Relax in St Maarten or DR
Oct 23rd, 2007, 10:52 AM
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Relax in St Maarten or DR
My husband and I are going to take a trip this coming spring...Apr/May time. My sister went to St Maarten and loved it.
What I am looking for is a place to go and relax, do a little snorkeling but mainly relax on the beach. I saw that there are some AI's in St. Maarten. I have done an AI in the Bahamas and in Curacao and didnt mind it.
What about the DR? I was thinking Punta Cana. Any suggestions?
We will be taking a 5-6 day vacation for relaxing and little activity. Maybe snorkeling, sailing, jet ski, etc.
Would you recommend an AI in St. Maarten? I dont know too much about the DR, and info would help.
What I am looking for is a place to go and relax, do a little snorkeling but mainly relax on the beach. I saw that there are some AI's in St. Maarten. I have done an AI in the Bahamas and in Curacao and didnt mind it.
What about the DR? I was thinking Punta Cana. Any suggestions?
We will be taking a 5-6 day vacation for relaxing and little activity. Maybe snorkeling, sailing, jet ski, etc.
Would you recommend an AI in St. Maarten? I dont know too much about the DR, and info would help.
Oct 23rd, 2007, 11:27 AM
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DR: pro's
mega AI resorts, AI's are the way to go in DR.
Nicer long white sandy beaches in Punta Cana.
Bigger self contained resorts in DR.
**** Keep in mind it is not recommended to leave the resorts and venture out on your own in DR.
ST Maarten: pro's
nice beaches.
more nightlife, more activities.
much better shopping.
more culture - Dutch & French.
much better restaurants.
Day trips to Anguilla.
Not AI type islands but
I would suggest Anguilla, Aruba or Turks & Caicos for a relaxing beach vacation.
Grand Cayman for snorkeling.
mega AI resorts, AI's are the way to go in DR.
Nicer long white sandy beaches in Punta Cana.
Bigger self contained resorts in DR.
**** Keep in mind it is not recommended to leave the resorts and venture out on your own in DR.
ST Maarten: pro's
nice beaches.
more nightlife, more activities.
much better shopping.
more culture - Dutch & French.
much better restaurants.
Day trips to Anguilla.
Not AI type islands but
I would suggest Anguilla, Aruba or Turks & Caicos for a relaxing beach vacation.
Grand Cayman for snorkeling.
Oct 23rd, 2007, 12:48 PM
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I'd never do an AI in St. Maarten. There are simply too many fabulous restaurants, so it would be a waste. Most of the fun of St. Maarten is driving around to see all the little beaches and different parts of the island. If you are the kind of person who just wants to plop down on the beach and never move from the resort, then the DR would be best for you, but if you are a little more adventurous, there's so much to discover in St. Maarten that I'd heartily recommend it.
By the way, you absolutely can leave your resort in the D.R. Lots of people do, but car rentals are kind of expensive, and the only good cheap transport is on the north shore, where most of the backpackers stay. Lots of little motoconchos there to take you around.
By the way, you absolutely can leave your resort in the D.R. Lots of people do, but car rentals are kind of expensive, and the only good cheap transport is on the north shore, where most of the backpackers stay. Lots of little motoconchos there to take you around.
Oct 24th, 2007, 05:59 AM
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Hi Doug
RE: DR
It was strongly suggested to my folks and the inlaws not to leave the resorts on their own due to safety reasons and this was not only in Punta Cana but in LA Romana as well. other guests that have travelled to DR have said the same thing.
of course crime & petty theft can occur anywhere but DR has more than their fair share as compared to other destinations.
not trying to offend anyone.
RE: DR
It was strongly suggested to my folks and the inlaws not to leave the resorts on their own due to safety reasons and this was not only in Punta Cana but in LA Romana as well. other guests that have travelled to DR have said the same thing.
of course crime & petty theft can occur anywhere but DR has more than their fair share as compared to other destinations.
not trying to offend anyone.
Oct 31st, 2007, 08:16 PM
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We decided to go to St Maarten. Now we just need to decide on where to stay, any suggestions. I would like something that is on the beach and I am not sure if we should stay on the French side or the Dutch side, or does it matter? I would like a place that is relaxing it will be just my husband and I. Any tips? Thanks in advance
Nov 1st, 2007, 04:10 AM
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There is not much good snorkeling in St. maarten directly on the beaches. The best snorkeling would involve a short or long boat ride, depending on where you go.
There is some snorkeling off Divi Little Bay on the Dutch side.
Also Oyster Pond beach, which has both Oyster Pond Resort and the new Westin.
There is also Royal Palm resort or the Atrium, both on the Dutch side, and on a beach. In that area you are close to a lot of night time activity and restaurants.
