Where to go in Caribbean?

Question

Hi,

We want to go somewhere we haven't been, so this excludes Jamaica, Cuba & Costa Rica.

We'd be going with our family of 3 including our 7-yr-old son. We don't care about night-life, but want good beaches that you can snorkle from and good value accommodation ( ie less than $200/night) with kitchen & pool and on the beach if possible. We'd be looking at going for 2 weeks.

We want an island we can explore with a rental vehicle, so want to drive on right-hand-side, as we do here in Canada.

Where do you recommend we go?

Answer 1

Come to DR(Dominican Republic) and stay better if stay at an all inclusive resort, includes all meals and drinks.
you can stay at samana were the beach is wonderfull but you wont have many places to drive to.
another option is puerto plata, you'll have a bit more atractions there, and go carts for the child.
you can also stay in the east coast, juan dolio, la romana or punta cana, beach is beautiful in la romana and punta cana, not so much in juan dolio
other option would be boca chica, is near the city, you can drive to the city and stay near the beach, really pretty. in the city you will find a lot of atracctions like shopping malls, discos, historical places, entertainment for the child and dining places.(by city i mean the capital Santo Domingo)
hotels wont be so expensive.

Answer 2

Here are a couple of recommendations that I like, St. Thomas, USVI is a great place the beaches are so warm and and the water is so clear and you could be 100 ft down and still see the bottom and have great snorkeling and their are so many other things to do, its just awesome and its a small island but its so wonderful and then another would be St. Maartin/St. Martin, depends on what side you go to because their is a Dutch side and a French side and their equally the same size or pretty close to it and it was a wonderful atmosphere and it was really exotic and tropical and great beaches and snorkeling too. Another place I would recommend maybe is Grand Cayman as its a wonderful place that has a lot to do and has beaches and the people are just wonderful. You might also want to check out Aruba maybe because I hear its a wonderul place.

Answer 3

Most of the islands drive on the left hand side to begin with and you will get used to it once u try.I have driven on both and left side before -Ur not going and die if u change which direction u drive on..
If u want good snorkelling I recommend The english speaking island of Dominica *not to be mistaken with the Dominican Republic
Its is situated 15 32' n and 61 18' west in between the 2 french island of Guadeloupe and Martinque
It was voted as the # 2 best spot in the Atlantic by the readers choice 2007 magazine for snorkelling and scuba diving and many hotels througout the island not only provide these services but ALSO Whale and dolphin watching such as the Fort Young Hotel and Castle Comfort Lodge ect-the webistes i will provide below will give u links to the various accomadation and services and prices etc. *( Dominica is branded as the whale watching Capital of the Caribbean.)

There are many rentals Comapnies here on the island and there are numerous attractions to visit including uncountable waterfalls, lakes,Sulpher pools and Springs and one of our 365 river among many other UINQUE sites.It is nicknamed as the Nature Island Of The Caribbean .It has three (3)Nature Parks one of which is a World Heritage Site.The movie "Pirates Of the Caribbean"did most of its filming on the island Of Dominica so visiting the various sites they filmed the movie at should be something to look forward for both you ur wife and son alike.There are boat rides availabel at places such as the Indian river to the north of the island which was one of teh sites used in the filming.
There is on the island an Adventure park (not theme park) and services for river tubing is available and also kayaking etc

There is much to do on such a luch green untarnished island Of Dominica and indeed that is why it is considereed "THE BEST KEPT SECRET OF THE CARIBBEAN "as it is not over commercialised nor over populated by tourists and would be the only place Columbus would recognise if he would return.Thus the island prmotes Eco Tourism.The webistes below

Answer 4

Who ever said BELIZE doesnt have great beaches??? BELIZE is the answer! The best beach in Belize is at Placencia...a peninsula in the south. It's close to the second largest reef in the world! You can go snorkling, scuba diving...you can visit one of the world heritage sites= The Great Blue Hole...it's amazing! You can also visit the mystic Mayan Temples, one of a kind! Little Belize has BIG things to offer! You will never regret visiting that country...I didn't!

Answer 5

Because of their "Great Reef", the little country of BELIZE does not have the best beaches... although it does have some. What it does have are miles of reef in which one can snorkel or dive and see beautiful marine life. Also Belize has a great rain forest with lots of ways to explore it. Belize is an English speaking country and has wonderful islands just off their mainland (called Cayes) spread out within the Caribbean Sea. Note: On most of the Cayes, you walk, ride bikes, or use golf carts to get around. No cars... which makes it even more pleasant! Belize has some good nightlife should you change your mind about going out for some dinner and dancing (they make a beer called Belikin... which someone even has a song about).

Answer 6

I recomend you Curacao. it's got great beaches, plenty pf snorkling and diving areas, and many of the snorkling sites are accesible from the beaches. There is an ample choise in hotels and easy to get around in cars. Many options for car rentals, and maps are available at the airport, and also at most hotels.
http://www.curacao.com/

I have more info if U need, just let me know if U need anything.

Answer 7

Check out Greneda. Has been 10 years for me but lush, tropical island with numerous beaches. Hadn't been despoiled by tourists. Former British colony. Don't need a rental; take the local buses; was inexpensive, runs all over the island & stops everywhere.

Answer 8

I understand about traveling with a child. weve been raising our granddaughter & shes eight. We stay in resorts too. There a lot better deal than hotels thats for sure. I have a membership with fairfield resorts & I can get you into a resort at St. Thomas,U.S.Virgin Islands.
the resort there has akitchen, deck,snorkleing,laundry facilities, tennis courts, swimming pool, & is beach with of course lots of other things. e-mail me the date you are looking for & Ill help you get in & e-mail you back

Answer 9

Curacao anyday let me know if you need more info it will probably be the best vacation in the caribbean you have ever had.