Please recommend a Caribbean Island for the budget-conscious with the following criteria:

1)safety first
2)crystal clear caribbean water with great beaches
3)good snorkeling opportunities
4)good local or all-inclusive food
5)opportunities for local shopping

I'm looking at a trip around June 6 for 4 nights for 1 or 2 people. Would like to keep it to $1500 or less. Where do you suggest best fits the bill?

I think Jamaica is hard to beat for good value. Local food is great and cheap and there are very reasonable accomodations. I like Negril beach better than any of the other beaches I have seen in the Caribbean because of its combination of perfect water and convenience to restaurants and nightlife and lack of wind. I loved the beach in Anguilla but it was so windy when we were there, that we couldn't enjoy it most of the week.
I have never found that in Jamaica.

You might check out Dominican Republic. Many AI. Punta Cana is very nice, but somewhat limited on the shopping criteria. There is a tour to Santo Domingo. It is mostly for those who want to relax and stay at the resort.

Isla Mujeres off the coast of Mexico. A short ferry ride from Cancun, but a world apart. Playa Norte is beautiful, with numerous fun beach bars/restaurants. Some snorkeling off the south end of the island, plus very reasonably priced snorkel tours. Food is very reasonable as are the hotels. We stayed at a beautiful hotel, ocean front, king bed, small breakfast for $85.00. Jean

grenada once you get the airfare ,room and lodging is very reasonable check out blue horizons hotel not on the beach but very accessible, clean friendly and beautifully manicured