Single Gals Getaway-Which island would be best?
May 1st, 2008, 03:13 PM
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Single Gals Getaway-Which island would be best?
Hello!
We are 3 single gals planning our first Caribbean vacation to celebrate a 30th birthday and we need some help choosing an island. We really want a resort with a great sandy beach for relaxing and some close-by nightlife would be a plus (but not college crazy). We are leaning towards an all-inclusive but we would not like to be drowning in a sea of couples or small children. We also like to gamble but are a little nervous about gambling outside of the US. Please help point us toward the perfect island/resort for us!!! Thank you!!!
We are 3 single gals planning our first Caribbean vacation to celebrate a 30th birthday and we need some help choosing an island. We really want a resort with a great sandy beach for relaxing and some close-by nightlife would be a plus (but not college crazy). We are leaning towards an all-inclusive but we would not like to be drowning in a sea of couples or small children. We also like to gamble but are a little nervous about gambling outside of the US. Please help point us toward the perfect island/resort for us!!! Thank you!!!
May 1st, 2008, 06:53 PM
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Hopefully someone else will be able to give you a little more specific advice because I have not spent much or any time in some of the places I am describing.
First, I wanted to make a general statement about your criteria of not wanting to be around all couples or lots of small children. I'm a single female too, and when I travel on my own or with female friends, I share this desire. For the most part, I avoid the "too many kids" problem by not traveling during school breaks and not picking resorts that are known to cater to families (i.e., the Beaches all inclusive (AI) chain). Also, I avoid "couples only" resorts.
Some possible places for you to look at:
Aruba - that was my first thought because it has nice sandy beaches, some all inclusive resorts (but more non AIs) nightlife, and casinos.
St. Martin/St Maarten - This is one island with two nations. The Dutch side (St Maarten) has more casinos and nightlife, and there are pretty good beaches around the island. There are some AI options here but not that many.
San Juan, PR - San Juan has casinos and nightlife. I'm a beach snob, so I was unimpressed by the beach that many people say is the best in the immediate San Juan area (Isla Verde). I think there are other parts of Puerto Rico with better beaches, but I doubt they will have the other things you are seeking.
I'm mentioning but not necessarily recommending Turks & Caicos islands. The island of Providenciales (Provo) is one of my favorite destinations, but I think it is too quiet for you. The island has stunning beaches and water, but there is little nightlife, and it tends to draw couples and families. There are only two AI resorts there, a Beaches resort (family focused) and an adults only Club Med. If you don't care about upscale accommodations and like a "summer camp for adults" atmosphere, you may want to think about the Club Med. There are two small casinos on the island.
There are a couple of other islands I have been to that might be considerations if you compromise on some of your preferences:
Domincan Republic - Punta Cana and/or LaRomana have pretty nice beaches and lots of AI resorts. I think there may be gambling but am not sure, and I'm also not sure about the off-resort nightlife.
Barbados - Barbados has pretty nice beaches and pretty good nightlife in the St. Lawrence Gap area. There are some AI resorts there but more non-AIs. I don't think there is any gambling.
First, I wanted to make a general statement about your criteria of not wanting to be around all couples or lots of small children. I'm a single female too, and when I travel on my own or with female friends, I share this desire. For the most part, I avoid the "too many kids" problem by not traveling during school breaks and not picking resorts that are known to cater to families (i.e., the Beaches all inclusive (AI) chain). Also, I avoid "couples only" resorts.
Some possible places for you to look at:
Aruba - that was my first thought because it has nice sandy beaches, some all inclusive resorts (but more non AIs) nightlife, and casinos.
St. Martin/St Maarten - This is one island with two nations. The Dutch side (St Maarten) has more casinos and nightlife, and there are pretty good beaches around the island. There are some AI options here but not that many.
San Juan, PR - San Juan has casinos and nightlife. I'm a beach snob, so I was unimpressed by the beach that many people say is the best in the immediate San Juan area (Isla Verde). I think there are other parts of Puerto Rico with better beaches, but I doubt they will have the other things you are seeking.
I'm mentioning but not necessarily recommending Turks & Caicos islands. The island of Providenciales (Provo) is one of my favorite destinations, but I think it is too quiet for you. The island has stunning beaches and water, but there is little nightlife, and it tends to draw couples and families. There are only two AI resorts there, a Beaches resort (family focused) and an adults only Club Med. If you don't care about upscale accommodations and like a "summer camp for adults" atmosphere, you may want to think about the Club Med. There are two small casinos on the island.
There are a couple of other islands I have been to that might be considerations if you compromise on some of your preferences:
Domincan Republic - Punta Cana and/or LaRomana have pretty nice beaches and lots of AI resorts. I think there may be gambling but am not sure, and I'm also not sure about the off-resort nightlife.
Barbados - Barbados has pretty nice beaches and pretty good nightlife in the St. Lawrence Gap area. There are some AI resorts there but more non-AIs. I don't think there is any gambling.
May 2nd, 2008, 05:31 AM
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I would second St Maarten. I have been to many Islands (with and without the girls) and I think St Maarten was our favorite. If you chose to stay on the Dutch Side you would be close to Nightlife and the Casino’s (I am not much of a gambler but the casinos are not real big and overwhelming). There is also shopping in Phillipsburg though I prefer the market in Marigot on the French side. I know of no AI I have been 3 times and always stayed at the Horny Toad (it is a simple guest house on the beach at Simpson Bay owned and run by the fabulous Betty). Probably not the accomodaitons you are looking for but I include the website anyway.
http://www.thehornytoadguesthouse.com/
http://www.thehornytoadguesthouse.com/
May 2nd, 2008, 06:52 AM
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Hi J_Rae,
I agree with St. Maarten/St. Martin. There’s shopping and nightlife, a small casino, great restaurants/food, nice beaches, it’s a bit more built up than the neighboring islands, and is relatively easy to get to. I think it would be perfect for what you’re looking for. You could do a day trip to Anguilla too, a short ferry ride. You should definitely grab a few beers at the Sunset Beach Bar by the airport-it’s fun watching the planes come in. Here’s a good site for more info. Good luck!
http://www.visitsxm.com/activities/view.cfm?ID=72
I agree with St. Maarten/St. Martin. There’s shopping and nightlife, a small casino, great restaurants/food, nice beaches, it’s a bit more built up than the neighboring islands, and is relatively easy to get to. I think it would be perfect for what you’re looking for. You could do a day trip to Anguilla too, a short ferry ride. You should definitely grab a few beers at the Sunset Beach Bar by the airport-it’s fun watching the planes come in. Here’s a good site for more info. Good luck!
http://www.visitsxm.com/activities/view.cfm?ID=72
May 2nd, 2008, 05:55 PM
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We did a girl's weekend in Playa del Carmen last year and it was great. We stayed at the Royal Playa del Carmen. I would also look at La Tortuga. The town has great nightlife, is safe, fun and everything is within walking distance of these 2 hotels.
