7-10 days in The caribbean - Where to go?

Striderg3 wrote: ↑ Looking to travel to the Carribbean with my spouse. We both want to stay some where that is not too busy. We don't drink hence our definition of having fun is a bit different than others.
Looking for advice on where to stay / go. We'd like to be at a resort that is close to the beach and offers activities (exploring, adventures, boating, snorkeling etc.)
Can you recommend places you've been to and stayed? It would be nice to be at a resort with an oceanview.
Planning to travel Jan 2019 / Feb 2019.
I have found several places in Cuba that seem very standard, the beaches don't look that great and seem rocky and outdated rooms etc.
Looking for a clean place, recently renovated if possible with decent food.
PS we are vegetarians..

Wouldn't recommend Cuba. Nice beach (but there's thousands in the world) ... food is horrible ... Havana is interesting but once for a 3-4 days is more then enough. Personally, you're not missing anything.

My shortlist:
Fly into Cancun stay in Playa del Carmen for 5-6 nights you can find lots of great boutique hotels you don't need AI or rent a condo ... spend a few days on Isla Mujeres then fly home
Mexico- LOTS to do see and do (foodie paradise in Playa del Carmen/ Tulum/ Isla, the Mayan ruins, great beaches, Eco parks/ swimming in cenotes)

St Maarten- fly into St Maarten spend a few days (I prefer the French side) again tons of restaurants you don't need all inclusive ... ferry a few days to Anguilla then ferry a few days to St Barths (or choose one but they are both off the beaten path).

"Not busy" is relative to when you go... travelled to these places even in peak season (Christmas Week/ New Years) and never felt it was overly crowded. January and February are high season as well. If you can go the week the kids go back to school (Jan 7th onwards) there's a slight lull in hotel occupancy.

Not the Caribbean but Costa Rica or Panama is also really interesting with lots to see and do.

It helps if you post your budget. There are so many places in the Caribbean and most of them have nice resorts/ hotels on a beach.

In the Caribbean, we've been to:
Barbados
St Lucia,
Cuba
Mayan Riviera, Mexico
Jamaica
Antigua

Of all these places Antigua was our favourite, followed by Jamaica (Negril). Very friendly people on both islands, nice beaches, good food and lots of water sports activities as well as some culture and/or nature.

We didn't stay at resorts though, so I can't help you with that.

Not a fan of the DR or Mexico.
And Jamaica isn’t what it used to be
WAS in love with Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands & Sint Maarten & Saint Martin
But Hurricane Season 2017 did a real number on all of them
These days we are personally looking at Turks & Caicos, the British Virgin Islands, and places SOUTH of the Hurricane freeway

So Antigua, St Lucia, and Barbados... all Islands we’ve been to before
Also curious about Dominica, Guadaloupe, Martinique and the Dutch ABC Islands
All of which lie south of the path most Hurricanes take

Mind you we won’t be making any travel plans for Winter 2019 until this year’s hurricane season is laid to rest late in November

If you are set on booking now I’d look for fully refundable bookings, or buying “for any reason” travel cancellation insurance

our resort in Cuba was quite good, food was good, beaches were nice, I don't know how much the hurricane damaged it though.

I never understood the "cuba -->bad food" comments, our resort had fine dining, and a massive buffett and 24 hour snack bar. the buffet probably had 200 items on it every meal, very rarely did I eat something I didn't like, and always found something really good.

rocking23nf wrote: ↑ our resort in Cuba was quite good, food was good, beaches were nice, I don't know how much the hurricane damaged it though.

I never understood the "cuba -->bad food" comments, our resort had fine dining, and a massive buffett and 24 hour snack bar. the buffet probably had 200 items on it every meal, very rarely did I eat something I didn't like, and always found something really good.

What Resort in Cuba did you go to?

Clarky wrote: ↑ What Resort in Cuba did you go to?

Valentine Perla Blanca, 18 months ago.

Go on a cruise. Find an intinerary that includes a private island that is owned by the cruise line.

GateGuardian wrote: ↑ Go on a cruise. Find an intinerary that includes a private island that is owned by the cruise line.

