Looking For Suggestions
 

My husband and I are looking to go on vacation for a week in the Jan-Feb or early March timeframe. We want to go somewhere warm, where we can swim, dive/snorkel, hike, etc. We are not too concerned with nightlife, but good food is a plus. We don't need luxurious accomodations, but want something moderately nice. We'd like to also find something reasonably priced. Any suggestions on places I should consider. Thanks! <BR> <BR>

Read up on Aruba, just 6 degrees south of the eauator. Weather is always nice beaches are great at Palm Beach or Eagle Beach and great food. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks Sam!

If diving is important to you - I would go to Bonaire. Nice beaches - great diving/snorkeling, very laid back. It's a diving island so they have many different types of accomodations. Another choice would be Curacao. There is - of course - Grand Cayman, GREAT diving and snorkeling; many different types of accomodations.

Aruba is 12 degrees NORTH of the equator, not 6 degrees south. If you don't mind being surrounded by discos, casinos, cruise ship passengers, and American fast-food outlets then by al means go to Aruba.

To Mo. It is amazing how your are so accurate on the location of Aruba but so misinformed about the island. Yes, cruise ship stop at Aruba, and many other island also I might add. Yes they have fast food outlets, so does Paris and most all European cities. However their numbers are few when compaired to the local family resturants on the island with excellent food. Some people enjoy the nightlife of the casinos and discos. If you are not one of them, then don't go. We've been to Aruba 8 times and have never been in a disco or nightclub. If your accurately reread Beth's post, Aruba is a good choice.

Beth,<BR><BR>not sure if you have considered Jamaica - but we had a memorable experience there - and the resort had all-inclusive diving including great divemasters, a terrific dive boat and some surprisingly good diving.<BR><BR>have a look at Swept Away - it is an AI in Negril and is highly regarded on the travel websites. It has everything - nice accommodation, gorgeous beach, very good food, all the watersports etc., two snorkelling opportunities each day and some very fun excursions.<BR><BR>we really enjoyed everything about the resort including the food which was great. my wife is particular about food and she was impressed.<BR><BR>we have been to Little Cayman to dive - the diving was fantastic, but we found it very expensive.<BR><BR>good luck.

St. John has wonderful hiking (2/3 of the island is national park), great snorkeling and gorgeous beaches. If you're looking for a resort, sometimes the Westin has very good deals, but I'd recommend getting a villa and a rental jeep. Some of the smaller villas are quite reasonably priced for 2 people. Check out www.caribbeanvilla.com, www.carefreegetaways.com, www.vivacations.com or www.destinationstjohn.com. You'd probably have to drive to the beach everyday (unless you choose the Westin) but the beaches are so fabulous it's worth it. No highrises and no fast food chains, but a number of excellent restaurants. The weather in your time frame should be low 80s.

Agree wholeheartedly w/ Sue on this one! We stayed @ Marriott & did not see one disco, casino (it's there but not in your face), fast food place or cruise ship passenger. The Marriott is at the North end of Palm Beach (Mo you are making me nervous...it's gotta be North b/c the hotel has western exposure ...spectacular sunsets!). Because of its relatively isolated location The Marriott is off the "cruise ship passenger path". So to say that you wld. be "surrounded" by discos, casinos, cruise ship passengers & fast food outlets everywhere in Aruba is a very misleading description of Palm Beach near the Marriott. We met some people while we were in Aruba who were staying @ the Holiday Inn. They said it was "fine". Every morning they walked over to the Marriott for breakfast.

When I go on a vacation to a tropical island thousands of miles from home, I choose a place that isn't just a hotter version of my home where all the tourists stand out in their search for safe food. Meaning, you can have the McDonalds, Subway, Marriott, Hyatt, etc. Very little of the money spent there stays there on the island. They certainly aren't family-owned. How much island flavor will I get at the Burger King in Oranjestad? Do they play calypso in the lobby of the Hilton now?<BR><BR>Shoot. You wouldn't find me spending my hard-earned money in a business based offshore, catering specifically to tourists. There, tourist treat all the locals like servants instead of with respect and dignity as guests should. That's why I avoid cruise ship ports and the islands that host them. Give me Nevis, Marie-Galante, Bequia, Anguilla, or Grenada over Jamaica, Aruba, USVI or BVI any day. Cruise? I'll take the mail boat scooting down the Grenadines to this big frou-frou mega-hotels that float and put on the feedbag 15x a day. Been there done that got the t-shirt and the coffee mug.<BR><BR>The Caribbean is a real place with real people and a real history. How can anybody experience what a place has to offer if they choose a place just like home? Why not just go to Orlando? It's easy to get to, plenty of good restaurants and adult entertainment, and you don't need a passport or change your currency.

