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View Full Version : Need help deciding on a caribbean destination



Partial Qualifier
3/11/2008, 08:40 AM
If any of you have been anywhere in the caribbean and could recommend an island or location for a family getaway, please halp! I can find a resort if I could only narrow the location possibilities.

I've been looking at Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos, and possibly Riviera Maya (area south of Cancun) but I am totally open to any suggestions anyone may have.

We're looking for someplace that's not too congested, and although we'll end up at an all-inclusive for-families resort we don't want to be resort-bound the entire time so local flavor & cool things to check out/activities are a plus.

:les: any suggestions are appreciated

OUDoc
3/11/2008, 08:42 AM
How would I know? I can't afford fancy vacations.

colleyvillesooner
3/11/2008, 08:56 AM
Turks and caicos...

Partial Qualifier
3/11/2008, 08:57 AM
oh please Doc. You probably OWN a caribbean island :)

Partial Qualifier
3/11/2008, 09:05 AM
Turks and caicos...

okay - see, actually that's my first choice because the scuba diving is supposedly awesome, it doesn't appear to be congested at all, and there's a real nice AI resort for families (Beaches). The only drawback I see about Turks is the lack of publicized local attractions.. there's a "conch farm" (whoopitedy-doo) but that's about it as far as I can tell.

I'd be happy to sit on the beach for 5 days straight but the wife and 4-year-old son will probably need more entertainment than that. if you could, please elaborate about Turks. thanks CVS

Boomer.....
3/11/2008, 09:09 AM
We took our honeymoon at Ochos Rios, Jamaica and it was wonderful. There are many activities to do that are family friendly such as snorkeling, climbing the waterfalls, etc.

I have also been to the Mayan Riviera. It is very beautiful, but I don't remember very many activities that are close. Cancun is only about 15 minutes away but obviously isn't very family friendly.

colleyvillesooner
3/11/2008, 09:13 AM
okay - see, actually that's my first choice because the scuba diving is supposedly awesome, it doesn't appear to be congested at all, and there's a real nice AI resort for families (Beaches). The only drawback I see about Turks is the lack of publicized local attractions.. there's a "conch farm" (whoopitedy-doo) but that's about it as far as I can tell.

I'd be happy to sit on the beach for 5 days straight but the wife and 4-year-old son will probably need more entertainment than that. if you could, please elaborate about Turks. thanks CVS

Here's the pictures...

http://www.soonerfans.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1900405&postcount=34

It is more of a hang out by the beach kind of place, but there are some trips and cruises you can take that would entertain a child.

Here's some websites about the islands...

Basics:
http://www.wherewhenhow.com/

Some cruises and tours: http://www.sailprovo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=30
http://www.jbtours.com/index.html
http://www.caicostours.com/

Ask any question here and it will usually be answered by a local...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g147399-i213-Providenciales_Turks_and_Caicos.html

The beaches are unbelievable, and if you rent a SUV, you can drive to some other beaches around the island.

I did drive by a putt putt place!

Okla-homey
3/11/2008, 09:26 AM
If any of you have been anywhere in the caribbean and could recommend an island or location for a family getaway, please halp! I can find a resort if I could only narrow the location possibilities.


:les: any suggestions are appreciated

It's not in the Caribbean, but my favorite tropical resort destination remains Bermuda. It's British, everyone speaks English, clean, safe, and absolutely gorgeous.


http://aycu22.webshots.com/image/44661/2004276296327244409_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004276296327244409)

http://aycu33.webshots.com/image/48592/2004249417577159822_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004249417577159822)

http://aycu35.webshots.com/image/46674/2004289607573084780_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004289607573084780)

http://aycu30.webshots.com/image/48949/2004299079997081430_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004299079997081430)

mdklatt
3/11/2008, 09:50 AM
Kokomo

85Sooner
3/11/2008, 09:55 AM
In Jamaica the locals are VERY aggressive. Barbados and antigua are great if your looking for beautiful flowers/scenery etc.... St Thomas (probably the most popular) for shoppiing. St johns and St Croix are smaller versions of St Thomas. For my money, Aruba and Caracao would be my favs Aruba if you want to party and gamble. I like caracao and mexico for diving. Thats all I got.

Partial Qualifier
3/11/2008, 09:56 AM
Wow Colleyville... spek to you x infinity. I'm checking it out. Thank you.

Boomer... thanks for the recommendation, there are several family resorts in Ocho Rios I've been checking out.

Homey, the idea of going to Bermuda is what started this whole deal, but it got ruled out right off the bat because the water might not be too warm in the Oct.-Nov. timeframe we're looking at, and it appeared Bermuda is a little busy & congested. But all I'm working with is google. I'm looking for laid-back and solitude, ya know? Is Bermuda kinda busy/congested? Ever been there in October or November?


Doc, thanks for nothing. I mean it. ;)

Miko
3/11/2008, 09:58 AM
Personally I loved the Camans and am eager to return. British posessesion so English is the dominant language. They even play cricket if you're into that.

