Which Caribbean Island?
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Which Caribbean Island?
We are seasoned travelers having visited all seven continents now considering our first trip to a Caribbean island in June or Julu. We're thinking about 3 or 4 nights at a base somewhere in which we could walk to restaurants and shops. While on the island, we want to take a day trip or two in which we could hike, observe wildlife, visit historic sights, or a garden or plantation (we're not planning on doing all of this during a short visit but these are some of our interests). A walk on a beach is welcome but no laying around or water activities. What do you suggest? Thank you.
#2
I believe most every island has most of those things. Do you have any preferences - like a larger island, smaller island, whether influenced by Spanish, French, English, Dutch, etc. historically? How about weather since you plan to go in summer time (rainy season some places). Any special needs about your arrival airport (like which ones have nonstops from your home airport)? Do you want to rent a car, or not? Any considerations along those lines that might narrow down the large array of options.
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Suze, thank you. No preference on size of island or heritage. I prefer drier weather, but know that it is unpredictable - especially these days - and also understand that it is hurricane season. I plan on getting around any island by public transportation or going on a tour / hiring a driver. My home airports are DCA / IAD / BWI but I expect connections. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
#4
I know a little about Jamaica, where I've gone to Negril a few times, love it there. Been to USVI and Dominican Republic a couple times and would not suggest those.
My current tropical/beach destinations now are usually either Mexico or Hawaii (since I'm Seattle based now) so hopefully others will chime in with more appropriate suggestions for your question!
My current tropical/beach destinations now are usually either Mexico or Hawaii (since I'm Seattle based now) so hopefully others will chime in with more appropriate suggestions for your question!
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......somewhere in which we could walk to restaurants and shops. While on the island, we want to take a day trip or two in which we could hike, observe wildlife, visit historic sights, or a garden or plantation (we're not planning on doing all of this during a short visit but these are some of our interests). A walk on a beach is welcome..........
Guadeloupe Antilles Info Tourisme
https://us.martinique.org/
Antigua has Nelsons Dockyard which is pretty special, not sure it has much hiking but I might be wrong. Not much in the way of shops and restaurants in walking distance
Barbados have several historical sights and some well preserved plantations eg Sunbury Plantation, the very windy east coast is very beautiful for walks, hiking and there are some botanical gardens. You can walk to some shops and restaurants from Holetown, apart from that you need transportation.
Curacao (Willemstad) has alot of colourful historical buildings along the waterfront, its a city so lots of restaurants, shops etc. Enjoyed Christoffel National Park but you need a car to visit it unless you can get a tour. Curacao is dry, arid, rocky with iguanas but it has it's own beauty. Even Bonaire has historical sights, a national park, restaurants within walking distance in Kralendijk, I don't remember many shops.
For serious hiking and nature, Saba cannot be beaten, Windwardside has several good restaurants and a couple of shops, it is a tiny island, not sure about historical sights although the local museum in Windwardside was very interesting might not be enough for you. You need a taxi to get around.
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We are seasoned travelers having visited all seven continents now considering our first trip to a Caribbean island in June or Julu. We're thinking about 3 or 4 nights at a base somewhere in which we could walk to restaurants and shops. While on the island, we want to take a day trip or two in which we could hike, observe wildlife, visit historic sights, or a garden or plantation (we're not planning on doing all of this during a short visit but these are some of our interests). A walk on a beach is welcome but no laying around or water activities. What do you suggest? Thank you.
I did climb la montagne pelée. Great.
We swam with turtles at anse mouton or noire.
I agree that Dominican Republic is meh.
I loved Cuba. Very nice people. Beautiful island. More history than in others.
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