Favorite Caribbean locale with small kids

[Anonymous]

Where'd you stay? Are holidays or spring break astonomical? Anyone rent apartments?

[Anonymous]

Would be interested for kids 3 & 6.

[Anonymous]

To be honest, I think what will be more important than the locale will be the facility. If you can find a hotel with a kid's program (where they do activities throughout the day), that will be a lifesaver for the trip. It centers the day around a few choice activities the kids will love.

I went with my 4 year old son to Aruba a while back, and stayed at what was called the Occidental Grand (don't know if it's changed names). Not expensive, and they had a great kid's program director, and 4-5 times a day there would be an activity, like a race to break ballons on a chair by sitting on them, a bocci ball game, etc. My son loved it, and while I was there watching the whole time, it was possible to also enroll him in an activity/time period and leave. I would investigate how the kid's programs work in a few hotels.

[Anonymous]

Negril Jamaica Idle a While

[Anonymous]

Barbados. It is very safe compared to a lot of other Caribbean islands. It also has some of the best health care in the Caribbean, if anything ever went wrong. You could not pay me to take my child to Jamaica.

For comparison -
Barbados: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1022.html

Jamaica: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1147.html

[Anonymous]

Have you ever been to Jamaica? Seems like a pretty harsh statement if you have never been. Don't understand why you would base your decision on where to travel based on a country's health care system.

Nearly 2 million Americans visit Jamaica every year. I have not heard of any horror stories.

[Anonymous]

Bahamas. I like it b/c it is a very quick easy flight. If you are just planning to do pool/beach it is perfect. The water is gogeous and you can do a day trip to Atlantis (if you don't stay there).

[Anonymous]

Aruba was great. Clean and easy to get around. We stayed at the westin. Most places have kids club, but mine were too young (1.5 and 3.5y).

[Anonymous]

I am from Aruba and parents still live there so I am fairly biased. I think it's great for kids. Water is calm enough for the kids to swim in it.

[Anonymous]

Disney Cruise to Bahamas was great - day at Atlantis (Bahamas) was fabulous -- many pools, a beach, water slides for all ages, and meeting dolphins. So much stuff for kids of all ages. But would not say it was inexpensive. Might be able to get last minute deals, though.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and also - camping at Cinnamon Bay campground in St. John (US park service campground).

[Anonymous]

Cayman is quick, safe, and has gorgeous beaches.

[Anonymous]

Bumping this for more recommendations. We have a one year old and wantto take a little vacation before ttc again. Any tips on logistics (travel to and from the resort, etc. would be great, too)!

[Anonymous]

Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos

[Anonymous]

We have taken our DD to Bonaire at 4 mo and 14 mo, Saba at 19 mo, Dominica and Barbuda at 3 y.o. I would recommend looking at the British Virgin Islands - Virgin Gorda has nice beaches with sheltered coves for kids.