....and assuming Aruba is you favorite destination, what is you second favorite island? And why?

My wife and I have been to Aruba 3-times in the last 4-years and might visit another island in '06 just as a change-up. (This decision has absolutely NOTHING to do with the missing girl.) Would love some suggestions.

We will be back to Aruba. Many, many, many times. We just need some contrast.

Thanks folks!

Mark

I've been to 13 other islands....none compare, but Grenada is very beautiful and the people very warm, however there is alot of poverty that is hard to look at, it breaks my heart....spices that you can buy there fresh, unlike anything you have EVER SEEN !!!!
Belize and Costa Rica are to die for and haven't been ruined by hotel and fast food explosions. You've got it all in those 2 countries....beach and ocean, rain forests and mountain for hiking and white water rafting....pristine and beautiful and the people are super friendly....!!!! I'm going back there next year, one trip to Aruba and the second trip of the year will be Belize.
St. Maarten the Dutch side is very nice....good beaches and fantastic shopping.
Cayman Islands...whew ! People think Aruba is expensive, Aruba has nothing on the Caymen's...EXPENSIVE....good scuba diving
Bonaire.....go there only is your devoted scuba divers.....the MOST FANTASTIC marine life in the Carribean, but a very small downtown and a very sleepy laid back island......it's Dutch, safe but geared towards scuba diving, wind surfing and kite sailing.....if you go Loc Bay is the hot hot hot spot, specially on Sunday's...


Islands I will NEVER go back to:

Jamaica
Bahamas
Saba (Beautiful sister Dutch Island to Aruba, but NO BEACHES, it's cone shape striaght out of the ocean, plus the flight in and out of there is NOT for the faint of heart, very scary !!!!)
U.S. Virgin Islands....crime ridden havens....my younger brother was severly beated and robbed in St. Criox. Every year it's a toss up between the USVI's and Jamaica for the most crimes against tourists in the Caribbean.

I meant to say "I've been to 13 other islands, but none compare to Aruba".....sorry for the typo.

Mark - I haven't been anywhere else but Bermuda, but reports from friends and family is - St. Maarten is fantastic - great beach, food, resorts and shopping (and very little rain). Bahamas - All bad reports - resorts OK, weather can be terrible, not much to do.

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I've been to the Bahamas (Freeport in 94, Nassau in 97), and stopped at several other places on a cruise ship in 1976 (boy, was THAT a long time ago). I think Freeport/Grand Bahamas Island has improved since then, but I went in Jan., and the weather was lousy--cool and windy, hardly could sit on the beach, and couldn't use watersports. Stayed in Paradise Island in Oct 97 for 10 days. After two days, I'd seen everything on PI and in Nassau. Very windy, because of tropical storms in FL. Beaches very crowded (Atlantis to Sheraton). Both places, pestered by people on beaches selling stuff, wanting to braid your hair. I realize those people need to make a living, but it turned me off. I bought my Aruba time share on my first visit last Oct, and have used the lock-off in my unit last month. I was going to trade my master-suite portion, but am going back in Nov. After reading about the other islands, there aren't too many I would trade for. Considering taking the preview deal for the Marriott on St. Thomas, but after reading bad reviews on the hotel, crime on the island, etc., I'm glad they lost my reservation and my credit card wasn't charged. For the same airfare and time ($600 or so, 6 hrs), I can get to Aruba, so why bother with the USVI? St. Maarten is a place I liked to go to. I stopped at Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Thomas and Caracas on the cruise in 76; I think I'd like to go to Barbados, but hotels are very expensive and the timeshare properties don't have very good reviews.

I have only been to Puerto Rico---is that considered Caribbean? Anyway I did not feel safe there & it felt like being in a Foreign Country. Whereas Aruba did not. I loved Hawaii but even Hawaii felt foreign to me. I can't imagine anywhere that I would be as comfortable & feel as safe as I do in Aruba. From what I have heard about other Caribbean islands (crime, expense etc) I really do not have any desire to visit any of them.

