Caribbean destinations: which is for me?

[Ninot]

I'm trying to find some kind of guide for Caribbean destinations, that specifically brings up what kind of crowd goes where.

Anyone have knowledge, or a link?

[notyoueither]

Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

[Ninot]

Well, I'd go there for the music, but not sure i'd enjoy the rest of my stay.

[GePap]

You could try the following:

http://www.caribbeanmag.com/

http://www.caribbean.com/

[Ninot]

The location most in my price range seems to be Cuba.

Anyone been?

[Arrian]

No, can't say that I have. Sloww has offered to send me once or twice, but I never found the time...

My Carribean travel has been on cruise ships, so I've been to a bunch of different spots, but none for more than a day.

-Arrian

[Donegeal]

Jamaica was my favorite by far.

I have done Ocho Rios Jam and Porto Vallretta Mex. Mexico doesn't have private beachs so you'll have all kinds of "private" vendors trying to sell you stuff.

[Arrian]

That was my experience in Ocho Rios, but I guess that's because I wasn't on a resort. Just off the ship, up & down the falls, hang out for a bit, back on the ship...

-Arrian

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Ninot
The location most in my price range seems to be Cuba.

Anyone been?

Twice

Both times to Varedero. The beaches are white and sandy. The people are very friendly and the peddling is less than many southern destinations.

downsides

1. it lacked amenities. If you need jet-skis and para-sailing and fancy amusement parks don't go

2. Food-- it was ample ( buffet style all inclusive) but it was merely ok-- Its as if the bought extra chicken and beef instead of more salt-pepper and other seasonings-- maybe that has changed since friends that went recently said the food was quite good

Other factors:

Very few/no Americans. This makes for a more multicultural experience. About half the tourists there are Canadians and you get a broad mix of Europeans and South Americans to fill out the group.

Sex and girls-- There is a fair bit of prostitution and sex tourism going on there. Even if you hook up with a non-pro local , you will have to be aware in the back of your mind that part of your charm is the fact that she hopes at some level that you will provide some nice presents. I think that would be the casein any poorer country. There does seem to be a fair amount of hooking up among tourists as well.

POlice and crime-- Hardly saw the police and crime seemed to be non-existent. Apparently the only people allowed to live in the resort areas also work in them and they don't seem to want anyone messing with the golden goose


I have been on cruises through most of the Caribbean and one down California into Mexico. Cuba ranks up there for a more relaxed, less commercialized type vacation. If you go, maybe pop into Havana for the day and absolutely go sailing.

[Ninot]

Thanks for the replies, specially Flubber.

1 specific question: Did you have any problems with bugs? My parents went and got bit to death.


As for the rest, it's about what I was expecting, and hoping for.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Ninot
Thanks for the replies, specially Flubber.

1 specific question: Did you have any problems with bugs? My parents went and got bit to death.


As for the rest, it's about what I was expecting, and hoping for.

I did not-- I heard that that was a problem in another area while I was there (Holgun perhaps) but when I was in Varadero, insects were not a problem-- I went in May one time amd late Augusty another

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Donegeal
Jamaica was my favorite by far.

JM

[Donegeal]

Originally posted by Jon Miller




JM

As for bugs, I don't remember any problem with them at either location, even when my wife and I did a tour into the woods/jungle.

And like Arrian said, he wasn't on a private beach in Ocho Rios. So what kind of trip are you taking? Cruise or resort?

[RGBVideo]

Mauritania is an ocean away from the Caribbean...

The amount of cheap prostitution in Cuba is infamous. It's funny actually, that inevitable destiny of poor girls used to be one of the major reasons for the revolution in the 1950s. Castro changed his mind about prostitution in the mid-1990s and started lobbying for it with his propaganda, in need of US $ to support the economy of his nation and thus, his regime.

I have zero first-hand experience about the islands in the Caribbean, which is what you're probably looking for in this thread.

[Ninot]

Originally posted by Donegeal

And like Arrian said, he wasn't on a private beach in Ocho Rios. So what kind of trip are you taking? Cruise or resort?

Resort