Zdrav

Hello, this will be my first trip to an island. I grew up in Canada but after high school I returned to Europe for a few years. I have finished my masters degree and I want to celebrate with my girlfriend. So anyway, I am planning to go mid-february and I am having difficulty picking an island, and a resort. I am looking for some nice resort right on the beach, possibly all inclusive. I probably wont go for 5 stars, maybe a 4 star resort will be more to my budget, because after all I am paying for 2... I have been looking at Cuba, Dominican Republic and Aruba. I was told that it was very expensive in Barbados that's why I have excluded that island from my research. I am also thinking about the Bahamas, but I figure that the more south I go the better the weather will be In feb. I heard it wasn't very safe to go outside the resort in most places, but does that mean during the day, or just night-time? Any thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated. I can't wait to hear what you guys have to say about my problem
Thanks very much in advance !

Zdrav

I am 27 years old, my girlfriend is 21, we want to be safe wherever we go, and if we pick a place where it isn't the best idea to go anywhere, then we at least want there to be a nice bar on the beach in the resort or something where we can spend some evenings having a cocktail and having a good and SAFE time.

RoamsAround

Your instincts are correct - the Bahamas are pretty far north and can be cool in February so you are better off going further south.

February is smack dab in the middle of "High Season" so no matter where you go you can expect to pay the highest room rates of the year. If you could hold off your trip until late April or May you'll find significantly lower prices for the same rooms at the same resorts.

It's difficult to make specific hotel/resort recommendations without knowing your actual budget. You see, using "star ratings" doesn't really give us a true indication of how much you really have to spend. You also have to take into consideration that in the Caribbean a 4-star hotel/resort probably won't be as nice as a 4-star resort in your home country (which I gather is Canada).

Now, the Dominican Republic has one of the largest concentration of All Inclusives in the Caribbean and it is well known as one of the most affordable destinations - dollar for dollar you'll the biggest bang for your buck in the Dominican Republic. You might want to concentrate your search on that island.

Yu'll also find some very "price competitive" All inclusive Resorts on Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmem.

Regarding safety - most tourist areas are pretty safe as long as you use the same common sense you do "back home" - be aware of your surroundings, don't go walking alone in dark secluded alleys in the wee hours of the morning, don't flash large sums of money and you'll be just fine.

One more hint, you might want to consider taking a Caribbean cruise - they are a good and economical way to see multiple islands in one trip and many are moderately priced and include all your meals.

Zdrav

By the way, I am coming from Europe because my girlfriend needs a visa to come to Canada so that might mean I won't be able to get those North-American deals on the trip.

Thanks!

Zdrav

Great info thanks, any thoughts on Aruba? My price range is flexible, but I would like to spend somewhere around or less than 300 dollars for the room per day.
Regarding the cruise, I am coming, as I said from Europe, and there are no good deals from here. I cannot go back to Canada because my girlfriend doesn't have a visa.
My main problem is the resort because I can go ahead and choose lets say Aruba, or DR, but how can I know the good and worth-it resort ON THE BEACH. Maybe if anyone can think of that kind of a resort in DR and Aruba or anywhere else around there it will be very helpful. I'm so glad there is a forum like this because I am totally confused and I have to make a decision soon.

1 more thing, I thought that feb. will be less expensive than january, but you're saying that prices are bumped up still?

suze

<I heard it wasn't very safe to go outside the resort in most places, but does that mean during the day, or just night-time?>

That's simply not true most places. I'm not sure what exactly you heard, of who is saying it, but I've been to the Caribbean a number of times and never even stayed at a resort, just a regular local style hotel or rented a house.

Zdrav

Okay that's a relief. So no thoughts on Aruba ? No experiences with nice resorts on the beach in DR and Aruba or anywhere else guys?

suze

I've been to Dominican Republic (but back before "Punta Cana" was invented) to Sosua and Puerto Plata. While nice enough it was far from my favorite island.

Lots of people like Aruba. But it is an "Americanized" island, and it is expensive. Which may or may not be OK for you.

I think both Cuba and Puerto Rico would be great to visit. But perhaps not the "easiest" island for 1st timers.

