Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with caribbean

Specific recommendations for Caribbean vacation?

ftm — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 07:06:25 -0800

We're taking a honeymoon, 20 months late. I was wondering if people had current suggestions for a place to go close to the Southeast US with white sand, nice rooms, all included rum drinks, and maybe a few other niceties. We don't have a huge budget - max of maybe $500/night but would be willing to go much lower. I'd like to go all inclusive so I don't have to stress at all about money while there - would rather just write one check. I would like the place to be clean and pleasant, but it doesn't need to be particularly grand. And the closer it is to the Caribbean region, the more I can get there on frequent flier miles, although I've also looked at places like Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Clean rooms and white sands will make my wife happy. Adding in unlimited rum drinks would make me happy, and if they were good rum drinks that would make me ecstatic. If there were kayaks for rent that would make us both happy and if there were Hobies for rent that would, again, make me ecstatic.

I was hoping to at least explore (online) a little beach hut on stilts type setup, but I couldn't find anything remotely affordable - maybe this just isn't really present on this side of the world?

This will be for a stay of a little under a week. I found a few previous asks, but nothing spot on, and I don't trust the wider Internet. Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

Do I need my old passport to get a new one? Details in side.

snow_mac — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 06:34:07 -0800

Details: When I was about 5 I got a US passport, my Dad was in the airforce so my brother, parents and I traveled around a lot. We'e been state side since about 1998. Since then we've not left the country. My Fiancee and I are going the caribbean for our honeymoon on a cruise & I need a passport. Do I need my old passport when applying for a new one? What if I can't find it?

One week in Trinidad, or can we do better?

AlmondEyes — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:26:47 -0800

Two part question: 1) Can you recommend a great one-week itinerary in Trinidad and Tobago, or 2) Should we go somewhere else? 1) A friend and I are planning an ~8-day trip to Trinidad (and maybe Tobago) in mid-March from Boston. We are drawn to the islands for the culture and food, but know next to nothing about good destinations. We're interested in beautiful beaches, hiking etc through the rainforest, interesting urban spots, calypso and other music, food, dancing at night, etc. The more local/authentic and less touristic the better, and socially/environmentally responsible preferred. Can you recommend destinations and/or a week-long itinerary for us? We're in our 30s and are not interested in lodging in loud/dirty hostels, but are not interested in isolated resorts, either.

2) Should we go somewhere else instead? Our broad criteria include a warm destination that's: no more expensive than the U.S., culturally rich/distinctive, our only options are not tourist traps and resorts, is not a fortune to fly to (under $800, please), where we won't experience much jetlag from Boston, with good or great food, and where we can cover some ground in 8 days.

Hate to sound like a snob, but I traveled to Turkey a few years ago and was sort of disappointed. Maybe b/c I did inadequate research, maybe b/c I used to travel a lot and it takes a lot to get a rise out me. I've always dreamed of going to T&T, but imagined myself dancing to the steel drums and, if my friend and I are not going to be there for Carnival, perhaps we should just go elsewhere? I bought a travel guide to the islands but am not hit over the head with inspiration. I rarely travel these days so there's a lot of pressure for my seldom vacation days and dollars to be spent in a really memorable way. Oy.

I need a help with a vaca destination in Caribbean or Central America

beccaj — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:18:58 -0800

I am planning a vacation and tortured by all the choices. I'm thinking of the Caribbean or Central America (but open to just about anyplace). I need help narrowing it down. The trip is for my husband, my 5 year old son and me. We'd be flying from Boston and going for a week. So much more inside... 1. Planning for winter 2014 and thinking of a beach vacation.
2. Not a huge pain to get to (I don't want plane ride, then 4 hour ferry, then 2 hour bus ride, etc).
3. Airfare cheaper the better - I was hoping no more that 700 bucks a person.
4. Safe (I don't care about petty crime but don't want it to be a place that tourist crime is remotely common)
5. Friendly locals are a bonus (only been a couple places that that is been a problem)
6. Casual feeling is nice.
7. Not a heavy traffic area. ( My dream place would be in walking distance to a few restaurants and or shops but the area doesn't feel "busy" with lots of cars whizzing by.)
8. Something to do near by. It would be nice to get to go on some nature tour or something like that.
9. Not too "touristy". I know I have Playa del Carmen and Negril there, but I just don't want a place that has a Chili's and feels like the place is crawling with cruise ship day trippers.

A few places I love are Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Negril.
2 places I hate? Cancun and Puerto Adventuras.

I'm open to a specific hotel or just a town or region.

How to get the most out of Disney Cruise?

shivohum — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 13:39:10 -0800

Going on a Disney cruise with both adults and kids. It will be on the Magic and to the Western Caribbean. Any tips/tricks/suggestions to get the most out of the experience?

Where can we play slots in our swimsuits?

Bunglegirl — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 18:47:05 -0800

What magical tropical paradise with beaches and casinos should we take my mom to, within a 4-hour flight of Chicago, for her birthday? Bonus points for a destination with cultural activities for a non-gambler non-sun worshiper. My sister and I gave my mom a trip for her 70th birthday a few months back. She wanted to wait until after the holidays and we're just getting around to planning it. My idea of a fun vacation is visiting ancient cities in Uzbekistan or trekking in Nepal. My sister loves cultural sites too but is more open to beaches and relaxing activities—we're both willing to forego anything we'd like so my mom can have a good time.

Mom loves gambling (slots), goes to the local casinos once every week or two and Vegas once a year by herself. She also likes the beach, ocean and the idea of a tropical paradise. She's a smoker (we are not) and will need a smoking room. The first thing that comes to mind is Atlantis in The Bahamas (I've been for work), but it's really pricey. If that's by and far the winner we're willing to consider it but would like to round up more recommendations. Where would you suggest we take her?

