Anonymous
05/11/2021 16:31
Subject: Re:If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anguilla, feels exclusive and totally worth the extra flight or ferry. Dining is phenomenal. Big beautiful beaches.
St John, a little closer and compact, can see and do a lot in a short amount of time. Direct flight helps.
Turks and Caicos, direct flight. Fabulous small beaches tucked away from main beach. Tasty food, nice and small.
We haven't done Dominican Republic or Jamaica, every time we consider them we end up at the old faithfuls. I think the smaller hotels at nice villas at our favorites are really the draw over the larger resorts in DR and JA. And likely have way less kids.
Which airline/airport flys direct to Turks? And I thought you had to ferry to St. John, no?
Most airlines fly there, have for years. Even Southwest has gotten in the game.
From which airport? And I assume you mean Turks and not St. John
I was the person to listed Turks^, United has a flight for under 3hrs non stop via IAD. I think it may be seasonal, I've tried summer dates and don't see it. But we took it in April. I think it may start back until in October?
As for St John, United has a direct flight from IAD to STT, same for Spirit (I think) from BWI, but could be wrong. The Crown Bay ferry makes it not such a hassle if you line your flight up. I rather a flight + short ferry than two flights.
Anonymous
05/11/2021 10:57
Subject: If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
For Aruba-are condos or hotels better?
Anonymous
05/11/2021 10:49
Subject: If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
Anonymous wrote:Curaçao. We fly into Aruba and take a quick puddle jumper to Curaçao.
It’s less built up than Aruba and more to do than Bonaire. It’s out of the hurricane belt.
Another vote for Curacao. We are more into snorkeling than laying on a beach. Curacao and St. John both hold special places in my heart for wonderful snorkeling right off the beach, but Curacao wins out with its colorful architecture and great food scene (beats St. John by a mile).
Anonymous
05/11/2021 10:46
Subject: If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Curaçao. We fly into Aruba and take a quick puddle jumper to Curaçao.
It’s less built up than Aruba and more to do than Bonaire. It’s out of the hurricane belt.
As someone who was born and raised in Curacao, this makes me so happy! My husband never saw the appeal of the Caribbean until he came home with me.
Is it a small island? Safe? Walking or driving?
Anonymous
05/11/2021 09:55
Subject: If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
Anonymous wrote:Curaçao. We fly into Aruba and take a quick puddle jumper to Curaçao.
It’s less built up than Aruba and more to do than Bonaire. It’s out of the hurricane belt.
As someone who was born and raised in Curacao, this makes me so happy! My husband never saw the appeal of the Caribbean until he came home with me.
Anonymous
05/11/2021 09:47
Subject: If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
If you really want a stellar vacation and have lots of money, charter a small yacht. You can go to some very small islands with easy access to different types of beaches, hiking, snorkeling, excursions, etc. We stay at Compass Cay.
Anonymous
05/11/2021 09:44
Subject: Re:If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
My favs are 7 Mile Beach on Grand Cayman and Grace Bay Beach on Turks and Caicos.
Anonymous
05/11/2021 09:02
Subject: Re:If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anguilla, feels exclusive and totally worth the extra flight or ferry. Dining is phenomenal. Big beautiful beaches.
St John, a little closer and compact, can see and do a lot in a short amount of time. Direct flight helps.
Turks and Caicos, direct flight. Fabulous small beaches tucked away from main beach. Tasty food, nice and small.
We haven't done Dominican Republic or Jamaica, every time we consider them we end up at the old faithfuls. I think the smaller hotels at nice villas at our favorites are really the draw over the larger resorts in DR and JA. And likely have way less kids.
Which airline/airport flys direct to Turks? And I thought you had to ferry to St. John, no?
Most airlines fly there, have for years. Even Southwest has gotten in the game.
From which airport? And I assume you mean Turks and not St. John
Anonymous
05/11/2021 08:42
Subject: Re:If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
Anonymous wrote:We love Jamaica. It’s super touristy but also even at a resort you still feel like you are in another country. The resorts where have stayed were owned by Jamaicans and the service is so friendly. I also love that we can leave the resort to take excursions.
We are against the grain and hated Aruba.
Puerto Rico is awesome.
Grand Cayman has gorgeous beaches but is similar to Aruba in that it’s more like a lot of chain restaurants and resorts.
I’m a previous Grand Cayman poster, and I agree that the restaurants are nothing to write home about. But I disagree about resorts; I mean, they are there, but they aren’t dominant. Small condo buildings are much more common, especially at the northern end of Seven Mile Beach. It’s quiet and lovely. We grocery shop so we can just wander in and out from condo to beach all day and eat as-needed. We eat dinners out. It’s very relaxing.
Anonymous
05/11/2021 08:30
Subject: If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
I'll second St Lucia....
Anonymous
05/11/2021 08:18
Subject: Re:If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
We love Jamaica. It’s super touristy but also even at a resort you still feel like you are in another country. The resorts where have stayed were owned by Jamaicans and the service is so friendly. I also love that we can leave the resort to take excursions.
We are against the grain and hated Aruba.
Puerto Rico is awesome.
Grand Cayman has gorgeous beaches but is similar to Aruba in that it’s more like a lot of chain restaurants and resorts.
We are against the grain and hated Aruba.
Puerto Rico is awesome.
Grand Cayman has gorgeous beaches but is similar to Aruba in that it’s more like a lot of chain restaurants and resorts.
Anonymous
05/11/2021 08:07
Subject: If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
Anonymous wrote:The French bread and “pastries” in St Barths are not nearly as good as in France.
Well duh, but this is a thread about the Caribbean.
Personally, St. Lucia FTW.
Anonymous
05/11/2021 08:01
Subject: Re:If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anguilla, feels exclusive and totally worth the extra flight or ferry. Dining is phenomenal. Big beautiful beaches.
St John, a little closer and compact, can see and do a lot in a short amount of time. Direct flight helps.
Turks and Caicos, direct flight. Fabulous small beaches tucked away from main beach. Tasty food, nice and small.
We haven't done Dominican Republic or Jamaica, every time we consider them we end up at the old faithfuls. I think the smaller hotels at nice villas at our favorites are really the draw over the larger resorts in DR and JA. And likely have way less kids.
Which airline/airport flys direct to Turks? And I thought you had to ferry to St. John, no?
Most airlines fly there, have for years. Even Southwest has gotten in the game.
Anonymous
05/11/2021 07:57
Subject: If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
Anonymous wrote:Curaçao. We fly into Aruba and take a quick puddle jumper to Curaçao.
It’s less built up than Aruba and more to do than Bonaire. It’s out of the hurricane belt.
Where do you stay?
Anonymous
05/11/2021 07:56
Subject: If you keep returning to the same Caribbean Island
The French bread and “pastries” in St Barths are not nearly as good as in France.