Seeking for Advice, Summer Vacation
 

My 9-year old child & I would like to visit Caribbean in July. Due to my work schedule, an early July trip would be the best bet.

Here's what I am looking for. Hoping to find some info.
- Not rough beach
- Able to sightseeing besides beaches (town, optional tours, museums, etc)
- No night life needed
- Get out without rent a car (I know this might be tough though)
- Kids friendly activities offered
- 1 or 2 Pools to enjoy
- Less than $3000 for flight from NYC area + hotel (6-7 nights)

So far, Curacao looks very attractive and suits what I'm looking for. There are nice beaches and Dolphin Academy, some tours option and town looks fun to discover as well. AI or not doesn't matter. My kid is careless about pizza and/or hot dogs, would rather eat salads/sea foods instead. So, if AI means all those kids-loving typical American foods(supposedly), we would pay extra for nothing. Yet, pay every foods by own would be expensive as well unless we know where to go eat.

I also found the hotel in Nevis is offering that all breakfast free for kids & 50% off for lunch/dinner. Total fare (hotel + air) is about $2000.

Dominican Republic & Jamaica, or even Mayan Riviera would be considerable.
Your advice would be much appreciated.

I think Nevis would be too quiet for you - you would certainly need to rent a car or a driver to sightsee.

Have you loked at the high rise resorts in Aruba? Buses are cheap, clean and well used by tourists and locals.

Good pools, kiddie activities and since you are traveling off season you should get good rates.

Wherever you both land - happy travels :-D

BTW if you intend to do the dolphin academy (it's not something I would personally do) here is a website that tells you the rules that you and your child should follow.

http://swimwithdolphins.information....-and-dont.html

The Dolphin Academy on Curaçao doesn't seem to suggest these rules which should protect the dolphins :-(

alya, thank you for the response.

About Nevis - I was wondering this island could be too quiet for us as well. But, after some research, I found they have a taxi service where show you around(depends on the cost, I can certainly use it for a day or two). And, they also have Sea-turtle learning activity, nature walk tours and visit St. Kitts...etc. It could be fun for kids?

Curacao's Dolphin academy seems have a several program.
http://www.dolphin-academy.com//programs_overview.html
According to my kid, would love to try Dolphin encounter instead of swim with them due to her swimming experience.

I will do more research on Aruba too.

Thanks!

Hi. I have a great idea for you. Why not go to Jamaica. The Rose Hall Resort & Country club is having a great special due to the fact that the hotel is undergoing construction. $99pp per night all inclusive. Plus stay 5 night and the 5th night is free. The hotel has been under construction since last summer and if you read the reviews on tripadvisor. It is getting rave reviews and all have said the constructionis not obtrusive. Call the hotel directly and ask for the travel zoo special.Also the Gran Bahia has opened in Runaway Bay Jamaica and they have a similar special on bookit.com $99 per person per nigt , but no 5th night free. Also Rose Hall has a great water park for the kids. I am going to Rose Hall in May $792 total for 2 people 5 nigts and $240pp RT air from NY. That's a deal!!!!

nyyogina,

Thank you so much for a great info on Jamaica. I actually contacted The Rose Hall Resort & Country club, and was told that they will start construction around central pool area in July. They couldn't tell me exactly when it starts, and I am not sure what is "central pool area" would be exactly since never been there but I think the main pool they are talking about. They said kids pool area remain open though.
However, after your suggestion, I started more research on Jamaica & DR. It seems there are so many great deals on these islands. And, it's so close to fly from NY!

My only concern would be the weather in July on both Islands. Does anyone been to these Islands in July?
I'm looking for not too crowded & clean beach with good pool for 9 year old, friendly staff. How about Sunscape Casa del Mar in DR? They have a good deal in July...AI, including airfares for two & 6 nights stay for $1650.

Bequia. There are reasonably priced accommodations with much to see and do as well as the type of beaches you requested. One highlight in particular the Hegg Turtle Sanctuary. As for the dolphin programs I really question whether they are more for the profit as opposed to conservation. Another option that might be fun and different is a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise. They sponsor a Junior Jammer program just for children your child's age. I have no children but have heard from others it is a wonderful program. I believe the 2 ships are the Polynesia and Legacy. Sometimes specials are advertised for select sailings at a discount.

Ok, I hear this request all the time! I m in the business and personally this property is a brilliant fit - http://www.wheretostay.com/caribbean...ast_Coast.html

Most of these golf villas have a golf cart to get to the beach, you get to use all the hotels facilities, and the big plus - there is a kitchen in every unit. Its also a private Wyndham complex so it really safe.

Jamaica can be fun and you can find some great deals through skyauction or bookit. Riviera Maya may be nice too. You could do a day trip to the ruins. Check the sites for there as well. There are some GREAT deals to be had if you put a little time into it.

Dominican too! It's hard to go wrong with kids. I'm sure the important thing is that it's with you. You know how kids are. They can be happy in a days inn. You can easily find a nice resort with that budget.

Not trying to drum up business, but I'm a travel agent & DR is awesome. There is an all day safari trip to the jungle & coffee bean farm and they show you where part of Jurassic Park was filmed (it's really neat!)

Prices are very reasonable with vacationexpress.net or funjetvacations.com (not sure if they have charters from your area or not, but you can try their sites) - package deals are the way to go for the cheapest airfare....and, definitely go AI (there are no off site restaurants in DR - stick with all the eateries in the hotel). We stayed at Iberostar Bavaro Suites - which is a short walk down the beach to the on-beach vendors that have huts set up selling island novelties.

Good luck with the planning, I would pick DR over Jamaica any day.

As for weather - any Caribbean destination is going to be HOT, HOT, HOT in the summer. If you choose DR, make sure you take mosquito spray (luckily, we took ours & needed it at every meal - given most of the restaurants are open air)

Thank you all so much for such a great info. I'm glad to found this forum.

Bequia and/or all other southern caribbeans seems very attaractive. However, this time I will probably choose somewhere more closer since our stay will be a week and instead of leaving from JFK, we are leaving from Newark NJ. I found out going to Curacao even takes 9 hrs(transit at Miami, must wait for at least 2-3 hrs there). We will probably loose two days going & returning.

I totally forgot about mosquito spray!
I am from where mosquito is the state bird (jersey joke), I should know better. I won't forget. Thank you for the reminder, TRule. Safari trip on DR looks so much fun.