Asked By:
Constantine
in
Caribbean
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196 days ago
Doloreta's Answer
1. Anguilla
This British West Indies island has beautiful, uncrowded beaches and rivals St. Barts as a vacation mecca for the rich and famous.
Best for : Food enthusiasts. There are 100 places to eat in Anguilla's 35 square miles. Cuisine ranges from roadside bistros serving local specialties to pristine seaside restaurants catering to passionate gourmands.
Not for : Serious shoppers. Unlike islands with slews of duty-free shops, Anguilla's retail offerings are basically limited to galleries showing the work of local artists and hotel gift shops.
2. Antigua
Antigua is a water world, with beautiful beaches for sunbathers and perfect anchorages for sailors. Even its most historic attraction - Nelson's Dockyard, once home to the British fleet in the Caribbean - is thoroughly nautical.
Best for : Canoodling and skinny-dipping on serene, secluded beaches. Another plus: The atmosphere at most of the resorts is decidedly romantic and sophisticated - not too "kiddie" and not too commercial.
Not for : Couples who hope to browse for luxury goods at duty-free shops.
3. Aruba
Quiet lounging isn't Aruba's big draw - instead, people visit this desert island for near-perfect weather year-round and for the opportunity to fill their itineraries with activities.
Best for : Honeymooners who want a party scene, shopping, scuba diving, kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Not for : Couples who dream of tropical jungles and majestic mountains (Aruba is dry and flat). However, its beaches are spectacular, with powdery sand and crystal-clear water.
4. British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islanders could drape the terminal at Beef Island Airport in a giant banner that reads, "Welcome to the Sailing Capital of the World" - although they'd never actually do anything so crass. But that's essentially what the BVI has become over the past 30 years: the globe's number-one spot for summer (and honeymoon) sailors.
Best for : Couples who want to learn the basics of sailing and spend their nights at a private-island resort. Or newlyweds with enough experience beneath the mast to sail off on their own bareboat charter honeymoon.
Not for : Anyone who prefers the self-serve piña colada machines and 24/7 party scene at a mega-resort. These islands are really for those who want peace and quiet with their tropical paradise.
5. Cayman Islands
The islands that make up the Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac) are surrounded by gorgeous, clear water, making them a diving hot spot. They also have a culture of politesse, which makes visitors feel safe and at home.
Best for : Couples who appreciate high-end resorts and the high-stakes adventure of wall diving.
Not for : Those who want to explore local villages for exotic cultural experiences. The Caymans have an American standard (and style) of living.
6. Barbados
Locals are proud that Barbados retains more British flavor than any other Caribbean landfall: Afternoon tea, driving on the left and cricket are a few of the customs the Brits left behind. And unlike islands where traditions are fading, Bajans (as the islanders call themselves) embrace these customs as part of their national character.
Best for : Pretending that you're in a tropical England.
Not for : Spring-break party scenes. The club-and-café area around the Careenage yacht basin in downtown Bridgetown can get pretty rowdy on weekends, but this isn't a place for party animals.
7. Curacao
This little Dutch island off the coast of Venezuela is a melting pot of people from all around the globe: More than 50 different nationalities and ethnic groups are represented in an area about a sixth of the size of Rhode Island. This mix of cultures makes Curaçao one of the most cosmopolitan places on the planet - an island of interesting food, intriguing art and pretty good duty-free shopping.
Best for : Couples who crave a side dish of art and architecture with their coconut-palm-tree-and-turquoise-bay honeymoon entrée.
Not for : Die-hard beachcombers. Curaçao has its nice strands, but they're few and far between, and not in the same league as those of more fabled Caribbean beach destinations.
8. Dominica
With 60 percent of the island still covered in rain forest - much of it protected within the confines of national parks - and more than 365 rivers (one for each day of the year), Dominica is a Caribbean version of the Garden of Eden.
Best for : Couples who donate to Greenpeace or the Sierra Club. Dominica has staked its future on eco-tourism, and the island offers visitors everything from guided rain-forest hikes and jungle river adventures to what many people consider the best whale-watching in the West Indies.
Not for : Anyone who expects luxury spas, Cordon-Bleu cooking, satellite TV or door-to-door limo service. Dominica is the unspoiled Caribbean - modest, economical and drop-dead gorgeous.
9. Dominican Republic
Friendly people, a vibrant culture, miles of beaches and affordable resorts all attract visitors to the bustling, Spanish-flavored Dominican Republic.
Best for : Couples who crave adventure in the sun. You can hike 10,000-foot peaks, windsurf in terrific cruising grounds, scout for humpback whales, snorkel and scuba dive with a kaleidoscopic array of fish and bike through the fecund countryside.
Not for : Haute cuisine. Chicken dinners with sides of rice and fried plantains are the norm. Your best bet is to choose the grilled fish - more than likely, it's just off the boat.
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