Other favorite island destinations?

You experienced SXM'ers have provided invaluable info to make our first 3 week trip such a success that we were planning our next trip on the way home. Just curious ... do you have 2nd & 3rd choice destinations, why, and how often do you visit them? We usually do 3 weeks each annually in Aruba & Curacao. Tired of long flights FLL-HON after 20+ trips. Thanks for your feedback.

St.Lucia, Dominica, and Grenada are some of our favorites. We travel at least 2 months a year, usually in 2-3 week trips.

My wife and I travel to SXM once a year for 3 weeks and travel with friends for 2 weeks every year. We have traveled with them a few times to Barbados, but that's a long trip. We will leave for a 2nd trip to the Bahamas in October. Have many numerous trips to St. Thomas and St. Croix and they aren't that great a distance. Even a trip to Puerto Rico can be fun and isn't too far. You would probably enjoy Old San Juan. We have made a few trips to Provo in the Turks and Caicos and really enjoy the island. Some of the most beautiful beaches and water we have ever seen. We made a visit to Provo last year and had a great time until my wife had to have her appendix removed at the local hospital. The hospital on the island was built recently and very nice.

We have traveled to Dominican Republic and stayed in an all inclusive on Bavaro beach, in Punta Cana. Its pretty reasonably priced, a beautiful island and very friendly people. You can get excursions that pick you up at the resorts and return you. The only down side is, i don't think it's and island you want to go out exploring on your own much.

There is only 1 place St Maarten

If you like to stay close to St. Martin I'd recommend Nevis or Anguilla.

We've tried many (most?) of the islands of the Caribbean but I've yet to find one that is the total package like SXM. Some that we've liked would include Barbados, Anguilla and Grenada but none is the total package like St. Martin. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Agree but Curacao is running a very close second for us. We love that island. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Ahh, finally another Curacao person! Just curious what you like about it. We stay at the Renaissance and Royal Sea Aquarium next September.

We love everything about it. We have stayed at Kura Hulanda in town and Royal Sea Aquarium(our fav). Have been there 9 trips. The water is what turns us on. Snorkeling is unreal, abundant sea life, clarity of the water, and very friendly locals. We like the European vibe, lots of Dutch and it just doesn't have that Americanized feel to it like Aruba. Been there before?

We own 2 weeks at Sea Aquarium...love the Royal Resorts everywhere. We've been going for about 12 years, 2-3 weeks each visit. Love Estella & Zuli! They encouraged us to swap for SBR this year. now we're hooked on SXM. Shhhh, let's not tell anybody about Curacao, a best kept secret! There's a 3rd TS on the island now, sounds very swanky.

Lucky you. Zuli and Estella are one of the reasons we go there!

Not an island, but the west coast of Costa Rica looks interesting. Wonder if any folks here have vacationed there? My daughter did a semester in college in CR and loved it, but she was in San Jose. My wife and I never made it there. My daughter (lucky girl) also did some college time on Martinique. French was one of her majors.

I answered your PM and not sure if you received it. I think I'm doing something wrong?

We'll be in Antigua for two weeks in late Jan. Will report in when we get back! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Nope, didn't get it. Try catvag@gmail.com