one month
 

me and my husband both 30 looking to spend one month somewhere..would like to rent something close to the beach and or town..would like it to be affordable, but no max. coming from ont. looking to relax, would like somewhere with a small village or town that has markets stores, friendly lively people. want beautiful water, and swimming. good food.

Welcome to Fodors!

Your question is tough because every island offers all those things. "affordable but no max." doesn't narrow it down much either :-)

Are you looking to rent a place that is not part of a resort or hotel? Have you looked into which islands are the easiest to get to from your home airport? That would be one way to start.

The internet is great to pin down details but with such a wide open question I think a couple guidebooks from the library that cover the Caribbean might be more useful to you, if you haven't done that yet.

we do not want to be on a resort. would like to rent our own spot for a month on or close to the beach

Still to broad of a question. If you include the Bahamas Out-Islands there are over 800 islands in the Caribbean that have rental properties "on or close to a beach" and "close to a small village or town". All islands have "swimming", "good food'. "friendly people" and most will have "beautiful water".

So in short you can go just about anywhere in the Caribbean to find what you want. It like asking where should I go to experience Europe or what's the best place to go in the USA?

At the very least you need to answer these questions:

When will you be going?

Where will you be flying from?

How long are you willing to travel to reach your destination?

Are you willing to take one or more connecting flights and/or ferries to reach
your destination?

Do you have a preference for size of island and all that might entail- tiny, small, medium, large?

Do you want a flat, arid and scrubby island usually having long strands of white sand beaches, a hilly semi-lush island with smaller cove-like golden sand beaches or a mountainous lush island with dense rainforests and darker sand beaches?

When you say "good food" do you mean an abundance of high end gourmet food or do you mean simple but tasty local dishes?

Do you want a stand along house or small villa or would you be OK with a rental condo?

How "close" do those towns and villages need to be from your rental unit - a few blocks, walkable, a mile, a few miles, more???

What activities besides relaxing, swimming and dining interest you?

Having some idea of your accommodations budget would really help. No sense recommending an area with villas that rent for $20,000/week if all you are really looking to spend is $2,000 for the month? Sorry but "affordable" but "no max" doesn't help.

ok lets say 8000 max..do not want anything to built up and touristy, want a feel of the local culture. would like an island that is more affordable. be nice to check out local markets and events not sure if any islands hae anything going on this time of year..looking at leavin end of january. would be interested in eating and trying new types of local foods, flying in from ontario. not picky on rental type. really want the turquoise nice waters, possibly try surfing if its good or snorkeling but as said not picky..we havent travelled much so just looking for ideas on what people have found to be good islands with different cultural feel where i wont break the bank..

In late January/early February an $8,000 rental for a month will probably get you a decent condo on or near a beach or a small cottage somewhere off the beach.

Sorry, using terms like "more affordable" and "won't break the bank" to describe what you might spend on living expenses on a Caribbean island is meaningless. We have no idea what you can "afford" or what will "break your bank". Suffice to say, living expenses on any Caribbean island will be higher then they are back in Ontario. On average you can expect to pay about 25% to 35% more in the Caribbean than you would if you made those same purchases where you now live.

Based on your latest info you might want to narrow your research to islands like Antigua, St.Kitts, Virgin Gorda, St. Croix, Nevis, Dominica or perhaps Belize and Roatan (Caribbean side of Central America). All have what you are seeking.

Again I suggest some guidebooks, with lots of photos, because even with more details there are thousands of places that fit what you ask for.

I like Negril Jamaica a lot and it offers much of what you ask for. It is culturally very different. There are tourists there. But there will be at least some tourists most places that offer beachfront rentals, snorkeling, surfing, etc.
www.negrilonestop.com

"I like Negril Jamaica a lot "

Does that mean you've actually been there?
Or you just saw it in a photo or heard it mentioned in a magazine, and decided to comment as you are often wont to do on this forum?

I have been to Negril three times.

