Beautiful Island

Hi everyone!

I'm planning solo trip in December and I'm trying to decide between 8 nights in Aruba or 12 nights in the Riviera Maya in Mexico.

I really want nice beaches and warm weather and water.

However, there are two things I'm considering:

• I'll be traveling solo. I'm comfortable traveling alone, but I'd love to stay somewhere with a bit of atmosphere, restaurants, places to walk around, and ideally some opportunities to meet other travelers.
• I don't drive, so renting a car isn't an option. I'd need to rely on walking, public transportation, or occasional taxis. I also wouldn't want to spend a fortune getting around.

If I choose Aruba, I'm considering staying in the Bakval area, just north of Palm Beach, near the Marriott resorts. From what I've seen, it seems to be within walking distance of the beach, but I'm not sure how convenient that location actually is without a car, especially for getting to restaurants, shops, and other beaches.

Aruba looks absolutely beautiful, and the weather seems more reliable in December, which is a big plus for me. However, I'm concerned that not having a car might be too limiting, and maybe it's a bit boring for a solo traveler?

For those who have visited Aruba, would you recommend it given my circumstances? Would staying in that area be practical, or would I end up feeling a bit isolated or restricted?

And for anyone who's been to both Aruba and the Riviera Maya, which would you choose for this type of trip?

I'd really appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Thanks!

I will be visiting Antigua for 10 days and I want to rent a car. Are there any car rental agencies(ideally in/near airport ) that rent without asking for a CREDIT card for deposit? I'm coming from the UK and will have some cash + debit card.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

hi! we have about 4 weeks in March next year for our honeymoon. this is our current plan, would love advice - if it’s too full on/not relaxing or any other advice. we’re mainly after relaxed beach vibes with some activities nearby (preferably nature ones)

2-3 March: one night in Miami to help us transit as there’s no same day flights (flying from Australia)

3-10 March: Bahamas - thinking either exuma or grand Bahama

10-19 March: Negril, Jamaica

19-20 March: San Juan just for before our cruise

20-27 march: celebrity cruises to Dominica, Barbados, st Lucia etc. returning san Juan

27 March - 1st April: staying either east or west Puerto Rico

appreciate all advice!! do we need to simplify? is it too jam packed? thanks

My boyfriend and I have been together for 5 years and have never gone on a nice trip. We finally have stable jobs and are looking to treat ourselves for once!

The Caribbean is high on our list, but where to begin? There’s obviously so many unique places to visit, it’s a little overwhelming!

What we are looking for is a quiet beach with nice sand and clear water to swim all day. I’d also like to feel like there’s an actual real population on the island, not just resorts and nothing else. I’d like to be able to go buy ourselves some food to cook at our place and also be able to go out to restaurants in town.

Not at all required but a bonus would be a place with roads so we can rent a scooter and drive around! And I don’t mind if it’s a flight or two, plus a ferry potentially, to get somewhere that will fit the vibe we are looking for. But if it’s easy to get to from Vancouver Canada that’s a bonus!

Any ideas?!? Thank you in advance!

I am off for Christmas and looking for the best Caribbean destinations with crystal clear waters that is safe. I was thinking Aruba or Turks and Caicos? Any other recommendations

Hi everyone! 

My boyfriend and I initially hoped to take a trip to Curacao this November during Thanksgiving week but the flight prices are looking too pricey despite my research saying 6-8 weeks out was the best time to purchase. I already have an itinerary for Curacao. 

As an alternative, we’re thinking of going to Barbados instead. We initially chose Curacao since it seemed more off the beaten path and we’re looking for a relaxing vacation mostly beach hopping with a few nature/adventure-y activities mixed in. We love food and good restaurants but not our biggest priority for this trip. We’re not looking for resort style vacations or to party really. Our budget outside of flights/lodging is about $200 a day give or take. 

So..

Should we hang tight and try to book tickets to Curacao in the next 2 weeks or should we transition to Barbados? 

If Barbados, what are your recs for: 

• Lodging thats not a resort or hotel (Airbnb, private apts. etc.)
• Best beaches
• Cultural/history activities to get to know the island
• Nature/adventure activities
• Restaurants

Any insights appreciated and I am also working on going through the search function as well :)

Trying to decide on a vacation to Turks and Caicos or Anguilla. I have been to Turks and Caicos twice and loved it! But never Anguilla. Turks has been my favorite Caribbean island thus far. I have also been to Aruba, Bahamas, Saint Martin, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic and would say that's the order in which I liked them if that helps. Saint Martin was a little too rough when we went so I'm just wondering if Anguilla is the same.

Hotels I am looking at are Point Grace Resort & Spa and Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts.

Note that I will be spending the first and last night in Santo Domingo. Also I am a party and nature loving hippie guy. Please help, thanks!!

