We want to take a trip (Carribean most likely). I've been to Panama a million times so I know about snorkeling, rain forests, pristine beaches,etc. Does anyone have any good recommendations for something in the Carribean?
thanks,
G.
Okay, back in April, I asked about Carribean vacations and received 15 responses. It took us until the beginning of July to go somewhere. We went w/out the kids for the first time since having children. We went to the awesome Sandal's St. Lucia-the Grande I think it was (there were 3 there). My only 3 "issues" were that 1)we had to INSIST on getting the room we reserved b/c they tried to put us facing a parking lot; and 2)the restaurant that we had to make reservations for, smelled musty the night we ate; and 3)they say premium alcohol, but the wine was only merlot, cabarnet and chardonnay and it was not premium!At the time, I wanted pinot noir...nope! LOVED the swim up pool bar...and the bar closer to the beach...never saw the bugs everyone talked about; maybe b/c I used "Off" at night. The snorkeling trip was okay...but we all got stung several times by jellyfish (and it rained a little)and our boat had issues getting started. I didn't like the food on that trip either. We did have fun though. Our room was clean and nice. Our bed was huge and comfy...I liked ordering coffee and fruit to be delivered each morning so I could get my caffeine on before seeing anyone.
My hubbie and I went to Couples Negril.. (thats in Jamaica)...and loved it... I don't know about bring the kids or not if they accommodate for that... but I think they do... it is great experience.. I loved it there …my family actually owns a hotel down the road from Couples and Sandals Negril... called Footprints…
Hi G.,
All-Inclusives are fantastic! If you are taking the kids, I highly recommend Club Med. They have a lot of great programs for the children including dance parties and movie nights. Beaches is really nice too. If you are just looking at going to the Bahamas, Atlantis has an all-inclusive option and is fun because they have a see-through water slide that goes through an actual fish aquarium! Going to an all-inclusive resort definitely helps you to relax because you just do what you want and unless you are going on extra excursions that aren't included or buying souvenirs, you are all set!
Bon Voyage!
S.
Hello G., My mom got re-married and her and her new husband went to the all-inclusive resort in Jamacia. It was sandals resort. They loved it and they actually have been back there three times since they have been married. They have been married 6 years now. They are also thinking about taking my husband and i, plus my other siblings there as well. They loves Sandals resort and recommend it to anyone.
My husband and I went to Sandals in Negril (Jamaica) for our honeymoon and we had a lot of fun... the place is very nice and there are a lot of activities to do, but that is mostly for couples. However, next door to it they had beaches (which is for children) and it looked pretty cool too!!!!
Hope this helps
G.,
My husband and I fell in love with Jamaica. We went to Sandals in Montego Bay. It was wonderful. The food, service and activities were wonderful. We went on a day trip to Negril and had lunch at the Sandals there (included in the all inclusive. We went on a day trip to Ochos Rios (Falls) and had lunch at the sandals there. We plan to go again someday. We did go back for our 1 year anniversary but we stayed at Breezes in Montego Bay. It ws nice and all inclusive but it was an adult resort not couples so we ran into college spring breakers. The food was still good just the room was smaller but it was cheaper. We went on a day trip in the mountains that time to visit a plantation. Beaches is the family version of Sandals and I have heard good things. I hope you have a wonderful wherever you decide to go.
Hi G. ~
I've been to Sandals in Jamaica twice and also the one in St. Lucia. LOVED them. The all-inclusive resorts are really great and the way to go...pay upfront based on your room category and time of year, then eat, drink and play until your heart is content! Tipping is not even allowed. Sandals is for couples only, and it's sister company, Beaches, is for families. Are you in the Jacksonville area? The travel agent I use is very knowledgeable with these resorts and set everything up for us and a group of friends when we went. Let me know...
Good Morning, G.~ My husband and I went to an all-inclusive on our honeymoon in Jamaica. It was wonderful, but there are some things I wish we would have done differently. It wasn't a Sandals and was very secluded. Since we were newlyweds, I thought that would be great, however, I really wish we would have gone to a Sandals so we could have been around more people. The resort we went to was a little on the upscale side and even though they said "all inclusive", they still expected to be tipped. From what I understand the Sandals resorts literally tell you not to carry your wallet. We were unprepared for this and it ended up hurting a little when we got back home. All in all I highly recommend an all inclusive especially because you are safer in that environment than if you were in a random hotel outside of the United States. Hope you have fun!
G.,
My husband and I did an all-inclusive in Jamaica and it was FANTASTIC. I highly recommend it. You don't have to leave the resort unless you want to, but we did. We opted for a group outing that cost us about $100 per couple but it was fun. As for the resort, they had several nice restaurants on the property, plenty of activities, and the people were AWESOME! I hope you enjoy your trip, wherever you go.
