Please help us decide...
 

We are currently trying to choose our next island vacation, and could use some help from the Fodors experts! We've previously been to St. John, St. Thomas, Jamaica and the Caymans and we'd like to try someplace new. Of the above, St. John was our favorite. <BR> <BR>Here's our criteria. It must be a hilly/mountainous, lush, beautiful island with plenty of good beaches. We want somewhere that is less crowded/urban, and don't care about shopping or nightlife, although we do enjoy good restaurants (nothing stuffy). In addition, we want somewhere that we can feel comfortable renting a car and doing some hiking/exploring on our own. Good snorkeling would also be a plus. Any suggestions?

Kauai.<BR>Blows away anything in the Caribbean.

Oy, I'd love to go to Kauai, but I'm afraid we can't afford airfare from the East coast. If we travel that far away I'd want to stay for at least two weeks.<BR><BR>Any suggestions in the caribbean?

Puerto Rico

You found the best, St John. Why bother. You know you will always compare. Rent a gorgeous viila there and have fun. What an island. The best.

This is for John:<BR><BR>I have been to Kauai, and did enjoy it, it's truely a beautiful place. The actual landscape & mountains are in fact more spectacular than any caribbean destination, BUT, the beaches in the caribbean blow Kauai away!! So bottom line is Kauai winds hands down as far as landscape/mountains, but the beaches were not even close.

Anguilla is not hilly/mountainous or lush, but the beaches are the most beautiful I have ever seen in the Caribbean (I've been to 15 Caribbean Islands) and the food is incredible.

I'll probably get "slammed" for this, but have you considered St Maarten? May be a bit crowded for you but the beaches are beautiful and each has it's own personality. You could day-trip to Anguilla or St Barths easily and there are some very good restaurants.<BR><BR>Unlike many on this board I have never felt unsafe there. I like the distinctly different feel between the dutch and french sides of the island.<BR><BR>Another suggestion would be Puerto Rico. We prefer the south coast. Humacao puts you close enough for day-trip to rainforest or Old San Juan.<BR><BR>Of course, like us, you will never find anything quite like St John...

Just returned from St Lucia. It fits all of your criteria....mountainous, lush, good beaches (light, but not pure white less urban and quiet at night. The people were great, felt comfortable exploring...would not drive. The Taxi drivers are a great source of info and inexpensive.

It sounds to me like you described Virgin Gorda in the BVI perfectly. It has one peak (~1300ft), plenty of foilage, beautiful empty beaches, spectacular snorkeling, ZERO urban anything, very little shopping, and zero nightlife. My wife and I went there this July - you absolutely must rent a jeep to see the island, the driving alone is a thrilling experience, the snorkeling was splendid, and it is completely a do it yourself island. Rent a villa on Mahoe or Nail bay - enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the dog islands! Charter a catamaran for a few days and sail through the rest of BVI - enjoy islands completely to yourself. Go to Dive BVI's shop and learn to scuba - dive the wreck of the HMS Rhone. In all seriousness, this was a perfect vacation spot - both for the active individual, or for the couple trying to relax and reconnect.<BR><BR>Good luck!

Grenada might also meet your criteria. Gorgeous beaches, rainforest, waterfalls, non-touristy and great hiking opportunities. The only thing missing is the snorkeling, which is just OK, but you can always take a side trip to Carriacou.

Kristen,<BR><BR>Have you thought about Aruba? It is not mountainous, there are some small hills. The island is beautiful, and there are lots of places to snorkel (i.e., Baby Beach, Arabashi (sp?) beach, plus there are several sunken ships which you can schedule an excursion)<BR><BR>There are a lot of good restaurants there, too!<BR><BR>Check out their website at:<BR><BR>http://www.aruba.com/<BR><BR>Good luck.<BR><BR>Maureen

Aruba isn't lush, it's arid and I seriously doubt it would meet your "less crowded/urban" requirement. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I wouldn't call Aruba beautiful either. It's definitely nothing like St. John.<BR><BR>Of the recommendations made here, I suspect you'd be happiest with either St. Lucia, Grenada or the BVI. I haven't been to all three, but perhaps someone else has and can help narrow it down further.

Hi I have been to a lot of Island in the Caribbean. Aruba is the one with the most beautiful beaches; Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, Manchebo Beach, Arashi Beach, Malmok Beach and many more. It's arid but still have nice landscape and a Oranjestad the capital is a good spot to shop...good luck with the choice and have fun with your tip

Aruba's beaches aren't nearly as pretty as the beaches framed by greenery and trees, like those on St. John and the lush islands.<BR>Aruba's beaches are just sand framed by rock and sand and the island is just a rocky prominenece in the water.<BR><BR>Hard to figure how someone would call Aruba itself beautiful.

Have to agree with the post about either St. Lucia, Grenada or BVI.<BR><BR>If you do want to try St. Martin, I'd recommend the French side moreso than the Dutch; but think about Anguilla for sure (near St. Martin).

Well if you want hilly/mountainous, lush, beautiful island with plenty of good beaches - St. John is very hard to beat. But with a little effort and desire, lets try:<BR><BR>1. The Sammana Peninsula, Domincan Rep: A fabulously lush location with great beaches in Las Terrannas, Playa Garalas, Playa Ricon and Cayo Laventado. Whale watching season from Jan to March. This could be cheap trip if you do your research and plan your activities, hotels, and drive from the airport. I did this incredible trip from Puerto Plata airport and I don't even know spanish. The local people are so helpful and nice, the food is cheap and it was very safe.<BR><BR>2. Although you went to Jamaica, I doubt you went to Port Antonio - the most lush part of this island. It's very peaceful and beautiful with the Blue Mountains and Reach Falls nearby.<BR><BR>3. Try two island in one trip, for example Grenada combined with either Tobago, St. Lucia or Barbados. Taking a 3 or 4 days on two different islands is fun and exciting. It's very possible if you take a cheap flight on Liat or Carib Airlines. Again do your research.

This question seems to come up again and again. I am not a geologist (and didn't play one on TV!) BUT...mountains in the Caribbean are volcanic and for the most part do not have white sand beaches. Also lush means plenty of rain, and that equals run-off and murky water. People keep referring to Anguilla and Aruba as having great beaches- and they do BECAUSE of their geography-they are coral atolls. Lush is Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada (places where they have so much water they don't post those "In these lands of sun and fun, we never flush for number one" signs). You always have to give up something! St. John is probably the best balance between the two in the Caribbean (IMHO). Not as mountainous or lush as say, Grenada, but better beaches and snorkeling. If you can give up the snorkeling and make due with fewer beaches, but need good restaurants and want to hike, try Grenada. Driving though is an adventure!

St. John is very lovely. Plenty of white sandy beaches, absolutely the clearest aqua water, the town of Cruz Bay has great restaurants. The island has majectic scenery. We have been to many islands, Harbour Island, Bermuda, Hawaii. All have their own unique charm but we favored St. John. It's up there with the beauty of Bermuda. Only thing in Bermuda, you can't rent a villa. It's also extremely expensive. You get the same beauty, if not more in St. John. Harbour Island, Bahamas only had one 3 mile pretty beach. <BR><BR>Check out renting a villaon St. John. What we loved is the serenity of St. John and it's faboulous beaches. You also can go into town at night, if that's your thing and have a little night life. Or just stay at your magnificent villa and lounge in your private pool and watch the most magnificent sunsets. It is an amzing place.<BR><BR>Good luck in your choice!

What about checking out Dominica or Tortola?