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Which Caribbean Island is Best?

broodc2broodc2 member
First Comment
in Honeymoon Discussions

My fiance and I have never been to the carribean and plan to book our honeymoon there after our wedding in April of 2013.  A lot of the information on the internet about "which island is best for you" seems to be really biased based on the sponsor of the website or very outdated information.  So I defer to the knotties to give us the skinny on all of the various places to stay.  Our budget is pretty flexible and we are looking at everything from a rental on VRBO.com to 5 star AI.  So, based on the below criteria, which island would provide the most options for what we're looking for?  Thanks so much for all your help.

Here are the details of what we're looking for.  We look forward to your recommendations!

On an "activity" scale (1 being doing nothing but drinking and eating all day on a beach chair and 10 being a crazy all day tropical mountain hike, etc.) we're probably at a 4.  That is, light activity would be awesome.  So snorkeling, casual bike riding, etc.  I would actually love to do a fishing excursion.  Definitely lean towards the relaxing end of things though.  Second, on the "safety importance" scale (1 being unsafe, 10 like a vault) I think we're at an 8.  I know there is no guarantee of safety anywhere but we want to at least feel like we're really safe.  We're not too concerned with nightlife/clubbing, etc. Seclusion is high on the priority list as well.  We think all inclusive is a good choice and we really like the thought of having a private butler.  At first glance Antigua and Turks & Caicos looked appealing for what we're looking for but again, we're kind of clueless. 

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Re: Which Caribbean Island is Best?

  • alithebridealithebride member
    Name Dropper 5 Love Its First Anniversary First Answer
    there are a number of places that fit your criteria. fishing, snorkeling, light physically active stuff fits probably 90% of the caribbean. st john came to mind immediately but there are no AIs on the island. the snorkelings great and there are hiking trails that go through out the beaches and there are good bike riding areas as well. there are places to rent on the island.

    others that fit: curacao, riviera maya, tulum, playa del carmen and cancun mexico, aruba, st lucia, st kitts, barbados....you see what I mean. with an AI though you might not get the seclusion that you want as far as from other travelers.

    i suggest that you visit your local library and take out as many books as ou can about the islands and read them and see which appeals to you most. you can also adk family and friends for a TA rec and speak to them with more specifc needs and they should be able to help you out.

     

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  • WVgalinNYCWVgalinNYC
    First Comment

    Turks and Caicos is really nice but there isn't much to do outside of sitting and relaxing on the beach.  We stayed at Beaches and while it is really nice and perfect for what we were looking for, it is not a honeymoon resort.
    We loved our trip to St. Lucia.  The beach is amazing there and there is tons of stuff to do off the resort if you ever want to escape for a little bit.
    (Our friends just did St. Lucia and stayed half their time at Ladera and half at a Sandals.  I know they really enjoy splitting the time up like that.)

    You should work with a travel agent.  They can go over all different kinds of options with you.  I have a really great one (based out of DC, I'm in NYC so we do everything on email/phone) that I can recommend if you'd like.  PM me if you want her info. 

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  • dazyabbeydazyabbey
    5 Love Its Name Dropper First Anniversary First Comment
    What is your budget too? That has a lot of effect on which islands you can go to.

    image
    06.09.2012

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  • Jen6862Jen6862 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    Turks & Caicos is very safe and has been recommend to me by several people.

    I just had a friend recommend the Beaches on Turks & Caicos and they loved it. They had one of the village huts--which would suite your privacy request.

    I'm looking at St. Maarten, the beaches aren't quite as nice as T&C, but they seem to have more activities.

    You won't find All-inclusive on all of the Caribbean islands so take that into account.

    People have also suggested St. Lucia as being the most scenic, but it seems too pricey for me.
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  • SummerBoston10SummerBoston10
    First Comment Combo Breaker First Anniversary
    Turks & Caicos is awesome and pretty much has everything you are looking for.  Great snorkeling, fishing excursions, safe, etc.  I would NOT recommend an AI in T&C.  There are a ton of great restaurants so being at an AI in T&C would be a waste.  Grace Bay Beach is AMAZING!  The water is clear and the sand is so soft. 

    We were there for a week in February and stayed at the Gansevoort.  It is a small property with wonderful service.  Breakfast is included and then we went out for dinner at a different restaurant each night.  We really liked the Gansevoort and I think it would be a great honeymoon spot.  Do not stay at Beaches for your honeymoon. We walked by, its not that nice and the beach is not nearly as nice as where the Gansevoort is. The West Bay Club which was right next door also looks nice. 

    Let me know if you want any more info about T&C.  It is our favorite island in the Caribbean thus far!
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  • lopezelilopezeli
    First Comment
    SummerBoston-
    Why do you not recommend an AI in Turks & Caicos? We are seriously considering going there for our honeymoon, but we definitely want to go the AI route. Thoughts?
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  • SummerBoston10SummerBoston10
    First Comment Combo Breaker First Anniversary
    Food and drinks at an AI are not that great and there are so many great restaurant options in T&C that it would be a waste to be "stuck" eating at your resort.  To me, there would be no point in going to an island like T&C to stick around an AI resort like beaches.  You can go to Jamaica, Dominican, Mexico, etc. and do that. 

    Just out of curiosity, why do you want an AI?  Like I said, our hotel came with a breakfast (fruit, breads, omlettes, etc.) so we didn't really ever eat lunch and then we went off our resort to a restaurant each night.  We live in Boston so are used to high end restaurants and the restaurants in T&C were really top notch.  You are never going to get a great food experience at an AI which is why I think that is a waste when you are in a place with such great dining options.

