Murox or anyone...Caribbean travel

[GK4Herd]

I'm thinking about taking my family on a vacation in the Caribbean this summer. I know Rox goes to Mexico a lot and that is an option, but what are my best options for places and reasonable prices for both airfare and lodging? I'm willing to drive to Columbus, Cincy, Pittsburgh, etc. if it gives me significant savings on airfare (I would be taking four people total so it adds up).

I've gone through all of the sites researching this but there's way too much info. I thought I'd ask for some advice from anyone who's done this a lot. Any info is appreciated. My two youngest will be 21 and 18 years old by the way so not children.

 

[herdit44]

My two youngest will be 21 and 18 years old by the way so not children.

good thing rifle is no longer here.

 

[GK4Herd]

good thing rifle is no longer here.

I've already gone through the rifle comments over the years for my oldest two daughters. I kind of miss him. Lol.

 

[GreenDuke]

Take a look at Columbia, I'm serious. My son just vacationed there and really liked the country. It's not Costa Rica but a nice change of pace.

 

[GK4Herd]

Take a look at Columbia, I'm serious. My son just vacationed there and really liked the country. It's not Costa Rica but a nice change of pace.

I've been to Belize and Honduras but haven't been to South America. I've always wanted to go to Machu Picchu in Peru. I'll check it out.

 

[HerdFan76]

What part of Belize? I've been to Placencia three times and love it.

 

[Herd Fever]

Use Vacationexpress.com to get some real good deals.

As far as spots,

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico,
Punta Cana, DR,
Negril or Ocha Rios Jamaica
Costa Rica and Belize is also nice

 

[Herd Fever]

You can get Airfare and hotel as 1 flat rate at Vacationexpress.com

 

[andy4theherd]

Belize, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan (if you get away from the poverty cities where the cruise ships dock)

 

[GK4Herd]

What part of Belize? I've been to Placencia three times and love it.

Belize City. Went on a tour of a Mayan site at Laminai so I was back in the rain forest a bit. Took several hours by boat to get to it.

 

[GK4Herd]

Belize, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan (if you get away from the poverty cities where the cruise ships dock)

I've been to Roatan. I mean...yeah...that was a beautiful beach.

 

[Herd Fever]

Antigua has the pink sand beaches and it's not that expensive there

 

[herdfan06]

Take a look at Columbia, I'm serious. My son just vacationed there and really liked the country. It's not Costa Rica but a nice change of pace.

Columbia, Pa?

 

[andy4theherd]

I've been to Roatan. I mean...yeah...that was a beautiful beach.

the beach at the Mayan ruins in Cozumel is one of the coolest places I have ever been.

 

[herdfan06]

I've been to Belize and Honduras but haven't been to South America. I've always wanted to go to Machu Picchu in Peru. I'll check it out.

Make sure you do not attempt to take pictures of the airport in Lima, they get a little antsy.

 

[Herd Fever]

the beach at the Mayan ruins in Cozumel is one of the coolest places I have ever been.

That looks like Tulum not Cozumel.

And if your thinking about staying in Cozumel you might as well stay in Playa del Carmen it's right across the channel

 

[andy4theherd]

That looks like Tulum not Cozumel.

And your think about Cozumel you might as well stay in Playa del Carmen

you're right. went there on honeymoon 11 years ago...

 

[i am herdman]

Save yourself some money. Here is my advice. Take them to Florida. Damn near the same weather. Go to the gulf side if they bitch about white sand beaches. Florida is like a different country but still with us protection. Not likely to be kidnapped. If you want to hear all the jobber jabber of a different language or languages all.in one day go to Orlando.

Florida is like a different country in the usa. Take the cheap allegiant flight out of huntington.

As a last resort take them to miami. But you are going to drop more money.

I don't understand the appeal of going to stay in a third world shit hole at the Marriott there. A beach is pretty much a beach. I have seen them all for the most part. Plus at least in florida you can do a hell of a lot more.

 

[herdfan06]

I don't understand the appeal of going to stay in a third world shit hole at the Marriott there. A beach is pretty much a beach. I have seen them all for the most part. Plus at least in florida you can do a hell of a lot more.

Some would argue Florida is a third world shit hole.

 

[i am herdman]

Some would argue Florida is a third world shit hole.

True but with modern conviences.

 

[HerdFan76]

Belize City. Went on a tour of a Mayan site at Laminai so I was back in the rain forest a bit. Took several hours by boat to get to it.

Belize City is probably the worst area in the country. Places like Ambergris Caye and Caye Chaulker are more for deep sea fishing and SCUBA trips while Placencia is more of a beach vibe. There are a ton of day adventures to do so it doesn't get boring laying on a beach for a week. I did a few Mayan ruin tours, explored a cave river that still had bones and pottery from the Mayans. The snorkeling is some of the best in the world. I stayed at Roberts Grove twice and Millers Landing once. Millers is more rustic and inexpensive but still clean and comfortable. Roberts Grove is one of the nicer places in the area. Great food and plenty of space to spread out. Absolutely recommend both.

 

[GK4Herd]

I was on a cruise and Belize City was the port. Didn't stay there. And yes...that place was 3rd world.

 

[i am herdman]

Where did you go.in honduras?

