Beaches & Ocean like the Caribbean in the US?
 

Are there any beaches with sand and water like the Caribbean or Cancun area in the us, excluding Hawaii? We want to go on vacation and take our 1 year old, but not crazy about taking him to a third world country, and we don't want to go to Hawaii. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Destin, Florida and the panhandle would be close. But there is nothing comparable to the Caribbean in the US, IMHO.

I don't really consider the caribbean islands to be "third world countries". Try something touristy like Nassau, Bahamas. Easy access from the US and beautiful water and beaches.

How about the US' territories in the Caribbean? Puerto RIco, USVI, etc.?

How come you're not interested in Hawaii?

-Bill

I think you interpretation of the Caribbean is slightly off base. To answer your question, the bayside in the Keys is the closest I can think of or perhaps Bahai Honda State Park. My children have both been to Montserrat (4 & 1 1/2), one of the least inhabited islands in the Caribbean, & even there you have all the conveniences of home. What/Where are you talking about ?

I guess you have ruled out Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean as you have already received a lot of good advice here about those destinations.

The panhandle of Florida would be the closest. Destin, Navarre, Pensacola, etc. But if it's an all inclusive that you want, I am not familiar with any. Also, the Panhandle would not be warm enought in the winter.

IMHO, there is nothing in the continental US comparable to the Caribben or Hawaii.

If you are just looking for beautiful beaches and a little relaxation, I would recommend St John in the USVI. There isn't much to do there, but there is very little crime and lots of great villas with amazing views to rent for good prices. You will have to fly in to St Thomas and take the ferry to St John, but it is a quick enjoyable ride.

I like Ft.Lauderdale. When we were there the water was crystal clear, warm, and the color was not exactly like the caribbean but it was close. I would certainly look into Siesta Keys. It has been voted among the best beaches in U.S.

Ignoring your rather insensitive portrayal of the Caribbean as 3rd-world, I do think you'll find the Gulf coast has beaches more like the Caribbean than anywhere else in the U.S. You just don't get the same kind of water in the Atlantic, as nice as Fort Lauderdale can be. And you wouldn't have to limit yourself to Florida. There are good beaches in Alabama as well.

I'm not sure what you think will happen to your 1 yr old in an island/beach paradise. We have been taking our kids - with the youngest starting at 3 months old - to an area south of Cancun.

Florida Keys is the closest I can think of.

Mexico is NOT a "third world country".

I was all for taking my 1 year old to Cancun in May and staying at a resort that had a baby program so we could drop him and he could play with other children while my husband and I got a little R&R on the beach. We aren't interested in leaving him with relatives yet, for various reasons. We just want to hang out and do nothing for 10 days. I like the idea of all inclusive too, not because the food is great or anything, but it is easy. We are so busy in our daily lives that I don't want to get dressed up every night to go out to eat. Hawaii is nice and we have been a couple of times, but the whole thought of renting car and having to drive everywhere and choose places to eat and dining with an 18 month old everyday is a little much for us on vacation. So that is why Cancun is so attractive. We also have 2 free round trip tickets to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies. My third world country comment is simple because I was concerned about our 18 month old possible getting issck from food or water, I can't imagine his little body would take it as well as an adult could, and also concerned about medical facilites if he did get sick. So please give me a break about being concern about my childs health.

I love these forums, but sometimes peoples responses are so rude and sarcastic. I'm asking for advice because I don't have all of the answers and input from others, you don't have to be mean about it.

I would agree that Mexico is a third world country.

I would agree that you are not going to find Caribbean like water in the US.

I like Siesta Key and Sarasota, too.

I disagree Ft. L is anything like the Caribbean. Just my opinion, but I found the beach nothing like those in Cancun, Bermuda, St. John or the Bahamas. Likewise, Bahia Honda is a pretty beach, but when we were there it was small and covered in seaweed. And that's one of the only beaches in the keys, from my very limited experience.

The beaches at Cancun are beautiful, but the surf is rough. I loved that, but I would be nervous if I had young kids with that rough water.

There is something to be said about the quality of health care in the US v. the Caribbean and Mexico in the rare event of an emergency.

Maybe you could consider St. John and the USVI?

You might want to really research the kid's club thing. Most of the programs start at age 3 or 4. I think there's only one place in Cancun with a younger kid's club...maybe a Fiesta Americana; I can't remember.

Or you might want to stay where there's a nanny/babysitter service/program. Usually something more upscale like Ritz-Carlton in Cancun.

In doing the research for Cancun area, the only resort I found with a Baby Program was the Crown Paradise Club, they start at 18 months. It looks great, like a child care facitlity and I have gotten a lot of great feedback from other families who have used. I work in law enforcement and it freaks me out to think about leaving my child with a babysitter one on one, I am way more comfortable with a child care setting with many children and staff. Not that children don't get abused or touch in child care facilities too.

pepper is correct. Most kids clubs only cater to older kids. The way your original post read it pretty much implied that the whole of the Caribbean is the equivalent of a third world country. Which is probably why you rec'v'd so much grief. I'm also a little confused, you don't want to leave him w/relatives, but you want to go someplace where you can place him in a kids club ?? There will be plenty of kids on whatever beach you choose, he won't have a problem finding friends to play with. He's a kid, after all. If you are worried about the water, buy bottled water, that would hardly have an impact on where I would choose to travel. As far as the sickness thing, we always take samples of anti-biotics & what not from home w/us (your Dr. will likely provide them if you just ask). As far as being concerned about hospital facilities & what not, well, that just seems a tad paranoid too me. I'm guessing this is your first child ?

Just a suggestion since you're concerned about your child - have you thought of taking one of YOUR regular sitters? I did that years ago when my kids were very young. We went to Hawaii and I paid the airfare, hotel and meals and gave the girl a flat fee (agreed upon before we left on the trip) and it was a wonderful solution. My kids knew her and were completely comfortable with her, as was I. If you did something like this you would be able to have all the alone time with your husband that you might want without having to confine it only the hours the daycare center is open. Just a thought ....

Actually, Mexico is what is referred to as a second world country because it has both the extreme poverty of third world countries and the industialization of first world countries.

However, the term is very outdated and socially incorrect.

What bashful said. I have friends with young children that do that and is works well for them.

-Bill