Ok, I know this question is asked all the time.. but I really need some advice on where to go LOL.. I'll give you the stats.. My husband and I are thinking about taking our two children on a trip. We would probably want to go september-november of 2009. At the time of travel our kids will be five and a half, and one and a half. Our budget including airfare is approx. $2500-$3000 (we're flying from Rochester,NY). Now for what we like.. My husband has never been anyplace tropical, but the most important things for me are beautiful crystal clear waters, decent snorkeling, and island beauty too.. I love palm trees and the lush look. I guess this could be in the Mexico forum as well.. since I would definitely consider Mexican destinations.. The only islands I would say I am not interested in are Jamaica (husband won't go.. don't ask me why..lol) and Grand Cayman (been there twice, not lush enough, though the snorkeling is great) most important, safety.. I realize there is common sense everyone must follow, but we would really like a family friendly place. I'm not sure if an AI resor would be best for us.. or something a little more private. I'd like to be able to go back to the room and put the kids down for a nap, while the hubby and I sit on the terrace and enjoy a nice view, then go relax on a beautiful beach under a plam tree and watch the kids play in the sand.. open to any suggestions, thanks =)

If it can fit your budget, St. John fits all of your criteria.

In general in the Caribbean, the lush islands don't have the crystal clear waters as much, as there is run-offs from the hills.

BUT:

St. John has the hills, palm trees, is pretty green, and has crystal clear waters (most of the time.)

The water won't be quite what it was in Caymans, it's the flat coral based dry islands that get the extra beautiful water; but St. John will come close. The water close to shore is clear, turquoise and gorgeous.

Even better, if it can fit your budget, I suggest Virgin Gorda.

Keep in mind, even your 1 1/2 year will have to have a passport.

I agree the with the St. John recommendation or the BVI's.

"beautiful crystal clear waters, decent snorkeling, and island beauty too"

Look at Cozumel


"september-november of 2009."

I personally won't go anywhere anymore Caribbean/Mexico until November. We been through too many hurricane scares in August/Sept./Oct. November is usally perfect. In 8 years we got caught once in November 2005 wih Hurricane Wilma.


"only islands I would say I am not interested in are Jamaica (husband won't go.. don't ask me why)."

You'll really be missing out, because you'll get most of what your asking for. Pick a real nice AI resort in Negril or Ocho Rios that caters to kids and you'll have the beaches and tropical surroundings also. We waited 7 years before we went to Jamaica (did many other destiantions first) There was no reason to wait.

I'll throw in Aruba just due to saftey and we we liked the snorkeling. Think Grand Cayman only more. Lost of resturants, clubs, bars, shopping and things to do. About the same topography. We loved the beaches. Water not as clear as Grand Cayman. Eagle Beach is more low key, but Palm Beach has more things to see and do.

Just wanted to add we have pictures of all the destinations we've been to. Might help you decide if the topography/snorkeling is what your looking for.

http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn

Definitely push the trip back to November the later the better. Even if you don't get hit by a hurricane in September the weather can still be wet with frequent tropical downpours.

KVR.. your St. Thomas pics make me want to go there in the worst way! I dont think with airfare I could though.. the accomodations arent the issue, flying down there is outrageous!

We did the all inclusive option at the Wyndham Sugar Bay for 6 nights for around $3,000. Granted we didn't have to pay for airfare for 2 children. We did day trip over to St. John and a boat day trip over to the BVI's.

Also, check out Cozumel, the Mayan Riveria area of Mexico, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum. You'll get more bang for your buck there in an all inclusive resort.

Lots of things to see and do; Mayan Ruins, zip lines, cenote snorkeling, ATV's, personal watercrafts, caves, Eco Parks, etc.

I have been seriously considering the Mayan Riviera.. seems like a great place to take a family Thanks so much for all the responses!

hi kaseys, i read your question earlier and have been stumped all day. i thought of the usvi and bvi's but checked airfare and times - big bucks and takes forever. rochster is a tough airport to fly to the carib from.

however, i've now looked at jetblue. they can fly you to cancun, mex or puerto plata or santo domingo dominican republic fairly reasonably and in under 7 hrs. this will be important with small kids to entertain en route.
both destinations are known for having loads of reasonably priced all inclusives to choose from. from cancun most of the ai's can be reached in an hour or so. have not been on dr so don't know about ground travel times there.
if you will be happy staying in the resort or only leaving on resort offered excursions the dr would be excellent. the beaches are gorgeous.
i know the snorkeling in mexico is good - i don't know about dr, but assume they have some...

puerto rico is another option. jetblue - easy flights.

for mexico look at www.locogringo.com it has tons of info. be sure to look at the 2 eco marine parks xel-ha and xcaret.

Hi
In June 2006 I took my husband and 3 kids (4, 11, 13) to the Barcelo resort near Playa del Carmen in the Mexican Yucatan also called the Riviera Maya. We booked online for 35% off directly from the resort and air (from CINC) we got from Apple Vacations; total was $4,500 for 5 people, 2 rooms, 7 days all-inclusive and air. Apple couldn't beat the quote I got! Grounds are lush and beautiful with huge lizards running around, great pools, blue water, palm trees fine sand but the big plus is an on-site mini-waterpark, perfect for the under 10 crowd! Rooms were holiday-innish, buffets were awesome.

Kaseys412: If you're flying out of the New York area, there are a lot of flights to St. Thomas which are pretty reasonable. You'll need only 3 tickets as under 2 you can hold on your lap for free. You should look into it. I've seen tickets run between $350 to about $550. St. Thomas also has some very reasonable accomodations, many of them right on the beach for example, Secret Harbor resort. Also, with 2 kids, consider renting a small villa where you can prepare a lot of your own meals which will help with costs. September- November is still "off-season" so all rentals are less.