Favorite Caribbean Island

[Rancher]

Hello All
Last year we went to St. Maarten and it was ok. This year we just got back from Aruba and we loved it there. The island is clean people are friendly and there appears to be very little crime there. The natives appeared happy to see us tourists which doesn't happen very much anymore. I am wondering in the future should we go to another island next year to see as much of the Caribbean as we can over the next few years or just stay with Aruba. In other words what is your favourite island.

Thanks

Dennis

 

[dlpearson]

For a laid back (not a lot of action, although sufficient for a little shopping and dining) vacation with take-your-breath-away-views and gorgeous beaches, St. John is our favorite (granted we still have many Caribbean islands left to visit).

-David

 

[lynne]

For a laid back (not a lot of action, although sufficient for a little shopping and dining) vacation with take-your-breath-away-views and gorgeous beaches, St. John is our favorite (granted we still have many Caribbean islands left to visit).

-David

I agree with David, we love St. John the best. Next up for us is Virgin Gorda and then Barbados.

 

[ilene13]

We used to go to a different Caribbean Island every Christmas and New Years. We were searching for good weather. 27 yrs ago we discovered Aruba and we have gone there ever since.

 

[amycurl]

There are only a handful of major islands I haven't been too (Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos, and the Grenadines are the ones I can think of,) and out of all them, of the ones that have large resorts...
Aruba tops them all, with Bonaire a close second.
St. John is also great.
Virgin Gorda is also beautiful.

My favorite island is Saba, but I don't think there is anything more than a few hotels there, and it's only accessible by boat.

 

[MichaelColey]

Great thread! I love hearing WHY people like the islands they do.

So far, the only Caribbean island we've been to is Jamaica, too one of the all inclusive resorts (Sandals Royal Caribbean, in their top of the line suites with butler service). A bit expensive--almost $500/night at the time, probably more now, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. It has been one of our only vacations without the kids.

I'm not sure I would enjoy Jamaica outside of an all-inclusive resort. It seems like there's a lot of crime and most of the island is very impoverished.

St. John sounds like something we would enjoy.

What's the appeal with Aruba? Night life? Natural beauty? Beaches?

 

[stmartinfan]

Isn't great that there are lots of Caribbean islands to meet individual tastes! We love St Marten and visit almost every year. We made one trip to Aruba, had a good time but have no desire to return

 

[Janann]

Choices, choices

We have been to a few islands, and I love Aruba too. We just got back from our second trip to Aruba. With our timeshare we have visited:

Nassua, Bahamas
Aruba twice
Barbados
Grand Cayman
St. Maarten

Next year we are going to Ambergris Caye, Belize. I want to get to Puerto Rico some day.

We enjoyed Aruba for the walk-out snorkeling, easy driving, easy groceries, and gigantic, walkable beaches in the low-rise timeshare section.

My next favorite island is probably Barbados. The Crane Resort was great, but I'd rather be in an area with a longer beach. St. Maarten had small beaches, except for the two afternoons we spent at Orient Beach. For a beach-walker like me, I need lots of uninterrupted distance on the beach!

Barbados and Aruba had the best snorkeling.

We don't eat out much on vacation, so restaurants are not really a consideration and I can't comment on restaurants. Access to groceries might be more important to us than access to restaurants.

There are some islands that I like better than others, but I haven't regretted any trips. I'd rather "collect islands" than stay in one place every year.

 

[legalfee]

We've been to St Kitts, St Maarten, Aruba, Bahamas, and St Thomas. All have their pluses and minuses but St Thomas is the one we keep coming back to. We bought a timeshare there and in fact we're there now. St Thomas is a US territory with the advantages of being a US citizen. Also you can take a short ferry ride to St John or cruise the BVI. St Thomas also has many world class restaurants and great beaches. What more could you want?

 

[Weimaraner]

We've been to Antigua, Turks, puerto Rico, St Maarten, Aruba5x, St Thomas, St John. Aruba continues to be our favorite...a lot to do, super friendly people, great people, easy to drive. Not as pretty as other islands but that's ok with us.