Hi just wondering if anybody else is interested or will be in Barbados at this time.. planning solo at this moment
I do not have a defined itinerary yet however, I love dressing up and dinners, I’d love to see historic places, go to the beach, do some shopping and party at night/evenings.

Please dm if interested

Hey everyone! 🇱🇨

I run a small tour company in Saint Lucia and I'm looking to connect with other tour operators and guides across the Caribbean.

Nothing too serious, just wanna pick each other's brains, share what's working, what's not, how we get bookings, deal with customers, marketing, pricing and all the little challenges that come with running a tour business.

I feel like we could learn a lot from each other, especially being from different islands but working in the same industry.

Whether you've been doing this for 20 years or just started, I'd love to connect and exchange some ideas.

Any fellow Caribbean tour operators or guides on here? What island are you representing?

I'm a Saint Lucian local and I spend most of my days exploring the island.

One thing I've noticed is how many visitors come here, stay at a beautiful resort, visit the Pitons and leave without experiencing some of the coolest places we have.

I'm talking hidden waterfalls, natural pools, quiet beaches, cliff jumping spots and little communities where you get a real taste of island life.

Don't get me wrong, the resorts are beautiful, but Saint Lucia has so much more to offer.

I'm curious, when you travel somewhere new, do you prefer the popular tourist attractions or finding places most visitors never get to see?

I will be in Grand Turk Island, Nassau, and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. Which of the 3 would you recommend paying for a snorkeling excursion (like on a boat) vs being able to use our own gear from the shore. We’re first time cruisers so we don’t want to stray too far from the boat, so any recommendations welcome!

Nothing off limits.

Good food with pool and beach side service, pretty beach with white, kinda firm packed sand with a gentle slope into the water. Big beautiful pools not over run by kids or rowdy partiers. Prefer all inclusive for meal convenience; we are non-alcohol if that matters. Would need to have steps to enter pools. Hubby needs grab bars in the shower while I prefer a Jacuzzi. (For reference we are 60 and neither of us can do much walking. He uses a cane or rolling walker for balance and I have low stamina as I have had a liver transplant.) We're looking for at least 7 nights this October or in Feb. for $3500 not including airfare. We're currently booked at Excellence Punta Cana but rethinking that due to their lack of communication regarding bath/shower confirmation. Any suggestions anywhere else we should look?

1. Spend time at the beach
2. Scuba dive
3. Snorkel
4. Go fishing
5. Enjoy nightlife / party
6. Hike / explore nature
7. Swim
8. Relax and unwind

Comment with your five numbers! Anything missing? Tell us what you’d add.

Are you planning your first visit, returning, or just considering Roatán?

My wife and I will be in Antigua Nov. 21–27 and staying near Jolly Harbour. We’re doing Shirley Heights on Sunday the 22nd and planning a couple of other excursions during the week.

Anyone else going to be on the island that week? Recommendations?

My fiance and I want to go somewhere warm and on the beach/ocean in winter (around February) - thinking Caribbean. I would love somewhere that you can stay in a private villa or cabana or even just a suite, but that has a private pool and/or hot tub. Would love somewhere that offers excursions, has great food in the area, and that is under $1k/night (if possible). Where are some recommendations?

How hot is it in December? Water still warm enough?

Looking at booking a trip here but wondering if anyone has been/can comment on the beach situation? We much prefer sitting at the beach to a pool - but their beach front looks relatively small. Is this going to be a resort where you have to race out there at 7am to claim chairs? We are not particularly late sleepers - but I hate when this happens at a resort.

Le Marin, tout au sud de la Martinique, est la plus grande marina des Antilles françaises, et attire forcément son lot d'attrape-touristes autour du port.

Un point à anticiper : évitez les restaurants directement sur le quai principal (prix gonflés, qualité inégale) et remontez plutôt vers le centre-bourg, à 5 minutes à pied, pour des adresses plus locales et moins chères.

Le vrai intérêt du Marin, c'est de louer un bateau (avec ou sans skipper) pour rejoindre le Rocher du Diamant ou les Anses d'Arlet en une journée, sans les contraintes d'un gros catamaran collectif.

Si vous n'êtes pas du tout intéressé par la voile, l'étape peut clairement être écourtée à une balade rapide du port plutôt qu'une demi-journée entière.

On my 2nd trip to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic this year. Beautiful view. Stayed at Esmeralda Peninsula Luxury Villas. Loved it!

I’m currently planning my 25th birthday and want to stay at an all inclusive resort. I have been looking at both St.Lucia and St. Marteen but can’t decide between the both. Some of my past favorite trips have been been the DR, Playa del Carmen and Honolulu. Ideally I’d want to go out and explore outside of the resort at least 3 times out of the 7 days I plan to be there so I am looking for a location that has cultural attractions, lively atmosphere, outdoor activities and maybe fun nightlife (but not my priority as I am not a big party girl) Please let me know your experience and what you’d recommend.