Caribbean Vacation Advice-UPDATE

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Exploring destinations for a first time caribbean vacation this
January. Their is a LOT of choices.

The research I've done so far has been St. John's in US Virgin Islands
and the Yucatan Penisula in Mexico. Not interested in "all inclusive"
or big resorts. The group going is not into shopping, nightlife, etc.
Would like to walk out the front door on to a beach and vegitate.

Any suggestions ?

 

[sasto]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

My choice would be Turtle Cove Marina in Provodencialas, Turks and Caicos Island. Other locations in the northern cove are good too. You can walk out to a reef and expierence some of the best snorkeling. The folks there are traditionally very good. Good eats nearby.

For a small island I like San Salvador, Bahamas. Your own cottage on the beach at Riding Rock Marina. You will be cooking your own food on the barbie. Or buying some local fare

What are you looking for, Swabbie?

PS: I hope you are leaving by your first snowfall.

 

[642mx]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Exploring destinations for a first time caribbean vacation this
January. Their is a LOT of choices.

The research I've done so far has been St. John's in US Virgin Islands
and the Yucatan Penisula in Mexico. Not interested in "all inclusive"
or big resorts. The group going is not into shopping, nightlife, etc.
Would like to walk out the front door on to a beach and vegitate.

Any suggestions ?

For a first time caribbean vacation, you really should check out the all inclusive places... I'm speaking from experience! I've been to Nassau a couple times and Jamaica. All inclusives don't have real wild nightlifes or a bunch of shopping.... they are mostly all you can eat/drink resorts with nice beaches, pools, hot tubs, etc... all within walking distance from your room.

The last time I was in Jamaica, I had butler service and the best room Sandals had... it was amazing, every morning I would walk my hungover arse to the beach and my butler would bring my breakfast, advil, and a cooler of Red Stripe right out to me....lol Anything I wanted was a call away (they give you a cell to use)

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

For a small island I like San Salvador, Bahamas. Your own cottage on the beach at Riding Rock Marina. You will be cooking your own food on the barbie. Or buying some local fare

What are you looking for, Swabbie?

Cottage on the beach is exactly what were looking for.

PS: I hope you are leaving by your first snowfall.

Great tips. Thanks.

 

[sasto]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

I traveled the Carib for several years as a single man and my priorties were a little different than yours. But, I did choose to get away once and awhile.

Another spot I enjoyed was Rincon, Puerto Rico, on the west coast. Beautiful beaches and clear water. Lots of English spoken. Many cottages available too.

One of my favorite places is Dominican Republic, but I don't think their lifestyle is what you are looking for unless loud nightlife and roosters waking you up at 4 am is in your itenerary.

I have never met a person who didn't fall in love with Provo, Turks and Caicos. Fresh fish, American, English, and Irish food. Great people too.

Whatever your choice is.....Enjoy!

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Once again thanks for the info Sasto. I'll let you know what we decide.

 

[salty87]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

if you're not looking for the big resort, try tulum mexico. tiny little place that's just starting to grow for tourism. you can get a cottage on the beach for sure.

the all inclusives aren't bad for rolling out of bed and doing very little. the only problem, imo, is there's usually a big resort involved. if you can overlook that, the pool side valet is a nice touch.

the us virgin islands also rock. you can get a house on the beach but the price is a bit steeper than mexico.

 

[eastont]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

My only comment is....stay as far away from Jamaica as possible!!!!!

I've been to most of the islands in the Caribbean, and I've never had such a terrible experience as I had there. As we got into the cab at the airport, the driver reaches out to shake my hand and says' "Welcome to Jamaica" as he tries to pass me a bag of weed. Then on the way to the resort, he has to stop at a restaurant to have a pee, and out of the restaurant comes a beautiful young girl offering a free beer, so we took it waiting for the driver. Then he comes back and says he can't take us any further because we didn't pay for the "free" beer........$20US later we left for our hotel.
Stuff like that went on all week, even got mugged in the middle of Duns River Falls.


Stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice-UPDATE

I traveled the Carib for several years as a single man and my priorties were a little different than yours. But, I did choose to get away once and awhile.

I have never met a person who didn't fall in love with Provo, Turks and Caicos. Fresh fish, American, English, and Irish food. Great people too.

Whatever your choice is.....Enjoy!

Thanks to our prolific poster and Caribbean expert SASTO, we're going
to Salt Cay in the Turks-Caicos Islands Dec. 31st for a week.

Thanks SASTO, your the best. Out first Caribbean trip is going to be
one we will never forget from what I have read.

 

[sasto]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice-UPDATE

Thanks to our prolific poster and Caribbean expert SASTO, we're going
to Salt Cay in the Turks-Caicos Islands Dec. 31st for a week.

Thanks SASTO, your the best. Out first Caribbean trip is going to be
one we will never forget from what I have read.

I think you made a very wise choice, Swabby. A truely beautiful place with some of the most pleasant Islanders you will ever meet, crystal clear waters and maybe a humpback whale or two.

Don't tell them I sent you....for your own good.

Thanks for the kind words.....and have a Turks Head Beer for me!

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice-UPDATE

I think you made a very wise choice, Swabby. A truely beautiful place with some of the most pleasant Islanders you will ever meet, crystal clear waters and maybe a humpback whale or two.

Don't tell them I sent you....for your own good.

Thanks for the kind words.....and have a Turks Head Beer for me!

I promise I will toast you with a Turks Head. And I WON'T tell them you
sent me. I think all of us here should here more about that though...