A cruise is certainly a good option for anyone uncertain where to go... or someone new to the Caribbean
As you unpack once, live on a floating hotel, are pampered... and wake up each day to a new country / adventure

Plus with so many ONCE GREAT DESTINATION ISLANDS still recovering from the DEVASTATING 2017 Hurricane Season... cruises dial down the land Holiday disappointment that many are experiencing (fewer resorts open, higher prices, places not up to snuff, etc)

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ A cruise is certainly a good option for anyone uncertain where to go... or someone new to the Caribbean
As you unpack once, live on a floating hotel, are pampered... and wake up each day to a new country / adventure

Plus with so many ONCE GREAT DESTINATION ISLANDS still recovering from the DEVASTATING 2017 Hurricane Season... cruises dial down the land Holiday disappointment that many are experiencing (fewer resorts open, higher prices, places not up to snuff, etc)

They only places really affected by the hurricanes we're Puerto Rico and St Maarten.

Puerto Rico started accepting cruise passengers as of November 2017 & the port of St Maarten opened as a port of call in the winter of 2018. Given the limitation of time you have on a cruise 7-10 hours you will still find lots to do in these ports.

Every other island / destination is fully operational with the exception of Barbuda which never was a major destination and only could accommodate smaller ships.

Now a land based vacation to St Maarten or Puerto Rico is obviously different post Irma.

BrunetteGirl wrote: ↑ They only places really affected by the hurricanes we're Puerto Rico and St Maarten.

Puerto Rico started accepting cruise passengers as of November 2017 & the port of St Maarten opened as a port of call in the winter of 2018. Given the limitation of time you have on a cruise 7-10 hours you will still find lots to do in these ports.

Every other island / destination is fully operational with the exception of Barbuda which never was a major destination and only could accommodate smaller ships.

Now a land based vacation to St Maarten or Puerto Rico is obviously different post Irma.

Any good info on how St Maarten is doing these days? Percentage of hotels that are opened back up, status of beaches?

Would like to go back at some point soon and hoping that whole Grand Case area recovers

Eldorado wrote: ↑ Any good info on how St Maarten is doing these days? Percentage of hotels that are opened back up, status of beaches?

Would like to go back at some point soon and hoping that whole Grand Case area recovers

I keep in touch with “the locals” via the TripAdvisor Forums
Like this one for Sint Maarten / Saint Martin

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowForum-g1 ... arten.html

Lot more accurate info than the folks PAID in the Tourism Industry is going to feed ya
(tourism - travel agents - airlines - hotels - etc)

If you listen to all them... they’ll tell you everything is back to normal in Cuba, the DR, Puerto Rico, The USVI (St Thomas & St John), The USVI (Jost Van Dyke & Tortola), Sint Marteen & Saint Martin, and Antigua & Barbuda

It’s not.

The Hurricanes of 2017 were MAJOR STORMS... not minor blow thru events

In some places recovery will be like it was Post Katrina on the Gulf Coast in 2005... AT BEST

Some places WITH MONEY will make a near full recovery over the next decade
Others will never be the same again
And disappear entirely

The poorer the country... Cuba, DR, Haiti, and Puerto Rico the less likely the odds

ADD
* Example, Marriott announced this week that the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa which has not reopened since Hurricanes Irma & Maria, has this week filed for Bankruptcy. If The Marriott is throwing in the towel on well known properties... you can bet that smaller heavily damaged Resorts won’t be making a comeback either

Post 2017 Hurricane Season we took a break away from the Caribbean... knowing full well although we could go to some of our fave islands and enjoy the weather, things were not going to be as they were... and in many ways Tourists just put a bigger strain on already shortage situations. For Winter 2018-19, we’ll be taking a cruise. In that way we can spend money in a wide assortment of islands that were hit... helping out the economy. It will no doubt be early 2020 before we look at another land based trip to the Leeward Islands.

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ I keep in touch with “the locals” via the TripAdvisor Forums
Like this one for Sint Maarten / Saint Martin

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowForum-g1 ... arten.html

Lot more accurate info than the folks PAID in the Tourism Industry is going to feed ya
(tourism - travel agents - airlines - hotels - etc)

If you listen to all them... they’ll tell you everything is back to normal in Cuba, the DR, Puerto Rico, The USVI (St Thomas & St John), The USVI (Jost Van Dyke & Tortola), Sint Marteen & Saint Martin, and Antigua & Barbuda

It’s not.

