Help me go somewhere in the Caribbean

In My Humble Opinion
21

Barbarian I’ve been around the Caribbean quite a bit, (not as much as some, but I know my way) and I’m absolutely recommending Sint Maarten/St. Martin. Stay on the Dutch side, play on the French side. Flamingo rent-a-car did us right when we were last there (in december) with a Mitsubishi lancer for a week, 160, total. The downside is that it can get expensive as hell to stay there, however this site will give you the lowdown on a lot of things St. Maarten, not to mention cheap (and I do mean CHEAP) airfare, if you become a supporter of his ‘special’ website.
A few things about St. Maarten you’ve got to know, if you decide to…

Cafe Atlantico in Simpson Bay is Excellent. The baguette sandwiches are out of this world. They’re across from Hot Tomatoes, which is also very good.

Re: the trip to Saba, if anyone asks you to take it, ask them how the seas are that day, because if they’re rough, and if you get the least bit seasick, don’t bother. Which, BTW, you can get (almost) for free by listening to time share pitches.

Chez Raymond’s place on Baie Rouge is excellent. Try the Mango Colada.

Turtle Pier restaurant by the airport is very good, try the Lobster nights on Weds.

The shopping is very good, for booze and other heavily US taxed items, as far as Jewels and electronics, it’s best to know your stuff, otherwise you’ll be stiffed, and hard, because in Phillipsburg, capital of the Dutch side, the merchants see the cruise ships come in, and the price cards get turned over to profit mode.

If you’re in the market for good knockoff handbags (Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach etc) Soma Shop at the end of Front street in P’burg has both good selections and prices.

If you’re in the mood for pure beach pleasure, Islet Pinel is your place. It’s on the french side (which is kind of unfortunate) and is the kind of place you see in magazines, the beach, the whole beach, and nothing but the beach. Ask someone how to get there, and keep an eye out on the road, or you’ll miss the sign. It’s between Gd. Case and Mt. Vernon.

Orient Beach (specifically Bikini Beach Bar) is a nice place to people watch, and is the largest clothing optional place.

No visit to the island would be even remotely complete without a visit to the Sunset Beach Bar. Seriously. Link here NOTELINK NOT COMPLETELY WORK SAFE

Anything else you’d like to know, just e-mail…

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Martha, if my comments on Puerto Plata offended, I apologise as well.

Also, I recall from my time in Santo Domingo, that no one wore shorts. Ever. I think I heard before hand something about that, and sure enough, not one man, woman or child I saw was wearing shorts. Is that pretty much the case? If so, is there any specific reason for this? Is it unique to the DomRep, or are there other countries in the region with a similiar practice. I’m going to assume this isn’t the case in Bermuda. I just find it interesting, given the climate and all.

23

Interesting notion of “free.”

I could have used your advice re Saba weather - I was moored there during what became a mild hurricane. 12 boats were in the harbor to start, of which none was still afloat when the tempest moderated. Our chartered 40-ft yawl was pitched up on the rocks (we’d abandoned it - probably a bit late - after most of the other boats were already sunk and things were beginning to look hopeless). Not quite the vacation we’d planned.

But violent weather aside, Saba is a most interesting place to spend a day. (Or more, if you’re into Scuba.)

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No offence taken - I have to agree with the ‘dirty’ part at least. I was in Puerto Plata several months ago and couldn’t get over just how neglected and scruffy it looked. It is after all a town full of beautiful examples of Victorian gingerbread style wooden houses, yet a great deal of them have been left to fall to bits. And this in a place that’s supposed to be a tourist centre. I wouldn’t particularly recommend this area either: it is mostly downmarket mass tourism. One of the exceptions on the north coast is Cabarete.

Some people wear shorts: how do you expect us to spot the tourists? :wink:

No, really: Dominicans tend to dress on the formal side, but some do wear shorts sometimes, mainly on weekends, when relaxing at home, or at the beach. It isn’t unheard of to wear shorts while going about daily business in the city, but it is relatively rare, you’re right.

When my husband, who is Dominican, wears shorts in the city he soon gets weary of all the hustlers hissing ‘taxi taxi’, ‘dolares dolares’, ‘amber museum this way please’ in his direction. :wink:

AFAIK in the English-speaking Caribbean shorts are far more common, even in relatively urban and formal settings.

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I know so little that I didn’t know there was an island that was half-Dutch, half-French, which is highly amusing because so is my wife :wink:

Since she is pregnant, scuba is right off our list, and living in Manhattan I don’t really need to fly south to buy knock-off handbags. You can still get them on Canal St. if you hunt around.

No decision yet, but I appreciate everyone’s comments.

26

I lived in the Caribbean for about 2 years, and visited a few of the islands.