As far as whales it's the migration season so it should be a great show.

Wish we we're leaving today, our first snowfall, it's 14 deg. now with
20 mph winds. The bet is off, stay down where it's warm.

Thanks again, Capt. Mike.

Brian

 

[sasto]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice-UPDATE

Hey Swabbie (hope you don't mind me callin' you that, I like it),

I only had the pleasure of visiting Salt Cay (pronounced by the locals as "key") for a few hours by dingy. According to your description of what you were looking for...you made a fine choice...all on your own.

We fished and dove for lobster in TCI for many months in the winter, the boss loved it....so did I,

A few recommendations for food would be conch.... of course...cracked is my favorite, chowder and fritters for others.

Plenty of Carib. spiney lobster to be found too. Between myself and 2 Turk Islanders (politically correct name) we could round up between 65 to 85 in a few hours.

Favorate fish from the area is wahoo.....but red, strawberry, or other snapper on the grill are great. Sometimes fresh tuna and fresh mahi-mahi...all depends on Mother Nature, and if the fishermen can get out

The scrawny chickens you will see running around eating everything in sight? Some of the best tasting...to me...you will ever find. Serious.

I'm sure you did your research.....and will soon find yourself in a position you may want to never leave....Hey...everyone needs to find their paradise, if only for a short time. You and the Mrs will be treated well.

PS:
Don't eat the donkey!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice-UPDATE


Couldn't find any green frowny faces, and apparently iboats limits me to five of the red ones. Have a great time, but think of us poor pitiful souls once or twice while you're down there. Sounds like you picked an outstanding destination. We expect a detailed trip report upon your return so we can live vicariously.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice-UPDATE

Couldn't find any green frowny faces, and apparently iboats limits me to five of the red ones. Have a great time, but think of us poor pitiful souls once or twice while you're down there. Sounds like you picked an outstanding destination. We expect a detailed trip report upon your return so we can live vicariously.

Now your limited to two so I could post three.

I will think of you "poor pitiful souls" while I'm sitting on the beach gazing at the turquoise water, sipping a cold turks head.

Upon our return I will post a detailed report with pics.

Why frown? Just get on a plane and go!
This will be a first for me. I have never gone anywhere warm in the winter.
I just hope our plane will be able to take off from this frozen winter wonderland.
Snow last Sunday, freezing rain tonight and who knows what's next.

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

For a first time caribbean vacation, you really should check out the all inclusive places... I'm speaking from experience! I've been to Nassau a couple times and Jamaica. All inclusives don't have real wild nightlifes or a bunch of shopping.... they are mostly all you can eat/drink resorts with nice beaches, pools, hot tubs, etc... all within walking distance from your room.

The last time I was in Jamaica, I had butler service and the best room Sandals had... it was amazing, every morning I would walk my hungover arse to the beach and my butler would bring my breakfast, advil, and a cooler of Red Stripe right out to me....lol Anything I wanted was a call away (they give you a cell to use)

+1, my thoughts exactly...honeymooned at Sandals resort on Antigua in 2006 and it was a very nice and relaxing time. You can do as much or as little as you would like and the food and drinks kept coming...even top-shelf liquors were included.

oops!.. just realized I was too late...maybe for your next vacation, then.

 

[sasto]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Hey Swabbie, how was the trip? Any Photos? Sunburned?

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Hey Swabbie, how was the trip? Any Photos? Sunburned?

We're still there and we're not coming back.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

We're still there and we're not coming back.

That's just cruel.

 

[sasto]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

We're still there and we're not coming back.

Kinda figured that!

Swabbie isn't giving anything up?

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Re: Caribbean Vacation Advice

Hey Swabbie, how was the trip? Any Photos? Sunburned?

Our first Caribbean trip is one we will never forget. The only downside is it only lasted a week. Getting off the plane in St. Louis and being greeted by a -2 windchill was not fun at all.

Sasto I gave you many toast's (Presidente though no Turks Head) while we we're there for your great suggestion. Salt Cay is truly an island that time forgot. I definitely owe you one. A great time was had by all. THANKS!

Salt Cay (pronounced key) is not for everyone, no hotels/resorts etc., a few really great restaurants (not cheap) and thats about it. It was a long and interesting journey to get there, a 100 mile drive to St. Louis, a 6:30 am flight to Miami, another to Providenciales and then a 8 seat Cessna to Salt Cay. If your into scuba diving or snorkeling it is one of the premier destinations in the world. My 59 yr. old brother learned to scuba dive. We also snorkeled, hiked and biked. The island is only 2 1/2 sq. miles. I had Conch for the first time and another day we had fresh fish caught by a local fisherman. In one of the attached photos the little red and blue boat with a 10 hp. motor is his. He keeps it on the Atlantic side and goes way out to deep water to catch Red Snapper. I thought he was crazy, some days the waves are 4-5 ft. +, he said "I'm not scared" !!!

We also took the "government" ferry to Grand Turk, the capital of the Turk Islands. That is where the islanders go to shop. They have a Turks Caicos history museum where we learned the interesting history of the islands. The last day we went whale watching stopping at a gorgeous uninhabited island called Great Sand Cay, it once was used by the military for explosive testing.

If you want to take a unique vacation to visit the "old Caribbean" their is
probably no other place like it. Just email Debbie at Salt Cay Divers, she
is a wonderful host. www.saltcaydivers.tc
Salt Cay website: www.saltcay.org
Turks and Caicos website: www.turksandcaicostourism.com