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Need advice on Caribbean - first timer
Posted on 1/31/24 at 3:33 pm
Posted on 1/31/24 at 3:33 pm
Considering going this summer - between Memorial Day and early August, I know it's short notice. Never been and don't know where to start. About 4 nights anywhere (except Mexico) with the calm clear waters, preferably beachfront accommodations. Would like it to be superior to the Gulf as we are just a few hours from there and been going all our lives. Four people including two college-aged sons. And is this possible under $5k for that duration including airfare and meals?
This post was edited on 1/31/24 at 3:35 pm
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Posted on 1/31/24 at 3:38 pm to Hewonbyalot
We’ve gone to the Caribbean for 15 years, different locations. The cheapest we’ve done the Caribbean beachfront “all in” with airfare and food for a week with 2 adults and 2 teens is $8,000. I haven’t really tried to do much cheaper so it might be possible. Last week of May is significantly cheaper than any time after that for sure.
Check out cheap Caribbean for what packages might look like but double and triple check the locations and resorts before booking.
LINK
Check out cheap Caribbean for what packages might look like but double and triple check the locations and resorts before booking.
LINK
This post was edited on 1/31/24 at 3:39 pm
Posted on 1/31/24 at 3:49 pm to Hewonbyalot
Would need to know where you're planning to fly from but I'll just assume MSY.
You can get 4 of you to and from Grand Cayman for about $2,000. I just picked July 6-10 as a reference point.
7 mile beach might be my favorite beach in the world and they're all public. Which means, you can roll up and hang on the beach right at the 4 seasons
Two bedroom on the beach is roughly $2500 (but they had cheaper)
If you chose this exact package you would need to eat in the condo for most meals but to answer the question....yes, it can be done.
LINK
You can get 4 of you to and from Grand Cayman for about $2,000. I just picked July 6-10 as a reference point.
7 mile beach might be my favorite beach in the world and they're all public. Which means, you can roll up and hang on the beach right at the 4 seasons
Two bedroom on the beach is roughly $2500 (but they had cheaper)
If you chose this exact package you would need to eat in the condo for most meals but to answer the question....yes, it can be done.
LINK
This post was edited on 1/31/24 at 3:51 pm
Posted on 1/31/24 at 3:49 pm to Hewonbyalot
What airp[ort? For only four nights I would b e looking at direct flights only. Four nights means you will only have three full days on an island. For a trip that short I would think that you can make the budget work although some islands are a lot more expensive than others.
I disagree about prices going up after May. It's hurricane season and thus the low season.
Why not Mexico? Mexico has some fantastic safe destinations that offer all of what you want and at a good price. Don't believe that the whole country is a war zone because of the cartels. This simply isn't true.
I disagree about prices going up after May. It's hurricane season and thus the low season.
Why not Mexico? Mexico has some fantastic safe destinations that offer all of what you want and at a good price. Don't believe that the whole country is a war zone because of the cartels. This simply isn't true.
Posted on 1/31/24 at 3:53 pm to Hewonbyalot
Get out google flights
See what flights look like on all of the islands for your approximate dates.
Some will be horrible. Some will be too long, or expensive.
See which ones work.
Look at those islands, see what resorts cost, pick
For instance:
St Martin is a foodie destination with incredible restaurants and beautiful beaches, it is a bit richer and doesn't have a huge amount of all inclusive resorts.
Dominican Republican has a MASSIVE amount of All Inclusives ranging from cheap to luxury, but you really can't do much else as its a very poor island.
Aruba and Bonaire are very arid, desert basically, with amazing scuba diving and great resort diversity.
And on and on
See what flights look like on all of the islands for your approximate dates.
Some will be horrible. Some will be too long, or expensive.
See which ones work.
Look at those islands, see what resorts cost, pick
For instance:
St Martin is a foodie destination with incredible restaurants and beautiful beaches, it is a bit richer and doesn't have a huge amount of all inclusive resorts.
Dominican Republican has a MASSIVE amount of All Inclusives ranging from cheap to luxury, but you really can't do much else as its a very poor island.
Aruba and Bonaire are very arid, desert basically, with amazing scuba diving and great resort diversity.
And on and on
Posted on 1/31/24 at 3:54 pm to Hewonbyalot
Also:
Obviously, the later you get in the season, the more likely you are to get impacted by hurricanes.
So go earlier
Or Aruba/Bonaire/Curacao get hit among the least by hurricanes
Obviously, the later you get in the season, the more likely you are to get impacted by hurricanes.
So go earlier
Or Aruba/Bonaire/Curacao get hit among the least by hurricanes
Posted on 1/31/24 at 4:09 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
Dominican Republican has a MASSIVE amount of All Inclusives ranging from cheap to luxury, but you really can't do much else as its a very poor island.