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We ARUBA!!
January 18 - February 5, 2007
CAN'T WAIT!!!!



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Naturally Aruba is my fave, but I would put Barbados a pretty close 2nd. I had the fortune to go there with a friend who had a relative staying there, so we basically had a tourguide for a week. It was nearly 20 yrs ago, so I suppose much may have changed, but to me it was the prototypical Caribbean island: tropical, slow pace, friendly locals, great weather, and far far away from USA.

Bahamas has great fishing and crystal clear water, but the inland scenery is barely so-so and the locals are nags for selling you something or braiding your hair. Similar with Jamaica - it's very lush and beautiful, but too dangerous and the locals are threateningly bothersome. Puerto Rico is beautiful, nice rain forest and lots of lush stuff inland, but didn't feel very friendly.

I almost forgot, the most recent island we visited - Isle of Capri in Italy. Very much an instant favorite, I'll call it our #1a. Very expensive and a bit too crowded in the popular spots, but ridiculously beautiful and very interesting history.

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I've been to all of them, and Bermuda is the only other place other than Aruba that I would return to. The rest of the islands just don't feel safe and clean enough for me. I'm very spoiled I guess!!

Two places I would revisit is Bermuda (beautiful) and St. Lucia (romantic resort -Rendezvous sp?). Haven't been to Bahamas in years but we liked it enough to go four times. We had a great time in the Dominican Republic (totally different than anywhere we had been) but once was enough. We didn't like Barbados, Martinique or Jamaica. We also traveled to other islands by cruises (4 in total and next week will be five). Those were always a good experieince, if you pick the right cruise ship. We would like to try Costa Rica one day, we have heard all great things about it from people who have visited.

We also did the nine day to Bermuda last summer and it was great. The island is small so you spend most of your time in Bermuda and not rushing and hopping from one island to another. If you are thinking about cruises a great board for information is cruisecritic.com. Good luck!

Antigua is beautiful. Very peacful and serene island. Great if you want a relaxing getaway. So far my fave in the Caribbean next to Aruba.

Was just in Barbados, scared the heck outta me. Walked around the main part of town shopping, couldn't wait to get out. I walked back to the ship as I didn't even trust getting in a taxi alone. Locals are VERY intimidating IMO.

Jamaica is beautiful. Resorts in Negril especially. Crime is on every island and Jamaica is no exception. But with the all inclusive resorts, there is no need to leave your resort unless you are taking a sightseeing tour. And you are with a group then so there would really be no need for you to wander off alone. I've never had a problem with Jamaica, and folks who stay away out of fear have no idea what you are missing. Don't stay in MBJ area though...right near the airport, way too noisy for me.

St Lucia was pretty, the Hawaii of the Caribbean I call it. Very lush and tropical.

Bermuda is very pretty. Not alot of all inclusive options and many of the resorts are not directly on the beach. But still a great island. Just don't bother visiting in the fall or winter time.

Nassau in the Bahamas is fun. I've seen the locals walking around trying to sell things and what not, but never an overwhelming amount of them. Never had a problem personally. I like the Cable Beach area over Paradise Island. Atlantis is totally overrated in my opinion.

Dominican Republic is a very poor island. Resorts are beautiful, but not alot to do outside the resorts. And it's kind of depressing driving through from the airport to the hotel. But great beaches!!
Each island really has it's own personality. Depends what type of vacation you are looking for. Some have more to do than others, some have nicer beaches than others etc.

I agree Jamaica is beautiful, but I absolutely will not go back to an island or country where I can not go exploring with my boyfriend on our own. ! I love to experience the island and get AWAY from all the americans at the resorts...this is why I travel abraod to experience other cultures and cusines and you can't do that staying on Jamaic'a hotels grounds....it's sad crime is so prevalent there....
In Aruba you can go anywhere's by yourself and never feel and fear.....that's my kinda vacation.