Hi, we have been to Sandals Montego Bay and it was awesme. We have also been to Beaches in Negril and it was terrible, don't waste your money! However, we went to Beaches Turks and Caicos and it was totally awesome! Take a trip to Turks with the kids and enjoy! :-)
Hi G.,
I am not sure if you are wanting to take your little ones or not. I have not vacationed like that with my baby yet but have had an amazing experience with a place with just my husband and I. We went to Sandals St Lucia for our honeymoon six years ago. This trip was absolutly amazing! From the food, to the entertaiment, to the beaches, to the staff, I would reccommend this vacation to any couple!!! It was amazing! If you have any other questions about it let me know. Good luck and have fun! (I am 9 months pregnant so a vacation to the caribians just my husband and I sounds to good to be true.)
Are you going with or without the kids? If you are going with the kids, I agree with the previous poster that Club Med is the way to go. They have a bunch of resorts in the Carribean and Mexico, although the really nice one for kids is in Ixtapa, which is on the west coast. They have a program that was designed for them by Crayola. I believe your kids would be separated, the 2 year old would be with 1-3 year-olds and the 5 year old would be with 4-11 year olds. We haven't gone, but some of my friends have and say it's wonderful. My goddaughter cried to leave! Plus they have included night-time babysitting, so you and your hubby get some alone time after dinner.
If you are not going with the kids... for god sakes girl, go do something a little more exciting! :-) My husband and I lived in Panama for a while, as well as Costa Rica, but if you want to stay in the Carribean: Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and Grand Cayman are lovely. Curacao and Grenada are really cool, and I've heard that Trinidad/Tobago is amazing. I've also heard that Aruba is just beautiful. The cool thing about more distant locales in the Carribean (distant being closer to Venezuela than the US) is the really unique combinations of African and Latin American cultures. So, if it's just you and your hubby, I say go someplace really exotic and romantic. You could try the Thorn Tree at Lonely Planet's website to get some ideas and suggestions from well-seasoned travelers! Hope you have a GREAT time, wherever you go!
I have been to Sandals in St. Lucia, Beaches in Jamaica (Negril), and the Grand Palladium Hotel, Maya Riviera, Mexico. We absolutely LOVE the all-inclusives. Mexico and St. Lucia were just my husband and I (Sandals is adults only) but Beaches in Jamaica we took our 11-year old daughter. She loved it. The Beaches Negril resort was outstanding and we had wonderful service. We met a family with another 11 year old girl, and 8 year old boy and a 5 year old boy. The 5 year old really enjoyed the kids club they had but the older two kids weren't too thrilled about it. I would think your kids would enjoy it being younger. The staff was outstanding and always made accommodations for the little ones we saw around. Our experiences with the all-inclusives have always been great. We are already talking about trying out the Beaches Turks Caicos next, but we have to wait this summer since I am due with a little boy in June. Have fun planning!
My brother in law is a travel agent and he said Sandals (and one other but can't remember) were the only true all inclusives - and I have to add this was 10 years ago so I am sure things may have changed. But if you are looking for the Carribean, my hubby and I did do Sandals for our honeymoon and it was great. The only thing we had to pay for was any excursions we took away from the hotel. It was a real all inclusive - drinks and all - even alchohalic beverages. The one we went to was for couples only but they do have Sandals Beaches which allow families. Have fun!!
S.
Hi, G.! My husband and I have done all-inclusives, but we've never done one with our daughter. We have had great experiences. It's nice to have everything paid for before you go and not have to worry about money while you're there. Our first was Sandals - Montego Bay, Jamaica and WE LOVED IT. We went to Beaches (Bahamas, I think) and were not impressed. We went to Secrets in Riviera Maya, Mexico and LOVED it also. There was talk when we were there (almost 2 years ago)about that resort being sold, so I'm not sure if it was or not. Hope this helps! Also, when your request popped up, it said you're in the Valdosta area and you have a 5.5 year old girl. I'm just wondering where you live. We moved to Valdosta about 6 months ago, and I don't know a lot of people. I have a 6 year old daughter and would like to find Moms with similar intersts to me and playdates for my daughter.
We went to Sandals as a couple and loved it. You can't take kids to Sandals, but their sister resort, Beaches, I think allows children. I have never been to Beaches, but we took our son when he was young to Club Med (I know, I always thought Club Med was pricey and too fancy, but it was actaully very reasonable and nice). They have a wonderful Children's program with tons of stuff for the little ones to do supervised, while you an your husband enjoy some alone time, they even had evening activities for the kids so the parents could have dinner and a show together. Also, they had lots of family activities and tons of stuff we could participate in with the kids. It was truly a family resort, and there were tons of kids there.
