I'm thinking of taking a trip during May and love the water and sun in the Caribbean. I like long beaches and snorkeling. I'm a nature lover and love to see and learn about unusual animals of all kinds. I also like to shop. I'm in my early 50's and will probably be traveling alone.<BR><BR>I found a great deal in Barbados at Coconut Court Hotel, $100 more for Sand Acres, $150 more at Bougainvillea, or $400 more for Sam Lords Castle all inclusive.<BR><BR>Any advice?

Actually, for what you like, I'd suggest the Mexican Caribbean.<BR>Cozumel has all you are looking for and some of the best snorkeling on the planet.<BR>We've seen turtles, rays, sharks, barracuda, huge lobsters, tarpon, on and on.<BR>There are iguanas indigenous to the island, and you can take day trips over to Playa del Carmen on the mainland via a 45 minute ferry trip, or you can spend the day on jungle tours or at ruins at Tulum or Chichen Itza.<BR>Cozumel is also very safe and extremely friendly.<BR>Another option would be Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for inexpensive AI's on a gorgeous beach.

Don't go to Sam Lords Castle. I am going to Barbados in June and have heard nothing good about the hotel. We are going to stay at the Almond Beach Village.

Hi Vicki,<BR>There are a number of good beaches in Barbados, that would be very good for you. I live in Barbados so I know everything about the island,<BR><BR>Beaches<BR>Browne's Beach (long stretch,good snorkelling)<BR>Accra Beach (nice water)<BR>Sandy Beach<BR>Dover Beach<BR>miami Beach<BR>Folkstone Marine Reserve (good snorkelling)<BR><BR>Hotels<BR>My suggestion to you would be to stay with Coconut Court Hotel, it's a wonderful hotel, good service and near to alot of action spots. Also has a fairly nice beach, and is in close reach to all the above beaches EXCEPT Folkstone, which is on the West Coast<BR><BR>Take my advise and you will have a wonderful vacation, you can get lots more insider tips and tricks by going to the page below ..<BR>www.bajanshowcase.com/newsletter.html<BR><BR>You or anyone else who needs information, feel free to email me and I will supply you with answers, if I don't currently have the answers I will research it for you and get back to you. Hope I have Helped You.<BR><BR>Kelvin/Clifton

Hi Vicki,<BR>I forgot to mention a few good nature spots<BR>Harrisons Cave ( very very beautiful cave)<BR>Barbados Wildlife Reserve (lots of animals some unique to Barbados and Caribbean)<BR><BR>Grenade Hall (2Km of trail and has a wide variety of species of plants and trees)<BR><BR>Flower Forest<BR>A lush vegetation garden, kept distinctively, with each plant and tree has it's english and latin names displayed.<BR><BR>Francia Plantation<BR>Maintained Plantation house, still owned by descendants of the original owner<BR><BR>Sunbury Plantation House<BR>Shows architectural history of the island<BR><BR>Orchid World<BR>Subtle gullies and ponds with thousands of orchids grown in shaded houses and pallisades<BR><BR>Those are a few of the wonderful nature places the island has to offer. <BR>Anyone feel free to email me with any questions or queries about anything in Barbados, since I live here I will be easy to locate the answer.<BR>Don't forget you will get this and lots more insider info if you subscribe to the newsletter at<BR><BR>www.bajanshowcase.com/newsletter.html<BR><BR>Kelvin/Clifton

diana - just wondering when you went to cozumel? i'm thinking about going and really like to snorkel. is july too hot? thanks

You just discribed GRAND CAYMAN.