Planning a vacation. I want to get some opinions on what the best Caribbean island is. I want great beaches of course, great food, but not too expensive. I would love there to be some interesting culture there. I like seclusion, but want to be able to have something to do at least 1 of the days besides sit on the beach. (maybe a cave or jungle tour) I liked Barbados, but I really like crystal, calm waters that they don't have. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Hi Ray,<BR><BR>Have you thought about Aruba? It has beautiful calm beaches, and a wonderful tradewind that cools it down a bit. In addition to all the watersports activities, they also have sunset cruises, horseback riding, and other island tours. Also, they have some caves to explore, which aren't too exciting (kind of dangerous if you ask me). They have a natural bridge and a natural pool (which you MUST have a jeep to attempt to get to)!!<BR><BR>My husband and I have been there 3 times and LOVE it. You must rent a jeep and go venture out in the island. It is fun to explore and you don't have to worry about crime!! We even stopped in their villages and the locals talked to us. Very Very Safe.<BR><BR>Also the food is very good. Aruba isn't that expensive compared to other islands. We stay @ the Marriott and fly out with a charter/hotel package for anywhere from $700-$1200 per person, depending on which resort you pick. All resorts are very nice, clean and modern.<BR><BR>We usually stay at the Marriott because it is the last hotel on the high rise section and we get the seclusion that we like.<BR><BR>Hope you find what you are looking for.

St. Kitts and Nevis (Caribbean side for calm waters). Both are known for some nice restaurants, very good (but not great) beaches, rain forests, seclusion.

Try Turks & Caicos. Very calm water, like glass. Excellent for snorkeling. AA Vacations has some great rates as well on packages. I would not recommend all-inclusive as there are some great resturants. You can do some day trips to Middle Caicos to see the caves, a day trip to the Iguana Island- this was really cool. There is also a conch farm on provo, lots of georgeous beaches & no cruise ships!!Got to www.tcitourism.com. By far, this has been my favorite island out of the ones I have been to.

Susan, Ray wanted an island with culture and Aruba doesn't have that. If you've been there 3x, I presume you've seen the whole island so you should know what I'm talking about.

If you want culture, try jamaica. Rent a jeep, start in Negril for the beach and work your way to kingston via Milk River Bath - a rustic spa with the worlds most mineralized water (50% more radioactive than baden baden) and enjoy the jamaican cuisine in the spa's excellent restaurant. Stop and enjoy the mountain villages, they are safer than the city. In kingston enjoy the hustle bustle and culture-theater, dining, arts. In kingston, go to Hellshire beach, the locals hang here. Try the cuisine from one of the many shacks on the beach. The fishermen catch the fish or lobster and its cooked for you right there. The music and locals make it fun.

You have to compromise somewhere. Many islands have several of the things you mentioned, but it's hard to think of one that has them all. <BR>Virgin Gorda, maybe. But dining choices are not that broad and it's culturally sterile.<BR>St. Kitts & Matinique - beautiful islands, good food, interesting culturally, relatively cheap, easy to find seclusion - but only "okay" beaches.<BR>St. Barts - great food & beaches, french flair, but very expensive. Ditto Anguilla - but without the french flair and not much else to do besides the beaches. Probably ditto Turks and Caicos -the future Bahamas - get there before it becomes overdeveloped & ruined - it's on its way.<BR><BR>

Well, it's not in the Caribbean but it is a beautiful island with wonderful beaches, blue water and very nice, cultured people with plenty of good restaurants. And oh yeah...they do wear bermuda shorts to work...very cool!