Partial Qualifier
3/11/2008, 10:01 AM
In Jamaica the locals are VERY aggressive. Barbados and antigua are great if your looking for beautiful flowers/scenery etc.... St Thomas (probably the most popular) for shoppiing. St johns and St Croix are smaller versions of St Thomas. For my money, Aruba and Caracao would be my favs Aruba if you want to party and gamble. I like caracao and mexico for diving. Thats all I got.

dayam, you've been to all those places? :cool:


Curacao is down there close to Brazil, right? My wife mentioned last night "I think we need to add Curacao to the list...." it does look nice but I need to research it... I thought Curacao was off the coast of Africa or something :eek:

Sooner Born Sooner Bred
3/11/2008, 10:07 AM
Our whole family went to Aruba last summer and the kids loved it. We stayed at an All Inclusive called the Tamarijn. I know some people are hesitant to go because of the whole Holloway incident, but part of the reason that was such a big deal is because there is rarely any crime on the island.

Sooner Born Sooner Bred
3/11/2008, 10:10 AM
dayam, you've been to all those places? :cool:


Curacao is down there close to Brazil, right? My wife mentioned last night "I think we need to add Curacao to the list...." it does look nice but I need to research it... I thought Curacao was off the coast of Africa or something :eek:
Curacao is another ABC island. Bonaire and Aruba are the other two.

Partial Qualifier
3/11/2008, 10:31 AM
Van-der-Slootspek ;)

Sooner Born Sooner Bred
3/11/2008, 11:19 AM
One thing to keep in mind at many of these places, even the family resorts, is that the foreign women like to sunbathe topless. I just knew my niece or nephew were going to say something about it like little kids are prone to do.

And, I will say in advance that in many cases TTI-NOT-WWP.

colleyvillesooner
3/11/2008, 11:27 AM
Wow Colleyville... spek to you x infinity. I'm checking it out. Thank you.

No problem. Let me know if you need anything else...

texas bandman
3/11/2008, 01:01 PM
You might want to look at the Dominican Republic. My wife and I went there in 2002. It was the poor man's Carribean, since school teachers have to watch every penny even when going to the Carribean. We stayed at the Coral Costa Caribe which is not too far outside of Santo Domingo in Juan Dolio. This is a kid friendly resort with activity directors to keep them busy while the adults get bask in the sun. We added on a couple of day tours that were really neat. One took us into the interior of the island and we were able to see what the real Dominican Rebublic was like. For people living in poverty the people were happy and always smiling. Maybe it was because we had american dollars and tipped freely. We also got to stop at a Dominican cigar factory and see how the fine Dominican cigars are made. We ended the day at a beautiful waterfall that was spring fed and was some of the coldest water in which I have ever swam. On another day, we took a boat tour to Catalina Island which had the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. We also were served an all we cared to eat lobster at the beach when we arrived there. We also went snorkeling in the on a coral reef just off the island. It was beautiful. We also paid extra for dinner on the beach at the hotel for one of the evenings. The food was great (more lobster) and the atmoshere was great. I also had made sure that I went to the same bartender throughout our stay. I tipped him about $5 a day and our drinks were always top shelf and well made. At other bars at the resort they were okay, but never made quite as well. Buffets were good and plentiful, not outstanding. There seemed to be more Britsh there which was kind of fun. They thought my wife sounded like Dolly Parton. What a Hoot! Hope this helps.
http://www.coralhotels.com/

Taxman71
3/11/2008, 01:08 PM
If Mexico is an option, I always liked Playa del Carmen since the the kids can spend a day or to at Xcaret and the beachfront ruins at Tulum aren't too far away.

Everyone I know who goes to Jamaica doesn't leave the resort due to the locals or says they won't the next time. Haven't been myself.

They have a great pro-family resort in Punta Canna, Dominican Republic that several people with young kids rave about.

Don't know anything about the Turks or Caicos, but anyplace with a place called "Cockburn Town" is worth visiting.

Okla-homey
3/11/2008, 01:53 PM
Wow Colleyville... spek to you x infinity. I'm checking it out. Thank you.

Boomer... thanks for the recommendation, there are several family resorts in Ocho Rios I've been checking out.

Homey, the idea of going to Bermuda is what started this whole deal, but it got ruled out right off the bat because the water might not be too warm in the Oct.-Nov. timeframe we're looking at, and it appeared Bermuda is a little busy & congested. But all I'm working with is google. I'm looking for laid-back and solitude, ya know? Is Bermuda kinda busy/congested? Ever been there in October or November?


Doc, thanks for nothing. I mean it. ;)

Bermuda is uber-laid back. Heck, the bankers and lawyers wear shorts after all.

Mucho solitude to be had.

That said, I've only been in summer. Couldn't speak to hurricane season...which is something you ought to think about re any Atlantic, Gulf or Carib destination in the fall of the year. Could be dicey. Buy trip insurance.

Partial Qualifier
3/11/2008, 01:59 PM
yeah.. unfortunately that's the only time of the year when we can go. We're hoping it's late enough to be of little risk and yes we're planning on trip insurance.

Thanks Homey! :)

colleyvillesooner
3/11/2008, 03:40 PM
Also, Tuba can contest to the greatness of Turks and Caicos.

soonerscuba
3/11/2008, 04:47 PM
22 out of 23 spring breakers think that Aruba is pretty awesome.

<ducks>