Please suggest uncrowded Caribbean vacation for wheelchair user
 

Hello guys!

I plan on going to a Caribbean vacation on first week of September for one week. This would be my first island vacation ever. Will be going there with my wife. I've been doing A LOT of research to pick the right place,but still have not decided yet. What concerns me the most is the distance to the water through sands. Would not want my wife to struggle,even though she helps me a lot always. Looking for some kind of resort,that is not crowded and I hope September is a good month for that. When I did research of course Grace Bay at TCI caught my attention,its water color and clearliness,but Im affraid it will be very busy judging in all those resorts close to the beaches. But I would really want to explore that place. I also noted to myself other Caribbean destinations,such as: Cayman Islands and Barbados. Heard a lot of people discussing secluded spots like Culebra (PR),Euthethra (Bahamas),Out Islands (Bahamas).

But Im not familiar with wheelchair accessibility at those spots. Would you recommend TCI,or would it be crowded and there are some other options to consider. I would really appreciate your help!

Thank you.

September is the least busiest month of the entire Low Season throughout the Caribbean so no matter where you choose to go it won't be very crowded. In fact,it is so "slow" (tourist wise) a significant number of resorts on many islands are actually closed during September (and October). Since crowds won't be an issue during September I'd avoid the more "secluded" remote islands as they will be the ones least likely to be wheelchair friendly. Grace Bay won't be crowded in September so if that island and it's beaches appeal to you it should remain high on your list.

Now, there are no ADA type laws in the Caribbean so finding places that have "purpose built" wheelchair accessibility is a bit of a challenge. That said, you'll find on most islands and at most resorts the hotel & restaurant staffs are quite accommodating and will try to offer whatever assistance they can. Also, there's an abundance of hotels/resorts where the majority of rooms and facilities are on "ground level" so that will make it easier to negotiate with a wheelchair. Hint: If you are considering staying at a high rise hotel or a resort with multiple levels you'd be wise to check directly with the hotel to see if it has an elevator or if they will guarantee you a ground floor room.

If you give us some idea of your budget it will make it easier to make specific hotel reservations.

Email Windsong Resort on Grace Bay. They pride themselves with being wheelchair AC ssss Le, so they might be able to help with someone actually getting you to the beach.

I bet if you emailed some others you might find they're happy to help you to the beach. Full service places like Seven Stars. What's nice about seven stars it's in the middle of the hub, and there are sidewalks from Leeward to Turtle cove, so easy access to restaurants and shops too.

Exploring you'll need a car beaches are isolated enough to probably need help to get to the shores.

Other full size resorts might be able to help too-- I know Beaches handles all kinds of things, only thing is it might be crowded there, even in september.

Let us know too what they tell you!

Dear,RoamsAround!

Thank you for your time and help! This is very valuable information for me and I appreciate it a lot!

What do you think it terms of distance from where the sand starts and meets with the water? I'm a wheelchair user,but I'm very active too,so I plan on swimming and just relaxing in water for hours :) Do they by any chance have beach wheelchairs available? That would make thing so much easier. As we go to Jersey shore often and we use it. But they might not have it at resort and I would understand that too,but I still thought I'd ask.

I'm also a bit concerned with the Provo Airport as they don't have jetways and I will have to use steps, which I can't :( But after doing some research, I figured that can be discussed with the company I will fly with (U.S Airways) for example. Hopefully they will be able to help.

As for budget, the flight from Philadelphia to Providenciales is $1000,and I was hoping to spend another $1500 - $2000 for hotel (7 nights). It is approximately $215 - $285 per night.
It probably won't get me room with the ocean view (which of course would be more desirable) but maybe will still leave me with choices. It would be nice if breakfast was included.

I also had villa or a house in my mind,which I also did search for on sites like vrbo and homeaway. Some places are very nice,but what stopped me was the unknown distance to beaches. Some ads would say minutes walking to the beach or 5-10 minutes of driving. What kind of beaches would be there is also not clear. But at the resort you will have the most ideal settings.


I'm waiting for you suggestions, it will definitely help me make up my mind faster and easier.

Thank you!

On Grace Bay the distances from "where the sand starts and meets with the water" varies from area to area - Grace Bay is 11+ miles long - it could be as little as 50" and as much as 150' to 200'. If you can negotiate the beaches at the Jersey Shore you'll be fine on Grace Bay.

Sorry, have no idea if any resorts/hotels/condos have beach wheel chairs. You'll have to check directly with the resort/hotel/condo you are considering. I'm guessing it's a long shot - I've been traveling to the Caribbean for 30 years and lived here for the last 12 and don't recall even seeing a "beach wheelchair".

