Caribbean - Christmas Trip- to avoid Christmas

So we want to take a trip at Christmas, not to enhance it- but to not be reminded that it is going on.


Price will be a major factor for this trip.

We are most interested in snorkeling, cultural excursions and natural scenery. Good food is a plus as well.

Departure from CMH.

Where in the Caribbean would you go? Meaning, which island- and possibly even which hotel.

THanks!

You might get away from the cold, but good luck avoiding Christmas in the Caribbean. Most countries are very Christian and will celebrate for two weeks (until the Feast of the Epiphany).

How about Aruba? The Dutch influence means that Christmas is less commericial with not as many days off. They also have a party with presents earlier in December (Sinter Klas and Black Pete).
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Aruba is actually at the top of our list, so thats good to know.

It's not that we hate Christmas, it's just that the inlaws make it crazy- and you know how that goes.

If we can make it just like any other day that would be perfect!

The one downside regarding Aruba is that it seems pretty expensive. What are some of the more afforable islands that time of year?

Christmas is one of the peak travel seasons in the Caribbean. In addition to AUA, try CUR and BON for good diving/snorkeling. BZE - San Pedro area is a cheaper alternative, but it will require a local fligth after landing at BZE.
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we did that once. i am certain things are better now. was probably 20 years ago. went to raotan, thru belize city and san pedro sula and lecaba. it was cheap. the travel was one of the most memorable experiences wife and i have ever had. unless things have changed tremendously, forget it. go to the florida keys. go to caman, go to cuba, go to aruba. went to bonaire at least 20 times. never easy.

everybody wants to go to the carabiean for christmas. and all the locals know that, and already have their tickets.

The snorkelling is very good in Curacao - but it is an expensive island (and I say that as a European). There's a bit of culture (old estate houses, Williamstadt) and some nice restaurants, although some are quite pricy, and there isn't a great deal of good Caribbean food -they seem to rely on imported delicacies.

Tobago is the only other Caribbean island I've been to. Much cheaper - although it will be high season for Europeans and there are direct flights from the UK and Germany. Snorkelling ok, diving excellent (at the northern end in particlar - I snorkelled on the Angel reef and it was fantastic). Some very good reasonably priced restaurants, much more proud of local dishes than Curacao.

I was not at all impressed with the snorkeling on Curacao. But I did enjoy the food, and did not find it to be all that expensive.

Possibly I was spoiled then by the fact I'd been to Tobago before going to Curacao, because it was way cheaper on Tobago for generally more interesting quality (there were some exceptions - we thought the Huis restaurant in the middle of nowhere (but fortunately near our villa) was good.

I have been to about 15 different islands in the Caribbean, and in general they all seem to be fairly expensive when it comes to restaurants (with lots of exceptions, of course). I'll have to put Tobago on my "to do" list.