If we loved Hawaii and Costa Rica, where to go next?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lol OP, I’m sure you saw lots of “culture” at your Four Seasons in Costa Rica.

Yawn.

+1. smh…

[Anonymous]

St John or the Azores

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Puerto Rico, Colombia, or really most places in the Caribbean.

No one is taking their family to Colombia for vacation, too dangerous.

If you did go with your family and children, please provide your itinerary and where you stayed (lodging).

Very cool hotel in Cartagena backpackers area, bus to Santa Marta, hostel in Santa Marta, then 3 nights in bunks/hammocks while hiking to the lost city, bus back to cartegena and 2 more nights in another cool place in the fancy area of Cartegena.

This was a month after I stayed a week at Four Seasons CR. I wouldn’t recommend Colombia to people who choose the Four Seasons ever!!! It is a full different experience any way you cut it. I find that those who prefer FS like to stay within the brand. Check out Punta Mita.

[Anonymous]

belize for sure

[Anonymous]

Back to Hawaii of course

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Back to Hawaii of course

Yes - I also thought of suggesting another HI island.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tahiti was great with kids. Plenty of families at our resort on Moorea

I’m not sure that’s worth the flight time with kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Back to Hawaii of course

Yes - I also thought of suggesting another HI island.

That’s what I’m thinking for you, OP. We’ve done Hawaii twice with the kids simply because I don’t think it’s the same experience in the Caribbean, CR etc. Have you visited all the islands?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Puerto Rico, Colombia, or really most places in the Caribbean.

No one is taking their family to Colombia for vacation, too dangerous.

If you did go with your family and children, please provide your itinerary and where you stayed (lodging).

Very cool hotel in Cartagena backpackers area, bus to Santa Marta, hostel in Santa Marta, then 3 nights in bunks/hammocks while hiking to the lost city, bus back to cartegena and 2 more nights in another cool place in the fancy area of Cartegena.

This was a month after I stayed a week at Four Seasons CR. I wouldn’t recommend Colombia to people who choose the Four Seasons ever!!! It is a full different experience any way you cut it. I find that those who prefer FS like to stay within the brand. Check out Punta Mita.

Side question - did you find you had enough to do at the 4S? A week seems like a really long to base yourself in that one area of Costa Rica but curious your thoughts after doing this?

[Anonymous]

Is it possible your kids would be up for switching gears on the weather and trying Alaska? It’s also a place of activities like hiking, kayaking and of course amazing natural scenery. It’s obviously not a beach destination but I wonder if your family would enjoy it regardless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Puerto Rico, Colombia, or really most places in the Caribbean.

No one is taking their family to Colombia for vacation, too dangerous.

If you did go with your family and children, please provide your itinerary and where you stayed (lodging).

My brother just went with his family (including kids aged 7 and 12). They stayed in Cartagene, Medellin, and Curiti. He said it was the best vacation they have ever had, and they have been to a lot of places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Puerto Rico, Colombia, or really most places in the Caribbean.

No one is taking their family to Colombia for vacation, too dangerous.

If you did go with your family and children, please provide your itinerary and where you stayed (lodging).

My brother just went with his family (including kids aged 7 and 12). They stayed in Cartagene, Medellin, and Curiti. He said it was the best vacation they have ever had, and they have been to a lot of places.

DP. No way I’d travel there even without kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The azores

Went there last summer, along with the Algarve For beaches, I'd pick the Algarve over Azores. For nature and hiking, I'd pick Madeira over Azores.

So are you saying Azores not a worth it trip?

[Anonymous]

I've been to Hawaii and Costa Rica plus a ton of Carribean islands. My top: St Croix, Bermuda.

Aruba was too hot and super windy. Bahamas / Dominican Republic was not my vibe. Puerto Rico has terrible beaches. Belize was fine but the beaches / water were not that nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Turks and Caicos

Cayman Islands

Curaçao

St. John’s USVI

There are places in Africa and SE Asia that have more beautiful beaches and interesting food/local culture than the above, in my opinion, but they are not as frictionless in terms of a travel experience as Hawaii or CR so YMMV.

NP. We're very similar to OP and looking for a destination for next year with similar criteria. Re: Cayman Islands -- I've seen the stingray city, and I know there are places with snorkeling off the rocky beach. Is there anything else I should be aware of for activities?

Re: St. John -- it looks like most of the condos are on "beaches" that are mostly coral/rocky, and very little sand. I've seen the hiking trails. Anything else you could point out specifically for activities/places that were really fun for older teens and 50-60 yr old parents? My kids do not like to sit on a beach and read. They like to do things...but not super sporty either.

For Cayman, you can go explore caves and snorkel off Starfish point. There is also the botanic gardens and charter sailing/horseback riding expeditions if your teens are up for that. There is a bioluminescent bay as well. Some shops in George Town and nice restaurants.

In St. John, my recollection is that the beach near our resort wasn’t rocky. Lots of good snorkeling and hiking but I don’t remember there being a ton to do other that relax, swim, hike. We chartered a sailboat there and had fun doing that.

Cayman is an easy trip and nice destination, but imo it is nothing like Hawaii or CR. There really isn’t natural beauty on the island itself (yes the beaches are beautiful, but the island is flat and most parts off the beaches are developed - the beach areas themselves are mostly developed, too). The food is pretty generic. No hiking.

The main activities are scuba/snorkel and sail trips, which are all great. But not the same diversity of water/land activities you get on Hawaii and CR.