The Hurricanes of 2017 were MAJOR STORMS... not minor blow thru events

In some places recovery will be like it was Post Katrina on the Gulf Coast in 2005... AT BEST

Some places WITH MONEY will make a near full recovery over the next decade
Others will never be the same again
And disappear entirely

The poorer the country... Cuba, DR, Haiti, and Puerto Rico the less likely the odds

ADD
* Example, Marriott announced this week that the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa which has not reopened since Hurricanes Irma & Maria, has this week filed for Bankruptcy. If The Marriott is throwing in the towel on well known properties... you can bet that smaller heavily damaged Resorts won’t be making a comeback either

Post 2017 Hurricane Season we took a break away from the Caribbean... knowing full well although we could go to some of our fave islands and enjoy the weather, things were not going to be as they were... and in many ways Tourists just put a bigger strain on already shortage situations. For Winter 2018-19, we’ll be taking a cruise. In that way we can spend money in a wide assortment of islands that were hit... helping out the economy. It will no doubt be early 2020 before we look at another land based trip to the Leeward Islands.

I'm sorry but you are exaggerating and posting false information once again. I still get private messages asking for more info relating to this thread of yours: https://forums.redflagdeals.com/no-wher ... 2128303/3/

And since you are talking about me considering I've made it clear I work for an airline/tour operator (which is not the first time you've made these comments). Let me say this again that I have NO financial gain to come on here and spread false information and have shared my advice/knowledge without any bias. My job actually requires me to go to these destinations (POST hurricane) and evaluate it along with a team and my superiors. If anything we would of all been out of a job had we chosen to contract St Maarten or Puerto Rico for the 2017-2018 season (for the record all the major airlines / tour operators ALL pulled out with some of them still not doing so for 2019). My territory is actually Mexico but I assist other territories during events like hurricane season.

St Maarten & Puerto Rico as I said earlier are STILL not up to what it was and nobody was selling ITC packages there (as in land based vacations). In fact many airlines even cancelled their routes entirely for fall 2017-winter 2018. At no point on these boards have I have ever recommended that or said otherwise. BIG difference to go there for a few hours on a cruise VS a land based vacation. The Westin Dawn Beach has not sold well in quite a few years (if anything the hurricane was the final nail in the coffin). Blame more competition in SXM and the popularity of AirBnB. I have not yet heard of this bankruptcy claim but can certainly look into that.

Dominican Republic DID NOT receive extensive damage from either hurricane (downed trees? Sure) closed for business at any point? No. Many areas did not even experience power failures since the storm side swiped the island. Since the 2017 hurricane season I've been in the DR at least 6 times (Punta Cana/ La Romana & Puerto Plata/Samana) ALL on business. As you pointed out, for your own reference Trip Advisor is valuable source of TRUE info. Feel free to forward me the posts that don't align with what Ive mentioned.

Cuba made a miraculous recovery especially to harder hit areas like Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Coco. The Cuban gov was very optimistic with us and having been down there 3x post hurricane for site inspections it actually IS business as usual once again. There is not one hotel/resort that is permanently sitting closed right now like in SXM. Most resorts were fully operational by mid December in anticipation for the 2018 winter season.

Antigua is fully operational and many hotels escaped unscathed with a few closing up for a mere few weeks post hurricane. Barbuda as I said earlier still hasn't recovered- but again, has never been a major tourist centre aside from select cruise ship passengers. The US/British Virgin Islands are still in recovery mode and still being called on by cruiseines. Haiti (with the exception of the Royal Caribbean port which is open) has problems that extend far beyond the recent hurricanes.

You mention you have plans to cruise to avoid these destinations in recovery? You fail to realize that the cruiselines are always the FIRST (for various operational reasons) to bring tourists back to these destinations. There were times post-hurricane I know those "people" PAID by the tourism industry shaking their heads because we couldn't believe the cruise lines weren't amending their itineraries. Do remember though, these small islands rely heavily on tourism dollars and this is what will help them rebuild.

