Turks and Caicos, Caymans, or the Bahamas

Hello, my and my family of 6 were thinking of going to the caribbean over the summer. which island is best? prettiest water, not over crowded, and good food!?

stacy lynn stacy lynn
Oct '17

At this point, whichever suffered the least amount of hurricane damage! Been to Cayman & Bahamas - liked Cayman better.

Lucacell Lucacell
Oct '17

Cayman Islands hands down.

Calico696 Calico696
Oct '17

Turks known for its beautiful beaches clear waters best I've seen so far and great food although only experienced the food on resort as we were told by resort staff if was of our best interest to not leave resort property so we dI'd NOT leave. The resort was tremendous so we didn't miss exploring off resort. Cayman has amazing beaches and water as well. Both top ten. Only difference was walking off resort property was encouraged. Very comfortable walking and taking island transportation. British island. Food very expensive though. Basic breakfast for 4 off resort ran us $60 on average. Great restaurants and entertainment all in walking distance. Enjoy your trip!

Htownparent Htownparent
Oct '17

Bahamas hands down. Spent 7 days with my kids. It’s safe. Fun and beautiful. So many things to do. We stayed at harbor side which is adjacent to Atlantis. So great

Cayman is very overpriced. In my opinion Bahamas is way cheaper. Haven’t been to Turks.


Don't forget your trip insurance if you're planning during hurricane season.

Tracy Tracy
Oct '17

Went to atlantis last spring in the Bahamas. It was great, perfect balance for kids and adults.


"Bahamas is way cheaper."

Yes, but cheaper isn't necessarily better. The majority of the more populated areas of the Bahamas are like a garbage dump so why would it be expensive?

Bermuda is one of the most expensive islands to visit and one of the most beautiful. It depends on what you are looking for. You can got to some parts of Mexico for dirt cheap. If it's a super cheap, quick trip people are looking for the Bahamas fit the bill.

Personally, I would never go to Atlantis. Too many people and I prefer smaller adults only resorts.

Calico696 Calico696
Oct '17

We've been to Grand Cayman many times and went to Turks & Caicos last year. Prefer Grand Cayman. Both are beautiful, seemed to be a bit more to do in Grand Cayman but you can't go wrong with either. We stay at the Westin in GC. Really nice hotel and it's in the middle of Seven Mile Beach. They just renovated too.

MeisterNJ MeisterNJ
Oct '17

Calico, The wife and I went to Bermuda many times. We loved it.

Old Gent Old Gent
Oct '17

Bermuda

Jersey..
Oct '17

Been to Bermuda. Would go again. Beautiful water and island. Great food. Wasn’t that expensive.

btownguy btownguy
Oct '17

Love Bermuda.

Tracy Tracy
Oct '17

"I prefer smaller adults only resorts."

5'-2" and under, Calico? (-;

ianimal ianimal
Oct '17

And what's wrong with that ianimal???? >:)


Yes, I don't want to be around tall people. At least I didn't type let's eat grandma. ;-)

Calico696 Calico696
Oct '17

None of the Above - Made in America! Visit these places, and you might just come back with an unidentified disease that was not Made in America, and cause a potential outbreak that is not treatable with medicine Made in America! My vote is the Jersey Shore all the way!

Johnny B Johnny B
Oct '17

I think someone spends way too much time on the internet and cannot tell fact from fiction. I do not think the Jersey Shore, as good as it is, would be the perfect place for a winter vacation LOL. The areas discussed are not similar to other parts of the world where such not Made in America (ebola and such) diseases are prevalent. I have only been to the Bahamas and Bermuda but the whole area is wonderful for a vacation. And no one I know ever had more than a cold or some intestinal distress from visiting any foreign country and I have been to many over the years.


LOL, Jersey shore. I haven't been there in over 20 years and don't plan on ever spending another dime there. Once you have been to the beautiful beaches of the world, the Jersey shore seems like an overpriced, overcrowded dump.

Calico696 Calico696
Oct '17

Plus, plenty of people come back from the Jersey Shore with untreatable diseases... herpes, oral HPV... (-;

ianimal ianimal
Oct '17

LMAO ianimal.

Calico696 Calico696
Oct '17

Hahahahahahahaha

Johnny B Johnny B
Oct '17

Sorry to agree with you Calico...


Bermuda over any lower island, I have been to most of them.

Was the Jersey Shore really a recommendation???? Uhhhhhghghg

Darrin Darrin
Oct '17

The Jersey Shore?! LOL. TRASH!!

HLamusesme HLamusesme
Oct '17

Well, since we're talking about winter travel, Bermuda is about 10 deg cooler on average than the southern islands because of it's latitude. Good chance you'll be in a sweatshirt from Nov- April.

MeisterNJ MeisterNJ
Oct '17

True Meister. The OP said summer travel, not sure where the winter thing came in.

Calico696 Calico696
Oct '17

I only go to Hawaii. That's made in America. LOL. Except for February (rainy season). The weather is perfect year round.

auntiel auntiel
Oct '17

Since it's a summer trip, I agree with Bermuda. Super close/convenient - like and hour and a half by plane from EWR if I remember correctly? - and very nice locals on that island. (On a couple of the islands I've been to, the attitudes of the islanders were unbelievable.)

