We are both in our 40s, and would love to come to the Caribbean next year to elope. We don't have the budget for hotels over $400 a night, yet would still like to be on the beach.

We are hoping for uncrowded, beautiful beaches. ( Including one to get married on. )

We aren't big nightlife people -- it's more fun for us to spend the day snorkeling, laying on the beach, sightseeing and shooting photos, and maybe a little shopping. Evenings would be a nice dinner and quiet drink, maybe a stroll on the beach.

So... I ask you experts -- which island is for us?

Thanks!

Take a look at these - all are uncrowded and can easily be done on your budget;
Isla Mujeres (not far from Cancun)
Culebra (off the coast of Puerto Rico)
Vieques (off the coast of Puerto Rico)

Also check out the following Out-Islands of the Bahamas:
Cat Island
Long Island
Abacco
Eleuthera

Finally look at Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos

Hotel or house rental?

Budget per week?

I agree wih roamsaround : Bahamas Out islands - incredible.

http://www.camelsandchocolate.com/20...rbour-bahamas/

Mexico = inexpensive.

What is your actual budget? You'll find many options for less than $400 per night.

What type of accomendations are you looking for?

When are you going? Price and crowds are very determent by the time of year.

Many resorts offer wedding packages. Some may even be included depending on the hotel room catagory you purchase and the number of nights stayed.

Try Isla Holbox.....it's near Cancun...but a little island...looks pristine!

I'm going to Grenada this week. Check that out, particularly in the off season.

We'd like to keep the actual trip under $5000 total for a week, if that helps. That amount includes airfare from Ohio, but probably not the wedding services.

As for accommodations - we want ocean front and nice, resort or similar type of set-up. We're going to be married and honeymoon there, so it needs to be special.

Time of year will likely be next May or June, July at latest.
Thanks again!

We have visied most of the destinations mentioned and there are some good ideas with Cubebre maybe being your best bet. The T&C has the same culture as the States but Culebre is quite different. You need to see the current connections from San Juan as well as Jet Bjue;s flight scheule for they may go non-stop NY to Culebre or via San Juan. But the snorkeling in the Caribbean has become limited dueto gobal warming of the oceands and oils spills such as BP's a year ago, We do bit hear about many that happen evey year around the world and they kill the local coral and drift elsewhere. Still parts of Asia and Micronecia near Papau remain in good shape.
An exception is Belize in Central America and Honduras. in Central America only a 2 hour flight from Miami. The snorkeling is far better but the acommodations are more basic but the food id excellent at all 3 meals. They devote a regular speedboat to take the snorkelers to duffent destinations 2 times a day for 1 hour at each stop. The driver, Captain Carlos anchors and guides us in the water to see critters we would have missed.The first snorkel is at 10 and the second is at 3. You also get to go once to go to the world famous Blue Hole. The beach is pretty nice and the staff is quite friendly. You can use their kayaks, sail boat (15ft) and volley ball on the sand if you are so inclined.It is quiet with no phones, they will knock on your door to wake you if you ask for that rather than your travel clock. When you get up there is coffee or tea at your front door.
If you call the resorts Houston Ofiice and request to ask for Danielle and mention Stan referred you I am quite sure you will get a better rate than if you do it through a travel agent. In mid-May before the kids are out of school would be a desirable time to go. I would ask Danielle what is the possibility of getting the resort package for $3200 for 2 persons with tax and say because with the high air fare you are working on a tight budget. If she agrees ask her for Cabins 2 3 or 4 only. Actually the fare from Newark is $700 and it is non-stop going down but one stop (20 minutes) on the return. The only thing extra is beer, wine and soft drinks and some gratuities if you wish which in our 2 trips only cost us about $350 for the week.
Good Luck

added pkus to get exposed to a new culture okus have every thing you indicate you are seeking

If ocean front, resort and nice are essential plus under $400 per night I'd look at the Westin, W Vieques.

The Out Islands would also be a good choice.

Mexico would be cheaper.

I'm not sure how upscale you desire/ expect your accommodations to be but it's rare to find something truly upscale, oceanfront, under $400, and not busy. That's the kind of private luxury that tends to cost $$$

I think sassycat is absolutely right.

The best prices for wedding packgs will be found in the high volume resorts like Nassau or Cacun but this isn't what you want. Smaller resort in beautiful areas like The Exumas cam be very, very expensive. What about Sandals in the Exumas?

If you could cope with a ceremony at home, there are many, many house rentals in The Out Islands on the beach with world class snorkelling for under $2000 a week.

Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma, Bahamas is a great suggestion. You probably won't get a "oceanfront" room for $5,000, but all food/drinks are included, plus they offer free wedding packages with extra $ for upgraded services. It should be uncrowded and it's a couples only resort.

The 2nd and 3rd week of May before Memorial Weekend, should be less expensive. June and July, be careful with your resort choice. If it's not an adult oriented resort, there will be lots of families. July in the Caribbean is HOT and HUMID. We were married in July and I regret that month as it's a terrible time to travel for an anniversary.

Also look at Galley Bay and Coco Bay in Antigua and The Sibonne in Turks and Caicos.

We've been looking at Tortola or Vigin Gorda. Thoughts on those locations and our requirements?

We've been to Puerto Rico and Culebra, so would like somewhere else.

Are considering Hawaii too, but have yet to do any pricing research.

On Virgin Gorda, look into Nail Bay, Mango Bay, and Guavaberry Spring Bay lodging options. Mango Bay might be the closest to what you are looking for.
http://www.mangobayresort.com/
Very quiet island though. That's why we like it. Gorgeous beaches with walk in snorkeling.

I second Jimmie's suggestion of Virgin Gorda- we loved it and stayed at Mango Bay in an oceanview unit (#6)- $255/night in low season. You could get an oceanfront unit for $360. Also check out the "just for two" package on their rates. MB is just what you described and we hardly saw another soul at the beach or around the property the entire time we were there.The snorkeling right there at Mahoe Bay in front of the units was very good. Very accommodating and helpful management- the beach there would make a pretty setting for your wedding- see photos on website. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and I hope you find the perfect spot!

Speaking of the British Virgin Islands, have you considered Jost Van Dyke?

http://www.soggydollar.com/sandcastl...ervations.aspx

I think the bahama out islands would be a great choice for you. Some resort recommendations - pineapple fields on eleuthera as well as Cape Satna Maria on Long island. Plenty of beautiful isolated beaches to explore...some good restaurants/beach bars...minimal shopping.

Try Cuba, the best bang for your buck. Beautiful beaches and friendly people. Only drawback is the food. Try the Riu Varadero, had a wonderful time there, http://www.riuvaradero.ca

I'd love to visit Cuba sometime, but have to convince my bf. Surprised to hear you say the biggest drawback is the food. I would have thought that would be a highlight.

If you're truly interested in staying on Virgin Gorda, the best advice I can give you is to start posting at www.caribbeanonline.com. I was an active poster there, looking for a place to stay on VG when a villa owner on Mahoe Bay approached me and offered me a significantly reduced price on his villa for the off season, and only because I was posting there and was as much of a known quantity as you can be on an anonymous travel forum. I thinkg VG is a very special destination and you should think about Guavaberry SpringBay--both their little units and the villas they manage in the same area. Maybe La Casita would suit your needs?