I'm sorry you had to felt you couldn't travel to anywhere in the Caribbean last winter when there were so many destinations available to you and in the grand scheme of things so little areas heavily affected.

Eldorado wrote: ↑ Any good info on how St Maarten is doing these days? Percentage of hotels that are opened back up, status of beaches?

Would like to go back at some point soon and hoping that whole Grand Case area recovers

TBH most tour operators are planning for mid December 2018 onwards departures. Which would essentially be 1 year and 3 months post hurricane. That's the tentative date right now? Can it happen. Sure. Can it be pushed further? Certainly.

I know some really popular resorts (with Canadians) eager to get back into the game. I wouldn't make plans for a few more months.

BrunetteGirl wrote: ↑ TBH most tour operators are planning for mid December 2018 onwards departures. Which would essentially be 1 year and 3 months post hurricane. That's the tentative date right now? Can it happen. Sure. Can it be pushed further? Certainly.

I know some really popular resorts (with Canadians) eager to get back into the game. I wouldn't make plans for a few more months.

Thanks, I'm not making any 2018-2019 plans, but would like to think about it for fall 2019-2020

More hoping that they can get back to normal, loved that island!

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ I keep in touch with “the locals” via the TripAdvisor Forums
Like this one for Sint Maarten / Saint Martin

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowForum-g1 ... arten.html

Lot more accurate info than the folks PAID in the Tourism Industry is going to feed ya
(tourism - travel agents - airlines - hotels - etc)

If you listen to all them... they’ll tell you everything is back to normal in Cuba, the DR, Puerto Rico, The USVI (St Thomas & St John), The USVI (Jost Van Dyke & Tortola), Sint Marteen & Saint Martin, and Antigua & Barbuda

It’s not.

The Hurricanes of 2017 were MAJOR STORMS... not minor blow thru events

In some places recovery will be like it was Post Katrina on the Gulf Coast in 2005... AT BEST

Some places WITH MONEY will make a near full recovery over the next decade
Others will never be the same again
And disappear entirely

The poorer the country... Cuba, DR, Haiti, and Puerto Rico the less likely the odds

ADD
* Example, Marriott announced this week that the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa which has not reopened since Hurricanes Irma & Maria, has this week filed for Bankruptcy. If The Marriott is throwing in the towel on well known properties... you can bet that smaller heavily damaged Resorts won’t be making a comeback either

Post 2017 Hurricane Season we took a break away from the Caribbean... knowing full well although we could go to some of our fave islands and enjoy the weather, things were not going to be as they were... and in many ways Tourists just put a bigger strain on already shortage situations. For Winter 2018-19, we’ll be taking a cruise. In that way we can spend money in a wide assortment of islands that were hit... helping out the economy. It will no doubt be early 2020 before we look at another land based trip to the Leeward Islands.

I'm really not sure why you are rambling on like this to my simple question, I know very well about the MAJOR STORMS (need some suspenseful music for these capitalized words) .. not everything in life is a conspiracy

But since you like them so much, how do you know those supposed 'locals' are actually 'locals'?! Uh oh... government might be spying on your thru your smart thermostat!

ps. Cuba, DR etc. are fine and have been running for quite some time.. have a number of friend who visited over the winter/spring, your 'facts' are very wrong

BrunetteGirl wrote: ↑ Dominican Republic DID NOT receive extensive damage from either hurricane (downed trees? Sure) closed for business at any point? No. Many areas did not even experience power failures since the storm side swiped the island. Since the 2017 hurricane season I've been in the DR at least 6 times (Punta Cana/ La Romana & Puerto Plata/Samana) ALL on business. As you pointed out, for your own reference Trip Advisor is valuable source of TRUE info. Feel free to forward me the posts that don't align with what Ive mentioned.

I'll second this motion.

We were in the DR at the end of November, landing in Puerto Plata and spending a week in that area, driving to Samana and vicinity for another week and then driving to Punta Cana for a final week. Hurricane damage was not evident in any of these locations.