I agree with you Barbados.....locals were NOT friendly and they pestered us to buy buy buy stuff !

Martinique is a place I would return to. Great beaches and lots to see. Great for shopping as well. Felt safe on the island.

Nice to see you back here, Island Girl!

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Obviously much has changed in the 20 yrs since I was there. On top of that I was staying with a local, so probably had an easier time of it.

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Cancun, Mexico - Beautiful beach and I felt it comparable to Aruba's beach. Good food but was busy with a wild 'younger' crowd. We enjoyed the shopping but disappointed no casino's. Lots of party night life (which is okay too!)

Jamacia - 2 visits and that's enough. Stayed in Montego Bay. Hasseled constantly for beads in the hair. Drove us nuts. Beautiful lush green island but the poverty is sad and harassment to buy is annoying. Loved the river raft ride though. Very romantic and hubby loved the stop along the river for a beer refill (yeah, he's not so romantic lol). Nigril has a beautiful beach and you can walk for miles and miles except we were constantly approached to purchase illegal ciggies. Felt safe, just pestered enough to ruin our vacation.

Dominican - We loved it and went 3 consecutive years. Not much hassel to buy but not much to do either. We did not feel safe travelling outside the 'resort gates' which where (at the time) patrolled by armed guards. Enjoyed the resort (Paradise Resort & Casino) and the staff was very nice. Power went out every night for about an hour - but this was about 10 years ago.

St. Petersburg - My parents took me and my brothers to Disney when I was 12 years old. I remember going on some Under the Sea ride (or something like that!) and was amazed and in awe of all of the fish I saw. I spent weeks talking about it. I went back again in my 20's only to do the same ride to see the strings attached to rubber fish! Crushed my entire 12 year old memories and just can't bare to go back LOL I won't go into detail either about how my feet did not touch the water as I ran from a sting ray who came a little too close.

It is very hard now to NOT go to Aruba. It's been 7 years now of going and we just can't see ourselves going anywhere else feeling full with food, happy with cocktails, guarantee golden tan, safe to go anywhere we want, the love of gambling and visiting the friends we have met there. We can't think of another place to go although each year when planning vacation we look at other islands but nothing can guarantee the perfect vacation in Aruba. It's 5 1/2 hour flight and for a person who is scared of flying --- it is worth it.

Places I have been to in the Caribbean


Anguilla-the beaches are out of this World, Anguilla is what Aruba use to be prior to mass tourism. Anguilla has something similar to Aruba the scenery, flat and beautiful beaches. It is an upcomming exclusive destination in the Caribbean. Again those beaches are amazing, nothing much to do on the island. If you are only a beach person and want quietness Anguilla is the place.

St. Maarten-St. Maarten is interesting in that you have the Dutch and French side on a small island and both sides are different. The Dutch side is more cosmopolitan, chaotic and fun filled, the french side is more laid back. I like St. Maarten and its contrast.

Puerto Rico-Beautiful country, that is one Caribbean country that you can call little America. Old San Juan is very nice. However in the hotel district you will see security guards with machine guns and police constantly patrolling, so it gives you an impression of crime.

El Yunque rain forest was breathtaking. We drove from San Juan in the north to Ponce in the south and you could see the great contrast. The north is more lush and the south more arid like. The scenes from the highway are beautiful. We also went out at a nightclub called Club Egypt it was fun. I like Puerto Rico but it does not have that island feel, it has more of a big country feel with massive highways, subway, parking garages, strip malls, high-rises and so on.

Bahamas-Bahamas beaches are really out of this World especially the outer islands. Every island that makes up the Bahamas is different. Grand Bahama is ok. I expected more of Freeport, actually thought it would have a real downtown core. Lucaya resort was very nice with some good entertainment. Grand Bahama is looking very ripe for development. There are many 4 lane avenues with not much development on the side. So I guess they are getting ready for mass development. We also drove at West End and got to see how Bahamians live in Grand Bahama.

