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Apologies that this is not a baseball post.. this community has been so helpful with things like this in the past, I had to go back to the well!  Besides, it's the slow season for baseball, right?

Now that we're in the Eastern US, we are trying to find warm winter getaways over this way.  My wife and I both have the week between Christmas and New Years off work (I know, not ideal for traveling and avoiding crowds).   We are checking out places in the Caribbean and maybe Mexico on the Gulf side.  There are so dang many islands and options, we need help.

Our priorities are...

Far enough south to be warm weather (even most of Florida isn't all that warm that time of year), white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, reasonably safe, near good snorkeling, not too crazy crowded and busy, not crazy expensive.  We want to be on or very near the beach.  We don't have to be completely remote but prefer not to have rows and rows of high-rise resort buildings.  Don't need fancy but don't want to be roughing it for this one either.

We like a variety of activities so secondary would be access to some of waterfall hikes, golf, tennis, maybe some cenotes, etc.  We want to have reasonable access to local foods.

What y'all got?

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Barbados is my favorite island. Some of the best beaches in the world in my opinion. I like the Southern Coast (Accra and Carlisle Beach) but there are also tons of things to do on the eastern and western coasts and the island is very accessible. Not sure on cost (lived there as a teenager and we will have friends there so we stay with them).

@baseballhs posted:

I’ve done a lot of beach traveling. If I could only go to one island again, St. John. Beautiful beaches that aren’t over crowded. Variety of beaches. Good restaurants, fun bars. Hiking. Love it.

Spent a week in St John in 2000. Beautiful place. I would definitely recommend. I think most of the accommodations are hillside houses as opposed to hotels on the beach. Most places have amazing views. We rented a Jeep on the island. Short (steep) ride to a variety of beaches and restaurants. It was a great place to relax. Good snorkeling and hiking. Short ferry ride to St Thomas if you're looking for more action.

^^ St Thomas has a few good hotels. One week we stayed in st Thomas  and took our jeep rental on the car ferry each day. Megan’s Bay on St Thomas is also beautiful. I love the whole USVI/BVI but I think the best singular island is St John.
Bahamas checks most of your boxes too but we went there over Christmas several years ago and spent the week bundled up in coats….unusual but it did happen.

My sister is a huge fan of St. John, but I have not had the pleasure.   Expensive though.   I've been to Turks and Caicos recently and it's amazing -- certainly ticks everything off on your list.   We have been to Key West a couple times and found it to be plenty warm in January.  Somewhat easier to travel to than island destinations, especially if the drive from Miami is appealing to you.

We are headed to Mexico City and Akumal in January ourselves. Kids will join us.  Food and drinks will be served. Can't wait.  Sorry that I won't have a trip report in time for your travels!

Last edited by JCG

Thanks All!!

JCG, Turks looks awesome but seems to be on the more expensive side just based on quick searches, even compared to St John.  Any insight on that?   Also, yes, Key West would be far easier but I hear from a few folks not much in the way of nice white sandy beaches there.  True?

BaseballHS, we heard similar things regarding the northern Bahamas (not necessarily warm that time of year).  Another reason we aren't really looking at places in FL.

Last edited by cabbagedad

Huh, Cabbage.  We had a house on the beach with two other families and the cost was pretty good, considering.  I rented a car from a local outfit and that and other incidentals seemed reasonable.

Key West has one small beach but you're right, it's a better place for walking and taking dive boats and fishing boats or hanging by the pool.

@cabbagedad posted:

Thanks All!!

JCG, Turks looks awesome but seems to be on the more expensive side just based on quick searches, even compared to St John.  Any insight on that?   Also, yes, Key West would be far easier but I hear from a few folks not much in the way of nice white sandy beaches there.  True?

BaseballHS, we heard similar things regarding the northern Bahamas (not necessarily warm that time of year).  Another reason we aren't really looking at places in FL.

Key west is fun, tropical  and cool in its own way but not any real beaches.. there is one on the Navy base though

I have pretty much been to most Caribbean Island's over the years.
I like , in no particular order St John , St Barts , St Lucia , Barbados, Turks (Provininciales/Beaches resort), Abacos (Bahamas)  many others were decent and some others not so much..

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