Almost all Caribbean airports DON'T have jetways - and Provo's airport is no exception. Don't let that stop you. They have (and most other Caribbean airports) have a motorized lift that they use to assist people in wheelchairs. The airline ground personnel are well trained in helping people with mobility problems get on/off the aircraft. Simply let the airline know you need assistance - they'll take good care of you from the time you arrive at your departure airport until you exit the terminal at your destination. It's nothing new - They "do it all the time".

I'd skip renting a private home/villa - too many unknown as far as being wheelchair friendly is concerned. Instead, look at some of the "condo resorts" on Grace Bay. They'll give you all the comforts of a private home plus all the amenities of a full service resort and the complex will be right on the beach so no worries about driving or figuring how far that "few minute walk to the beach" really is. Check out Ocean Club, Ocean Club West, Sands at Grace Bay, Alexandra, Royal West indies, Villa Del Mar - to name a few that are in your price range.

Good luck planning your trip.

Oops! - Slight typo regarding distances in first sentence - it should read "… it could be as little as 50' (not 50") …" .

Dear RoamsAround,
I appreciate yout detailed answers!

When going to Jersey beaches, they have beach wheelchairs there and some beaches have a carpet like trail throughout the sand almost halfway to the water, so it makes it much more comfortable! We will have to figure out something for this vacation and I will definitely email or call hotel tomorrow for the reservation as well.

As I did some research, Alexandra Resorts sound very good and I had it in mind also when searching for resorts previously,but now they have some good offers and discounts there,not sure about the breakfast though.

I also came across this place called : Harbour Club Villas & Marina, when I was browsing Tripadvisor just today. They have some very decent reviews. Maybe I will give them a call or email for some more details,especially about beach access. Have you by any chance heard about this place? On homeaway site it was listed that they are wheelchair accessible,but I could not confirm same info on tripadvisor website.

Also do you know anything about tipping in resorts. I don't want to feel uncomfortable or seem cheap. Do you know how tipping system works there? Don't want to sound silly with that question,but it is something I wanted to know for myself.

Thank you for all your help!

blamona, I appreciate your input trying to help me decide which place is better as far as wheelchair accessiblity.

I did search on different resorts and stopped on Alexandra Resorts,which seems to be just right for my budget.

Thank you for different sources of information, I'm really thankful for that.

Harbour Club is awesome for divers, but not close to the beach at all

Call Alex to see if they have Hellers that can help you get to the beach-- but it doesn't include breakfast

Ocean Club West, although no breakfast, might be a good choice too- it's better access with sidewalks for dinner, shops, supermarket. Email them to see about help with wheelchairs

I've never seen a beach wheelchair in TCI though, and never seen special tracks. It's a fairly uncrowded beach and sept you might have it all to yourself!

Tipping at resorts vary - you have to check the different resorts' websites for their particular policy.

Some have tips included in their rate, others add a 10% or 15% Service charge to your bill at the end of your stay, still other just add the Service Charge to your food bills. Many restaurants will automatically add a Service Charge to your bill but some don't. Either way, the policy will be clearly stated on the menu and on the bill.

If no Service Charges or Tips are added to your bill and the resort doesn't have a "No Tipping" policy than use common sense. Consider leaving $5US to $10US/day for the chambermaid, tip wait and bar staff between 10% and 20% of your food & drink bill. Tip your taxi drive a few bucks, give the bellhop $5US per bag, etc. - pretty much the same as you tip back in New Jersey!

.

@andreypa did you end up going to Alexandra Resorts? I am looking for a perfect spot to take my 83 year old mom. She is not in a wheelchair, but can't make it up stairs anymore. How did the air travel work? Was a lift available? I am glad I read Fodors because I had not thought about how to deal with tarmac boarding!

Just a FYI: There is no jetway from/to planes in Providenciales. Only stairs. I'm not sure what arrangements can be made with the airlines to help you off and on, but you should try to find out before booking a resort.

I have no relevant information. I don't know why you are wheelchair bound. About 30 years ago a high school friend was paralyzed from the waste down for life. In later years he became an avid diver in the carribean as it gave him freedom with his sealegs that his land legs couldn't. Just something to consider, or ignore if it doesn't apply to you. PLS most certainly has the equipment to get you on and off the plane.

Ooops, I didn't notice this is an old thread that was recently randomly topped. start a new thread of your own.

>> . . . an old thread that was recently randomly topped. start a new thread of your own.<<

Wasn't 'random' -- betsbw posted to ask the OP a question.

betsbw: having said that, the OP registered, posted, and hasn't returned in eighteen months, so yes, you probably should start a new thread of your own ;)

Have you reached your daily quota of scolding fellow posters today janisj?

Goose/Gander . . . You scolded betsbw for 'randomly' topping a thread

You were just annoyed that you posted w/o noticing the dates.

Please don't tell me and others how I felt while posting. I was certainly not annoyed, so you need not decide my feelings and post them in a snarky way.

Your tendency to correct posters with your superior opinion has become tiresome.