Caribbean - Planning a trip to Central America / Caribbean; Suggestions?

Posted a similar thread in the Central America section, hope this isn't a TOS violation...

Girlfriend and I are planning a trip in early March and these are our two general destination ideas. Neither of us have been to the islands and are trying to pick. Been thinking about Bahamas, Caymans, St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Kitts, Bermuda or even Puerto Rico but wanted to get some advice here on which to do, or whether to pick a different destination entirely.

Biggest criteria is that we not go somewhere that's resorts-only for safety or isolation reasons. We like going out to explore a bit but care about safety in particular as well as available activities. A good selection of dining, shopping, nightlife and sightseeing would be great and we love both cities and sleepier towns as long as there are interesting things to experience. While we don't need a Four Seasons/St. Regis we're not particularly rugged travelers so it has to be somewhere with amenities and decent hotels. Would like to have access to beaches, too, and prefer to avoid "tourist trap" destinations; there's a nice balance between "most tourists don't know" and "nobody in their right mind would go". Also, FWIW, we're both American tourists but our activities/appearance doesn't scream such.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

Additional information might help generate some suggestions for your trip.

Where is your home airport(s) in the US?
Are you planning a weekend getaway, or something longer?
--
13F

Additional information might help generate some suggestions for your trip.

Where is your home airport(s) in the US?
Are you planning a weekend getaway, or something longer?
--
13F

Based at LAX and planning about 5 nights. I'm an AA flyer so will be transiting MIA and may add a stopover there, depending on how flight schedules work out.

Hmm... SXM, but the french side?

Check out Jet Blue/Spirit ^ fares to NAS for under $300.

"Safety" is always difficult to assess. Would your safety comfort level include Panama? If so, you might want to consider Panama since it seems you want a mix of cosmopolitan big city with stuff going on, fine dining, etc. and access to relaxing beach life while avoiding "tourist traps."

To me, PTY is perfect for that but on the other hand I speak enough Spanish to be comfortable renting a car and self-driving to beach/mountain areas outside of the city. PTY is close enough to beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean to where if you are so inclined you can stay in a luxury hotel in the city and daytrip to beaches, still getting "home" to the city in time for an excellent dinner...

Nowhere in the Caribbean aside from SJU and possibly SDQ (marginal on safety) is going to have the cosmopolitan big city vibe of PTY.

"Safety" is always difficult to assess. Would your safety comfort level include Panama? If so, you might want to consider Panama since it seems you want a mix of cosmopolitan big city with stuff going on, fine dining, etc. and access to relaxing beach life while avoiding "tourist traps."

To me, PTY is perfect for that but on the other hand I speak enough Spanish to be comfortable renting a car and self-driving to beach/mountain areas outside of the city. PTY is close enough to beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean to where if you are so inclined you can stay in a luxury hotel in the city and daytrip to beaches, still getting "home" to the city in time for an excellent dinner...

Nowhere in the Caribbean aside from SJU and possibly SDQ (marginal on safety) is going to have the cosmopolitan big city vibe of PTY.

In terms of safety, what US cities would you compare PTY to? Neither the girlfriend nor I speak Spanish, though she's fluent in French (which could be useful for some Caribbean destinations). How does lack of Spanish fluency impact one's safety/ability to get around PTY?

In terms of safety, what US cities would you compare PTY to? Neither the girlfriend nor I speak Spanish, though she's fluent in French (which could be useful for some Caribbean destinations). How does lack of Spanish fluency impact one's safety/ability to get around PTY?
A slightly safer Miami (or considerably safer San Juan). In every possible aspect.

In PTY, it will affect you, but not as bad as in other cities. It's a center of finance, and there are plenty of english speaking expats living there.

Consider Barbados. Lots of things to do, a relatively big island, lots of great restaurants, the fish fry at Oistens is a lot of fun, St. Lawrence Gap is a nice area to walk around in with great nightlife. Good roads so you can rent a car and get around. Lots of nice beaches, diving, and the people are great.

And everyone speaks a delightful dialect of English.

Consider Barbados. Lots of things to do, a relatively big island, lots of great restaurants, the fish fry at Oistens is a lot of fun, St. Lawrence Gap is a nice area to walk around in with great nightlife. Good roads so you can rent a car and get around. Lots of nice beaches, diving, and the people are great.

And everyone speaks a delightful dialect of English.


Sounds like Belize. It gets my vote ^

HP

Sounds like Belize. It gets my vote ^

HP

I've heard BZE is a bit of a tourist trap, but did I hear wrong and should I reconsider?

I've heard BZE is a bit of a tourist trap, but did I hear wrong and should I reconsider?

First off, if you are traveling to BZE, transit through DFW, not MIA. Much easier. I travel that route 15-20 a year.

The country is a tourist trap...or a specific area is?

I own a condo in Belize on Ambergris Caye north.

But MOST of the country is rural with amazing Mayan ruins, pine forests, jungle canopy, amazing caves and rivers, and in my opinion the BEST scuba diving in the world.

But yes, there are a few small places, like in every country, that are traps.

If you have a specific area you are interested in, shoot me a PM I can give you as much information as I have.

HP

First off, if you are traveling to BZE, transit through DFW, not MIA. Much easier. I travel that route 15-20 a year.

The country is a tourist trap...or a specific area is?

I own a condo in Belize on Ambergris Caye north.

But MOST of the country is rural with amazing Mayan ruins, pine forests, jungle canopy, amazing caves and rivers, and in my opinion the BEST scuba diving in the world.

But yes, there are a few small places, like in every country, that are traps.

If you have a specific area you are interested in, shoot me a PM I can give you as much information as I have.

HP

You should be on the Tourism board. Makes me want to hop on a plane tonight. ^

You should be on the Tourism board. Makes me want to hop on a plane tonight. ^

You should! Plenty of tickets available.;)

Belize is my future permanent home, and an absolutely beautiful place.

And I would love to be on the Belize Board of Tourism. Sounds like a great retirement job! ^^

HP

You should! Plenty of tickets available.;)

Belize is my future permanent home, and an absolutely beautiful place.

And I would love to be on the Belize Board of Tourism. Sounds like a great retirement job! ^^

HP


Definitely high on my list. Planning on some diving when I get there!