 

[amycurl]

As for why I think Aruba is so great:
-almost universal literacy (in *four* languages) and employment
-therefore, not the huge underclass that you'll find on many islands
-therefore, low crime rate and less "harassment" or constant selling.

Aruba had oil money before they had tourists. The island seems to have a totally different psychology to it than others I have experienced.

Also, the "ugly tourists" come from Venezulea, not the US. Locals seem much happier to speak to us in English (their third language,) rather than to someone in Spanish (their fourth.)

Wonderful weather, a constant breeze even in the height of summer, beautiful beaches, very swimmable water, and fantastic restaurants.

What's not to love?

 

[Denise]

Anguilla for the excellent walk in snorkeling, beauty, great food and low crime.
St. Johns also had excellent snorkeling and beautiful beaches.

 

[Beaglemom3]

Hands down, St. Bart's !

A very close second is St. John.



No timeshares on St. Bart's, but I know of a simple hotel that is well-priced and welcoming if anyone is interested.

 

[suzanne]

We have been to:
St Martin - twice
Grand Cayman
Aruba - twice
St. Thomas
Barbados
Nassua - 3 times
Grand Bahama - 3 times
Jamaica - twice

Our Favorite was hands down Barbados. So much to see and do. The people were very friendly and proud of their Island. There is poverty, but its everywhere not just on the Islands.

Suzanne

 

[lll1929]

I love Aruba. I've been there 4 times. I love the ease of driving, friendly natives and close accessible stores. I tend to travel by myself with kids and never fear for my safety.

I am trying Cancun this year since it's a shorter plane ride but will probably return to Aruba in the years to follow.

The trade wind is awesome!!

 

[brother coony]

I love the Caribbean,I try for one or two Island every year,But Jamaica is our favorite Hands down,it has crime, poverty,but we see that in all the Islands we go to as our rental car is always book and waiting for us at the airport,and we drive all over the Islands, never been on Vacation without renting a car,from Cancun, St kitts,st. Martin, Turks and cacaos,Jamaica,DR,etc.
2012 Heading to Puerto Rico,Antigua, barbuda,and going to Domonica for 2 days,and of course Jamaica,

love the Caribbean,and been in New York I can be on the beach in 3 1/2 hours,on most IsLand

 

[Conan]

Hands down, St. Bart's !

No timeshares on St. Bart's, but I know of a simple hotel that is well-priced and welcoming if anyone is interested.

Please message me your hotel recommendation for St. Barts.
(I tried messaging you, but your TUG mailbox is full)
-Thanks

 

[Beaglemom3]

Please message me your hotel recommendation for St. Barts.
(I tried messaging you, but your TUG mailbox is full)
-Thanks

Hi There,
Sorry about that.
I'll share with you and fellow Tuggers. This is a small, unpretentious, friendly place. The owner is a hoot ! Not on the ocean, but a 10 min walk.

www.salinesgarden.com http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ws-Salines_Garden_Cottages-St_Barthelemy.html

Well priced, especially for St. Bart's.

If Salines isn't your cup o' tea, try renting a villa. They have a good variety here: www.wimco.com

I love St. Bart's, but reaching it can be a "thrill" if you fly in from SXM. You can take the high speed ferry, too.

If you're in SXM, go over for a day trip, but rent a little car. The hills are steep, but the views are awesome.

ETA: The owner will often times come to the dock to pick you up and take you to Salines !

It's fun when stepping off of the boat and the Gendarme welcomes you to St. Barthelemy !

 

[Sandy VDH]

Let me start my saying when I am on a caribbean island, I want to avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle of crowded towns. I also sail and scuba dive so finding locations that are good for these two activities slants my favorite island in their directions.

