http://www.flyertalk.com/forum en Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:41:24 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.flyertalk.com/forum http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1020541-puerto-rico-taxi-mafia.html Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:44:51 GMT Keep in mind anyone traveling into SJU that the taxi union has an iron grip on passengers arriving by plane or ship. You have to pay according to a voucher provided by PR tourist bureau and luggage will cost you extra,by the piece. Courtesy... Keep in mind anyone traveling into SJU that the taxi union has an iron grip on passengers arriving by plane or ship.
You have to pay according to a voucher provided by PR tourist bureau and luggage will cost you extra,by the piece.

Courtesy shuttles to your 2 block away airport hotel?

!Olvidate! They don't exist. You take taxi senor. Expeeeensive taxi.

Consider renting a car if you plan on going anywhere around or out of town. ]]> The Caribbean Goofy Foot http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1020541-puerto-rico-taxi-mafia.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1020451-aruba-customs.html Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:20:05 GMT So this is my first time going to Aruba.:D
I understand there is a US Customs presence in Aruba. Does this mean I don't go through custom check in JFK? Is it just TSA there? Then fly to Aruba and do US AND Aruba Customs?
Sorry about newbee question, I just don't know.
TIA for any info. ]]> The Caribbean thebat http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1020451-aruba-customs.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1018594-2-days-pap.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:40:39 GMT I have just realised I will have 2 days in PAP in late December. Any suggestions of where I could go? (Trying some local Haitian airlines could be fun) I have just realised I will have 2 days in PAP in late December. Any suggestions of where I could go?

(Trying some local Haitian airlines could be fun) ]]> The Caribbean SirJman http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1018594-2-days-pap.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1017311-solo-trip-carribean-mid-dec.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:52:50 GMT Hi, Carribbean forum.

I'm planning to take a solo Thursday-Sunday trip from RDU to the Carribean in mid-December. Just want to get away for a few days. Maybe leave Thursday morning and get back Sunday late.

I could pay cash or use a stack of AmEx points. I've been to the Bahamas and Bermuda recently, so I probably won't go back there.

I'm interested in golf, and snorkeling and beach stuff. I like to wander around on my own and see interesting things (especially when traveling alone), maybe a little history or a couple of small museums and whatnot. I'm planning to get SCUBA training later on so that's probably not going to work for this short trip.

So, my question is: what are some ideal Carribean destinations for this trip? It'd need to be somewhere where the water is warm enough to swim in at this time of year. Somewhere with a decent mid-priced hotel (unless there's a Mandarin Oriental, where I'd get a free night at a high-priced hotel).


Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice you have. Thanks!



(sorry for the typo in the thread title!) ]]> The Caribbean buffcoat http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1017311-solo-trip-carribean-mid-dec.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1017133-anyone-barbados-15-20-nov.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:21:53 GMT Guys

I am heading to Barbados for a week of work... will have very little time to enjoy the island but I can't think of a better way to spend my time than having drinks with a fellow FTer.

Will anyone be in Barbados this week? ]]> The Caribbean johannesj http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1017133-anyone-barbados-15-20-nov.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1016994-couple-questions-re-westin-aruba-vs-westin-grand-cayman-diving-either-island.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:29:47 GMT We are deciding between the Westin Aruba and the Westin on Grand Cayman for one week in early January. I will take a PADI diving course. The wife will go to the spa and laze around. We realize that neither island has much to offer in the way of... We are deciding between the Westin Aruba and the Westin on Grand Cayman for one week in early January. I will take a PADI diving course. The wife will go to the spa and laze around.

We realize that neither island has much to offer in the way of sightseeing other than laying around the pool or beach, eating, drinking and diving.

If anyone has stayed at both properties can you give a comparison of the rooms. It seems pretty clear from TripAdvisor reviews that the Cayman Westin has a nicer grounds/pool/common areas but there have been some dreadful experiences with the rooms there. That is the main reason we are leaning towards Aruba. Particularly if anyone has stayed in a non-view room at the Cayman Westin can they comment on how horrible or non-horrible the room was. I don't mind no view at all but I would prefer not to have a view of a dumpster, parking lot etc.

As far as diving from what I have read Cayman is amazing and Aruba not as great. Has anyone took a diving course on either island or can anyone offer advice on this. I would be inclined to accept a worse diving experience if my wife is happier with the hotel room.

Also we would prefer not to drive. Does anyone have any comment on this, how do-able is each island without a rental car? ]]> The Caribbean trilinearmipmap http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1016994-couple-questions-re-westin-aruba-vs-westin-grand-cayman-diving-either-island.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1016193-restaurant-prices-grand-cayman-westin.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:29:44 GMT We are looking at going to Grand Cayman for one week in January and probably will stay at the Westin. Can anyone advise me on restaurant meal prices on Grand Cayman in general and at the Westin in particular? We are used to $25.00 - $30.00... We are looking at going to Grand Cayman for one week in January and probably will stay at the Westin.