Samba, gotta ask, what's your beef with Suze? She's been on here for years, and the rest of us knew she's been there.

She like everyone else recommends the places she loves and her experiences.

Help me understand what your problem is!

Thank you blamona.

Commenting on a place I have not been, I would have worded it: "my friends liked it there" or "It looks like a beautiful island in an article I read".

I would never say "I like XXX" unless I had actually been there.

"what's your beef with Suze?"

As I have mentioned several times, I think people come to these forums to get the FIRST HAND experience of others who answer the posts. That is the value of these travel forums over other forms of information gathering. I do think people trust that "opinions" on these forums (and others) are based on first hand experiences, unless otherwise specifically stated.

suze posts (if you look back at many posts) as if she has this first hand experience (from the wording and style of the posts), and when questioned, simply says she never SAID she's visited, and there's no "rule" regarding this on Fodors. One post, for example, simply named the place. Why?
I would have no "beef" if she prefaced every post with "I haven't been there, but...(I read this in X place, or I heard from my brother's ex-girlfriend's niece's sister...or gee, it sounds from what I've seen in a guidebook/read in a travel magazine as if you might like...") which would make it very clear what kind/level of "expertise" is being posted.
I am particularly sensitive to this from one forum where the regular poster gets most of his info from the internet, rather than personal experience, but phrases it so that it sounds like his own. Much of it I know (from extensive experience in the destination) to be bad/misleading to such an extent that it could negatively impact someone's trip to a major or minor degree. I would prefer not to see that happening on this forum as well.

"the rest of us knew she's been there."
That's a big assumption IMO. Does "the rest of us" include every new poster who has no reason to know anyone on this forum, but has a legitimate travel question?

Samba, by rest of us means regular posts that have seen Suze a long time. I know she's gone multiple times to Jamaica, and loves it.

You attacked on this post, and I only see Jamaica mentioned by her.....

I get your beef, happens on Tripadvisor all the time (some of these googlers have actually become destination experts!)

But on this particular post, you've attacked Suze.

On the other hand, maybe I do have a bigger/longer sense about it, I have been extremely world traveled, and only write about places I've been.

But i have been on these forums long enough (I've even written some guidebooks for Fodor's) to say I know Suze is a long time contributor. I've never read all of her posts, nor will I, as I personally have better things to do (please no offence Suze!)

Although I have a pet peeve with persons who post, "well I researched this and this is what you should do," Suze talks mostly of Jamaica, and I know has been there.

Why not just counteract with, "I've been x,y,z and sounds like x is what you're looking for" instead?

suze has regularly insisted on posting about the Yucatan and has, by her own words, only been to Puerta Vallarta or "that side"; her posts there are speculation and misleading, but read like she speaks from personal experience, and she objects when that is pointed out (by other posters than me).
Then, because I made a remark, she posted on a Cuba forum, another place where she has not been and about which she has NO idea of the special regulations.

If Fodor forums want to be a closed little insiders' club, one speaking to the other, how lovely for you who "belong" to it. If it wants to be a forum for travelers who are looking for first hand answers on their destination questions, it ought to serve them better than the limited club of those who've known each other that you describe.
It is not one of the busier travel forums on the internet, and could well go the way of (another well-known guidebook's forum) very easily, essentially defunct.

And also the forum should not allow anyone, even or especially an ex-employee of the site, to come across as threatening consequences, as you did, if they don't understand legal from illegal, as you yourself apparently do not on the subject of a particular newly opened country.

So where do you suggest Christon and her husband go? You have made zero contribution to helping them on this thread.

Suze and Blamona, don't bother responding to SambaChula, you wasting your time. This is the second time I've seen this poster attack another here on Fodors with zero reason. This person is here to stir the pot and rubs everyone the wrong way. The last thread this person completely ruined just because some poor kid wanted to go have fun and meet some girls on vacation. This person is here to cause trouble...