Having been to the following Caribbean locations: Aruba, Antigua, Anguillia, Bahamas (Nassau, Grand Bahamas, Bimini, Chub Key, Berry Islands), Belize, Barbados, British Virgin Islands (off of nearly every island), Dominican Republic, Cuba, Dominica, Grand Cayman, Guadaloupe, Jamaica, Mexico (Cozumel), Puerto Rico, Roatan, St Barts, St Eustatius, St Kitts, St Martin, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines (Bequia, Mustique, Union, Tobago Cayes), Trinidad (Tobago), Turks & Caicos (Provo, West Caicos), US Virgin Island (St Thomas, St John).

BVI, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Guadaloupe, and Turks are amoung my favorites. BVI for ease of access and lots of great sailing and diving, but it does get busy during holiday weeks. The rest of the islands for their off the beaten path travelers, underwater diversity, creatures critter and fish, along with water clarity, number of divers, reef health etc. Some of the out islands of the Bahamas are good. Belize is good for big fish and very easy diving.

Was not overly impressed with Antigua for diving, but the island and beaches are nice. Cozumel which used to be good, I fear has suffered from too many inexperienced divers and a few hurricanes, and lacks the true caribbean feel.

I only have a few island left to visit in the caribbean. I am missing a few islands or island nations at this time (Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Grenada, Martinique, Monserrat). No plans to visit any of these in the near future.

I do have a BVI and St Maarten trip booked for 2012.

 

[CapriciousC]

Great thread! I love hearing WHY people like the islands they do.

Agreed! Ironically, the things that one person would tout as an attraction to a given island might be the same things that would turn another person off of that same island.

 

[Carta]

Been to a bunch of caribbean islands... Love Grand Cayman and Puerto Rico....There's a tiny island off the coast of PR called Vieques.... U must take a ferry to get to it, but it was a great day trip...

We've been going to Cancun for the past 3 years, b/c the prices of caribbean are too high... I don't consider it a down grade.. We really like Cancun, now.. Beaches..AMAZING!!!!

We'll be there 3/10 to 3/ 24......Can't Wait

 

[bobpark56]

I only have a few island left to visit in the caribbean. I am missing a few islands or island nations at this time (Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Grenada, Martinique, Monserrat). No plans to visit any of these in the near future.

Curacao is worth a visit. We have been there twice (Royal Sea Aquarium Resort and Kura Hulanda Lodge) and liked it very much...more to our taste than Aruba. Excellent snorkeling, especially out toward the northwest end of the island.

 

[Alphadog]

BVI, particularly Virgin Gorda 3x. It's our #1. Have not been to many others except St Thomas, St Maartin, Bahama's , Cancun. Trying out Aruba April 2012. Looking forward to that. Going to be tough to beat VG, but two totally different experiences I expect. St Lucia, and T & C are on the "to do" list.

 

[GregT]

Having been to the following Caribbean locations: Aruba, Antigua, Anguillia, Bahamas (Nassau, Grand Bahamas, Bimini, Chub Key, Berry Islands), Belize, Barbados, British Virgin Islands (off of nearly every island), Dominican Republic, Cuba, Dominica, Grand Cayman, Guadaloupe, Jamaica, Mexico (Cozumel), Puerto Rico, Roatan, St Barts, St Eustatius, St Kitts, St Martin, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines (Bequia, Mustique, Union, Tobago Cayes), Trinidad (Tobago), Turks & Caicos (Provo, West Caicos), US Virgin Island (St Thomas, St John).

Wow! that's pretty much the entire Caribbean!

Were any of these (most of these?) timeshare stays -- and if so, any of the timeshares stick out as being a particularly positive contribution to the island stay?

Thanks!

 

[JudyH]

Been to Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Barbadoes, St. Martin (4x), Aruba, Antigua, BVI, Anguilla, Jamaica (4x), Cozumel (2x), St. John. With lots of $$, BVI, for food and nice beaches and easy to drive, St. Martin, going to St. Lucia next, would love to rent a house on St. John. I like easy driving, good food, no crowds, nice beaches no shopping.