Caribbean family holiday - where to go?

squares

Looking to go next year - 2 adults and 3 children (14, 10, 7). This will be a one-off holiday, instead of our usual Cornwall, or occasional majorca type hols. Looking to go July Aug, school hols 09.
We want to go somewhere the kids will remember, lovely beaches, some entertainment at night, not bothered about a kids club, somewhere we can have a walk about. I want it to be somewhere that is not just a self contained village, that I wouldn't need to leave, which really could be anywhere with a beach! (the travel agent suggested this!). Also, with 3 children, we may be limited on accomodation, so I think we may struggle. But if i can find a destination, it gives me a starter.

Thinking of the Caribbean, but really are open to suggestions. Thought of NZ in a camper van for instance, but think too expensive.

Any thoughts gratefully received.

loveabargin

Bermuda is beautiful
We was on a caribbean cruise with our children and docked there for 24hrs. Great beaches, local transport good, friendly people, clean, colourful and safe. We enjoyed all of the places we have visited in the caribbean but Bermuda in my opinion is tops.

simplepete

I reccommend the dominican republic, but it's the only place I've been under that criteria (If that makes sense) that, and cuba, are the cheapest caribbean islands.
Our summer season, however, is hurrican season in the caribbean - they don't happen too often though.
www.dr1.com will help you with all info about the dom rep!

poe.tuesday

mexico is amazing - you can hire a car and get out and about, it's got the heat, the jungle, the wildlife, the culture and historical sites, wonderful beaches, great food and the people are very welcoming - you could go to a caribbean island such as st lucia etc but TBH it will not give you the diversity that mexico can IMO

IvanOpinion

I love the Caribbean (we actually head back out that way next week) .. the problem is that July/Aug is not the best time for the Caribbean ... hurricane season, but you can be lucky or unlucky. What is your budget and what sort of accomodation do you like?

If you want something incredible then you could consider a cruise through the Panama canal (these often stay towards the South which reduces the risk of hurricanes). or consider a multi stop taking in (e.g.) San DIego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Hawaii.

ivan

patiosharan

I wouldn't reccomend Bermuda, not much to do for children there really.

However I woud reccomend Antigua though, we always go as an extended family and the kids have fab time. (Would be going in April with the rest of the family if it wasn't for a new arrival expected shortly after!) Lots of different things to go and see. We always stay at Club Colonna (Sunsail) and with the kids clubs and sailing available the little 'uns are occupied the whole time. Santa even arrived on a hobie, when we were there for Christmas one year!! (I would echo what others have said about it being hurricane season and really really humid at that time of the year. Could you go easter or Christmas to the carribean?)

Other than that I would definitely think about Australia or even NZ, but it really depends on what you want to do...

spursman

Squares i love the Caribbean there are so many islands it depends what u r looking for. i personally try to steer clear of the bigger islands because they are geared towards the people who dont want to go offsite although i have had some great holidays in these places.
Dom Rep is a lovely place not much to seee once u leave the resort Atlantic side has best beaches, caribbean side obviously has the best seas, all the all inclusives have extensive entertainment programmes both daytime & evening, not that u want a kids club but if u go to 1 with a kids club it is obviously family orientated so your kids will have lots of other kids to meet & befriend.
Jamaica i love it most people go to Montego Bay, Ocho rios or Negril i love all 3 resorts my favourite being Ocho followed closely by Negril, the crime statistics are greatly exagerated(prob spelt wrong) but i would steer clear of Kingston unless on an organised trip me & family have been to Jamaica 8 times & i would recommend Starfish trelawney in Falmouth as a super family holiday complex.
Barbados i am actually not a great lover of this island the southside is like a glorified butlins(no offence to butlins) & the west side although lovely is prohibitevely expensive if you can afford it the Almond Beach Club is a very nice family resort, but a little expensive, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE steer clear of Sandy Lane unless you want a holiday where you can boast "i've got more money than you" wall to wall billy bullshiners
Tobago, St Lucia, Grenada & Antigua all a lot smaller islands & all beautiful i love all these islands & they are all family friendly, if u really want a Caribbean holiday go to 1 of these islands, you will not be disappointed
Mexico been 3 times acapulco,cancun & cozumel hated it 3 times but more people love it than hate it so ask someone else about Mexico.
For ease i would recommend all inclusive BUT get out & do your own thing go by local bus & go to the local street parties & local markets but most of all
GO & ENJOY YOURSELVES
all the best
Spursman
ps i never re-read my post's so sorry in advance for spelling mistakes

FluffyFiFi

We took our two children to Jamaica last year - children aged 11 and 8. We were all inclusive and it was excellent. The children could eat whenever they wanted and could get as many drinks from the bar too. I get fed up going on holiday and having to be careful with the budget. The joy of all-inclusive is that you just don't need to carry money around. We went with Virgin and had a great flight, all the food and drink on the plane was included, as was the transfer to the resort. There was entertainment in the evening, but all the hotels/resorts lay on something. Use of the canoes, snorkel equipment and glass bottom boat ride was included. Down side was that it was very, very hot. Also, you might be unlucky as it will be hurricane season.

TankEngine

Remember that the summer months are the rainy season and hurricane season for the Caribbean!

iwanttoberich

I am from Trinidad and we are not in the hurricane belt, so we never get them. The summer months are supposed to be the rainy season but, to be honest, sometimes I never remember which is which, because it is sunny most of the time. Plus, you can hop on a plane and go across to our sister island, Tobago. It will proably cost around £40.

And Mexico is not in Caribbean. It is in Central America.

powerglam

I would go to either Barbados or Mexico, been to both and great for everyone
also gurantee sunshine which is another plus to going to that side of the world. Almond beach Club is fab we stayed there but its for over 16's only the sister hotel is a much more family hotel which is called almond beach village. hope this helps