Oh and it's already been reported to Fodors, so the posts will be gone soon....Stay patient while they take out the trash ;-)

Ah, here we go again, with bassguy66 defending with such energy the s*x tourist who picked the 4 most notorious countries in the hemisphere to ask about visiting on one trip. There's a great topic for Fodors to be proud to specialize in.

"So where do you suggest Christon and her husband go? You have made zero contribution to helping them on this thread."

Actually in this case, you did have a good suggestion and RoamsAround outlined the pertinent questions further in his/her first 2 posts. Repeating that advice one more time had no value. Usually, on any travel forum, those overly broad questions don't get good answers because a stranger needs to know the OP's tastes better to try to understand what would suit. You said "a couple guidebooks from the library that cover the Caribbean might be more useful to you" and for that reason, it is too difficult still to suggest a place without more specifics on what they were looking for. As it is, Mexico or most any island in the Caribbean I've been to would fill the criteria the OP generalized. But I don't feel that just naming a place that worked for me is the most beneficial way to go insofar as the OP is concerned.

<But I don't feel that just naming a place that worked for me is the most beneficial way to go insofar as the OP is concerned.>

OK then. So you have no helpful suggestions. Your SIX posts on this threads are only made to scold other people.

" to come across as threatening consequences, as you did"

How did I threaten anyone? Sounds like the bully is you

As for Cuba, I've always stated I've never been but tried to go--I'm always keeping up with what's legal to visit, and while I've personally not tested it myself, find it completely irresponsible to suggest working around the law on a public forum. Nothing wrong with stating that, instead of giving vacationers ways to "beat the system"

I told ya!! LOL Samba likes to go from thread to thread attacking and trying to talk down to everyone. Don't waste your time with this attention starved internet wannabe bully. Apparently Samba gets up each morning, kicks the dog, yells at their kids...then logs onto the travel boards to spread more joy. A regular Richard Cranium.

Bass, don't worry about me, I actually get a kick out of it, Samba is so obvious!

;-)

Blamona, It's amazing isn't it? You should have seen the last attack....poor kid comes in here asking where to go have fun and possibly meet some girls (oh the horror!!) and Samba read him the riot act. Samba is obviously looking for a fight...

I am not that often on Caribbean forum but have noticed that Suze knows what she is talking about.

Samba doesn't seem to know the music and dances to the tune of personal attack.
Methinks.

As for OP.
Just in case OP is still reading is language a criterion ?

I love French islands for example, loved Cuba - but English is not everywhere widely spoken.

Samba, the UNofficial Fodor's Forum Police (FFP) Welcome!

PS I'm almost at the Traveler's Century Club, how about you?

http://travelerscenturyclub.org/

8-)

" ..... is not a defined reason to go, and is against the law. Wether (sic) caught or not, on public forums not going to promote illegal activity.
Before you judge what we say, you should know I worked for Fodor's for 10 years
So your bashing of Users making things legit is not welcome"
______
"How did I threaten anyone? "
_________
"completely irresponsible to suggest working around the law on a public forum."
--------
Please check the wording of the regulations, as I asked, before you decide what is or is not illegal, and decide that this forum is "not going to promote illegal activity" or that I am "giving vacationers ways to 'beat the system'."
Please point out, as I asked, how the wording of the "support for the Cuban people" category specifically rules out financial and personal support of the kind the OP of the thread in question would be promoting by his/her presence in Cuba?
You may understand Fodor's rules about not promoting illegal activity, but you clearly have no familiarity with OFAC's rules to understand what is or is not illegal. It is not your decision' it is OFAC's.
Using your insider status as a former employee of the forum to pontificate and imply that you can cause censorship of posts can indeed seem threatening.
______
suze, if you want to exercise your typing fingers to complain about "no helpful suggestions", try this bassguy character, whose posting history seems to show very few, but who has plenty of time to bash my posts, entering this thread specifically and solely to do so.