I think my favorite Caribbean island so far for winter travel is Barbados.

Rebecka Rebecka
Oct '17

Aruba!!! The water is beautiful and the breeze is perfect. I highly recommend the Marriott Surf Club resort - very family friendly, with a lazy river and a kids club...and a gorgeous beach. Also - close by to the casino and other hidden gems within the Marriott family.

10yrtownie 10yrtownie
Oct '17

MK, mentioned a Jersey Shore Winter vacation. Then yes, I would probably agree with Bermuda (haven't been, but have heard it's great) over the Southern Caribbean as it does get pretty hot in the summer.

Aruba is very nice as well. Constant breeze which helps if it's hot, and the food is amazing.

MeisterNJ MeisterNJ
Oct '17

Like I said, WAY cheaper and better. BETTER. That’s my opinion. Thanks.


We're thinking of going to Aruba this year. Is it better to get an all-inclusive package or not?

Metsman Metsman
Feb '19

Depends how much you drink ;)


Yes. What resort are you staying at?

Philliesman Philliesman
Feb '19

"Depends how much you drink ;)"

This ^^

My husband and I always joke about how much money the all-inclusive resorts lose when we arrive. LOL

Calico696 Calico696
Feb '19

I was looking at Divi Dutch Village. I haven't booked anything yet.

Metsman Metsman
Feb '19

Do you research on Trip Advisor & Yelp on the places you are interested. You'll get good information & pictures.


always had a good time on saint barts.water blue and warm,food to die for.brush up on your French and you will fit right in.


The Jersey shore is a dump and a waste of money any time of year.

Aruba hands down the best island. Great restaurants, albeit a pricey. Safe island can walk around anytime day or night and not fear for your life. Beautiful water and beaches and out of the hurricane belt.


Aruba: 'Safe island can walk around anytime day or night and not fear for your life.'

Ms. Holloway would not agree.

MeisterNJ MeisterNJ
Feb '19

Johnny B, if you think all of your medicines are made in America you are sorely mistaken.

MeisterNJ MeisterNJ
Feb '19

Anyone go to the Dominican Republic and like it?

Metsman Metsman
Feb '19

Mets - Yes, I have been there twice and liked it. Most recently was in 2017. We stayed at Sanctuary Cap Cana.

https://sanctuarycapcana.com

Calico696 Calico696
Feb '19

DR food was un edible at our resort. We weren’t the only people that have complained about the food there

Philliesman Philliesman
Feb '19

Phillies - The first place I stayed, the food was not good. That was many years ago. Maybe 2009? The place I posted above actually has a separate restaurant village, located across the way called Sanctuary Town, in addition to the restaurants located in the actual resort and the food was pretty good.

Calico696 Calico696
Feb '19

We've been to Dominican Republic twice and we didn't like it. The ride in from the airport is rifles, taxes that are motorcycles with guns and then once at the resort it's beautiful. But we didn't like the food either time.

Love Aruba, Jamaica Montego Bay, Bahamas and St. Thomas. Hope this helps. They all have direct flights on United.


I don't know about Aruba. Given the recent unrest and instability in Venezuela, just 15 miles off the coast, I would be concerned whether it is still a safe vacation spot.


We've never had a bad time in Grand Cayman. It's our favorite. We going back in a couple weeks. Also considering Puerto Rico next month. From what I've read/heard San Juan is back and in good shape.

MeisterNJ MeisterNJ
Feb '19

Love Grand Cayman.

Stymie Stymie
Feb '19

Meister, we're stopping at Grand Cayman on our cruise in April. Any tips for first timers? I think the kids will really like sting ray city.

Tracy Tracy
Feb '19

Take a walk along seven mile beach. There are some good places to get lunch either in the shops near port or at the resorts along the beach. Lunch at the Westin is very good, and kid friendly. About a 20 min walk from port. maybe a little longer.

Assuming you can't venture out too long depending on how long you're in port. Yes, kids will like sting ray city. There's also a turtle zoo but that's a bit of a ride from port. There are numerous shops in port or a mall a few min away, but not much for the kids at the mall. Enjoy.

MeisterNJ MeisterNJ
Feb '19

Did the Atlantis submarine tour on a recent cruise stop in Grand Cayman. My kid loved it...

Seeshark Seeshark
Feb '19

What's more fun to do on a honeymoon, a cruise or resort stay?

Metsman Metsman
Feb '19

It's a honeymoon? Well, why didn't you say so?!!!

I personally would prefer a resort to a cruise on a honeymoon. I would also suggest a smaller, adults only, resort.

Couples resorts in Jamaica are our favorite small, adults only resorts. Our favorite of the four resorts in Jamaica in Couples Sans Souci in Ocho Rios.

Calico696 Calico696
Feb '19

Don't take a cruise especially for a honeymoon. Those ships are filthy and are the equivalent of floating toilet bowls. The food is also on par with a cafeteria.


Resort

Philliesman Philliesman
Feb '19

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