Having said all that, I am a committed cruiser and there's no better way to get a taste of several different places, particularly in the Caribbean with such different islands to visit.

BrunetteGirl wrote: ↑ My shortlist:
Fly into Cancun stay in Playa del Carmen for 5-6 nights you can find lots of great boutique hotels you don't need AI or rent a condo ... spend a few days on Isla Mujeres then fly home
Mexico- LOTS to do see and do (foodie paradise in Playa del Carmen/ Tulum/ Isla, the Mayan ruins, great beaches, Eco parks/ swimming in cenotes)
.

Wife and I (and baby) looking into vacation for November. We have never been interested in the all inclusive idea but think it might be easier for our first trip with baby. Being stuck with poor/mediocre buffet food is our nightmare.


Would you consider Playa del Carmen to be baby stroller Friendly?

slowtyper wrote: ↑ Wife and I (and baby) looking into vacation for November. We have never been interested in the all inclusive idea but think it might be easier for our first trip with baby. Being stuck with poor/mediocre buffet food is our nightmare.


Would you consider Playa del Carmen to be baby stroller Friendly?

Absolutely. You will see a lot of families there.

You can certainly stay at a smaller boutique hotel or condo in Playa and have a lot of great restaurants right there. Given that your little one isn't ordering off the menu and your probably not drinking this is a good option. Easy to walk around there with a stroller and if you run out of any baby supplies it's a quick trip to Walmart lol Given you aren't going to want to spend 24/7 by the beach and pool its nice to have the option to go for a walk with the baby.

Not every all inclusive will be mediocre. The generic ones will be your typical buffet based. The superior resorts are a la carte meals and if your little one is around 1 it may be convienent to have options like room service. I would probably recommend stay RIGHT in Playa Del Carmen (within walking distance) or if you want a short cab ride away.

Best All inclusive (IN Playa Del Carmen) that allow children:
Playacar Palace *its a small compact resort (200 rooms?). Nice pool area on a great beach. Great service, good dining. Good pool for babies. Great location. You also get a resort credit so you can babysit while your wife visits the spa

Non AI luxury condo
- Aldea Thai
- El Taj
**there lots of smaller boutique that are good just don't know if you want the kitchen aspect or not?

Within 8-10 mins - can walk along the beach into town or grab a super cheap cab $8 (depends on time of day/year)
Paradisus La Esmeralda
**premium luxury 5* all inclusive very zen and chic and caters to families. Great dining, 24 hour room service, top shelf liquor. Nice kiddy pool. Has larger suites and they can provide all the necessities you need (in room amenities like high chairs, day care services, playroom etc)

BrunetteGirl wrote: ↑ Absolutely. You will see a lot of families there.

You can certainly stay at a smaller boutique hotel or condo in Playa and have a lot of great restaurants right there. Given that your little one isn't ordering off the menu and your probably not drinking this is a good option. Easy to walk around there with a stroller and if you run out of any baby supplies it's a quick trip to Walmart lol Given you aren't going to want to spend 24/7 by the beach and pool its nice to have the option to go for a walk with the baby.

Not every all inclusive will be mediocre. The generic ones will be your typical buffet based. The superior resorts are a la carte meals and if your little one is around 1 it may be convienent to have options like room service. I would probably recommend stay RIGHT in Playa Del Carmen (within walking distance) or if you want a short cab ride away.

Best All inclusive (IN Playa Del Carmen) that allow children:
Playacar Palace *its a small compact resort (200 rooms?). Nice pool area on a great beach. Great service, good dining. Good pool for babies. Great location. You also get a resort credit so you can babysit while your wife visits the spa

Non AI luxury condo
- Aldea Thai
- El Taj
**there lots of smaller boutique that are good just don't know if you want the kitchen aspect or not?

Within 8-10 mins - can walk along the beach into town or grab a super cheap cab $8 (depends on time of day/year)
Paradisus La Esmeralda
**premium luxury 5* all inclusive very zen and chic and caters to families. Great dining, 24 hour room service, top shelf liquor. Nice kiddy pool. Has larger suites and they can provide all the necessities you need (in room amenities like high chairs, day care services, playroom etc)

You are amazing! Thanks so much