Hi all,
We've been vacationing on st john during the past two winters, but we are finding it quite expensive, and also difficult to get to, with the flight into st Thomas, then the ferry ride, then the need for a rental car for the duration if renting a house.
We are looking for a place that is a bit easier on the wallet, and also easier to get to and from. We love st john for the national park and lack of heavy development. We've rented houses in the coral bay area, stayed at Maho and Concordia, and love that kind of laid back vibe. We spend a lot of time hiking, and discovering out of the way beaches (east end). So we are looking for another island to visit, and are hoping to find similar hiking and beach opportunities. Any suggestions? Any places with Concordia type tent accommodations?

Caribbean Destinations that are often considered the less expensive islands include:

Dominican Republic
Jamaica
Vieques
Culebra
Isla Mujeres
Cancun
Cozemel
Belise
Costa Rica

Also, check out some of the Bahamas Out-islands (but they won't be easy to get to)

Other destinations you might consider are Grenada, St. Vincent and most of the Grenadines.

The Playa del Carmen/Riveria Maya of Mexico. We have been going to Mexico every year for the last 10 years because it is so afforable with lots of things to see and do off property.

Grenada usually costs a lot of money to get to, but once you're on island it can be pretty inexpensive. Same with Bequia, which is part of the Grenadines. We also thought our vacation on Vieques was fairly inexpensive, as Roams Around suggested.

Spirit.com

Very cheap flights to Carib/Mexico/CA/SA

LOTS cheaper than the majors

Even free off peak flights with their "Free Spirit" CC for me

Save a tonne on air with them.

Cheap places I like I have been to.

Cancun Tulum (fly FLL CUN) cheap bus down

Cabinas Zazilkin Tulum cozycorner-belize.com

Awesome beaches very cheap

Puerto Rico Ponce area

Colombia Cartagena casaviena.com

Happy Hunting,

http://www.moon.com/destinations/can...maya/tulum-and...

Moon excellent budget lodging guides

might research carefully

there to save a tonne.

Thanks for the great location ideas. Now I'll throw a wrench in it. I've been photographing the old plantation ruins on St John for the past 2 years, and would like to do the same at the next place we go. What I'm looking for is old plantation ruins that have NOT been reconditioned, but are in the forest, still in ruin. Any thoughts for that, at the above locations? St John was great for this, because many of the old plantations are in the national park. I will be doing my own homework on this as well.

Nevis has dozens upon dozens of old plantations ruins - many partially and/or well hidden by vegetation plus almost as many on relatively cleared land - it's a photographer's delight. However, the island will probably not meet your definition of being "less expensive" and you may not find it easy to get to.

Research Jamaica. There are a few old planatations that are now set up as tourist attractions. Jamaica should meet your less expensive Island request.

I will look into some of the places suggested. We have been to several locations suggested: Belize, Mexican Riviera, Isla Mujeres, Costa Rica.
Jamaica sounds interesting, as does the Dominican Republic, both direct flights, no outer islands to get to. Both large places that must offer a huge variety of experiences and places to explore. The crime in Jamaica worries me a bit, since we are traveling with 8 and 5 year olds. I'll do some homework.

Jamaica is a LOT more interesting than the DR (imho). I'm not sure what "crime" you are referring to. I am not aware of any safety issues with tourists in the resort spots of Jamaica. Negril is my go-to place on that island. But it's a lot more expensive than Mexico, that's for sure.

We had the same reservations when we went to Jamaica. (though we don't have children) It took us 5 years and going to many other Caribbean Islands before we felt comforatable enough to venture to Jamaica. We found our reservations to be unwarranted. We stayed in Negril the first trip and are planning a second trip for this December to Ocho Rios. Yes, do the research and just be cautious/careful as you would any destination.

People say similar things about Mexico and we've been going every year for the past 10 years. I think some people are just extremists and really have no true idea. Most comments are based on incorrect information and personal fear.

If we were looking for a combination of beach time, hiking, and plantation ruins exploring, where would you stay in Jamaica?