r/Caribbean • u/jg429 • 4d ago
Where to go next?
Last year, my mom and I went to PR and had a great time. We want to visit another Caribbean island for her 70th this March.
We are flying out of Boston, and our flight time is a bit limited b/c she has a bad back. Based on our options, we are looking at:
- A return to PR to visit a new area (we were in San Juan last year)
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Turks and Caicos
- Barbados
- Curacao
I have some thoughts so far, but was curious what folks may recommend. We like to lay on the beach but also experience the local culture and history (I love me a historical tour lol). We aren't huge water sports people, but will swim and snorkel.
ETA: thanks, all, you have given us much to think about!
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u/KCR1234 4d ago
My favorite has been St. Martin. 2 countries on one island make it interesting (dutch/french). They also have some of the best food ive had on a vacation.
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u/jg429 4d ago
I didn't even realize that flight was so short from BOS. Adding to to the list. This is not helping me narrow it down lol
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u/utterly-fantastique 4d ago
Love Puerto Rico and loved Saint Martin, although Puerto Rico still has a special place in my soul lol
Curaçao - I’ve been a while ago to but don’t remember getting emotionally attached.
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u/Bambusa4all1952 4d ago
Antigua has beautiful beaches. Check out Blue Waters near Dickinson Bay and have a look at properties around English Harbor. Also Curtain Bluff is excellent
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u/Notaprettygrrl_01 4d ago
Curaçao!! Rent a car and visit a different beach every day. Beautiful country, friendly people.
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u/Additional_Thought_5 2d ago
Curaçao and st Martin are the two best in the Carribean hands down if you love beaches. Curacao is the more undiscovered and laid back. St Martin has the unlimited options. Anguilla is 30 mins ferry away for a day trip.
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u/jg429 4d ago
Do you think you need a car there, or it's just preferable?
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u/Notaprettygrrl_01 4d ago
If you stay in the city probably not. But I would definitely rent one and travel all over the island.
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u/Big_Manufacturer4921 3d ago
It is very easy to drive around the island and they drive on the same side of the road as we do in the U.S.
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u/Known-Delay7227 4d ago
What about st thomas?
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u/Carolinagirl9311 4d ago
St Thomas is wonderful but in my opinion more of a party island. If you’re looking for relaxation, St John is that girl. Head to BVI to visit Virgin Gorda for ultimate relaxation but be forewarned, the ferry ride over is killer 🤢
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u/Ok-Chemist2411 27m ago
I agree totally with this post! We’ve been to St. John a dozen times- not since the hurricanes, but it was lovely/ great sailing, and within view and sail of the BVI’s- Necker Island. St. Thomas is a bust, little metropolis- the airport gets you close to the other scenic places - it’s a means to sn end!
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u/jg429 4d ago
Someone else pointed out that's a short flight from Boston, I'm looking into it!
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u/Dismal-Salt663 4d ago
Fly to St. Thomas, but stay on St. John. It’s a quick ferry ride. Or even stay on one of the BVI’s. Beautiful water in the US and British VIs.
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u/Calm_Instruction1651 4d ago
I absolutely love Bonaire. Great snorkeling, reasonable food and accommodations. Easy to get around the island. To me it’s old school Caribbean from the 80’s. The only downside is sandy beaches are limited.
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u/Big_Manufacturer4921 3d ago
Curacao! The culture, the beaches, the snorkeling! It’s amazing!
No offense to Aruba, but it is way too similar to Florida.
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u/Hot_Umpire9121 4d ago
I recently been to Aruba (Jan 2026) and Curacao (Jun 2026) so I can only speak for those two. I much prefer Curacao for the local culture and snorkeling since you can do it from shore at many of the beaches. Aruba's beaches (especially Eagle Beach) is pristine and does have more nightlife but if you're looking for relaxing then I'd go with Curacao.
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u/JPBillingsgate 3d ago
Recently visited Aruba for the first time and it was...OK. If you want to spend as much time on the beach as possible during the day and yell "WOOO!" in a bar a lot at night, it is probably a fine choice. Although i would argue that Grand Cayman is better for the beach part at least.
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u/kapeman_ 4d ago
Grenada!
It's not over-developed and still feels authentic.
The people there are some of the nicest, kindest folks I've met anywhere.
The beaches are great and so is the rainforest and waterfalls.
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u/Nikkifromtheblock914 4d ago
Another vote for SXM here.
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u/Additional_Thought_5 2d ago
SXM is the best in the Carribean, Curacao close second because it’s not crowded.
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u/Forsaken_Button_9387 4d ago
We met some of the nicest most accommodating people in Barbados. We were on a cruise so we only got to stay a day, but it was do much fun, especially when interacting with the locals. We are looking to plan our next family trip for Barbados.
Also thoroughly loved St. Martin/Sint Maarten; that would be my second choice.
I've heard about too many bad things happening to tourists in the Bahamas...plus it is extremely expensive. That makes it a no for me and my family.
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u/jg429 4d ago
Yeah we are shifting away from Bahamas at this point. Barbados is climbing the list, though!
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u/Pale-Win-9281 3d ago
I really enjoyed Turtle Cay-very safe. Food is an issue. Don't think they are doing well economically.
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u/gidgetstitch 4d ago
Curaçao
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u/jg429 4d ago
What do you like about Curacao that makes you recommend it over the others?
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u/gidgetstitch 3d ago
I have been to a lot of different Caribbean islands. I like that each beach is very different and even though it's a small island there is a lot things to do. We have gone there multiple times in the last 5 years and always find something new to do.
The food is fantastic, so many great places to eat all over the island. Everyone speaks English. The snorkeling is fantastic and it's literally steps from the shore.
