Gonzo911

Done everything in Mexico, Bahamas, Jamaica, Caymans. Not interested in Dominican Rep, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Virgin Islands or Aruba. Looking for somewhere new in the Eastern Caribbean. Thinking of Antigua or St Lucia. Open to suggestions. Must have a GREAT beach and good service. Casino not important. NO CRUISES!!! Going with my wife for 10 days. Any recommendations? Thanks!

jd02c2

Antigua is great fun and lots to do. Fairly easy to get around and great beaches. Good night life, restaurants, bars.

St Lucia is quiet and more relaxing than most of the other islands you listed. I have a family member who lives there and loves it. If you are into snorkeling/diving you can't go wrong there. You will find it full of Americans who have relocated to warmer climate but most of the island is not developed so it maintains a Caribbean feel. Not over developed like many others.

sjfehr

Western vice east, but my wife and I went to Belize last year, and it was fantastic. Way less commercial than Cozumel/Cancun; you can stay on one of the islands near the barrier reef for a tropical feel, then go inland and chill in the rainforest and see some spectacular mayan ruins. We did 7 days (2 nights on the coast and 4 nights in the jungle) and I wish I'd had more time. It's easy to avoid the places the cruise ship tours frequent.

Highlights: visiting the mayan city of caracol (massive complex) and being absolutely alone. There were only 3 other tourists there that day, and we only saw them once. Was an amazing experience. Visiting Actun Tunichil Muknal was a close second- 1 mile hike through the jungle, fording 3 waist-deep streams, the swimming into the flooded entrance of a cave and half-hiking/half-climbing a half mile up the underground stream, climbing a 50' cliff to a place where mayans performed human sacrifices- and the victims are still there, crystallized into the cave floor by the same process that creates stalagmites. Artifacts are just everywhere, it was really cool. The only thing between us and the artifacts was some tape on the ground marking a safe path so we didn't accidentally step on anything.

Gonzo911

Thanks everyone so far...thought I was posting in OT! All for the best since I trust 996'rs most of all...but Marc...you can move me over to the wacky forum.

Akshun

Turks and Caicos, expensive, but worth every penny.

alpine003

I second Turks and Caicos and Belize.

Another alternative if you are just looking to relax is Ixtapa or Puerto Vallarta. I'm not sure if its gotten more commercial or not since the last time I went but it was definitely less mainstream compared to Cozumel the last time I went.

hotelguy

Try the Four Seasons Nevis or the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman.

aviography

A friend and fellow Rennlister just came back from a trip in Turks and Caicos with his wife, pictures look nice, and they adopted a dog there that came to them from a local shelter to bring home too, a very different way of spending time on a vacation!

Gator996

I have been to every island down there and would only go back to three:

St. Kitts/St. Nevis
Anguilla
Barbados

Sneaky Pete

I vote Barbados

jpowers

Belize is amazing.

CDLVancouver

We love akumal in the maya. Going to check out tulum beaches and isla mujeres in a couple weeks. We use playa del carmen as our base and venture out. Cozumel is a day trip but not to hang out in town but rather to grab a jeep and head around the island and stop at all the beaches and beach bars. We are heading down to pdc for our 8th trip in 4 years there. Love pdc and the entire region. Dont care at all for cancun.
so for a relaxing Caribbean beach vacation id choose a nice condo in akumal or a nice small hotel on isla mujeres. check em out.

Bob Rouleau

Another vote for Providenciales Turks and Caicos - almost never rains. Full employment, no crime, great restaurants and Grace Bay beach is one of the worlds best. Pricey place however.

hotelguy

look i do this for a living...i know P

gerryh5

Go to Bali, Just got back, it was the best vacation ever.

Gerry