Kudos to Mo for that last post - very well said - you have obviously a very rare breed of tourist. The average tourist is obviously afraid for whatever reasons, to venture "off the beaten path" and try something different. The islands that you mentioned, Nevis, Bequia, and Grenada are so beautiful but very few people think of going there - well they have'nt a clue as to what they are missing. <BR><BR>And your point regarding the need for tourists to treat the locals with dignity and respect is right on target. It is only the other day that I was in a busy resturant in Charlotte Amalie St Thomas having lunch and witnessed a cruise ship passenger (she announced for all to hear that she was), abuse a waitress in a most cruel way simply because one of the items in an entree she brought to the table was wrong - that tourist woman bawled out at that waitress as if she was speaking to a dog! It was appalling, to say the least. But that's the way things go <BR><BR>Continue to enjoy your unique Caribbean experiences

I too loved Aruba. The weather in Aruba is the best, very little rain ever!! It does have some fast food places, most islands do in the down town area, at least that is my experience. Aruba is not an island where you ruff-it!! If your looking for more of lush tropics to hike around and just enjoy the scenery Aruba may not be the best choice. It's very nice but not the nicest for nature/scenery IMO. However the island food is great. If you go try El Gauchos for good steak. Plenty of places to swim and dive, not sure about hiking however. The beaches are very enjoyable and relaxing. If you are looking for a moderate hotel you may want to try Lacabana or the Marriot. I have been there and enjoyed it. For more info you should check out www.aruba.com No matter where you go have fun!!

Mo, Have you ever been to Aruba? I'm not saying it is the best in the Caribbean, however it does meet with some of Beth's request. It does sound like you know alot about the fast food chains, maybe a frequent customer???. You know nothing about the local resturants. In addition, we are not from the south, so the hot weather is a welcome change. The people of Aruba are most friendly and the majority of the visitors treat them well. You will alway find rude and ignorate people no mater where your go. I'm sure you can relate to that. Give Beth accurate info without bashing the island.

Hey Mo - you take any geo in school, if not, you better brush up on it. Aruba is exactlly six degrees south of the equater. Sounds like Mo needs to do a lot of brushing up on almost everything except his ego. The temp in Jan, Feb & Mar will be 85 degrees with a low of 75. The water will be what you are looking for Beth. Have a great time.

for Mo:<BR><BR>don't you think your post is a bit of a generalization and a bit arrogant?<BR><BR>to a degree, I agree with your thought - but your tone of a "seasoned traveler" may not be taken very well with some people.<BR><BR>the tourist industry in Aruba, Jamaica etc. supports the economies in these countries and give people opportunity.<BR><BR>it is also a stretch saying tourists treat all locals without respect. I have traveled extensively in the Caribbean and most of the time locals are treated with respect by the visitors.....we are the people we have been with certainly do.<BR><BR>also - not all tourist dollars leave these islands. many of the resorts are owned by people on the island and the money stays on the island.