And blamona dear, I met the criteria for that "club" many decades ago. But as Groucho MArx once said: "I Don’t Want to Belong to Any Club That Will Accept Me as a Member." LOL

<suze, if you want to exercise your typing fingers to complain about "no helpful suggestions">

You still haven't made one. Not a single word that would be of use to this question as originally posted.

I think Christon is now over on Trip Advisor getting support, suggestions, good ideas ;-)

I think Christon is now over on Trip Advisor getting support, suggestions, good ideas ;-)

He/she is for sure...

'Before you judge what we say, you should know I worked for Fodor's for 10 years'

Talking about oneself in plural is quite megalo...

Btw, did they fire you ? You must have made quite a few posters and regulars run away from Fodors... Is there something about harassing other posters in the regulations ?

Hey Samba,

Why don't you enlighten all of us where you have contributed to this thread besides attacking people, and trying to school everyone on how to post here. Nobody is buying into your drama. Nobody cares if you think their posts are good enough for whatever standards you seem to think you have. Who do you think you are anyway? Board Police? More like forum jester....

Hey, suze, did you not say on another thread:
"I knew I was going to be sorry I posted my info :-( "
"Last trip report I was harassed mercilessly.."
and not by me, by others.
Do we break out the tiny violins?

WoinParis-
The statement you commented on was actually made by blamona (notice the quotes).
"Quite megalo"?
LOL

Just goes to show that people jump in here just to attack me for the fun of it, without even bothering to read.

Yeah Samba, everyone else is the problem. Good grief....seek help.

This is almost too fun, but because I'm sure Samba needs the last word, this is my last post (is that cheering from Samba I hear?)

Woin--"we" refers to Suze, myself, or anyone else who is attacked by Samba, which are more than I've listed. Samba attacks Users that answer questions without having travel to a place. My working at Fodor's is a qualifier (that I've been places, and have seen Suze for years on these forums) and not to scare Users off. Quite the opposite, I feel Users should express anytime they want to, as I feel Users should defend also. How is that a threat? (rhetorical question)

To the OP--a month in peak season, is harder to find anywhere. Most of the Caribbean sells out Christmas thru April (with very few gaps in between) at full price. Off beach at most islands average closer to $9500 off the beach (plus taxes, beachfront and close to "town" can cost more) and you probably need a rental car to add to that. Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and if you don't mind Central America (which Mexico is) you can try Belize or Roatan, Honduras. These sound like places that fit your (general) criteria, especially budget.

Please forgive us you had nothing to do with what this post has become!

Samba, I love to talk travel. Sounds like I'm sure you have quite a few stories to tell. Please lets go for that--What places surprised you? Where would you never go back? Do you have favorites? Anywhere else left on your list? It's hard to find persons who have traveled as much (in your case more) than I, and I'd love to hear it!

I'll start, my favorite place in the world is Maldives. 1 place I wish I had gone but too dangerous now is Egypt. Easter Island is high on my list. I'm obsessed with the Caribbean as I'm a beach girl.

Let's turn this around, there's room for positive on both sides!

<Do we break out the tiny violins?>

Feel free.

Except the quotes you are quoting out of context were about restaurant pricing on Puerto Vallarta. But don't let that stop you.

<<To the OP-->>

I wouldn't worry, they are long gone, I assume. Why would anyone trust a forum that acts like this.

Hi Blamona

Sorry, i thought your post had been written by Samba, and I thoiught that if that guy had been working for Fodors, he would have scared a lot of posters, like the OP of this thread.

So thanks for correcting me.
I know these kinds of bullies, who feel so superior and cannot help themselves but acting like forum police.

I also know Suze for quite a time and actually was not always that nice towards her - and did apologize for this, after realizing she is a nice person and does give good advice.

As to restriction on giving advice to only places we have traveled, I also comment on places I haven't been to, and I suppose some people may not realize I give second hand info.

I also have an advice on death, yet I have never died yet.

But you are right to give Samba the last word, he wouldn't sleep well otherwise.