Travel

Caribbean Island Suggestions

  • Last Updated:
  • Dec 4th, 2014 11:05 am
Tags:
None
Deal Addict
Jan 31, 2013
1806 posts
520 upvotes
Red Deer, AB
RainierNarine wrote: Barbados is a great choice! it is actually my favorite island in the Caribbean. September i think will be fine. a hurricain just passed and i don't think there are anymore coming any time soon. And yes the west coast has the best beaches if you're looking for calm waters. make sure to visit Accra beach though. in my opinion, its the best beach on the island. For a great dinner go to The Cliff restaurant located on the west coast. simply amazing food and atmosphere.As for renting a car to drive around the island, i highly recommend that. It is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean where if you get lost, simply ask anyone for directions and they will be more than happy to help you out. A good resource for more information is www.myvacationpages.com. They have a nice selection of restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels to choose from. plus, their travel articles section has useful tips. Let me know how your trip went.
+1
Deal Addict
User avatar
Aug 7, 2007
2020 posts
193 upvotes
Marbella
RolandCouch wrote: I personally loved St. Lucia and St. Martin
+1 for St. Martin. Very safe. Rent a car and go different beach every day and make sure you go to Maho Beach and experience planes landing and take off. Orient bay if you didn't bring any clothing with you.
From hotel where we stay, you can take a day trip to St. Barth's ( 45-60 min boat ride).
Walking distance from hotel, there is Lee's restaurant ( very good food) and Carousel Ice cream place.

A bottle of JW Blue is US$120 and you can bring 2/person back.

Dutch side is cheaper due to the fact that on French side they like Euro.

We usually stay at for at least 7 nights at following hotel in Simpson Bay:

http://www.expedia.ca/St-Martin-Hotels- ... nformation

I know WestJet has direct flights there form Toronto and their service on the flights that we took was great.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Aug 7, 2007
2020 posts
193 upvotes
Marbella
Eldorado wrote: Saint Maarten would be my vote, but stay on the French side! Check out places around Orient Beach, probably the nicest but unfortunately busy beach on the island.. food is top notch, rent a car and check out the entire island

Dutch side I found too touristy and dirty, cruise ships dock there and they get swarmed by all the local shops

French side has a section by the water with some very good restaurants!
French side is nice but more expensive due to Euro. Orient Beach is ok, but found it to wavy. On other hand Pinet Island is very nice.

Dutch side can be busy, depending where you stay. We stay in Simpson Bay. Everything is within walking distance.
Deal Guru
User avatar
Nov 30, 2009
12178 posts
603 upvotes
Toronto
Grenada, very nice beaches but quite costly
[QUOTE]I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.[/QUOTE] ~Andy Bernard, The Office (U.S.)
Deal Addict
Nov 30, 2003
2732 posts
1031 upvotes
ancnfamily wrote: French side is nice but more expensive due to Euro. Orient Beach is ok, but found it to wavy. On other hand Pinet Island is very nice.

Dutch side can be busy, depending where you stay. We stay in Simpson Bay. Everything is within walking distance.
Too wavy is a complaint about a beach? Try a different day when the wind is calmer

I found Dutch side a pure tourist trap, found it for the most part dirty and nothing worthwhile there, the shops were all standard chinese made tourist crap that you see everywhere.. unless you want the casinos, clubs, strippers.. to each their own!

If you didn't check out the restaurant strip in Grand Case then you really missed out! Amazing restaurants, some are right along the beach and one you can sit right on sand, live band turned it up at night and was amazing... you get what you pay for!

Simpson Bay was nice though, and there was one other close by that had HUGE waves, can't remember the name
Deal Addict
User avatar
Oct 25, 2003
1215 posts
216 upvotes
Thanks for all the advice guys. We settled on Barbados and are going in January and looking very forward to it!
Deal Addict
User avatar
Aug 7, 2007
2020 posts
193 upvotes
Marbella
Eldorado wrote: Too wavy is a complaint about a beach? Try a different day when the wind is calmer

I found Dutch side a pure tourist trap, found it for the most part dirty and nothing worthwhile there, the shops were all standard chinese made tourist crap that you see everywhere.. unless you want the casinos, clubs, strippers.. to each their own!

