I'm looking for advice on beach destinations. My boyfriend and I have agreed our first trip together will be to someplace with sand and sun. I love to travel and have been all over, but so far not to anyplace like Cancun, the Bahamas, etc. I'm just not much of a beach bunny, but I'm fairly confident I could enjoy just about any place. He hasn't travelled much, so there's no particular beach he has in mind -- except that Hawaii is out (long story, something about the ex).

Suppose it has to be in the US, Mexico, or the Carribean. Just between all of you and me, my priorities are finding nice restaurants, nice hotels, and things worth photographing. I speak Spanish and a little French; he doesn't speak either.

Any suggestions?

May want to look into Costa Rica, Panama or possibly Cartegena, Colombia, which is very safe from terrorists etc. All of which are very photogenic, and have excellent beach resorts (but I can't recommend any.. I'm a budget traveler)

We are heading to Thailand next month, specifically to snorkle and lay about on the beach. UA has pretty low fares right now.
Kate

Anguilla, BVI if you dont like long flights

Aitutaki, Cook Islands if you like long flights

Where are you leaving from? What is your budget? One week trip?

It's hard to pick one or two to recommend....there are soooo many to choose from

Welcome to Flyertalk. I would recommend St. Barts or an island in the Grenadines. These, however, are rather expensive options, but very romantic and would offer what you are looking for.

For photography, you cannot beat the Oregon coast in the summer. Absolutely spectacular scenery. I recommend Cannon Beach.

Keep in mind that the Oregon beaches are not "designed" for lying around getting a tan. They are never very hot (some would say they are a bit cold) and you could hit a streak of wet weather but the photographic opportunties are endless. Restaurants are so-so.

I'd second a trip to BVI. For someone who hasn't traveled much, its semi-exotic but still English-speaking. The people there are very nice if you take a moment to talk to them.

If the airfare is rather high, fly into St Thomas and take the ferry over (a nice diversion in itself). Also, if you have a chance to fly into VIJ (Virgin Gorda International), go for it. It's a dirt strip on the beach and will give him something to talk about for a long time.

[This message has been edited by BillMorrow (edited Feb 22, 2004).]

I agree with the others, there are so many great places it is hard to pick just one.

Some of my favorites:
1. Cancun - went over New Year's - reasonable prices for food - even at the resort, easy to get around on the bus.
2. Bahamas - stayed at Our Lucaya before it was bought by Starwood - very nice pool, but food was pricey.
3. BVI - probably a little more expensive, but beautiful and uncrowded.

I think cruises are a great inexpensive vacation and a way to see many islands. The ones you like you can go back to.

Have a great trip.

cejkwj

Aruba, My wife and I are off for our first excursion to the island. We did quite a bit of research and found that this sounded like the place for us. Beach, Sun, and Gambling. There is no crime and it sounds very safe.

Probably like most places there are webistes that will help you out. We found that http://visitaruba.com/ has all kinds of things to help you plan your trip.

Hope you find your trip and have a ball.

At the beginning of the month I stayed at the Wyndham El Conquistador, an hour outside of SJU, in Puerto Rico.

Lucky for me, the stay was a door prize that I won at last year's Freddie Awards.

My comments on the property are here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum...ML/000120.html

You'd be well served practicing your Spanish if you traveled to Cancun/Playa del Carmen or Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Both areas have stupendous beaches and consistently warm weather.

Thanks to all who replied so far, and I welcome more comments, because I'm still unsure which option to pick.

Re the Cook Islands and other far-flung places, remember I said "Suppose it has to be in the US, Mexico, or the Carribean." That is, let's suppose we're going to use AA frequent flyer miles for a destination in the US, Mexico, or the Carribean, so our only big expenses would be hotels and meals.

I've been to Cartegena, which I thought was beautiful, and I agree it's safer than the rest of Colombia, but having some sense of what "safer than the rest of Colombia" means, I'm unwilling to subject an international-travel newbie who doesn't speak Spanish to that level of risk. Also, the hotels, pools, old walled city, and snorkeling were nice, but the beaches themselves in Cartegena were, when I was there, unswimmable and almost unlounge-able -- not at all what he has in mind.

I wonder if I shouldn't rule out all Spanish-speaking destinations just so he won't feel awkward the whole time, and dependent on me for translating help. If not for that, la Rep�blica Dominicana sounds nice.

It seems every fourth couple goes to Canc�n for a honeymooon or vacation at some point... is there really that much to see there?

So far, BVI is looking like a possibility... but the polls aren't closed! Please, more advice!

How about Miami? It's safer than some parts of Columbia and there would be ample opportunity to use your Spanish, although it is possible to get by with English only.

AA flies to St. Maarten from NY, MIA and SJU.

Neat little island with great food.