My best recommendation would be to look at the "Mayan Riviera" which is the Caribbean coastline of Mexico. From Cancun down to Playa del Carmen to Akumal and Tulum. And including Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.

I'm also a big fan of Negril Jamaica. Which is a gorgeous 7-mile beach 90 minutes from the Montego Bay airport. Look at www.negrilonestop.com and see if that might interest you.

Odin

Where in Europe are you based? I live in Europe and go to the Caribbean once or twice a year and have done so for the past 25+ years. If it is the UK for instance, there are many direct flights to Caribbean islands and I sometimes think it's easier to get to the Caribbean from here than from North America.

There are direct flights from London to Barbados, Grenada, Tobago (not mentioned very much on these forums), Antigua, St Lucia, St Kitts (1 stop enroute), Cuba (almost always full), Cancun, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and a weekly service to Turks & Caicos, Bermuda and Nassau.

From Paris there are direct flights to St Martin, Guadeloupe and Martinique, DR and many other places.

From Amsterdam, Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire.

PR is not served from London any longer. You probably have to go via Miami and that's not cheap.

There are also charter flights from the UK to DR, Cancun and Aruba, maybe even some other places.

Zdrav

Hi, thank you very much for the recommendation, but I want something a little south of mexico, and I don't really want to go to jamaica. If you had to choose Dominican Republic, or Aruba, which one would you choose? Maybe Dominican Republic because it's a little cheaper?

Zdrav

Odin,

Thanks for your reply. I was talking to "RoamsAround" about the cruise, not about flights.

Zdrav

Odin,

as an experienced Caribbean traveler, which island and resort do you recommend?

Zdrav

Odin,

as an experienced Caribbean traveler, which island and resort do you recommend?

suze

<a little south of mexico>

You need to look at a map. Dominican Republic is directly across from the Yucatan peninsula (where I suggested in Mexico)

<If you had to choose Dominican Republic, or Aruba, which one would you choose?>

Neither. Those both would be at the very bottom of my list. I'd go to any of the many other islands being suggested here before those two.

Zdrav

sorry yes, i make a mistake, i meant east

Zdrav

Well, the only problem is there is a lot of islands suggested here Although I'm very greatful for everyone who is trying to help me, I am no closer to making a decision.
I guess I'm going to have to head to somewhere blind and hope for the best. Since I'm coming from Europe , Mexico extends my journey a little and that's the main reason I want to avoid it.

Odin

Where in Europe are you coming from? There are direct flights to Mexico from several cities in Europe, both scheduled and charter.

If I had to choose between DR or Aruba, it would be Aruba. I have never been to DR and it's not on my list. However neither was Aruba, despite this we really enjoyed our holiday there, lots of restaurants/bars, lovely beaches, great weather, decent snorkelling at Malmok Beach, but it is not the typical Caribbean island that you imagine. It's flat, dry, loads of cacti and iguanas.

I don't know why you don't want to go to Jamaica. Negril has a long fab beach with loads of hotels, bars, restaurants all next to each other. It suits all budgets, you can eat anywhere from the man cooking jerk chicken in the street to a top end restaurant. It has beach, it has cliffs with amazing clear water.

Varadero in Cuba is also good for those on a budget, it's an easy option from some places in Europe. There are several 4 star hotels to choose from, but this is 4 star Cuban style. The beach is very good though.

Antigua has some budget options too, for example Jolly Beach Hotel. OK its not the most luxurious hotel, but it does have a gorgeous beach and the hotel is for those on a budget, just don't book a supersaver room which is the size of a shoe box.

suze

<I guess I'm going to have to head to somewhere blind and hope for the best>

How about a guidebook instead? Seriously, get one that gives an overview of all the Caribbean islands, so you can look at photos, read the history, see what's what. Even narrow down if you care about the language (French-speaking, Spanish-speaking, etc.), whether you want a lush or arid climate, etc.

Zdrav

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I will do some final thinking and researching, and I will keep in mind your suggestions. I will have an answer by thursday, if this post is still here, I will let you guys know what I've chosen and we can comment again. Have a great day!

Zdrav

Odin, I forgot to answer your question.

I'm coming from Bulgaria.