If you didn't check out the restaurant strip in Grand Case then you really missed out! Amazing restaurants, some are right along the beach and one you can sit right on sand, live band turned it up at night and was amazing... you get what you pay for!

Simpson Bay was nice though, and there was one other close by that had HUGE waves, can't remember the name
I found French side way to packed. Did go to Grand Case, ate at the restaurant there (can't remember name). It was ok, but found if you don't speak French at some places, you basically get ignored. Last visit there was end of February, and found that there were way to many boats around. Not sure if that was because of Heineken regatta, which was coming up in March.

Dawn and Mullet beaches can be wavy. In fact on Mullet beach waves can be pretty big.

But being honest, I would not mind living anywhere in St. Marten.
Deal Addict
Jan 31, 2013
1806 posts
520 upvotes
Red Deer, AB
llcooljayce wrote: Thanks for all the advice guys. We settled on Barbados and are going in January and looking very forward to it!
great choice! where will you be staying? If you get the chance, visit the Fish Fry in Oistins on Friday night, lots of fun!
Deal Addict
Jan 31, 2013
1806 posts
520 upvotes
Red Deer, AB
nice condo!! Holetown would be on the west coast, so Oistins may be a bit tricky to get to on Friday night, but I'm sure you'll figure something out.
Deal Fanatic
Apr 23, 2009
5161 posts
708 upvotes
South of Ottawa
RainierNarine wrote: Barbados is a great choice! it is actually my favorite island in the Caribbean. September i think will be fine. a hurricain just passed and i don't think there are anymore coming any time soon. And yes the west coast has the best beaches if you're looking for calm waters. make sure to visit Accra beach though. in my opinion, its the best beach on the island. For a great dinner go to The Cliff restaurant located on the west coast. simply amazing food and atmosphere.As for renting a car to drive around the island, i highly recommend that. It is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean where if you get lost, simply ask anyone for directions and they will be more than happy to help you out. A good resource for more information is www.myvacationpages.com. They have a nice selection of restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels to choose from. plus, their travel articles section has useful tips. Let me know how your trip went.
The Cliff is a fabulous restaurant. It's also the most expensive on the island. Dinner for two will run you minimum hundreds of dollars.
llcooljayce wrote: Thanks for all the advice guys. We settled on Barbados and are going in January and looking very forward to it!
Where are you staying? If you're on the South Coast, I can give you tons of tips. I'll be there in February for the 10th year in a row.
Jr. Member
User avatar
Aug 24, 2009
150 posts
208 upvotes
Smithville, Ontario
I'm glad this thread already exists; I just logged on to post a very similar question. So with that being said, I'm totally going to hijack this thread (since OP has made their decision already anyways!).

My sister just won a pair of tickets to wherever Delta flies in the USA/Mexico/Caribbean and I have somehow convinced her that I'm the best choice as a travel partner. We're thinking of going next September around this time as hotels/resorts will be cheaper due to the kids being back in school/hurricane season.

Ideally we're thinking of going somewhere Caribbean that's on the more expensive side to fly to/somewhere we probably would never go if we didn't have free tickets. She's still waiting to hear on any restrictions on her tickets, but for now we're assuming that Hawaii is not included.

We're both easy going and like a nice mix of beach bumming and exploring off resort/hotel property. We're both in our 30s (will be 32 and 34 at the time of the trip); I'm married with 2 kids and she's single; so definitely something with a decent nightlife and other people travelling with friends (no couples or family-geared hotels/resorts).

My sister is a travel agent so we can use her IATA # to get discounts on hotel stays if they accept it.

She's been to Barbados before so that is off our list and we have both been to Mexico several times as well.

Any input/recommendations; particularly on specific hotels/resorts would be much appreciated! :) Looking to spend $1000 or less per person for the entire week.
Deal Fanatic
Feb 15, 2006
9183 posts
3861 upvotes
Toronto
mynameislesley wrote: I'm glad this thread already exists; I just logged on to post a very similar question. So with that being said, I'm totally going to hijack this thread (since OP has made their decision already anyways!).

My sister just won a pair of tickets to wherever Delta flies in the USA/Mexico/Caribbean and I have somehow convinced her that I'm the best choice as a travel partner. We're thinking of going next September around this time as hotels/resorts will be cheaper due to the kids being back in school/hurricane season.