In no particular order:

St. Kitts: This is where my home was.
Good - Nice rainforest and crater hikes, good shore-entry snorkeling if you know where to look. Brimstone Hill is a world-heritage listed colonial fortress that’s extremely impressive if you like that sort of thing. Best place on the island is Ottley’s Plantation Inn, it’s gorgeous.
Bad - Surly locals who technically speak english but manage to be incomprehensible anyway. High crime. Populated areas are dirty. Most places the food is only okay.
Overall - I wouldn’t recommend it.

Nevis: Part of St. Kitts
Good - Can ferry to St. Kitts for a buck or two. Locals are much friendlier. Where Admiral Lord Nelson married his wife.
Bad - Still a part of St. Kitts, and not that much to do there.
Overall: Lady Di used to stay on Nevis. I don’t know why.

Saba: A tiny rock in the ocean.
Good - world class scuba diving, good food, locals are very friendly, and absolutely zero crime. Many places don’t even have locks on the doors. Has good hiking, though everything on the island is steep.
Bad - Absolutely zero night life, climate isn’t that warm, and no beaches. Not one.
Overall: Great if you like scuba, hiking, and nothing else.

St. Maarten: Playground for the rich
Good: Lots of nice beaches, plenty of food, shopping and nightlife, clothing optional beaches.
Bad: Very built-up, with giant hotels.
Overall: Incredibly touristy. If that’s your thing, then this is the place for you.

Statia, also known as St. Eustatius
Good - apparently has a nice crater at one end.
Bad - Major oil terminal, and from the air the island looks like a junkyard.
Overall: I spent about 10 minutes on Statia. It was enough.

Antigua, home to Sailing Week
Good: The best food I have ever eaten was on this island. There are lots of resorts around the island, and plenty of nice beaches. It’s home to Nelson’s Dockyard (ie English Harbour) which is a lovely colonial era park and working marina. I stayed in the Copper&LumberStores hotel, a colonial era building within Nelson’s Dockyard; very romantic and wonderful for a naval history buff like me. Best restaurant is Le Bistro, but there are plenty of fine eating establishments; the suckling pig at Abracadabra springs to mind. Snorkeling is good. Near to Barbuda, a major seabird colony. Snorkeling was good, and kayaking fun too. There are plenty of activities, mostly involving the ocean.
Bad: Mostly flat. Has only one tiny bit of rainforest. St. Johns is a bit crapulous.
Overall: I enjoyed the place, especially all the historical ruins and the fabulous food.

Grenada, where they actually liked me
Good: Grenada is the only place I’ve ever seen pro-US graffiti. Apparently the locals are all pretty happy that Reagan put down the communist coup, and it was weirdly refreshing to have people say again and again “We love americans.” The major town is full of small, twisty streets and felt cozy and european. There were some colonail-era forts to check out. Decent beaches.
Bad: Restaurants seemed a bit hit-or-miss.
Overall: A fun place. didn’t get to spend enough time there.

British Virgin Islands
Good: Good food, lovely beaches, good snorkelling and boating. People are friendly. The Baths on Virgin Gorda are worth checking out if you like granite boulders on the sea shore. Just get there before the 9am tourist buses.
Bad: The water and phone went out at my hotel and the owner said it was my own fault and refused to do anything about it. I doubt that’s the norm, though.
Overall: Worth visiting; would happily go there again.

Grand Cayman, financial center
Good: Nice beaches, first world amenities
Bad: Totally flat, built up, and touristy.
Overall: I spent only a day here, but I have no urge to return.

Have I been sufficiently longwinded? Okay then.

Have a good trip, and be sure to report back on how it all went.

27

I’m in agreement with Sengkelat on the assessment of St. Kitts & Nevis, Statia and Gd. Cayman. Pits, the lot of ‘em. No need to go back. Same goes for Nassau, Bahamas you get the 10 ft. hustle (10’ hustle=every 10’ you’re being hustled for something, and they’re bloody pushy about it) as soon as you step off the plane or boat. USVI, St. Thomas is very nice, one night on the beach there, but very much worth exploring.

I disagree, (at least a little bit), with the assessment of St. Maarten. Yes, it’s pricey, but St. Barthelemy (St. Barts) is considerably moreso. It IS developed, yes, but I count that as one of the positives, frankly. More choices, plus, you’re within minutes drive of secluded beaches and ilets, such as the aforementioned Pinel

Anyway Barbarian you’re not likely to have a bad time in St. Maarten, but enjoy wherever you end up.

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I kinda enjoyed Statia. I’ll agree it wasn’t quite a garden of earthly delights and you can see it pretty well in a day. But the crater was interesting, we saw some decent birds, and generally enjoyed ourselves.

It probably helped that it was some time ago, in the off-peak season, and we were absolutely the only tourists on the island. We looked for a place to eat supper, and found nothing open. Our last possibility we found boarded and shuttered. But a woman emerged and when we’d explained our need, fetched the owner who agreed to open and cook for us. He did, and then the two of them joined us for an excellent meal.