    Which AI would you be considering for your honeymoon in T&C? 
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  • broodc2broodc2 member
    First Comment
    I think for us, the draw of an AI is that we don't have worry about where to eat.  I also think it's helpful if you think about budgeting as a whole, including wedding budgeting.

    I'm not opposed to doing a non AI.  To be honest I think originally the AI option was appealing because of safety concerns outside of the resort.  That's partly why I asked about safety.  If T&C is generally and relatively safe outside of the resorts I think it would be fun to go into the town(s) and explore a little. 
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  • kbsmom1kbsmom1 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Comment Combo Breaker
    don't know you budget but we love Peter Island....it is an all inclusive but if you pay attention to different sites like Snique Away , you can get great discounts......its a private island, lots of activities.....smokel, sailing, day a private beach, sunset trip, bikes, hiking....also great food.....not big on drinking but have bar and bar service on beach and pool......can take other trips to close by island...St. Thomas, Tortola....catamaran trips to smaller islands...it is on the quiet side but really beautiful....mostly couples.....mostly honeymooners....also a spa
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  • SummerBoston10SummerBoston10
    First Comment Combo Breaker First Anniversary
    Brood - yes T&C is very safe so no need to stay on the resort.  That is why I said if you do an AI you may as well be in Mexico, Dominican, etc. (places where it isn't as safe to leave).  I get you on the budgeting aspect but I don't really think AI's are cheaper unless you really like to eat and drink a lot.....especially since the quality of the food and drink is sub-par at AIs.  We find that if we do non-AI we don't spend more and we also only eat/drink what we want instead of eating/drinking just because it is there and "free." 
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  • mwiederholdmwiederhold member
    First Comment
    edited March 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_which-caribbean-island-is-best?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:595da4c3-5e3a-44c5-8ea5-9aa3f1094675Post:4ff8f91d-b700-466e-b514-598b5d207ea4">Re: Which Caribbean Island is Best?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Food and drinks at an AI are not that great and there are so many great restaurant options in T&C that it would be a waste to be "stuck" eating at your resort.  To me, there would be no point in going to an island like T&C to stick around an AI resort like beaches.  You can go to Jamaica, Dominican, Mexico, etc. and do that.  Just out of curiosity, why do you want an AI?  Like I said, our hotel came with a breakfast (fruit, breads, omlettes, etc.) so we didn't really ever eat lunch and then we went off our resort to a restaurant each night.  We live in Boston so are used to high end restaurants and the restaurants in T&C were really top notch.  You are never going to get a great food experience at an AI which is why I think that is a waste when you are in a place with such great dining options. Which AI would you be considering for your honeymoon in T&C? 
    Posted by SummerBoston10[/QUOTE]

    Coming from a New York City native with high expectations for food, if you pick a good quality high-end AI like we did (Hard Rock Palace in DR - whcih had 14 restaurants) you will be satisfied, then again, if you're looking for 5 star, Nobu, Lugers quality you will not find that.  go with an AI resort that has ALOT of restaurants so you have more options.  FYI - its really great getting unlimited free room service, free unlimited mini-bar, pool bar and basically everything else already included without a monsterous bill at checkout.
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  • schweetiecschweetiec member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    Turks and Cacios only has 2 all inclusive resorts....just an FYI . I stayed at club med one time (to try the all inclusive and it SUCKED)

    We stayed at the regent palms twice...food is amazing, you can go to any restaurant in any resort (but make reservations and be advised its EXPENSIVE )

    If you guys are heavy drinkers and your looking to go all inclusive for that route I would suggest another island.

    Turks and Cacios is everything you described !! its beautiful , they have tours , the beaches are amazing, parts are secluded...I think you would love it on a honey moon . Extremely relaxed and peaceful. You dont want to stay at a resort next to children though. Thank the lord The regent is far down from 'beaches' theres another one too...we walked the beach nightly and as soon as you hit that resort line it goes from Nice beautiful sand to complete chaos and children going INSANE. NO JOKE LOL

    I posted a few pics here http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_anyone-honeymooned-in-turks-caicos
     and if you have any questions let me know. IM not a travel agent or expert but ive been three times.  :)
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  • schweetiecschweetiec member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    And I see a lot about safety ! (sorry for the double post) as with any country you want to be careful, but we had no problems. Three girls in their twenties ALONE riding in cabs at night , etc. walking the beach...we were fine. Its really quiet and very nice . The people are extremely generous.

    We went to the 'Casino' one night. (its a building prob as big as your house one room with slots and tables ) LOL thats as far as the' night life' and drinking goes after hours.

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  • Lisa50Lisa50 member
    5 Love Its Combo Breaker First Comment
    We've been to Antigua (Galley Bay, an all-inclusive) and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (The Somerset on Grace Bay).  Both islands are beautiful.  The staff and accomodations at both resorts are amazing! 

    But ... if I had to choose one over the other, I'd go with Turks and Caicos. The sand on the beach at Turks and Caicos feels like baby powder.  The island of Providenciales feels more luxurious, in some ways, than Antigua.  As well, we're big swimmers and, when walking back into shore from swimming, we found the rocky bottom in Antigua a bit uncomfortable.

    You'll enjoy both.  I agree with PP, Turks and Caicos has so many great restaurants, you'd not want to limit yourself to a single resort for your meals.  So, if you choose an all-inclusive there, budget for meals at other places.

    Good luck with your planning and have a wonderful honeymoon!
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