Harbour Island-that is one island you must visit when coming to the Bahamas. On Harbour island I really felt as if I was in the Caribbean. You can only reach the island by ferry boat from Nassau. I think it was a 2 hour boat ride. The majority of vehicles on harbour island are golf carts so you can ride all over the island with that. The beach on harbour island is the most beautiful I have ever seen, very wide white sand uncrowded and clear ocean water. All over harbour you smell the lush green scenery and spicy Caribbean food, johnny cake, chicken or fish. Delicious.

Nassau-Paradise Island-Nassau has its charm and its down side. It has potential to become a lovely Caribbean city on the other hand it is very chaotic traffic wise. There is not much nightlife and no great shopping to my taste. Paradise Island looks like an American city, a contrast to Nassau, very clean, well laid out and maintained.


Antigua & Barbuda- Antigua is a nice country again filled with that British Caribbean feel. Been there 3 times only in the Summer months when Carnival is held. There is the popular Carnival band called Burning Flames with some nice soca music. The last time I have been to Antigua was in 1992. But at that time St. John was dirty and there was poverty in many places. Some people had no water in their homes so they had go out in the street with buckets in their hands to get water from the pipe. The country side is lush with many hills. Antigua is a land of great contrast rich neighbourhoods and poor towns, clean areas and dirty areas.

Curacao-A nice country in its own. It is one small Caribbean island I really feel that is filled with lots of history. The capital of Willemstad is on the World heritage list and is interesting to explore the city and its many museums. The island is not as safe and as friendly as sister Aruba, but nevertheless worth a visit.

As you can see I try to enjoy every country very much, I love the Caribbean region because it is so diverse and offers different experiences to every taste. I am not hard person to satisfy .

I loved El Yunque - it was my first experience in a rain forest, and I couldn't get enough of it. I spent a week exploring the island, and finding hidden spots to fish (of course) and just relax. The southern coast was where I felt more like I was in the Carib...

I agree - we went there before we'd ever been to Aruba, and had mixed opinions of it. Very beautiful and interesting, but when we walked the streets of downtown, we didn't get a very warm feeling from the town or the locals.

Comparing anywhere to Aruba is an unfair challenge, especially the people.

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Thanks for all the replies. Very insightful....and helpful! We'll see what next year brings.

Mark

Mark: My wife and I own timeshares in Aruba and St. Maarten and have been going to both for about 13 years or so. When in Aruba, we like it better than St. Maarten. When in St. Maarten, we like it better than Aruba. Seriously though, I find them both enjoyable but different. The following are a few of my opinions on some factors you might consider when selecting an island for vacation.


Safety. We feel much more comfortable in Aruba than St. Maarten. Although we have never had a problem on either island, car break-ins are fairly common on St. Maarten and crime appears to be on the rise. Although we are careful on both islands, just as we are at home, we are more aware of the need to be careful on St. Maarten.


Locals. People are people. If you treat them with respect, they will do the same. Locals on both islands are generally good people, just like they are back here at home. If I had to choose between the islands, I would give Aruba the nod for friendly folks.


Transportation. Aruba wins hands down. Aruba’s public transportation is top notch. St. Maarten’s is the exact opposite. Driving in Aruba is a pleasure compared to St. Maarten. The roads are much better by far believe it or not, and traffic in St. Maarten is becoming a serious problem. You do not need to rent a car in Aruba. In St. Maarten, you really do need a car.


Weather. Both islands have great weather, but St. Maarten is more affected by hurricanes. Twice in the last 10 years, we have lost our weeks in St. Maarten due to hurricane damage at our timeshare. On both occasions, we switched plans and went for an extra week in Aruba. Not a bad alternative. Hurricane season is officially from June 1 to November 30. Odds are slim that one would affect your plans, but you do have to be aware of the possibility.


Restaurants. Although Aruba has some very good restaurants, I believe St. Maarten wins here. There is nothing like have a great b