Your favorite Carribean Island
 

We are a group of 4 traveling in February 1999 and we do not know which island to pick. Please let us know your favorite island and place to stay. We are looking for beaches, hiking, nightlife, restaurants but we do not want an all inclusive resort.

I'd suggest Grand Case Beach Club in Grand Case, St. Martin. The French side of St Martin/St. Maarten is definitely cooler than the Dutch. You'll want a car to check out Orient Beach, and the port city of Marigot. You can take a day trip to Anguilla or Saba. There are casinos on the Dutch side. But the restaurants in Grand Case are probably the best anywhere in the Caribbean.

WE JUST RETURNED FROM ST. LUCIA FOR OUR HONEYMOON IN SEPT. ALTHOUGH WE STAYED ALL INCLUSIVE W/SANDALS HALCYON (& LOVED IT!), WE INSTANTLY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE ISLAND AND ITS UNIQUE CHARM. THE ST. LUCIAN PEOPLE ARE VERY KIND AND COURTEOUS (KIND OF SHY AND NOT PUSHY IN GENERAL) & ALTHOUGH POVERTY EXISTS ON THIS ISLAND, THEY ARE VERY PROUD OF THEIR COUNTRY AND ITS NATURAL BEAUTY. THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT RESORTS IN ST. LUCIA, RANGING FROM 3STAR TO PREMIUM LUXURY HOTELS. IF YOU LIKE PRIVACY, NATURAL SURROUNDINGS, AND PEACE & QUIET FOR THE MOST PART, THEN I WOULD SUGGEST SOUFRIERE -LOCATED BY THE PITON MOUNTAINS (IF YOU ARE AVID HIKERS). YOU CAN HIRE SOMEONE TO GUIDE YOU UP THE MOUNTAINS OR SUGGEST LESS 'STRENUOUS' HIKING. ST. LUCIA IS MOSTLY RAINFOREST AND JUNGLE (MOST OF THE INTERIOR OF THE ISLAND) AND SHOULD OFFER YOU PLENTY OF VARIETY AND INTERESTING THINGS TO DO AND SEE WHILE HIKING, ETC. <BR>ST. LUCIA OFFERS MOUNTAINS, RAINFORESTS, 'DRIVE-IN' VOLCANO, BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, AND THE MOST LUSH FLORA YOU CAN IMAGINE. <BR>THERE IS NOT A LOT OF NIGHTLIFE ON ST. LUCIA, BUT IF YOU CHOOSE YOUR RESORT IN ACCORDANCE, YOU SHOULDN'T NEED TO GO ELSEWHERE...THERE IS HOWEVER, FRIDAY NIGHT 'JUMP-UP' EVERY FRIDAY IN GROS ISLET AND ANY CAB WILL TAKE YOU. IT IS A SAFE PLACE TO PARTY WHERE LOCALS AND TOURIST MIX AND PARTY THE NIGHT AWAY...DON'T GO BEFORE 11P.M. THOUGH- IT DOESN'T START 'JUMPING' TILL THEN. THERE IS NO GAMBLING IN ST. LUCIA. <BR>

I agree with Diane--Grand Case Beach Club on St. Martin is a grand place--not only can you day trip to Anguilla, but also Saba and St. Barts. There is something for everyone. Also, Aruba is a good bet--same type of thing--something for everyone. You can also day trip to Curacao and Bonaire. <BR>Happy vacation--but get those reservations in as soon as possible! <BR>Enjoy! <BR>

Just wanted to comment on the outstanding suggestions that you have received. The person that gave the views on St. Lucia is right on. Leslie described St. Lucia to a "T". You will enjoy it. Then Yes, for nightlife you would prefer to stay on St. Martin as oppose to Anguilla. Personally, I prefer to stay on Anguilla but then again I am not one for nightlife. But both St. Martin and Anguilla is unique in that it offers ferry links to neighboring islands such as Saba and St. Barths so you get a variety when staying in this area. Enjoy your vacation whereever you may go and remember although all of the above islands are relatively safe....stay safe. <BR>

Cuba is my favourite island because it is DIFFERENT. The beaches and the nature are unique. People are friendly and there is little or no violence. Nighlife is also lively in Havana and Playa del Este. The Hotels are excellent and the restaurants are acceptable. The sanitary conditions in Cuba are very good. There also are some negative factors in Cuba like poverty, prostitution and theft. And you can not trust the police if you are in trouble. They seem to be corrupt. If you go for a unique holiday: Go to Cuba before it becomes like every other tourist country. Nils

THERE IS NO ANSWER TO THE QUESTION. EVERY ISLAND IS DIFFERENT AND IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR...ARUBA WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU LIKE MIAMI BEACH WITH CASINOS. GRAN TURK IS GREAT IF YOU LIKE TO DO NOTHING (EXCEPT DIVE) AND DINE IN LAID BACK CONDITIONS WERE THE RESTAURANTS DON'T HAVE MATCHING GLASSES OR FLATWARE. THE BVI IS WONDERFUL AND THE LOCALS ARE USUALLY VERY FRIENDLY. TRY THEM ALL !!!