Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Caribbean Islands
Reload this Page >

Which Island is for us?

Search

Which Island is for us?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 1st, 2007, 10:40 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Which Island is for us?

We are trying to figure out which Caribbean island to go to this winter. We've been to Mexico (4 times), DR, Jamaica, Hawaii, cruise to BVI & St. Martin.

What's important to us is:

1. Beach - has to be close to perfect.
2. Ability to walk a lot and get to shops, etc.
3. A quaint feeling, not too Miami or touristy.
4. Friendly locals and ability to do a lot on your own, without tours.

We will always return to the Mayan Riviera of Mexico, as that is my favourite yet, but want to try different areas in between.

Thanks for your help.
geomew is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2007, 11:18 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,718
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
St. John, Virgin Islands
blamona is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2007, 12:33 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Anguilla or Provo (doesn't meet your shopping requirement, but it meets your others!)
beachgirl86 is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2007, 01:20 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
One of the things you are going to find is that most resorts that are on beautiful beaches are not near "shops, etc." which tend to be in the towns. The towns are usually in protected harbors with lots of boat traffic while the beaches are on other parts of the island. This is especially true on "quaint islands".

As Blamona points out St. John (US Virgin Islands) come pretty close to what you are seeking. If you don't mind taking some type of ground transportation to reach shops, etc. you might want to check out St. Kitts or Nevis. St. Martin has a lot of shopping and plenty of restaurants within walking distance of many of its hotels and resorts but it is a very busy island and probably doesn't meet your definition of quaint.

Bequia (in the Grenadines) has a small town which is located adjacent to a very nice beach. It's the quintessential "old world Caribbean" island - quiet, laid back, friendly locals, not touristy. If you are looking for "quaint" this is certainly the place.
RoamsAround is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2007, 02:10 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I love Abacos, Bahamas- Hope Town (Elbow Cay)
Fly into Marsh Harbour and take a ferry boat to Hope Town (lighthouse)
voice_for_the_animal is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2007, 06:33 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would second Abacos especially elbow cay based on your criteria. Quaint town, great beaches and friendly locals. Bit difficult to get to but worth it.
mnag is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bretabaker
Caribbean Islands
9
Apr 4th, 2016 05:56 AM
Blondee1
Caribbean Islands
6
Apr 27th, 2010 07:24 AM
oliviadawg
Caribbean Islands
4
Jan 24th, 2005 01:01 PM
sls15
Caribbean Islands
14
Dec 11th, 2004 07:21 AM
seva
Caribbean Islands
7
Apr 15th, 2003 01:32 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -