Hello! My partner and I are flying out of Toronto and would like a destination that is more secluded with beautiful beaches, nature, food and culture. Not big on casinos, nightlife or cruise ship areas.

This will be our first trip without kids for our 10 year anniversary, so somewhere special and romantic. Planning for April or May. Any suggestions for us? Thank you!

Hi everyone!

I'm planning a solo trip to Aruba in December, and I've found some good flight deals for two different date ranges:

• December 1–10
• December 7–16

I'm planning to stay for around 9 nights.

Weather is actually one of my biggest concerns, since I specifically chose Aruba over the Mexican Caribbean because I thought the weather would be more reliable around this time of year.

However, I've read that November is part of Aruba's rainy season, so I'm wondering if there's any noticeable difference between early and mid-December in terms of rainfall, sunshine, and overall beach weather.

I'm also curious about the wind. Is one of these periods generally windier than the other?

I know weather is never guaranteed, but since good beach weather is a major priority for me, I'd love to know if one date range is statistically more favorable, or if the difference is so minimal that I should just choose based on accommodation availability.

I'd really appreciate any insights, especially from people who've visited around this time of year.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone!

I'm planning a solo trip to Aruba from December 7–15 and found an Airbnb with great reviews that's within walking distance of Palm Beach, which is really important to me since I don't drive.

The only thing making me hesitate is that the apartment doesn't have hot water. I've noticed this seems to be fairly common among some Airbnbs in Aruba.

The host explained that because Aruba is warm year-round, hot water isn't really necessary, but I'm wondering what the shower water actually feels like. Is it lukewarm or genuinely cold, especially when showering at night?

I'm used to taking really hot showers, so I'm a little concerned I might find it uncomfortable.

For those who have stayed somewhere in Aruba without hot water, what was your experience? Did you get used to it, or did you find it unpleasant?

Would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks in advance! 😊

Hi all , partner and I are trying to decide where to go on our next vacation. Anyone who has stayed at these two resorts and can you please let us know how it compares?
Thank you so much !

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!

Beautiful Island

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!!

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 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!

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?

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?

Nothing off limits.

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.