Where in the Caribbean would you return for a Land-only vacation?

[drrich2]

I've done Curacao, St. Croix, Cozumel and Bonaire (scuba diving was a factor in my choices). I linked you trip reports in case it's of interest. The St. Croix scene has changed a bit since due to hurricanes.

 

Enjoyed them all. Decide if you need a lot of 'cruise ship excursion' type offerings, or like a laid back, quaint island you can drive and saunter around, whether you need sandy beach or to entertain kids, etc...

[mek]

I would like to stay at Atlantis but only for about 3 nights and any overwater bungalow, but again only for a few nights.  I'm really not a beach person - a few hours in a port is usually more than enough time for me.  

[Missusdubbya]

I would like to visit St Kitts and St Lucia to stay.
 

I would also like to spend more time exploring in Puerto Rico and Cuba (only stayed for a week in each last time).

[APDMOM]

Our too choices:

1. Cozumel

2. Aruba

3. Barbados

4. Curaçao

5. St Maarten

[CSHS1979]

Not the Caribbean,  probably Europe

[The Fun Researcher]

In order of preference (I think 🙂 )

 

Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire  (Hard to Choose)

St. Maarten

St. John USVI

St. Thomas

 

[HxFx]

I see a lot of Aruba votes. I loved it for the water and being out of the hurricane belt but have to admit the wind on the beach could get overwhelming.  We did stay on Eagle Beach though. It is way less crowded than Palm Beach but I think the high rises on Palm help protect from the wind. Other than that I really enjoyed it.

 

The diving and snorkeling were great - I went on a wonderful sailing/snorkeling excursion I will do again if I ever go there by cruise ship. The ATV tour was a lot of fun too (but I got stuck with a bunch of cruise ship folks 😜) I would go again but as stated before, my first choices would be T&C (Providenciales) and Grand Cayman.

[Spif Barwunkel]

As residents of Florida we have easy access to the Caribbean. It is in the neighborhood, if you will. Over the last 30 years we have traveled to most of the islands, either cruising or flying. We are not beach people but we find land trips to be relaxing and rejuvenating. We have stayed at some lovely hotels on the various islands, enjoying the ambience and the location. Here are four of our favorites. If you Google them that will provide you with more information than I could give you here.

 

 - The Inn At English Harbour -  Antigua 

 - Gallows Point - St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

 - Coral Reef Club - Barbados

 - Anse Chastanet - St. Lucia

[RD64]

Curacao and Aruba !!

[RD64]

Does Bermuda count? Bermuda is the ultimate.

[Junkhouse]

We have been to (most were AI) Dominican Republic (twice, but different areas), St Kitts, Jamaica, and Aruba.  But the one I would really want to stay on land is St Thomas.  We had it planned in 2017 but Irma and Maria had other plans. That is why Aruba is on our list which was actually a good surprise and chances of a storm are nil to none.

[HBE4]

8 hours ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

Here are four of our favorites. If you Google them that will provide you with more information than I could give you here.

 

 - The Inn At English Harbour -  Antigua 

 - Gallows Point - St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

 - Coral Reef Club - Barbados

 - Anse Chastanet - St. Lucia

 

I honeymooned at Anse Chastanet on St Lucia back in 1993.  Also, on Antiqua (it was a 2 island honeymoon) at a place that sadly is no longer around.

 

[HBE4]

Aruba would be the one island I would pick, if I can only pick one.  Beaches, casino's, fun bars and fantastic food that most AI's can't touch.  About the only cruise ship thing that is missing is shows and ice rinks. But that is true for most islands.

[Dennis#1]

Definitely Aruba.

[PhoenixCruiser]

Aruba

Who knows when US residents will be allowed to travel to so many places. So sad.

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[Bailey & Sophie]

 

We're not beach people so an island would get suffocatingly small after a while. We would pick Panama or Costa Rica.

[2chiefs]

Thanks for all the input. A lot of different ideas. We love all the islands but some favorites:

Aruba

Curacao 

St Thomas

Grand Cayman

 

We're not beach people either as some have said on the thread so it would be nice to hear about islands that offer other interesting things to do. Also, we have never done an AI but we've always thought they might be boring so were hesitant to try one.

T

[Mapleleafforever]

Cuba hands down, no contest. Best beaches in the world by far and can't beat the price (value). Only a short 3 hour flight from Toronto. 

[Sunshine3601]

We have stayed in Bermuda several times and have always enjoyed our stay.  We have stayed in aruba 2 times and absolutely love it.  Will do again but I would like to try a stay at St Kitts and Curacao and maybe Barbados.

[The Fun Researcher]

Speaking of Aruba, (Which is one of my top picks), does anyone know what flight prices were Pre-Covid from Aruba to Curacao for a day trip?
 

 

Dan

[HBE4]

14 hours ago, PhoenixCruiser said:

Aruba

Who knows when US residents will be allowed to travel to so many places. So sad.

 

 

 

Aruba started allowing US residents on July 10th.  Have to take the PCR test within 72 hours of traveling (all states) or at the airport when you arrive (certain states only). Also, need to by Covid-19 insurance $15 pp/pd to cover the cost of any potential diagnosis / treatment.

 

Booked my trip for mid-Nov. Hopefully no 2nd wave, no restrictions and United does not go bankrupt. 🤞

Edited July 22, 2020 by HBE4

[NJGeorge]

For us the worst part of a land Caribbean vacay was when the cruise ships were in port! 

St.John was the best (a bit pricey) no direct cruise ship dock.  We also stayed in Saint  Lucia and Tortola.

[bigrednole]

I have not been to any but St John's, but my family has been to almost all. My dad almost bought a retirement place in Belize and the pictures are incredible. My wants when I retire are as follows:

 

ABC's: For snorkeling and diving

Belize: For snorkeling

Jamaica: I have loved reggae music since I was a kid in the 70s

St Thomas/John's: For nostalgia (was there when I was 13 in Boy Scouts)

[KmomChicago]

Yucatán or Puerto Rico.

[Sunshine3601]

I totally forgot Antigua.   We stayed at Royalton Antigua resort before it was completely renovated.    We had initially discovered it while on a cruise and met up with a local taxi guy and asked him to take us to a beach and he took us there for the day - no charge to use their beach and other facilities.    We told them we would definitely be back and we did the following winter.      Kind of funny that some of the boat excursions offered by cruise lines end up pulling into the beach area there and stay for about an hour as part of their excursion.   Beautiful area and resort completely redone is even nicer now.