowing down what is worth looking at. I have looked a little bit at the CusinArt on Anguilla, and I will continue to look at the others. Thanks so much for the suggestions!

Budget will likely be around $5,000 at the high end (not including airfare). Probably between a 7-10 day trip. We would be leaving from the East Coast US, so I don't anticipate the flight to be very long.

I am leaning towards Caribbean over Mexico. And I still have Hawaii in the back of my head. But I feel like I can do a separate trip to Hawaii sometime.

suze

I like the Tulum suggestion. Or Akumal nearby. But that's because I *strongly* prefer Mexico to the Caribbean just generally speaking, for the culture, the food, the people.

For the Caribbean, Negril Jamaica is my favorite place but doesn't really fit what you are looking for as it is quite rustic.

Nothing wrong with Hawaii. To me it is more spectacularly beautiful than either Mexico or the Caribbean.

TroutmanJ

Thanks Suze, any more details on Hawaii? Or specific recommendations on Hawaii?

RoamsAround

For recommendations on Hawaii you'll get more responses if you post your question on the US forum - use the "Change Forum" link at the top left of this page.

rogandgee

Don't let anyone "write off" the Caribbean for you.Every area of the world has something unique to offer, including Mexico and Hawaii. The Caribbean is very varied, offering obvious Dutch, English, French, Spanish and American influences. (I assume it is the islands that are being referred to as the "Caribbean" whereas I prefer to refer to them more accurately as the West Indies in order to distinguish them from Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica etc which border the Caribbean Sea)
As someone who knows Mexico, Hawaii and the West Indies thoroughly, I ask you to do more research and find an island that meets your needs. Believe me, they are all different. For example, I pick three that are within close proximity for a simple comparison. Barbados - generally flat, beautiful beaches and very British in culture. Martinique - a literal department of France and St. Lucia - stunningly beautiful with varied topography and a unique cultural mix of England and France. All have beaches and food that would please even the very discerning.
Finally, St. Martin surely has good food but definitely can not claim to have the best. Each island has its own unique cuisine and and great international and local restaurants and many award winning chefs reside in those very islands.

DistinctVacations

I love Hawaii and the Caribbean but for different reasons. Even the Caribbean islands are all very different but each is special in their own way.

Based on the preferences you mentioned I would recommend St. Barths and Anguilla in the Caribbean. If you have at least 10 days I would also recommend Hawaii, perhaps Maui and Kuai.

Here are some brief descriptions:

St. Barths- Strictly an island for grown ups, not many children here. It is a very quiet upscale island with beautiful beaches, hotels, villas, fine dining, art galleries and museums.

Anguilla- A short ferry ride away from St. Martin, it is a sophisticated island, not as stuffy as St. Barths, families with children are welcome. Truly amazing beaches and fine dining. Upscale resorts and villas.

Hawaii- A spectacular place... with volcanoes, waterfalls, mountains and a deep blue ocean. However, if you are looking for crystal clear water and powdery white sand beaches then the Caribbean is your destination. I went to Hawaii for my honeymoon and visited again with our children this Summer. Truly love it but it just depends on your preferences for your honeymoon.
There are six islands one can visit in Hawaii and each has their own personality.

Contact me if I can help you further with finding your honeymoon destination.

janisj

>>Contact me if I can help you further with finding your honeymoon destination.<<

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