What's similar to the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean?

Question

I'm getting married in June and my fiancee wants to go to the Cayman Islands for our Honeymoon. I would love nothing more than to take her there. She has been there with her family before and it's probably her favorite place in the entire world. It sounds absolutely beautiful and wonderful...However, the cost is almost double of other places in the caribbean, and I'm having a horrible time fitting it into the budget. I mean, it is literally double the cost of other places which is very frustrating. Any suggestions of where else there is to go that is similar to Grand Cayman?

Answer 1

As one who has lived in both Grand Cayman and the TCI, I can't agree that there is any comparison between the two. You don't say when your fiancee was last in Cayman, but it has changed somewhat since Hurricane Ivan two and a bit years ago. Providenciales has superlative beaches, if that's what you are after ("the best in the world"), but there is really nothing else to do than hang about on the beach and I don't think that prices lag far behind those of Cayman.

Perhaps this is the moment to go somewhere new to both of you, so that you will discover it together and have shared memories. If your fiancee likes sophistication and style, then a good choice would be Martinique. As part of metropolitan France, it has French sophistication combined with Caribbean exoticism. http://www.martinique.org/. Alternatively, you could consider its sister island Guadeloupe -- a more rural part of France than Martinique! http://www.escapeartist.com/guadeloupe/guadeloupe1.htm

I was utterly thrilled by both islands. They're not at all like the Cayman Islands -- they are dramatically different.

Answer 2

Any of the small islands in the US Virgin Islands or in the British Virgin Islands. Both locations are small and relatively remote but have great shopping and some of the most pristine beaches in the world. It is also quite expensive there although less than Grand Cayman.

Answer 3

I recently went with friends to Turks and Caicos (we stayed in Providenicales). We had a great time and all of us (we were all professionals in our mid 20s) felt that if we ever came back, we'd come back as a couples.

If you do go, don't stay at Beaches (very family). I'd suggest Club Med or Sands. Plenty of activities and the food is pretty good. If that atmosphere isn't your thing, I'd try any of the other ones.