That’s not true. We did 2 of our favorite excursions in DR! One was a combined zip line and cigar making tour and the other was an atv beach tour. I forget about DR but it is an inexpensive location with all inclusive resorts and fun excursions if you do your research.
The zip line and cigar making tour was family run and the wife served a traditional lunch at their home 1/2 through. It was really a lot of fun.
This post was edited on 1/31/24 at 4:10 pm
Posted on 1/31/24 at 4:22 pm to VABuckeye
Appreciate all the great replies already and hope for more!
Airport is BHM, unfortunately in the brief searches I've done, not many directs from BHM and alot of the cheaper flights are 9+ hours including very long layovers.
*edit* driving to HSV or BNA is not completely out of the question
Airport is BHM, unfortunately in the brief searches I've done, not many directs from BHM and alot of the cheaper flights are 9+ hours including very long layovers.
*edit* driving to HSV or BNA is not completely out of the question
This post was edited on 1/31/24 at 4:29 pm
Posted on 1/31/24 at 4:37 pm to Hewonbyalot
Unpopular opinion but we enjoy the Charlotte layover over other options. Easy transfer, decent place to grab a meal and generally quick turn around.
Posted on 1/31/24 at 4:37 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
Or Aruba/Bonaire/Curacao get hit among the least by hurricanes
Been to Bonaire multiple times. Love it, but there really aren’t any big resorts. It is basically just a dive island.
Posted on 1/31/24 at 4:49 pm to Hewonbyalot
quote:
And is this possible under $5k for that duration including airfare and meals?
I am going to say no. SWA cheap flights are probably gone by now. You're looking at $700/pp at least to fly to/from the caribbean.
I actually built up a week of food for two adults and two kids (5/2) at Atlantis the other day. You know, grilled cheeses and hot dogs for them. Just napkin math and it was going to cost $4,125 to eat three meals a day, (4) cocktails at lunch or two for each adult, a few pool cocktails a day, and a bottle of wine at dinner.
I think lodging at the resort was anywhere from $3,000 - $6,000.
Could you go VRBO route cheaper? Probably. As everyone knows in the Caribbean, it is usually cheaper to eat than drink on islands.
Posted on 1/31/24 at 4:59 pm to LSUfan4444
4444-
What website is that for flights?
What website is that for flights?
Posted on 1/31/24 at 6:03 pm to Hewonbyalot
St. John USVI for the win. Tons of beaches to choose from with great snorkeling.
Posted on 1/31/24 at 6:43 pm to Jsand43
I love St. John but it is an expensive island for a family of four.
Posted on 1/31/24 at 8:42 pm to Hewonbyalot
You can probably do that to puerto rico using spirit airlines
Posted on 2/1/24 at 5:43 am to Hewonbyalot
quote:
4444-
What website is that for flights?
Google flights.
Posted on 2/1/24 at 6:26 am to VABuckeye
quote:
Why not Mexico? Mexico has some fantastic safe destinations that offer all of what you want and at a good price.
Absolutely this. OP has never been to the Caribbean, is on a tight budget, and he's automatically excluding the country that is most popular destination in the Caribbean and also provides the biggest bang for the buck.
Posted on 2/1/24 at 7:01 am to Hewonbyalot
Go to Vacations by Marriott. Input your dates, home airport, and Caribbean for destination. It will bundle flight and hotel and list specials.
Great way to find a discounted trip on a flexible destination. I’ve found 4 nights in Aruba with flight for $750 per person in the past.
Great way to find a discounted trip on a flexible destination. I’ve found 4 nights in Aruba with flight for $750 per person in the past.
Posted on 2/1/24 at 8:33 am to Hewonbyalot
quote:
Airport is BHM
Why go to HSV or BNA when ATL is right down I-20 and will give you the widest/cheapest selection of flights?
Posted on 2/1/24 at 12:04 pm to Hewonbyalot
Are you a Costco member? I just checked Costco travel from BHA from June 17 - June 21, 2 rooms, 2 adults, 2 kids to Cancun (its Mexico, but easiest to look for).
I found several all-inclusive packages ranging from 4.4K to 6K on those dates. There was a Planet Hollywood (haven't been there but generally has good reviews and family friendly) package with United flights out of BHA for $5,410.23, airport transportation to/from resort, 2 junior suite rooms, a $120 costco gift card. Have to be a Costco member to check but might be worth $60 membership.
Also this is just one option, but it does fit your budget and timeframe.
I found several all-inclusive packages ranging from 4.4K to 6K on those dates. There was a Planet Hollywood (haven't been there but generally has good reviews and family friendly) package with United flights out of BHA for $5,410.23, airport transportation to/from resort, 2 junior suite rooms, a $120 costco gift card. Have to be a Costco member to check but might be worth $60 membership.
Also this is just one option, but it does fit your budget and timeframe.
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