My family, including my two kids, (daughter age 15, son age 16) are thinking of visiting the Caribbean this summer. The kids have never been to the tropics, and we are looking for an island with, a "very tropical spirit", for lack of better words (i.e. something beyond club Med). We would prefer a non-American island, but are open-minded. Any ideas?
Thank you so much!

I would suggest St. Lucia, Virgin Gorda, Guadeloupe, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, or Grenada for a very tropical feel, perfect for those with an adventurous spirit. These are all islands that are more lush, with some degree of rain forest and more off the beaten path. Others, such as Anguilla or Anegada, have beautiful picture-perfect beaches with white sand stretching as far as the eye can see, but the interiors are dry, scrubby, & flat. It sounds from your post you would prefer something with a bit more variation in terrain and something with a more lush, tropical feel.

You should probably avoid Aruba, Grand Cayman, St. THomas, st. Maarten as being the most Americanized.

Without knowing about your preferences and price range, it's hard to be more specific. You could consider renting a villa for a more entrenching island experience, or go with a more established resort. Do you want hiking, snorkeling, diving and other active pursuits? Do you want a beach-oriented vacation? A combination of both?

On St. Lucia I would recommend Ti Kaye Village or the Stonefield Estate Villas as mid-range accommodations or Anse Chastenet for the upper reaches of the budget.

On Grenada, I would recommend La Sagesse or Blue Horizons for low to midrange prices, Twelve Degrees North for a midrange, or LaLuna, BelAir Plantation or Calabash for higher end accommodations. Twelve Degrees North is, I think, unique in that offers a combination of villa and resort living. You're provided with a maid who will cook breakfast and/or lunch for you during your stay, but you're on your own for the evening meal. They allow children over a certain age--your kids are right around the cut-off point--and it's a place for more independent travelers who want to get a better sense of place of the island than folks who prefer to stay put in one resort.

On Virgin Gorda, Biras Creek and Little Dix Bay are at the high end of prices, but this is a very good island for renting a villa and exploring the wondeorful snorkeling beaches.

Have heard great things about Negril and Treasure Beach,Jamaica.

Although not in the Caribbean...Kauai Hawaii has a very tropical feel,with some culture.It is very lush and green.
Good luck!!!

PS..I also agree if you want something that is not Americanized avoid Aruba.

For a wonderful introduction to the Caribbean, I'd suggest going to Barbados. It has some of everything any island can offer except for gambling and a volcano. Lovely people, lush green tropical setting, clean air, pure water, wide range of hotels, beaches, water sports, sightseeing such as caves, tropical gardens, animal preserves, plantation houses, submarine ride. Outstanding restaurants, both in hotels and independent. All revolves around a British/Caribbean culture so you don't feel like you're just in tropical America. Barbados is a really special place with a strong economy, not dependent only on tourism, so a visitor experiences a sense of a place which is beyond just a resort on a beach. Generally avoid August-October (hurricane season). Otherwise weather is great all year-perpetual summer with water temps over 80 deg. even in winter. Lowest hotel rates are mid-April to mid-December, with a big jump in high season. Calmest water for swimming/snorkeling is on the calm!
west coast north of Bridgetown. IMO the best hotel on that stretch is Coral Reef Club. Family-owned for 50 years, low-rise and plantation cottage style hotel in tropical gardens and fine beach. Barbados is a really special place. See www.barbados.org and
www.coralreefbarbados.com

Treasure Beach is one of the most wonderful spots my husband and I have visited together, and it is certainly off the beaten path, but it was filled more with succulents that with palms--not particularly lush at all. But certainly a terrific family destination for those wishing to see and even participate in an older style island living.