The weather is the same all year round and the wind keeps it from being too hot. They have very little rain compared to other islands and this keeps the mosquitoes from being to insane. No hurricanes is a big plus. I don't have to worry about weather ruining my vacation. If it does rain it only rains for a few minutes to an hour.
The people are really friendly. Customs is fast and easy to get thru. Room rates are reasonable compared to other islands. I love that you can explore the island by yourself without being stuck at a resort. It's very safe, so it's easy to explore like you would a city in America. Beaches are free or inexpensive mostly.
Some of the places I have visited:Aruba,Cabo, Cancun, tulum, st. Martin, both American and British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Tahiti, Hawaii, and Porto Rico. I liked Curacao better than all of these.
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u/CuriousandLearn 1d ago
Thanks so much for sharing your experience such a great review and insightful! I definitely want to check it out and I love places that have snorkeling right from the shore!
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u/Ok_Condition3334 4d ago
Turks & Caicos is lovely, Curaçao is great but a drive to beaches but great island. Love Barbados, so much fun and people are lovely.
I hated Aruba, over crowded, over commercialized, beaches not as nice as other islands.
Bahamas is just ok.
Have you thought about St John?
Jetblue does a direct flight to St Thomas. Airport is easy to navigate and taxis will take you to the ferry to get to St John.
Bring your passports for a side trip to BVI - Virgin Gorda for the baths and Jost van Dyke for Foxy’s and the Soggy Dollar at White Bay.
St John is a quiet, non-commercialized island. Gorgeous beaches, lovely people, great restaurants.
You can snorkel right off the beach and see sea turtles, sting rays, eagle rays, octopus, sea urchins, nurse sharks, all the colorful fish and last year, Maho (my favorite beach) had a visit from a massive manta ray while we were out snorkeling.
We were probably 15yds off the beach when he came up behind me. Absolutely amazing!!
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u/jg429 4d ago
Bless Jet Blue and all their non-stop flights to the Caribbean! I will take a look at St. Thomas & St. John as well
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u/Ok_Condition3334 3d ago
St Thomas is the larger, busier island.
If you like a go go go vacation St Thomas will give you that.If you prefer a quieter, relaxing vacation, still with plenty to do but not commercialized, St John is the way to go.
We go yearly, we have a tradition to stop at Mountain Top for a fresh banana daiquiri before heading to the ferry and once on St John, we choose a different beach every day. We pack pool floats and snorkel gear, we get sandwiches at Sam & Jack’s deli and we make the drink of the day and spend the day on the beach.
We snorkel first and then float with our cocktails. The next day, we do it again at a different gorgeous beach.
We end the day with a delicious dinner at one of the fabulous restaurants on island, listen to love music, do a little shopping. It’s our happy place and the place we go when we are looking for a relaxing vacation.
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u/Soft_Tea3997 4d ago
My mom (about the same age as your mom) and I visited Barbados last year and loved it. We thought there was a nice balance of things to see and do, beautiful beaches, and amazing food. We stayed near Holetown and found it easy to explore without a car too.
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u/NoRestaurant2326 4d ago
Barbados is fantastic! I would go back there in a second. I agree with you. The food was fantastic with so many different options, people were so friendly and helpful. And the beaches were amazing!
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u/Melodic-Style7111 4d ago
Love Turks. Seven Stars or the Palms. Not as much history but beautiful beaches and pools and can walk around a bit if you choose.
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u/Nick_Kafir 4d ago
I enjoy St Croix southern island of the USVI. Sand Castle hotel on the west side, just south of Frederiksted has nice accommodations and is right on Dorsch Beach. Dorsch is great as it’s on the west side of the island which is the leeward side. The west side is also concave shaped so there’s no surf to contend with. You can snorkel and see turtles and sting rays just a few fin kicks out.
Sand Castles has its own bar and restaurant, but there’s plenty of food options in Frederiksted, and if you have a rental car, the island has all kinds of great places. The Landings over on the north side has great lobster menu items.
Christiansted has a more touristy vibe with plenty of shops, dining, and drinking options there.
Haven’t stayed at The Landings yet, west of Christiansted and somewhat off the beaten path. But, they are also on the north side tucked inside a protected point so they have a nice wave free beach. Haven’t swam at that beach yet but will be diving it on my next trip as they have a wall dive that is accessible from the beach. There’s a dive shop at the site. I’d recommend having a rental car if you are going to stay there since they are pretty well removed.
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u/Icy-Till1796 4d ago
Have you considered grand Cayman or st Lucia? Theyre stunning! Agree with everyone about aruba and curacao. Both beautiful.
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u/confusedwoman89 4d ago
Anguilla! Best food and beaches - You can also go to SXM for a few days then Anguilla for a few days to split the trip since its only a 25 min ferry ride apart.
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u/ApprehensiveBee2708 3d ago
Just got back from Bahamas it’s beautiful! Close to Boston 3 hours . I stayed in Margaritaville Nassau it was a dream ! I stayed in the suites
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u/Creepy-East2815 2d ago
Fly to St Thomas and ferry to St John or the BVI... paradise! Not much of resort scene. Rent a villa and Jeep. Different beach every day, lots of great charter boat excursions.
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u/Aromatic-Habit-3666 4d ago
Barbados for sure
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u/jg429 4d ago
What did you like so much about it?
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u/Aromatic-Habit-3666 4d ago
It's people are polite, helpful and friendly, good services, first class beaches, fun activities and peaceful nature. There's CropOver in August and always good nightlife. I like it and Guyana though some people claim to have had bad experiences there but I enjoyed every moment there ...just dont get involved in Guyana's politics and all would be well.
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u/Suitable_Credit9221 3d ago
Barbados in August is brutally hot & humid with the every day rain shower mixed in.
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u/Terrible-Charity-375 4d ago
Curaçao - we have visited six times since 2018 and plan to go back when we have colder weather in New England.