Ideally we're thinking of going somewhere Caribbean that's on the more expensive side to fly to/somewhere we probably would never go if we didn't have free tickets. She's still waiting to hear on any restrictions on her tickets, but for now we're assuming that Hawaii is not included.

We're both easy going and like a nice mix of beach bumming and exploring off resort/hotel property. We're both in our 30s (will be 32 and 34 at the time of the trip); I'm married with 2 kids and she's single; so definitely something with a decent nightlife and other people travelling with friends (no couples or family-geared hotels/resorts).

My sister is a travel agent so we can use her IATA # to get discounts on hotel stays if they accept it.

She's been to Barbados before so that is off our list and we have both been to Mexico several times as well.

Any input/recommendations; particularly on specific hotels/resorts would be much appreciated! :) Looking to spend $1000 or less per person for the entire week.
Best to check if Hawaii is included. If it is, it's a no brainer to go there, especially since you're from Ontario.
Jr. Member
User avatar
Aug 24, 2009
150 posts
208 upvotes
Smithville, Ontario
Hawaii - yes, if it's considered part of the USA in terms of where we can go to use the tickets, then we're going there for sure (however we're doubtful that it'll be included, hence why we're gearing our search to the caribbean)

IATA # - I'll be travelling with my sister who won the tickets/also a travel agent (I'm not claiming to be her and using her card). So yes, if I was travelling without her trying to use her IATA card/claiming to be her is one thing, but that's not what I'm doing.
Sr. Member
Feb 26, 2009
759 posts
131 upvotes
Beachdown wrote: ...Where are you staying? If you're on the South Coast, I can give you tons of tips. I'll be there in February for the 10th year in a row.
I love Barbados. Been going there the last 6 years and will be going again next year. We rent villa and stay on the West Coast around Hole Town, Sandy Lane, and Queens Fort.
Moderator
May 28, 2012
12484 posts
5278 upvotes
Saskatoon
mynameislesley wrote: Hawaii - yes, if it's considered part of the USA in terms of where we can go to use the tickets, then we're going there for sure (however we're doubtful that it'll be included, hence why we're gearing our search to the caribbean)

IATA # - I'll be travelling with my sister who won the tickets/also a travel agent (I'm not claiming to be her and using her card). So yes, if I was travelling without her trying to use her IATA card/claiming to be her is one thing, but that's not what I'm doing.
Honest question...if your sister is a travel agent, wouldn't she know where to go? (Btw, I'm partial to Hawaii...it is affordable if you avoid the high season)
Banned
User avatar
Jun 8, 2008
3977 posts
1423 upvotes
Toronto
mynameislesley wrote: I'm glad this thread already exists; I just logged on to post a very similar question. So with that being said, I'm totally going to hijack this thread (since OP has made their decision already anyways!).

My sister just won a pair of tickets to wherever Delta flies in the USA/Mexico/Caribbean and I have somehow convinced her that I'm the best choice as a travel partner. We're thinking of going next September around this time as hotels/resorts will be cheaper due to the kids being back in school/hurricane season.
.
Another entirely option to consider is Alaska - we did a driving holiday around the Yukon and Alaska and its just gorgeous up there and flights can be very expensive.
Jr. Member
User avatar
Aug 24, 2009
150 posts
208 upvotes
Smithville, Ontario
Mars2012 wrote: Honest question...if your sister is a travel agent, wouldn't she know where to go? (Btw, I'm partial to Hawaii...it is affordable if you avoid the high season)
well she has her wish list and I'm coming up with mine - she does corporate travel so she's not involved in booking fancy vacations. I typically like exploring not-so-touristy places so that's why I'm asking RFD! :)
Jr. Member
User avatar
Aug 24, 2009
150 posts
208 upvotes
Smithville, Ontario
wirebound wrote: Another entirely option to consider is Alaska - we did a driving holiday around the Yukon and Alaska and its just gorgeous up there and flights can be very expensive.
I'd LOVE to go to Alaska, but unfortunately it's not on the list (neither is Hawaii...boo!)
She finally received the terms and conditions of her tickets and it's Continental US or Mexico only.

Top

Thread Information

There is currently 1 user viewing this thread. (0 members and 1 guest)