Anonymous
Post 10/29/2023 10:48     Subject: Caribbean Island for spring break
We are in the same boat and I’m leaning heavily toward Belize, spending 1/2 in jungle area and 1/2 in beach area
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2023 10:01     Subject: Caribbean Island for spring break
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:San Juan/PR.

If you don’t might go further afield (not sure what the flights are these days, maybe Barbados or Curacao)


Sorry didn’t see you’ve done PR. I would hesitate to recc the USVI but it depends on what you want to do on your non-beach/exploring days.


Ideally we are looking for good beaches, some marine life that can be seen from beaches, but open for into the ocean excursion. Green island, very open to explore jungle/parks/beaches, some local cuisine. We typically like to rent Airbnb, eat in and out, spend most time on the beach but still explore around a bit


Would second earlier recommendations of Grand Cayman. Great snorkeling in shallow water off the beach, some good local cuisine (although you have to look for it; most restaurants cater to tourists with overpriced non-local food). We stay in a condo that walks out onto the beach; check out Discovery Point Club. Have been visiting for 20 years, including with our two teenage boys. We love it.
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2023 09:59     Subject: Re:Caribbean Island for spring break
Anonymous wrote:Not to hijack but I need to ask...Does your 16 and 13 year old want to go? We have the same age boys and they would NEVER want to go on a vacation like this with "just" us. As a result, when we vacation, they each are allowed to take a friend; otherwise, they are miserable.

First, I get the teens can be cranky during vacations but they usually do come around and have fun. Yes, even with "just" their siblings and parents. Second, not everyone has the luxury to pay for additional plane tickets, rooms, etc just to avoid making their teens "miserable." I think it's nice that you offer to pay for their friends. But I don't get the mentality of jumping through hoops to avoid having teens deal with real life.
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2023 09:34     Subject: Caribbean Island for spring break
*interesting (not internet)
Anonymous
Post 10/29/2023 09:34     Subject: Caribbean Island for spring break
I think teens would get bored with a week on St John. Mine did. St Croix was far more interesting with more to do and explore. The food is great on both islands but much pricier on St John. We felt St Croix offered better bang for the buck, and was a more fun and internet vacation overall.

With all that said, Trunk Bay is my favorite beach in the USVI, so beautiful and relaxing with everything you need for a perfect beach day.
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2023 13:58     Subject: Caribbean Island for spring break
Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised people suggesting Aruba. It’s a great beach place but it’s basically just beach. Spring break is also perfect for all those places in the hurricane belt that you can’t reliably visit in August.

What about carribean side of Costa Rica?


There are definitely things to do in Aruba. You can rent a jeep and go explore the wild side. You can ride horses over there, as well. You feel very safe walking around there. If you are lucky, you can snorkel with turtles. And, Baby Beach is heaven.
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2023 13:39     Subject: Caribbean Island for spring break
I’m surprised people suggesting Aruba. It’s a great beach place but it’s basically just beach. Spring break is also perfect for all those places in the hurricane belt that you can’t reliably visit in August.

What about carribean side of Costa Rica?
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2023 10:01     Subject: Re:Caribbean Island for spring break
Anonymous wrote:Not to hijack but I need to ask...Does your 16 and 13 year old want to go? We have the same age boys and they would NEVER want to go on a vacation like this with "just" us. As a result, when we vacation, they each are allowed to take a friend; otherwise, they are miserable.


Not OP, but my DDs are 15, 13 and 11. They all want to vacation with us and honestly it's the only time my 15 and 13 year old interact with each other anymore. Otherwise they are like ships passing in the night and don't really get along.

Like PP, our vacations are planned with them in mind though so it's all stuff they have asked to do.
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2023 09:41     Subject: Re:Caribbean Island for spring break
Anonymous wrote:Not to hijack but I need to ask...Does your 16 and 13 year old want to go? We have the same age boys and they would NEVER want to go on a vacation like this with "just" us. As a result, when we vacation, they each are allowed to take a friend; otherwise, they are miserable.


Not OP. These are the ages of my two daughters and yes we love traveling together. Other than the rare extended family trip, which has only happened a few times, it is always just the 4 of us by design. Life is so busy, so I want this time with them while I can still get it. I plan the trips with them in mind. DH and I have the rest of our lives to choose where we want to travel ourselves. My girls love beaches, and theme parks and cities though so its not hard.
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2023 08:44     Subject: Re:Caribbean Island for spring break
Not to hijack but I need to ask...Does your 16 and 13 year old want to go? We have the same age boys and they would NEVER want to go on a vacation like this with "just" us. As a result, when we vacation, they each are allowed to take a friend; otherwise, they are miserable.
Anonymous
Post 10/27/2023 08:37     Subject: Caribbean Island for spring break
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I also was going to say St. John.

Did you like PR/Vieques? How did you get to Vieques? I was interested but didn't want to fly in a small plane and ferry seemed like a mess.

The ferry to St John is no problem at all.


We flew to San Juan, spent few days in Old San Juan. Then took ferry. I thought if ferry being a messy process too, but would avoid flying small planes at all cost ( afraid. Ferry experience turned out to be very inexpensive and very smooth. Took Uber to the terminal ( had opportunity to see some of Puerto Rico while in road), boarded ferry, about 1 hour of in the water time. We left hotel in San Juan at 10am, we had ferry at 12-30 or so, we checked in our Airbnb at 3 pm with car already picked from rental. You will need a car there if you want to explore the island. And please book everything ahead of time. I bought ferry ride for 2 different times each way just in case if one cancels or we are late. Ferry us just 2 bucks per person.


Any recs for where to stay in San Juan?


lots of threads on this. Think the Conquistador and Wyndham come up a lot, depending on if you want to closer to OSJ or not