29

If you want a nice quiet time where the beaches are spectacular, the locals are friendly, and the food is out of this world, I can recommend no place more highly than Providenciales, in the Turks & Caicos. It’s also well know among divers and snorkelers as one of the best stops.

Insofar as hiking and biking though, I would say that it would be a wash. There’s not a lot of densely clustered stuff to see on a bike tour, and no hiking spots to speak of.

But the beaches… My wife and I went for a walk one morning and except for when we passed a resort or condo community, we were perfectly alone on pristine white sand. The water is clear and blue, seemingly devoid of silt and vegetation. It’s simply amazing.

Be warned though, it is somewhat pricey. My wife and I stayed at the Club Med there, even though we were a bit apprehensive about staying at a “party place”. Turns out they’re more than happy to leave you to do your own thing, and the food was very good.

30

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I’ve booked my hotel and flight for a week at the end of January in St. Martin (on Orient Beach). Aruba and some other islands were strong competitors (and DR would probably have won out if I was doing this trip a couple years ago), but St. Martin was actually cheaper.

I’ll revive this thread and give you a report when I return.

Ash’ta buh-leef (I have no fricking clue how you spell it).

31

It seems I’m a touch too late, but if your wife is going to be that far along in her pregnancy, is she going to be allowed to fly there and back?

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Oh yeah, you’re good to fly until 36 weeks (8 months) or so as long as you’re having a healthy pregnancy. Most airlines don’t have any official restrictions, and those that do tend to take you on the honour system.

33

I apologize for the long delay in reviving this thread, but that’s because I’ve been writing a nasty rant against American Airlines (which will be printed, signed, and mailed to the airline soon, with a shorter version to follow in the Pit).

Saint-Martin was great! Getting there and back on American Airlines was so trying, insulting and insulting that I will never fly that airline again. But once I was on the island my wife and I had a great time.

Apparently nobody hikes on Saint-Martin-- MrsB and I had a hell of a time finding the starting points for hiking trails, but we enjoyed breaking ground–and finding a herd of horses that had taken over an abandoned resort. If I become rich I know where to invest. I’m still impressed that my pregnant wife managed to climb over a six-foot fence. She’s nimble I tell ya!

Orient Beach is beautiful, with plenty of variety along its length to cater to people who want to sit near a bar, play volleyball, paddle a boat, parasail or get some near-isolation. The snorkeling could have been better, but I think that was mostly hampered by strong winds and waves while I was there.

The restaurants in Marigot, Mont Vernon and Grand Case were very good. One of them, the Sunset Cafe, served one of the five best meals of my life! As a moderately serious foodie (who has had the opportunity to hang out with serious foodies willing to spend serious money on gourmet cuisine) I could not believe I was eating food that good on a Caribbean island. The chef could easily name his price anywhere in the world, and charge 5 or 6 times more than he was. (For the record, I ate onion soup and duck breast. My wife had snails and stuffed sole. It was stunning.)

I took loads of pictures, but amazingly enough forgot to take my camera down to the beach :smack: As a result there are many photos while hiking, walking through Marigot, and the view from our hotel room, but not of any sand… However, by a strange fluke, my video editor from my previous workplace stayed at the same hotel! I’ve got to email her some photos, and hopefully I’ll get some beach snapshots in return.

Thanks once again for everyone’s recommendations!

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The Dutch islands are pretty clean and safe…but you will find the restaurants on them very expensive. If you go to Aruba, get a hotel room with a kitchenette…you will save a bundle on breakfasts and lunches. The thing is, you will pay a big price for a mediocre meal, so it pays to buy fruit at the market and amke your own meals. I would avoid Jamaica-my wife and I went there (Ocho Rios), and it seemed that EVERYBODY was trying to sell you junk (carvings, and cheap trash of no artistic merit). Also, Jamaica appears to have had no foreign investment in years-the hotel was staright out of the 1970’s (orang shag carpets, old furniture, bathroom fixtures corroded). The roads are terrible (lots of potholes, cracks, and bad paving). However, it is a beautiful island…but very dangerous if you go to the wrong places.
DR: all I know is that my cousin went there…and the hotel was surrounded by a wall (topped with broken glass). That would not give me confidence.
USVI: very nice, fairly safe.
Haiti: do tourists GO to haiti??

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Don’t forget Mayan Riviera - great place for all you requested in your op.

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Barbarian, glad you had fun, glad there was some good “adventure” on the island, and why doesn’t it surprise me there was some bad adventure on AAirlines…:wink:

37

Hey, this thread looks like just what I need!

My brother and his woman are getting married July 4th. They’ve got the following week off for a Honeymoon. I really want to set up a fun vacation for them, someplace safe and romantic. We’re not wealthy, so price is important. My brother has been talking about the US Virgin Islands – any recommendations for good resorts, cruises, etc? Cozumel is a possibility, too.