Caribbean

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Park Hyatt in St. Kitts if you want something nice without breaking the bank (use points for the room).

Amanyara in Turks and Caicos if you really feel like spoiling yourself.
 
GassYous said:
Would like to visit the Caribbean. Any suggestions? I just want to chill on the beach and read books. From online reviews, st. croix seems pretty nice.
Click to expand...

What time of year do you want to go? Some of the Caribbean is iffy weather during hurricane season and through March. If you just want to chill on the beach and read books and not wander the island with a rental car or leave resort, that makes it easier. On a budget? All inclusive or go off resort for restaurants? Is poolside as good as beach for you? Some of the islands have beaches that are great for sunbathing but lousy for ocean swimming.

St Croix is US territory which is a plus. Parts of it are not so great for wandering the island on your own safety wise.

Have traveled lots of the Carribean pre Covid. Not sure how that has affected things.
 
I am pretty snobby when it comes to beaches as I grew up in the Caribbean.

I highly recommend Turks and Caicos. Just spent 10 days there.
Pretty awesome.

Stunning beaches, hidden beaches (fun to find), very safe, excellent food,
etc.

We chartered a private boat went fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, explored other islands. Sea turtles, reef/nurse sharks, stunning colorful reefs... just gorgeous.

Best place in the world to learn how to kitesurf/kiteboard. You can go out a mile and still be waist deep in water with nobody around you when trying to harness the wind on a 17 meter sail. Sugary sand under your feet that far out.

DE60D0A3-88F0-4806-83DA-031294EDAF45.jpeg
C9C898AF-DA63-4D80-9B1F-DFD44559E35E.jpeg
4BCD2519-715E-4B33-9C63-7B652A665758.jpeg
8F05DFA7-DCE5-4DF3-AE6B-252E530452E3.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Jalapeño Conch salad is to die for... so good and fresh and tasty.
 
Agree with St. John. I’ve been to most of the islands previously mentioned and I think it’s the best. There’s no airport and cruise ships don’t stop there, so the beaches are immaculate and not crowded. You can only get there by ferry. I’m not sure I should even be talking about it lol
 
sevoflurane said:
You been there since the hurricane?
I lived there for 3 years. Great island 20+ years ago... I hear the hurricane killed it.
Click to expand...
Last time I went was right before. There's a french couple who's home we would always use when we'd go. The hurricane did big time damage and I think they're still trying to recover but people are still going.
 
GassYous said:
I'm thinking June, all inclusive resort. Have a child which limits how much I can do.
Click to expand...
covid is a total curve ball and PITA for international travel. If you are thinking this June, do a kid friendly florida or gulf coast resort.
 
dr doze said:
covid is a total curve ball and PITA for international travel. If you are thinking this June, do a kid friendly florida or gulf coast resort.
Click to expand...

Makes sense to me. We are both vaccinated. We just happen to have a week off and some free plane tickets that expire soon for working during covid.

DocVapor said:
Sell the kid, then do what you want.

Perk: The sale of the child will at least partially pay for the trip!
Click to expand...

I think I'd have to pay someone to pick this torture monster up
 
GassYous said:
Would like to visit the Caribbean. Any suggestions? I just want to chill on the beach and read books. From online reviews, st. croix seems pretty nice.
Click to expand...

Another vote for St. John. I've been going there my entire life, several times as a child and almost every year as an adult (post residency). To me, it is the perfect Caribbean location. It's more secluded and romantic than St. Thomas or some of the other locations. It has some of the highest rated beaches in the world. The island is a gigantic national park with plenty of hiking so you can spend the day at the beach one day and hike to historic rum plantations the next. There are copious charters you can get to the British virgin isles. The "Bad Kitty" does one that takes you to Virgin Gorda, Jost Van ****, Cooper Island, Soggy Dollar Bar, great snorkeling, etc.. and is a complete blast. I do that one almost every visit. I've done a few of the competitor trips but nothing really compares to those guys. I have a lot of sentimental memories as a kid staying in Caneel Bay but alas...it is no more and was destroyed by Hurricane Irma years ago. These days, I will usually rent a jeep either on St. John or St. Thomas (there's a car ferry to St. John) and stay in a villa that you can rent through several agencies. I've got a few favorites over the years that I circle back to but there are plenty of great homes/condo's to rent. Yes, the island is a bit pricey compared to other locations but you get what you pay for and I like the fact that it never really feels over run with tourists. The food is fantastic and there are lots of great restaurants. If you're fair skinned like myself, there is plenty of shade on the beaches to be found.