The French side also has some lovely hotels..many of which are along Orient Beach,part of which is clothing optional. It is a busy beach but really a pretty one.
Some people like to stay in Grand Case which is quieter. The Grand Case Beach Club is nice. More upscale is L'Esplanade and le petit. Le Petit is on the beach although the beach is narrow in front of the hotel...L'Esplanade is above the beach.
both lovely hotels though.
I suggest you do some research..google some placces.. and narrow some of your choices down.
There is some snorkeling off Divi Little Bay on the Dutch side.
Also Oyster Pond beach, which has both Oyster Pond Resort and the new Westin.
There is also Royal Palm resort or the Atrium, both on the Dutch side, and on a beach. In that area you are close to a lot of night time activity and restaurants.
The French side also has some lovely hotels..many of which are along Orient Beach,part of which is clothing optional. It is a busy beach but really a pretty one.
Some people like to stay in Grand Case which is quieter. The Grand Case Beach Club is nice. More upscale is L'Esplanade and le petit. Le Petit is on the beach although the beach is narrow in front of the hotel...L'Esplanade is above the beach.
both lovely hotels though.
I suggest you do some research..google some placces.. and narrow some of your choices down.
Nov 1st, 2007, 05:48 AM
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St Marteen is a beautiful destination.
Are you planning on traveling around or satying in one location?
A good way to visit the islands (Leward Islands) is to charter a boat from St Marteen and go to a different island everyday. I find it the most relaxing trip, you can be anywhere you like and go to beautiful secluded beaches that are accessible by boat only.
I went to the Lewards Islands and the Caribbean chartering a Catamaran. Our vacation was beautiful, we are looking forward to do it again. The prices are very affordable and you can select from a very luxury yacht to a very affordable Sailboat or Catamaran. We had so much fun with all the water toys and diving to beautiful water.
Have a wonderfull vacation. You can find information on chartering a boat in the Islands in:
www.worldwideboat.com
They have different web sites with different locations.
Are you planning on traveling around or satying in one location?
A good way to visit the islands (Leward Islands) is to charter a boat from St Marteen and go to a different island everyday. I find it the most relaxing trip, you can be anywhere you like and go to beautiful secluded beaches that are accessible by boat only.
I went to the Lewards Islands and the Caribbean chartering a Catamaran. Our vacation was beautiful, we are looking forward to do it again. The prices are very affordable and you can select from a very luxury yacht to a very affordable Sailboat or Catamaran. We had so much fun with all the water toys and diving to beautiful water.
Have a wonderfull vacation. You can find information on chartering a boat in the Islands in:
www.worldwideboat.com
They have different web sites with different locations.
Nov 7th, 2007, 07:14 AM
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i would like to take some day trips, spend a lot of time at the beach, eat, shop etc. Just relax and not have to worry about anything.
I have heard that there are hotels near the airport and it could be loud...is that true and if so where are they because I do not want to be near the airport. i live 5 minutes from ohare and i dont want to be near the airport on my vacation!
I have heard that there are hotels near the airport and it could be loud...is that true and if so where are they because I do not want to be near the airport. i live 5 minutes from ohare and i dont want to be near the airport on my vacation!
Nov 8th, 2007, 10:18 AM
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I did give you some suggestions for hotels.
It's not really loud near the airport. It's nothing like O'Hare.
the jets are few and far in between and usually arrive and take off within a 3 or 4 hour period. and the airport is not open all night so you wouldn't hear them throughout the night.
day trips..the most popular one is Anguilla..an easy ferry ride away, leaving from marigot. there also are several day trips available to St. Barth's which is nice. You can also go to Saba. but Anguilla and St. Barth's are the most popular.
wherever you decide to stay, definitely rent a car. It's the best way to get around
It's not really loud near the airport. It's nothing like O'Hare.
the jets are few and far in between and usually arrive and take off within a 3 or 4 hour period. and the airport is not open all night so you wouldn't hear them throughout the night.
day trips..the most popular one is Anguilla..an easy ferry ride away, leaving from marigot. there also are several day trips available to St. Barth's which is nice. You can also go to Saba. but Anguilla and St. Barth's are the most popular.
wherever you decide to stay, definitely rent a car. It's the best way to get around
Nov 13th, 2007, 05:14 PM
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Anguilla is very beautiful, though there is much more to do on St. Maarten. Beaches are generally superior on Anguilla (though the island is also more expensive).
There's not a real different in temps and weather between March and May, but prices on both islands will be lower in May. Restaurants in Anguilla close in the late summer (most that close shut down around August and remain closed until late November or mid-December).
There's not a real different in temps and weather between March and May, but prices on both islands will be lower in May. Restaurants in Anguilla close in the late summer (most that close shut down around August and remain closed until late November or mid-December).
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