 

[GK4Herd]

Roatan Bay so I never really been on the mainland.

 

[19MU88]

Aruba! Stay at end of Island with several marriot properties and Ritz

 

[Herd Fever]

Save yourself some money. Here is my advice. Take them to Florida. Damn near the same weather. Go to the gulf side if they bitch about white sand beaches. Florida is like a different country but still with us protection. Not likely to be kidnapped. If you want to hear all the jobber jabber of a different language or languages all.in one day go to Orlando.

Florida is like a different country in the usa. Take the cheap allegiant flight out of huntington.

As a last resort take them to miami. But you are going to drop more money.

I don't understand the appeal of going to stay in a third world shit hole at the Marriott there. A beach is pretty much a beach. I have seen them all for the most part. Plus at least in florida you can do a hell of a lot more.

Spoken like a true redneck

 

[GK4Herd]

I'd be interested in ballpark price ranges for a week's stay in some of these places.

 

[HerdFan76]

I've always spent less than 4k total for 2 adults including flights. That's in the off season though. I usually go between late October and January.

 

[Rock98Dog]

Puerto Rico could use your tourism dollars. It's US territory, Old San Juan with great history and shopping district, the only rainforest on US soil, the bioluminescent bay, and some really nice resorts.

 

[Rock98Dog]

I'd be interested in ballpark price ranges for a week's stay in some of these places.

You can go first class resort for $2,500 a person all in. Most places you can do for $1,500 to $2,000 for a very nice place.

I would back up herdman and say it really is just as nice at Destin/Okaloosa Island in Florida. Great beaches and water, plenty of activities and dining options, just don't go in July.

 

[HerdFan76]

the bioluminescent bay

Is that like the glowing plankton "sand" in the Maldives?

 

[GK4Herd]

Columbia, Pa?

My father was born and raised in Columbia Pa. Across the Susquehanna from Wrightsville just downwind from Three Mile Island. When they had the scare we almost got a houseful of relatives. You from near there?

 

[murox]

I'm thinking about taking my family on a vacation in the Caribbean this summer. I know Rox goes to Mexico a lot and that is an option, but what are my best options for places and reasonable prices for both airfare and lodging? I'm willing to drive to Columbus, Cincy, Pittsburgh, etc. if it gives me significant savings on airfare (I would be taking four people total so it adds up).

I've gone through all of the sites researching this but there's way too much info. I thought I'd ask for some advice from anyone who's done this a lot. Any info is appreciated. My two youngest will be 21 and 18 years old by the way so not children.

For the past 3-4 years we've stuck with one brand (Iberostar Grand) and visited their various properties. We like the one in Playa Paraiso, Mexico the best, so we go there most often. IMO you can't beat the Iberostar Grand Paraiso. There are 5 properties on a HUGE complex, and staying at the Grand gives you access to all the other resorts, so your daughters could go to the pools/beach at other resorts which are a little more lively and a younger crowd. The downside to those resorts are the small kids, which aren't allowed at the Grand.

In winter months double occupancy is about $1000/night plus airfare. It's considerably cheaper in the summer. Maybe $400-500/night? Airfare from CRW is usually $500-600 or so round trip.

Jamaica is nice and has better water, but the beaches aren't as nice. Turks and Caicos has the best beach/water I've ever been to, but it's boring. It's a vacation for relaxation only, IMO. Aruba is nice, but way too windy. Trade winds there are so strong it becomes an annoyance. It's also hot as hell there in the summer. It's the best place to go in dead of winter when you want to guarantee 85+ degree weather.

I don't mind to go into more detail about any of the places I listed or the resorts I stayed at in each location. Just let me know.

 

[i am herdman]

Where did you go.in honduras?

I have been to Tegucigalpa amd then in the western part of the country closer to the Pacific side then north into the mountains closer to El salavador.

 

[i am herdman]

Spoken like a true redneck

Whatever. Went to the almafi coast of Italy and that was it for me at that point. Done with that kind of travel

There is too much to do in this country. I could see the appeal of going to Europe for sight seeing and historical perspective. But not to go sit on a beach somewhere in a big hotel. Not my cup of tea. I can go to Destin florida to do that

 

[herdfan06]

My father was born and raised in Columbia Pa. Across the Susquehanna from Wrightsville just downwind from Three Mile Island. When they had the scare we almost got a houseful of relatives. You from near there?

I am from Harrisburg, which is not too far from Columbia/Wrightsville. Wrightsville is just downwind from TMI, it does however fall outside of the evacuation zone.

 

[herdfan06]

Aruba! Stay at end of Island with several marriot properties and Ritz

The Hyatt Regency is pretty nice.

 

[Walden Pond]

Spoken like a true redneck

Hell yeah. I'll admit it. If I wanted a beach, I'd just shine a flashlight in my eyes and throw hot water on myself. There we go, beach is done.

A cooler full of Big K, a tank full of gas and a day off work is vacation enough.

 

[Rock98Dog]

Is that like the glowing plankton "sand" in the Maldives?

http://www.biobay.com

That's not the one we did, ours was a kayak trip through the mangroves. It's not like they just glow all the time, but when the water is disturbed it just lights up wherever it is touched.

 

[Rock98Dog]

just Google up images for it. Pretty cool.