For Nicole:<BR><BR>Thanks for the kind words. People like that idiot you saw in St. Thomas make us all look bad.<BR><BR>For Sam:<BR><BR>Did the equater (sic) move? Are all my maps and globs wrong? For years I thought the equator bisected South America. There's even a South American country named after it. Are we talking about Aruba of the West Indies, formerly of the Netherlands Antilles, first of the ABC islands, just 12 miles off the north coast of Venezuela?<BR><BR>For friend:<BR>You over-generalized my post to suit your argument--a typical response when your position is weak. So that there is no mistake, I suggest you re-read my post and quote me accurately this time.<BR><BR>For Sue:<BR><BR>I have been to Aruba and yes, technically speaking, it does fit many of Beth's requirements. I also know that more people return to visit Aruba than any other Caribbean island including Jamaica and the USVI. There must be a good reason for that and I believe it's because they haven't been anywhere else to compare Aruba to. Aruba doesn't have a monopoly on friendly locals and nice places to stay and eat. At least, the vast majority of visitors to Aruba I've encountered have been to Aruba only. And I haven't been in a fast-food joint in years, not even to ask directions (Unless you count the rib and roti stands in Jamaica and the corn-chowder stand in Anguilla)! I wonder, how do offshore-owned corporations support the local economy other than provide low-wage jobs that turn over almost 100% annually? Anyway, I'd have trouble relaxing in a place with 200+ rooms like Marriott or Holiday Inn that looks just like the ones near Disney World. Others MMV. Me, I'll skip an eatery where only American food is on the menu.<BR><BR>For Lanie:<BR>Why are people so scared of rain? I understand not wanting rain all day for every day of your vacation but I kow of few locations like that in the Caribbean. Geez, enjoy a tropical rainstorm. You won't melt. I love sitting on a porch watching and listening to rain splash off the flowers and hedges. Most rainstorms last only fifteen minutes or occur only at night, anyway. I did like the divi-divi trees and iguanas, but the effect was ruined by the tourist ghettos. I don't know what you mean by "ruff-it" (sic), but I don't need white-gloved waiters anticipating my every need in order to enjoy my vacation. Would you hike only on asphalt-paved trails; would you expect to see only "the finest" a country has to offer? You might miss a charming inn or an off-the-beaten-path cafe that could provide a memorable experience, just because the TA who set up your trip would get a smaller commision by sending you there instead.

To Mo: You ask &quot;Why don't people just go to Orlando?&quot; (Instead of Aruba). B/c Orlando does not have Palm Beach &amp; its spectacular sunsets!

MO:<BR><BR><BR>For Lanie:<BR>Why are people so scared of rain? <BR>I go for the sun and the beach, I don't enjoy the rain! If you do live it up!<BR><BR><BR>I understand not wanting rain all day for every day of your vacation but I kow of few locations like that in the Caribbean. Geez, enjoy a tropical rainstorm. You won't melt. I love sitting on a porch watching and listening to rain splash off the flowers and hedges. Most rainstorms last only fifteen minutes or occur only at night, anyway. <BR><BR>Enjoy then, rain is not for everyone, LOL.<BR><BR><BR>I did like the divi-divi trees and iguanas, but the effect was ruined by the tourist ghettos. I don't know what you mean by &quot;ruff-it&quot; (sic), but I don't need white-gloved waiters anticipating my every need in order to enjoy my vacation. <BR><BR>Thats great but again some of us enjoy this. <BR><BR><BR>Would you hike only on asphalt-paved trails; would you expect to see only &quot;the finest&quot; a country has to offer? You might miss a charming inn or an off-the-beaten-path cafe that could provide a memorable experience, just because the TA who set up your trip would get a smaller commision by sending you there instead.<BR><BR>And again I did say I wasn't sure about hiking when in Aruba. I don't hike-- not even on gold paved trail LOL. <BR><BR>MO we all vacation for different reasons. Whats the big deal if I enjoy the sun and dislike the rain? Or I like being pampered while on my vacation? Or I don't want to find a charming Inn because I enjoy a luxury resort? Why does it seem to be a problem that I enjoy a much different vacation from yourself? Sit back in the rain somewhere, hike in it and find the Inn, I will be in Aruba-- in the sun drinking an ice cold beer relaxing. To each his own.<BR>

And by the way I have plenty to compare Aruba to and still return. (I also think other people who return to Aruba do as well LOL) I have visited St Thomas, St Lucia, Cuacao, Cancun, Cozumel, San Juan, Oahu, Maui.

Aruba is a great island. I have visited it every year for the past five years. Aruba has some really nice dive spots I think you will like Beth. Aruba also has plenty of resorts to stay at that are cheap to moderate priced. Sam and Lanie are right, you can't beat the weather or the food. <BR>Bill