So i'm trying to figure out which island we should travel to this january. I am in need of a relaxing trip and want to try something different than where we have been. So far I have travelled to aruba, st.marteen, anguilla, and barbados. I loved the beaches of aruba and anguilla and really loved the desert atmosphere of aruba. Didn't like st.marteen that much - it was chaotic, dirty, just something about it that I didn't like...I would love to go somewhere like aruba, beautiful beaches and really cool nature with nice restaurants. But ideally not too expensive either.

Where should we go?
-Beautiful beaches with many options to go to different ones on different days
-Nice landscape
-Restaurants
-Not too crazy expensive

The problem is January. We've been to all of the above and have settled in Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos---but not in January. OK, another favorite is St. Bart's, but that's crazy expensive.

I'll be interested in the responses to this post.

OP, it's spelled St. Martin or Sint Maarten (not St. Marteen).

I've never been to Aruba, sounds too Americanized for my taste. So, can't compare, but do take a look at Grenada. Lovely beaches, wonderful people. Lots of choices for accomodations, some not very expensive.

We also enjoyed St. Kitts and Nevis, but I think maybe less to do.

You really do need to go pretty far south for travel in January. You could also look at Central America.

i think you are describing grand cayman. looks like aruba but not as built up, a little more upscale & well kept. has seven mile beach & several others. good snorkeling/diving. plenty of good food. hotels in many price ranges. also some nice condos right on seven mile which could save you money.

ah intersting. Which one of these places has the best beaches? Thats really ultimately what I am looking for. Beautiful crystal blue beaches, with calm water, perfect sand, etc. A nice landscape like in aruba would be a plus. To the person that said they didn't like aruba, it is really beautiful and my favorite out of all the ones I have visited; the pictures we took were absolutely amazing.

People are raving about Aruba's sister island - Curacao.....

Thanks everyone for all the replies! I was doing some searching. Jamaica is super cheap - how is it? why is it so cheap? I also read that around january one should really try to go south of anguilla since north can be a bit chillyish. I am definitely in search of WARM weather so that would be the worst thing to book a vacation and have it be anything but really warm.

Grand Cayman was like a calmer Aruba. We like the white sand and clear waters and the water in GC is much clearer than Aruba. Good food and friendly people. Nightlife is more like beach bars. We felt very safe walking around GC and it definitely offers the relaxed feel. It has beautiful beaches.

I would read a lot more about Jamaica before you book there. Some love it and its vibe, others complain about crime and drugs. You will have to make your own decision.

Yes, I agree with bellaclaire. People are really looking into Curacao now. I was there in April and it was a lovely island. I decided I am going again in January!

what did you love so much about curacao? how were the beaches?

I'm thinking of going to Cozumel Island in Feb, I have read many good reviews, has anyone been there?

We just returned from Jamaica last night. We enjoyed our stay, but, it certainly isn't for everyone. There were people smoking marijuana literally everywhere we went in Negril. Didn't bother us, just a fact of the culture.

It really is a beautiful country, very lush and green. Negril has nice beaches. We felt safe everywhere we went. Lots of poverty though.

It wasn't my favorite island, but, was really a fun week.

I loved Jamaica, I was in Negril for 10 days this past summer. I didn't find it to be particularly "cheap" though.

hmm no I don't think I would like the type of environment that you described, people smoking marijuana everyone. The only reason I thought it was cheap was from what I priced out on expedia, it was cheaper in terms of flight/hotel compared to other islands.

My experience was different from JeanH in Negril. I did not see people smoking "literally everywhere" but it does happen.

Jamaica is a VERY poor country and that is likely why you were finding less expensive flight/hotel, espeically if you are comparing it to the high-end places like Aruba which is much more tourist-oriented and Americanized.

If you're going in January, try to pick one of the southern islands- Aruba, Curacao, Grenada, Tobago/Trinidad. You'll increase your chances for decent weather.

Anyone have any thoughts on grenada or tobago/trinidad?

smr00, I personally love Grenada, but if Anguilla and Aruba are your two favorite places so far, I think you'd probably prefer a place like Grand Cayman or returning to Aruba over Grenada. In Grand Cayman, you could think about staying more on the east end where it's less populous.

I agree with ejcrowe (not suprising) I love Grenada but the things that most people love about are Grenada are NOT GC and Aruba....where they are flat and white beaches...Grenada is mountainous with beige beaches....

It is a wonderful island with rich beautiful culture, history, moutains / rainforest / waterfalls, and unique places to see and visit!!

St.Kitts is also a lovely island with many wonderful features - similar to Grenada and yet very different...which also makes it fantastic.

What about Barbados though - it is similar in terms of flatter with the similar beaches...but it is hot in January and has lots of high end places to stay and eat.