HerHusband wrote:
>My wife and I took our first trip to Hawaii (Kauai and the Big Island) back
>in 2000. We're considering another vacation trip, but don't know whether to
>go back to Hawaii again, or check out the Caribbean area (Belize and Costa
>Rica included).
>
>We don't speak any language other than english, so that's a partial
>concern, as is the necessity of getting passports and whatnot.
>
>We prefer to stay in secluded private rentals, and generally travel to see
>the natural scenery. We have no interest in resorts, tours, or other
>"canned" vacation spots. And while it's interesting to see other cultures,
>that's not our main reason for traveling.
>
>We'd like to find a place where we can enjoy nature, hang out on a warm
>secluded beach, maybe do some hiking, see some waterfalls, see a variety of
>wild animals, etc. Seclusion and privacy are important, but at the same
>time it's nice to be able to be able to go out for dinner, or at least have
>a decent grocery store where we can buy food for our own meals.
>
>We have obviously not done a lot of traveling, so Hawaii is kind of the
>image of our ideal getaway. Still, I'd like to hear from others how the
>Caribbean/Belize/Costa Rica compares with Hawaii. Should we try something
>new, or stick with what we know?
>
Well I personally always like to go new places but I can' actually
compare those places to Hawaii because I've never been there. It is
basically too far from the east coast and I'd rather go to England if
I'm going that far.
If you don't want to have to get a passport, you are just about
limited to the CONUS or Hawaii. You don't say when you want to go,
but if it isn't in the dead of winter, there are nice beaches on the
east coast of the US where you can get some of the things you want and
if you do want to go in the winter there is Key West.
If a passport isn't a deal breaker, I'd suggest that St. John in the
USVI would be about the perfect place - wonderful hiking as most of it
is a national park. Lovely beaches, although with a private rental
you might have to hike down to the beach. Plenty of restaurants, and
reasonably good markets. No waterfalls AFAIK, but good snorkeling..
You may not actually have to have a passport as it is a US possession,
but I'd get one before the end of 2005 anyway - even now it is
difficult to get back into the US without one.
Other places- mostly in alphabetical order
Bahamas - speak English and you can rent a car although they drive on
the left. A lot of the islands are so small you don't really need a
car. Not many waterfalls as there aren't many rivers. Some islands
have a good selection of restaurants, and some don't have any or maybe
only one. Good snorkeling in a lot of places.
Barbados - speak English and drive on the left. Lots of restaurants
and decent markets. An assortment of beaches and hiking/wildlife
options and lots of things to see and do. I can't recall any
waterfalls. I do not know if private rentals would be on the beach.
BVI - English speaking and pretty much like the USVI - food is
expensive but there are good markets, and restaurants, and good
beaches.
Belize - they speak English, and have waterfalls, hiking and
snorkeling/scuba, but the beaches are small. We did rent a cottage
in Placencia which was right on the beach but it was in a kind of
colony and most people swam off the pier. There are some grocery
stores and restaurants. If you wanted a salt water beach, probably
Placencia would be good - if you didn't mind swimming in a river, the
Cayo district would be good.
Bermuda - speak English but you can't rent a car here. There are some
cottage or condo rentals here but it isn't tropical, so to swim you
would have to go in the summer. It's in the Gulf Stream so the water
is warmer than on the Atlantic coast of the US. Food is expensive
whether at a restaurant or bought and cooked 'at home'. No waterfalls
as there are no rivers, but there's a long walking trail that goes the
whole length of the island chain where the railroad used to be plus
lots of other things to do and see.
Costa Rica - speak Spanish although most of the tourist areas people
speak English or you can get along OK. Lots of wildlife, and has lots
of activities - active volcano and various sports like wind surfing
and white water rafting, rain forests etc. I'm not as familiar with
the private rentals here, and there is so much to see that I wouldn't
want to stay in the same place for the whole time. The swimmable
beaches are mostly on the Pacific side.
Cozumel - Spanish speaking but wonderful warm people who will
communicate. Lots of snorkeling and diving, and nice restaurants and
markets. Private rentals are available, but I don't know if any are
directly on the beach. Not much wildlife except under the water.
grandma Rosalie
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