Hello to all! I would like to have your recommendations for an island...my DH, me and another couple (30s-40s) will travel from Texas in September and would like the following:
good diving, beach to walk on (preferable soft sand), pretty water, a nice room to sleep. We are not foodies, so the AI thing would work. We will plan to rent a vehicle, so proximity to a town from the resort/rental would not be a big deal. We have gone diving in Cozumel and Grand Cayman and loved both. We would like to avoid any areas that will require that we take malaria meds. Any other insights from those with more travel experiences will be very appreciated. Oh, and we would like for accommodation to max out at around $300 per day.
Thanks in advance and happy travels!

Since September is prime hurricane season for most of the Caribbean Islands and Mexico, I would look at Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. They are outside of the hurricane belt.

We went to Aruba in Sept. 2006 and loved it. The weather was perfect. There are tons or really great resturants and bars in all price ranges, so AI would not be recommended. The Island is very easily to get around. The bus sytem is cheap and convenient.

I would say that Grand Cayman and Aruba are somewhat comparable. More resturants and better prices in Aruba. Grand Cayman has the nicer beach and snorkeling, but Aruba's beaches are nice. They are both very safe and clean destinations.

Where are you in Texas? We got a direct flight on Continental out of Houston.

Thanks for that information. We are in San Antonio, and I have always wanted to go to Aruba. Was the sand nice and soft? What kind of activities are there other than "beaching"?

jmcpike

check out http://www.aruba-bb.com/

This will answer most of your questions.

Depending on where you want to go, you might not need a car for all of your visit. Public transport on Aruba is wonderful, it's clean, regular and used by visitors and locals alike.

Yes the sand is soft, but there is a breeze - I never had a problem (both times we visited in June) since it's so warm the breeze is very coolng

We stayed at Bucuti Beach http://www.bucuti.com/en/rates/2008.php

Rates vary from $210 to $295, this is not AI although Breakfast is included in the price.

If you do decide that Aruba is the place for you - check you Le Dome for Sunday Brunch, it's within walking distance.

I'm trying to decide on a vacation spot for June and am now wondering why we're not going back to Bucuti Beach

Yes, the sand is nice and very soft especially on Eagle Beach. We stayed at the Holiday Inn on Palm Beach. It was OK. We liked the area because there are numerous restaurants, bars and shopping within walking distance of all the hotels on Palm Beach. We want to return and will stay at the Amsterdam Manor on Eagle Beach next trip. www.amsterdammanor.com

We found lots of things to do. We did a jeep tour with ABC, went to De Palm Island for the day, did a sunset dinner cruise, went snorkeling with Mi Dushi, went to the Butterfly Farm, took a beach/snorkel trip to 3 different beaches with De Palm, took the bus downtown for shopping, and went to the Havana Tropical Show at the Westin.

In addition to the Aruba-bb Board, also look at the Aruba forum on Trip Advisor. I found that site more helpul and more friendly. Also, look at www.DePalm.com for great info on things to do.

If you interested, we have pictures at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn

Wow..your trip pics are amazing! It looks like you two really live it up and I felt like I had actually made the voyages with you! Of all of your vacations, which would you say has been your favorite, all things considered?
Where in Texas are you?
Thanks for the recommendations on places to stay
Keep the info coming!
<happy in the alamo city, but dreaming of turquoise waters...>

Thank you for the compliment.

Of all the places we've been we like Cozumel, MX. It's cheap, it's easy to get to from Texas, the water is gorgeus and the snorkeling is good.

We really like Grand Cayman. The beaches, water and snorkeling are fantastic, but the prices for food and drink are too high. We can't afford to go there anymore. They don't have good AI hotels there like Mexico and they don't want any.

We also love Aruba. Great beaches, good snorkeling, good shopping. Dining and bars are in abundant and relatively inexpensive. Good things to see and do. Clean and safe. Most people complain it's "too commericalized", but that's why we like it. The only problem is it's a 5 hour flight from Houston.

We go to Mexcio a lot; Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. It's the best bang for your buck especially if you pick an AI hotel. We'll be going back to Cancun in a few days.

We're in Midland, TX (West Texas)

Thanks so much. Have a great time in Cancun..we are three shades of green ! Can't wait to see your trip report and pics.

kvr, you said

"We really like Grand Cayman. The beaches, water and snorkeling are fantastic, but the prices for food and drink are too high. We can't afford to go there anymore. They don't have good AI hotels there like Mexico and they don't want any."

How about a premium all inclusive for $215 per person per night in a beachfront suite in Grand Cayman ?... yes, things are changing in Cayman... can't say more though

Tom, didn't mean to step on any toes. I just meant there are not any AI hotels like in Mexico. ie: Huge AI complexes.

I will reconsider going back to Grand Cayman if there were AI hotels or hotels that offered an AI plan directly on 7 Mile Beach. Are there any besides Beach Club Colony, which I understand is closing at the end of the year.

Ooooooh, Tom. Just looked at that...beautiful. Really makes me want to return to Cayman. Where is this located in regards to, say, the Ritz area? We have stayed every time in a condo called Beachcomber on SMB. Like the area, but are always open to new places!

kvr, the only property offering AI on 7MB is Beach Club Colony.

Not sure when they are closing, the date is not set in stone (they need to sell x number of condos in the new luxury development to be built there, and with the economy in the US as it is, who knows... it may be open a while longer).

jmcpike... can't say more, sorry, forum etiquette