Can anyone advise me on restaurant meal prices on Grand Cayman in general and at the Westin in particular?

We are used to $25.00 - $30.00 range for buffet breakfast in Hawaii resorts where we have stayed, and dinner around $50.00 per person without drinks for an upscale but not gourmet place, would the Cayman prices be comparable or more expensive? ]]> The Caribbean trilinearmipmap http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1016193-restaurant-prices-grand-cayman-westin.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1015344-first-time-visitor-trinidad.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:36:00 GMT I was thinking of staying at the Hilton or Crowne Plaza; are they both in safe areas, so that I can walk around to the downtown area during daytime? In fact, is the downtown area walking distance from both hotels? Any other hotel recommendations -... I was thinking of staying at the Hilton or Crowne Plaza; are they both in safe areas, so that I can walk around to the downtown area during daytime? In fact, is the downtown area walking distance from both hotels? Any other hotel recommendations - money is definitely an object!

Also, what is the best (cheap & convenient) way to get from the airport to the hotel, without falling victim to taxi sharks? ]]> The Caribbean FedUp2 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1015344-first-time-visitor-trinidad.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1013160-jamaica-all-inclusive-recommendations.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:40:58 GMT Hey all,

I have a group of 10 people and we are traveling from the NYC area looking to go in March for an all inclusive 4 night trip to Jamaica. Does anyone know of a good one for a group of late 20's that is a place with not that many kids around and is a relatively good place (3 Stars and up). We are looking to spend $800-1000 per person (Including airfare). Any thoughts would be appreciated! ]]> The Caribbean remphish1 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1013160-jamaica-all-inclusive-recommendations.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1012996-st-thomas-car-rental-hotel-airport-shuttles.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:14:28 GMT I may be heading down with a friend in December. Based on what I have seen about the cabs costing a fortune, is it worth it to spent a little over $50/day to rent a car down there? It would be good to do some sightseeing while on the island. ... I may be heading down with a friend in December. Based on what I have seen about the cabs costing a fortune, is it worth it to spent a little over $50/day to rent a car down there? It would be good to do some sightseeing while on the island.

Also, I saw on another thread that STT does not allow hotel shuttles to/from the airport. Is this still true? I looked at a couple of hotels and do not see any airport shuttles listed on their ammenities pages, including the high-end Ritz. ]]> The Caribbean chrisphx http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1012996-st-thomas-car-rental-hotel-airport-shuttles.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1012438-german-national-visiting-bahamas-usa.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:59:32 GMT Hi, as a german national I plan to fly to Florida next year and would like to make a side-trip to the Bahamas by private plane. My questions: - When re-entering the USA, do I need a Visa or not? My understanding was that I do not need a... Hi,

as a german national I plan to fly to Florida next year and would like to make a side-trip to the Bahamas by private plane.

My questions:

- When re-entering the USA, do I need a Visa or not?

My understanding was that I do not need a Visa if I do not leave the US back to Germany after the (during first entry) assigned last departure date, but that I only need the stamped I 94 form, showing that I am legally in the US and within the allowed period. So, my second question:

- Having this stamped I94 form seems to be absolutely necessary when arriving by private plane. However, after the implementation of ESTA, do you still get these forms on your incoming plane from Germany (will be US Airways)?

Yours,

Matthias ]]> The Caribbean A340-600 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1012438-german-national-visiting-bahamas-usa.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1010761-puerto-rico-right-us.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:25:54 GMT hi guys, please help me out me, my girlfriend and my mother are coming to the US from the cold Europe in December, and after taking a Caribbean cruise we would really like to spend about a week relaxing on a nice beach (swimming and sunbathing is... hi guys, please help me out

me, my girlfriend and my mother are coming to the US from the cold Europe in December, and after taking a Caribbean cruise we would really like to spend about a week relaxing on a nice beach (swimming and sunbathing is the most important part of this part of our holiday), we can spare these 6-7 days in the period of December 20th to 30th...

been checking the prices for the flights to the "beach" destinations at that time (our cruise ends in Fort Lauderdale), taking in account that we want to spend 3-4 days in Vegas, and must arrive to NYC on 31st, i figured that San Juan would be the best option budget wise... looked for the apartment rentals, and seems like i can get some not bad apartments on or very close to the beaches in San Juan for reasonable money..

Do you guys think that San Juan would make a good beach holiday for us all things considering ?

thanks in advance ]]> The Caribbean zik013 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/caribbean/1010761-puerto-rico-right-us.html