Caribbean vacation for a family of 4

August 24, 2024 8:59 AM

We'd like to go somewhere in the Caribbean next March, but are completely overwhelmed by the options. What should we look into?

Our kids are 5 and 8. It feels like the default for families is the Bahamas, but Paradise Island looks awfully commercial - we just want to sit on the beach, explore on our own, and have the option to hike some forests or see some historical sites. So we looked at Grand Bahama thinking it might have more opportunities for hiking in nature, but it seems sort of difficult to get to from the US? So now we're back to square one and seeking some ideas.

posted by Tehhund to Travel & Transportation (11 answers total)

Puerto Rico is very nice and has a lot to offer.
posted by alchemist at 9:05 AM on August 24

I should have mentioned we went to Puerto Rico last year and really enjoyed it, but we want to try someplace new.
posted by Tehhund at 9:13 AM on August 24

I always recommend this place in Belize. It's on a quiet island out on Glover's Reef, and very eco-focused and clean/nice but rustic. Lots of activities for the kiddos and a family friendly atmosphere. They also offer packages that include tours of inland Belize stuff like ruins, rainforest, tubing, etc.
posted by bluesky78987 at 9:57 AM on August 24

I'd stay away from Nassau and grand bahama. Exuma is amazing. My kids have been there variously at ages 4 months, 18 months, 3, 5, 13, and 15. Very laid back. Very quiet. Lots of beaches. Plenty to do. Plenty of places to do nothing. People are absolutely lovely.
posted by chasles at 10:52 AM on August 24

I enjoyed a visit to Martinique last year. Certainly ticks the "beautiful beaches" (I loved the area around Sainte Anne for example). It is also good for "explore on your own" - you are in France so the road infrastructure is pretty good - there are forests and a volcano to explore; lots of nature. There are (some) flights from the US.
posted by rongorongo at 11:46 AM on August 24

Virgin Islands National Park on Saint John meets your criteria. Half the island is protected tropical forest with lots of trails to historical sites. Beaches are spectacular and not as commercialized as on islands reachable by direct flights. Visitors fly to St. Thomas and take the ferry over, which keeps St. John less crowded and slower paced. I only know it second-hand from friends who moored there last winter, but it may be just what you're looking for.
posted by backwoods at 1:01 PM on August 24

The so-called Riviera Maya (the area around Playa del Carmen and Tulum) is good for this.
posted by kickingtheground at 1:40 PM on August 24

Others have covered my immediate recommendations (Puerto Rico, St John, avoiding the big Bahamian Islands) so here's two other unsung islands:

St Eustacius. Tough to get to (go through St Maarten) but known as the first place to officially salute / acknowledge the newly independent USA in 1776. Beautiful beaches, quiet, nice snorkeling, interesting history, and great hiking.

St Croix. Very cool history, gorgeous beaches especially on the west side (Frederiksted) where its much quieter than the north side (Christiansted), lots of fun hikes, no passports needed. The island got a bad rap in the 80s for being unsafe but I go there for work every winter and it's delightful.

Fun extra for both places, depending on how late in March you go, you might get a chance to see leatherback turtles nesting if you hook up with one of their conservation orgs ahead of time.
posted by danapiper at 3:25 PM on August 24

You didn't mention budget level but if you're looking at Paradise Island you can do a lot at that kind of price.

A rental villa in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos islands might be what you're looking for. You would need a car to get around and you would need to grocery shop, but having a house with a small pool, a washing machine, and a kitchen with food beats the pants off any resort hotel, all inclusive or not. Your kids will think it's magical.

The beaches are some of the best in the world and they're never crowded. The island is safe. There are direct flights to PLS from some cities.
posted by JoeZydeco at 3:27 PM on August 24

St John is gorgeous. You can snorkel right off the beach, there's a national park and snorkeling trips you can take via boat. It's really lovely and fairly undeveloped because of the park.
posted by bluesky43 at 5:43 PM on August 24

Someone I know started a company called Mango Tree Travel that focuses on travel with kids to the Caribbean and similar places. You can pay to get extra hand-holding, but there’s a lot of good free information on the website. I haven’t used it yet—though I hope to, now that I have a baby!—but she’s a cool person with good taste, and I suspect her recommendations would align with the travel preferences you described.
posted by bijoubijou at 7:47 PM on August 24