Island destination suggestions for Jan/Feb 2015
 

We are 3 couples traveling together for a winter getaway (from Michigan) for 7-9 nights end of Jan/early Feb. Our budget is in the $3,000 range including air/accomodations/food etc.We would be renting a home on VRBO. It's by far the best and least expensive way for accommodations. We have done it several times already with no problems. What we like is the beach, shopping (for the wives), things to do in the evening, site seeing with some adventure, a fairly safe island since we are staying at a rental home, english speaking natives, etc.

Suggestions are welcome please!

$3000 total for 6 persons or per person or per couple?

$3,000 per couple.

Not a realistic amount in peak season in majority of places, and won't get all your wants.

The only place I can think of in budget is central America-- Belize, Roatan, maybe Costa Rica. Not much shopping, Spanish in Costa Rica.

Mexico would fit all your criteria, although it's Spanish (most do speak English)

Air will take a big chunk- $650 -$750 pp, so there's half your budget. Majority of 3 plus bedrooms will take at least $1000 per couple, and $3000 for a place on vrbo will be away from beaches and probably in towns, which means you need transportation. That will eat up $500 if what's left-- so no money for food or excursions.

You could bring a cooler with many foods, everything but fruits and vegetables. That will help.

Peak season runs Christmas thru end of April (longer if Easter is later in the year)

So really suggestions are more based on what you can afford vs your wants--

You can go to Isla Mujeres in Mexico, Ambergris Cay in Belize, Roatan Honduras. You could also do the Mexican coast, Playa down to Tulum.

These suggestions will have activities, shops, restaurants, and are affordable.

Other islands in Caribbean, you'd find something Out Islands of Bahamas, but you won't get much more than beaches, and they might be chilly that time of year.

You could try Grand Turk-- in your budget, but shops mostly open when cruise ship in port (which actually is every day in peak season) water based excursions (stingrays, snorkel, scuba) air to there will take a chunk of budget.

You could also do Cayman Brac, but same situation as GT.

Your budget that time of year won't go far. May thru November you have a chance.

I went to VRBO and started looking for 3 bedrooms in the Caribbean for the first week in February. I'm quite amazed at some of the prices you can get for peak season. Since you seem to want a more active island I looked at Barbados, St. Martin and St. Lucia. You can easily find 3-bedroom, nice-looking accommodations for under $2,000 for a week. Here's an example of what you can get on St. Lucia:

http://www.vrbo.com/431545ha

It's a 5 minute walk to the nearest beach but it's lovely and near Rodney Bay, a more active beach area with restaurants and arguably the nicest beach on the island (Reduit Beach). St. Lucia offers many nice excursions and things to do plus beautiful scenery with the Pitons.

You can get accommodations right on Orient Bay in St. Martin, which puts you steps from the water. There are many great restaurants and shopping opportunities on St. Martin. You can also take day trips via ferry to Anguilla and St. Barts.

Barbados also offers accommodations right on the water. Lots to do on Barbados as well.

If it has to be English-speaking that really cuts down your options. Some best values are Spanish speaking (Caribbean coast of Mexico, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, etc.).