Caribbean/Faraway Holiday - Recommendations please

ManPants

jontedkes wrote: »

Just come back from Aruba (last week) and although it's a beautiful island, We won't go back there.

Oh Dear .................I'm going there on wednesday! It has cost nearly £2000 each for 2 weeks all inclusive. I checked the Aruba website today ad the 10 day weather forecast is stating wind and rain!! I hope they've got it wrong!!

Stupotstu

ManPants

Summer01 wrote: »

I would like any opinions on Jamaica, Mexico and Cuba please?

Cuba - been twice and loved it. First time June 2007 to Varadero - beaches amazing and beautiful. Did the overnight trip to Havana and it is an amazing experience.

2nd time was last november to Cayo Guilimero - one of the islands - beaches again were lovely but there was a lot of jellyfish being thrown up on the beach. If you go to these islands and do want to experience Havana then you have to get internal flights to get to Havana which is a lot extra on top of original holiday. Got bitten to bits on that holiday.

Mexico - been twice. Firstly, Cancun 2004 - beaches amazing, sea turquoise and oviously Cancun at night is amazing if you like going out partying!

2nd time Puerto Vallarta last summer. Beaches are volcanic sand so looks dirty. Lots to do nearby. There is a marina with a converted lighthouse which is now a bar. Its great to drink Margheritas with that view! Puerto Vallarta itself has loads of great bars and restaurants.

Both times the hotels we were in were over run with obnoxious loud american students partying it up big style. Every few days a new bunch would arrive and drink to excess at the pool bar, puke, argue and get louder and louder. Then at 3 or 4 am you'd get woken up by them going back to their rooms after being out all night.

Jamaica - never been. Apparently they hate gays and everyone has said its best to avoid.

Been to Barbados and got hassled every single day non stop plus got my credit card stolen from my room along with my passport. The beaches were beautiful as was the food there. Lots to see and do as well. Just a pity that the drug dealers and pimps didn't give us five minutes peace!


Have a great time wherever you go!

Stupotstu

System

stupotstu wrote: »

Oh Dear .................I'm going there on wednesday! It has cost nearly £2000 each for 2 weeks all inclusive. I checked the Aruba website today ad the 10 day weather forecast is stating wind and rain!! I hope they've got it wrong!!

Stupotstu

Hi Stupotstu, have a great time and let us know what you thought when you return, would be great to hear about it..

chatbug

Offically hurricane season is 1 June to 30 nov but theres a "very peak season from Aug to Oct" There is an old poem about caribbean hurricanes
June-too soon.
July--stand by
August-look out you must
September-remember
October-all over.
But lots of hurricanes have hit in Oct, Wilma being one.
Some islands are less prone to violent storms than others. Aruba is considered to be out of the hurracane zone. Have a good time stupotstu, never been to Aruba lets us know what it was like. Stupotstu was it American spring break when you went to Cancun

Endora_2

My hubby and I recently had a 7 night stay at the Sandals resort on Antigua, all inclusive and had a most wonderful time. We booked through Thomas Cook eventually as they gave us the best deal, flights were with Virgin Atlantic and we had Premium Economy seats which give you a bit more room, especially if you get seated in the "bubble" area up top. You might be able to return the favour as we are thinking of our next holiday to Cyprus and although we had lived over there from 1988-1990 with the Armed Forces have never been back since and was wondering where the best place to stay would be?:A

System

Endora wrote: »

You might be able to return the favour as we are thinking of our next holiday to Cyprus and although we had lived over there from 1988-1990 with the Armed Forces have never been back since and was wondering where the best place to stay would be?:A

Ayia Napa - I have stayed at the Napa Mermaid and it's a great hotel in Ayia Napa (think it's No 1 on Trip Advisor - great reviews). It's a good 10/5 minute walk to the main road where the clubs are but this can be a good thing. It's a good road with shops, restaurants, bars etc along the way. Also in Ayia Napa there are great restaurants - Fiji, Sappora Japanese, Quadro, Clarabels, Los Bandidos, Blueberrys to name a few! This is a beach / pool holiday really for us.

Limassol - We stayed here once just to use it for a base as we hired a car and went everywhere.. This is a town and there's loads of traffic and boy racers late at night! However there are still hotels a little out of the centre which are quiter but again wouldn't return really. Was good for a central base for exploring..

Paphos - Stayed at one of the Rui hotels on H/B basis - was nice and relaxing holiday. Again beach/lazy holiday..

Protaros - not stayed here but visited and is popular aswell.

Hope this is of some help but if you need anymore specific info let me know - it's worth having a look at Trip Advisor - it has loads of info and recommendations..

ManPants

Hello!

Back from Aruba!

Beautiful golden beaches and clear turquoise seas. Loads of wrecks around the island and a top dive site. Oranjestad is the capital and is picturesque with pastel coloured buildings that make you think they are made of Candy.

California lighthouse is there and worth a look as is Alto Vista chapel - loads of excursions to do that will take you all over the island on Jeep Safaris.

Loads of Restaurants to go to - although we were all inclusive we still went out for dinner 3 or 4 times.

What I didn't realise is that as the island is Flat it is always a bit windier than you'd expect. However, rather than feeling cold it is more of a soothing breeze at all times - it also keeps the bugs away so didn't actually get bitten for the first time ever in the caribbean.

Stayed at the Occidental Grand - loads of honeymooners there and a lot of americans who in the main were fun and chatty.

Would I go back? No, but only because there are quite a few other places I haven't been to yet and Aruba is so small that once you've done it you've pretty much done it!

Any more info anyone needs then drop me a line........lots more to tell

Stupotstu X

chatbug

Pleased you had a good holiday Stupotstu. Glad the americans were well behaved and not too LOUD. You said you have been to mexico twice was it when americans and canadiens students have there sping break. Was in mexico March 2008 last few days of our holiday they all started to arrive, totally agree with what you said about them. Anybody who wants to go to mexico avoid student sping break unless you are young and want to party BIG time.

System

Hey glad you had a good holiday in Aruba!

When is spring break (i.e. months/dates to avoid in Mexico?)

chatbug

Someone might correct me but i think spring break is about 2nd wk march to end of 2nd wk of april. Some hotels do not accept sping breakers but we was told riu palace mexico did not accept them but last year was the first time they did, just as we was there. Luckily i had emailed the hotel and asked for a quiet room and my request was granted so they did not bother us. If you are going mid feb you will be fine. Have you decided where you are going yet i cannot make my mind up for next year, long haul or europe. Bet we end up in mexico again hubby loves it.