Ray-Ray

I'm planning a carribean vacation, and I just want to know the safest places I can go.
I'm not up to par with the laws and crime rates... help?

Sammy

I think the following would get the most votes for this criteria: (not necessarily a complete list)

-Anguilla
-British Virgin Islands
- Caymans
- St. Barths (for safety; not sure about friendliness- some say it's 'snobby')
- Saba (tiny island, no beaches or entertainment to speak of. For hiking, biking and relaxing)

2nd-Place list:

-Aruba
-Barbados

Sammy

I forgot one of Saba's main attractions: diving! (snorkelling too?)

I also think a lot of people might add some of the really tiny islands such as St. Kitts and Nevis, Mustique, Bequia, the Grenadines, etc., etc.

xxx

The Cayman Islands are clean and safe...the bahamas is nasty at least Nassua was when I was there a few years ago...

gilbert

Hi
I think St Bart is good for your criteria
If you want a good adress for a cottage rental contact me directly.
regards

Sandy

Grand Cayman is definetely a very safe island, and the people are extremely friendly!! You'll find NO vendors on the beach trying to sell you things. And you won't find the poverty that you see on some Caribbean islands.

Beth2

Any other comments on Anguilla, Nevis, or dare I say, St. Lucia?

R. James

Cayman Islands & Aruba are extremely safe and clean islands.

Neither suffer from the unemployment that dooms other islands, like Jamaica, Grand Bahama and St. Martin/Maarten (all of which should be avoided if you're concerned about safety issues).

fyi

I would not include St. Lucia.
Agree with all the others!!

Howard

Another vote for Saba.

No crime to speak of....I stayed in a house and we kept the door unlocked when going out for short periods...people are VERY friendly (one of the best things about the island).

Anon

Gilbert, I have e-mailed you regarding your cottage in St. Barth. Please respond ASAP.

In my opinion, Anguilla & St. Barth are very safe islands.

ingrid

The Netherlands Antilles

MaryJ

Aruba hands down!

Peggy

Barbados..... I rented a house by myself in the northwest region. I lived for 2 weeks 3 years in a row among villagers. They were the friendliest people I have encountered in my travels. Couldn't do enough for me. I never worried about safety. Drove around the whole island myself several times - got lost alot and always stopped on the road and asked strangers for directions. Never had a fear.... felt so safe...

Karen

I cannot say that I felt unsafe at any point on any of the islands where I traveled but some do have lower crime statistics than others and none, I suspect, are crime free! The higher standard of living and affluent islands report less crime and I think that those islands that promote a/i are often the ones with more safety issues as they visitors can stay in compounds and are not out and about the island but this may not necessarily be true of all of them. It would be hard to come up with an island that had genuinely friendlier and more welcoming people than Anguilla and it does boast of a "low/no crime" reputation. The safety and the people combined with the magnificant beaches and wonderful dining makes it pretty close to Paradise for me! I find the Islands of the BVI very welcoming also.

Trish

Curacao is a very safe island and very beautiful, although there is a strong trade wind and the beaches can be tough to lay on close by the water. Swimming can also be difficult as the bottom requires swimming shoes. Very relaxing.

Mel

Turks & Caicos! Very friendly people and beautiful beaches.

Jeremy

Dont listen to James.
St. Martin has no big crime problem.
These people that want "Safe" islands that gurentee that every person on the island is a nice freindly person ready to serve you!!
Get real people.

fyiagain

Barbados had quards with M16 at each end of Sandy Lane about 8 yrs. ago. Private houses had chain link fences and guard dogs. Ditto fences and guard dogs in St. Martin-yet I felt comfortable and maintained my street smarts on both islands. Other islands have better reputations.

Hannah

DO LISTEN about St. Martin: Our concierge told us not to walk on the beach at night due to the danger of crime. Can you imagine, not being able to walk on the moonlit beach at night?!? Plus we saw many a unsavory character lurking about the touristy areas. Just not a comfortable place.