I always have mixed feelings about suggesting St. John to people because I kind of don't want anyone to know about it so I can keep it all to myself. Anyway, I've been several places in the Caribbean and nothing really compares to St. John IMO. Plus, the trip is a lot shorter than other locations. If you ever want more info, feel free to PM me.

St. Lucia would also be a suggestion though that's a longer plane flight. I stayed in one of their open air resorts which had to be one of the coolest places I've ever stayed while in the Caribbean. I wish I had something like that in St. John. It was incredible. Let me see if I can link it. Ladera Resort - Romantic St. Lucia Resorts There's plenty of hiking on the island but only so so beaches IMO. I also did not like the fact that you have to tip/pay for hiking guides for any hike you do on the island. For some reason you can't go hike on your own somewhere. That being said, there's some cool stuff to do on the island. A fun ropes course, a volcano, etc.. I think people should do the trip for nothing more than to stay in a place like Ladera...that was incredibly cool and I doubt I'll top that. All that being said, I'll probably never be back and would still choose St. John over St. Lucia.
 
Last edited:
Groove said:
Another vote for St. John. I've been going there my entire life, several times as a child and almost every year as an adult (post residency). To me, it is the perfect Caribbean location. It's more secluded and romantic than St. Thomas or some of the other locations. It has some of the highest rated beaches in the world. The island is a gigantic national park with plenty of hiking so you can spend the day at the beach one day and hike to historic rum plantations the next. There are copious charters you can get to the British virgin isles. The "Bad Kitty" does one that takes you to Virgin Gorda, Jost Van ****, Cooper Island, Soggy Dollar Bar, great snorkeling, etc.. and is a complete blast. I do that one almost every visit. I've done a few of the competitor trips but nothing really compares to those guys. I have a lot of sentimental memories as a kid staying in Caneel Bay but alas...it is no more and was destroyed by Hurricane Irma years ago. These days, I will usually rent a jeep either on St. John or St. Thomas (there's a car ferry to St. John) and stay in a villa that you can rent through several agencies. I've got a few favorites over the years that I circle back to but there are plenty of great homes/condo's to rent. Yes, the island is a bit pricey compared to other locations but you get what you pay for and I like the fact that it never really feels over run with tourists. The food is fantastic and there are lots of great restaurants. If you're fair skinned like myself, there is plenty of shade on the beaches to be found.

I always have mixed feelings about suggesting St. John to people because I kind of don't want anyone to know about it so I can keep it all to myself. Anyway, I've been several places in the Caribbean and nothing really compares to St. John IMO. Plus, the trip is a lot shorter than other locations. If you ever want more info, feel free to PM me.

St. Lucia would also be a suggestion though that's a longer plane flight. I stayed in one of their open air resorts which had to be one of the coolest places I've ever stayed while in the Caribbean. I wish I had something like that in St. John. It was incredible. Let me see if I can link it. Ladera Resort - Romantic St. Lucia Resorts There's plenty of hiking on the island but only so so beaches IMO. I also did not like the fact that you have to tip/pay for hiking guides for any hike you do on the island. For some reason you can't go hike on your own somewhere. That being said, there's some cool stuff to do on the island. A fun ropes course, a volcano, etc.. I think people should do the trip for nothing more than to stay in a place like Ladera...that was incredibly cool and I doubt I'll top that. All that being said, I'll probably never be back and would still choose St. John over St. Lucia.
Click to expand...
I went to check St John on the map and saw why the Jost Van was censured 🤣 🤣 .
Can we rename it Jost Van Soy Boy?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

sevoflurane
Chartering a boat in the Caribbean.
Replies
23
Views
4K
nycitygas
nycitygas
D
Caribbean needs you!
Replies
3
Views
2K
ututoutu
U
RussianJoo
interesting thread on the caribbean forum about the future of anesthesia.
Replies
42
Views
8K
topscorer
T
N
caribbean getting interviews?
Replies
12
Views
2K
buntatog
B
D
img vs caribbean
Replies
2
Views
1K
ozzie20
ozzie20
Top