St. Maarten or Ambergris Caye, Belize
 

I am so tied between picking which destination for my Anniversary trip next year. Anyone been to both and have an opinion?
We like beaches, culture, laid back, and outdoor activities
THANKS!

Been to both St Marteen/Marteen is a little slice

of France and Dutch in the Carib with nice beaches good food

expensive upscale hotels basically flat smaller...

Belize is better for adventure but lots dodgier great ruins

Xanadu Resort my fav there also Victoria House best value

cavesbranch.com robertsgrove.com also nice at Placencia

mayan-traveler.com Do go in Winter/Early Spring

weather2travel.com Climate guides...

I like adventure and ruins not just laying out on a beach

so Belize for me personally..but for romance probably for me

French Side of St M... Happy Deciding and congrats!

http://www.luxurytravelmagazine.com/...oria-house.php - CachedWith only forty-two accommodations, Victoria House is small and ... Gold List 2009 & 2008 - The World's Best Places to Stay - Condé Nast Traveler, January ...

You might want to look at Hamanasi resort in Hopkins, Belize for mix of beach-o.k., snorkeling-good and culture outing-good. forr more beach and snorkel with culture where you pay extra but place is 30 miles off the Coast of Belize then Turneffe Island Lodge is great.

Wow -- you couldn't pick two more distinct destinations! What is it about them that appeals to you? What is your budget? What time of year are you going?

I have been to both, and neither is my absolute favorite, per se, but each offers something unique and wonderful depending on what you're looking for.

St. Martin -- and I will confess that I didn't like it at all when I was there on my honeymoon a long time ago, but now have found a little piece of perfection on the beach in Grand Case -- offers a cosmopolitan dining scene, good beaches, good shopping, French and Dutch culture, and pretty scenery. It's also pretty busy, especially when cruise ships arrive, and you need to be vigilant about crime as you would in a bigger city. I loved Le Petit Hotel.

Ambergris Caye is far more laid back, but doesn't have very good beaches at all (there are other places in Belize that do better, but you'll have to wander further afield). The snorkeling and diving in Belize are superlative, as are the cultural sites (Mayan ruins) and natural wonders (manatees, jungle). Last time I was in Belize, we did a sailing charter, but before that we stayed at Ramon's Village. I like Ramon's because it had thatch-roofed accomodations (I'm a sucker for that) and a fair beach, but was also a few steps away from the landing strip and the restaurants and bars in San Pedro.

Will you consider other destinations? St. Kitts and Nevis are high on my list -- especially the combination of the two -- and might satisfy your wishes.