This is an unfair request, I suppose, but I need help in choosing a Caribbean spot for a few days R&R in February. I’ve never been anywhere in the region, so am pretty much a blank page.
We don’t want to do a ton of moving around and would like a relaxing place to thaw a bit. Bonus points if there are natural/historic/architectural spots to do a little sight-seeing.
Where have you guys had good experiences?
There are lots of abandoned sugar mills! LOL
That’s an inside joke because every island advertises these things like their historical sites but they’re just a pile of rocks.
How about St. John’s? Has it all
Big fan of Anguilla. I have been several times. Great beaches, great people, and very good food. Not the most interesting island geologically, but the quality and variety of the beaches is unparalleled. There are many chic resorts as well as smaller hotels and airbnbs. Hard to go wrong.
We go to Aruba every year. The weather is excellent, Eagle Beach is perfect, the people are friendly, and you can drink the water. There are not a lot of the historic sites, but it should be enough to amuse you.
The ABC islands are hard to beat. Bonaire had some of the best diving I’ve seen.
Love the Caymans! Going there next month
Honestly, I’ve been to many, but anymore I just go to Puerto Rico. We usually go to Rincon area. Close to Rincon is the historic city of San Germán. Probably have to fly in and out of San Juan, so might as well stop and see Old San Juan too. Playa Punta Borinquen is gorgeous. The islands on the opposite coast are the start of the Virgin Island chain and love Culebra but the ferry is a bit of a hassle to get there. Other favorite spots are Río Camuy, Charco El Hippie on the south side of El Yunque National Forest, and the Bahía Bioluminescent Bay.
This is all great stuff, guys. Making notes!
Our favorite is St Croix. Lots of historical sites there. Very laid back
My favorite place for decompression (40 years ago when I lived in South Florida) was Great Exuma, Bahamas. Not easy to get too. The only thing you could buy back then was liquor and wicker. I’m sure there is much more that you can do now. Stocking Island was off the coast accessible by ferry with empty, beautiful beaches. I used to stay at the Peace and Plenty, a small resort with a couple of dozen rooms. I’m sure much has changed, but the island had great meaning to me
Golf? Snorkel/scuba? Budget?? Also your departing airport/airline might dictate/deter destinations if looking for ease of travel.
How is St. Martin?
This might help
Two different vibes
Dutch side is more the time share group with some nicer resorts too.
French side has a real European feel
We have been going for over a dozen years in a row. Hurricane in 17, so skipped 18. They have rebuilding but are back at full strength. We stay in Grand Case on the French side
I would say to do your research to find the right vibe for you
Thank you.
We rented a Terres Basses villa with sailboat racing friends.
Supposedly in a gated and patrolled neighborhood.
Best ideas for sun protection? Thank you.
Grand case on the French Side of St. Martin. Very relaxed spot, great food, lovely beaches, and you don’t need a car. Grand Case Beach Club is a half mile from the center of town and an absolute gem of a property. Full disclosure I own a unit at the Beach Club.
That’s pretty secluded out there and almost 100 % villas. No commercial stuff there. Although on the French Side, it is much closer to the Dutch areas near the airport, Maho and Simpson. We mostly keep to the north end, Grand Case, Orient and Anse Marcel
We rented a car.
I passed through the St. Maarten airport (SXM) on the way to Anguilla just a few weeks ago. The airport is still under construction from the damage Hurricane Irma inflicted six years ago. The situation wasn’t so bad on arrival, but it was totally chaotic on departure. Check-in took forever, and it was impossibly crowded at the gates. Also the food ran very low at the handful of vendors in the airport and people were cranky about it. Btw I went to Anguilla this same way in 2018, and at that time SXM was an outdoor airport!