We'll be leaving from Chicago/Denver and are looking into the Caribbean, mainly because it's a relatively close flight (she laughed at my Thailand suggestion). I suggested Belize, but am not sure it would have what we're looking for. We're thinking it would be a 5-day trip, but that really depends on the destination, and can go whenever is best for visiting (ie. avoid hurricane season). Countries/cities/casinos/hotel suggestions as well as general advice is welcome. I have no problem traveling through India myself, but taking my mom to the beach is a much more daunting proposition.

Help me plan a trip to Cuba!

exquisite_deluxe — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:22:23 -0800

Cuba vacation! Leaving from Montreal, mid-late October. Yet another travel vacation question! I'm trying to plan a 7-10 day Cuban couple's vacation in mid-late October, leaving from Montreal, Canada. Where should I look?

We've both been to Varadero, Cuba, with day trips to Havana before, and loved it. What I liked about Varadero was the stunning beach, and that my hotel was a close walk into town (I don't like being sequestered on a resort). It was great to be relatively close to Havana and being able to see the historic sights of a city with such rich history. And finally, the price was right. I'm tempted to return to Varadero, as it's been 7 years since I've been, and go back again to Havana as I don't feel I saw nearly enough of such a fascinating place.

So, my question is, are there other spots in Cuba that echo what I liked about staying in Varadero? Or should we just go back to Varadero and spend some more time relaxing and seeing more of Havana? My main criteria is: decent hotel on the beach (3 to 4 stars), cheap, a few things to see walkable from the hotel, and the possibility to do interesting day trips (historic sites, stunning landscapes, and/or unmissable glimpses into Cuban life). Not so interested in things like cigar factory tours or swimming with dolphins.

Places that have popped up on my radar to see include Cienfuegos and Trinidad, any ideas of where to stay nearby to see these places? I've also seen the areas of Holguin and Guardalavaca come up in my hotel searches - anything interesting to do in these resort areas?

So, hivemind, should I book another trip to Varadero? Somewhere else in Cuba? Or even somewhere else in the Caribbean? I also welcome recommendations for sites for comparing the cheapest prices (I've been using redtag.ca). Thank you in advance for all your suggestions! :)

What to do in Falmouth, Jamaica?

oceanjesse — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:20:58 -0800

So next week, my girlfriend and I are going on a cruise for our third year anniversary booked through Royal Caribbean that leaves from Florida and stops at Labidee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. This is my first cruise, and my girlfriend’s eighth cruise. We have already booked awesome excursions in Labadee (parasailing!), George Town (turtle farm and stingray city!), and Cozumel (snorkeling boat tour!), but we are unsure what to do in Falmouth since it’s a relatively new port. (more inside) I was hoping to see the bioluminescent dinoflagellates at Oyster Bay, but unfortunately the ship sets sail at 7:00 PM. What should we do during our one day in Falmouth, Jamaica besides eat beef patties and drink Red Stripe? Neither one of us are particularly interested in checking out Dunn's River Falls.

Demographics: we’re both in our early twenties, and money is a concern - we have pocket spending budgets of about $300 for the whole week. Also, any general suggestions or recommendations would be welcome be they not limited to Falmouth.

You and me hubby ain't nothing but mammals

teragram — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:50:41 -0800

We're getting hitched! Now where do we honeymoon? June 2012, ok dropping some cash but not exactly sure of our budget, departing from the northeastern US. Teradude and I are getting married next June. Yay!

We'd like to take a honeymoon. Our goals are to lie on a beach, swim, drink delicious things, have the option to just veg out but also have the option to do active things (snorkeling? deep sea fishing?). Oh, and sex each other, real good, a lot. Maybe 10 days? I'd like to stay in a nicer hotel that doesn't scream "generic resort!" but that feels like we are treating ourselves. Flying out of Boston.

Basically, we are not sure whether we will want to do little more than relax, so we don't want to take some "trip of a lifetime" and feel obligated to be more active than we want. We are thinking somewhere in the Caribbean or the Caribbean side of Central America but were hoping for some more specific ideas than that.

Beach Boys meet George Romero?

Brittanie — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 11:04:01 -0800

Looking for some background I swear I read related the song "Sloop John B" to tales of ghost ships, zombies and other nautical/Caribbean folklore. "Sloop John B" is my all-time favorite Beach Boys song. I know a little bit about the history of the ditty — from Carl Sandburg to Alan Lomax — but in the course of my casual research I swear I read something referring to the eponymous vessel as a ghost ship, not unlike The Flying Dutchman.

I also remember reading that the name of the ship is a bastardization of the word "zombie." In the Caribbean, a "jumbee" is a spirit or demon, and that word looks and sounds a lot like "John B." This would seem to support the ghost ship legend.

However, I cannot for the life of me find this info online, and I know I didn't come up with it on my own. So where the hell did I read this?

Cool Grunion Runnings

benzenedream — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:02:39 -0800

We're planning a Caribbean vacation and would like to know what islands have the coolest biological critters and eco-tours. Bioluminescent algae sound interesting, any other ideas? Other criteria:

1) We're both in good shape (30s) and can do 5-10 mile hikes. We would prefer to avoid overnight hikes and really isolated hikes due to medical conditions.
2) We'd prefer someplace safe with reliable food but don't want to hang out in a walled "all-included" fortress all day.
3) Snorkeling is ok but scuba diving is out. Neither of us are great swimmers.
4) We are not broke and can spend some money on guided tours if they are worth it.
5) We're both biologists so interesting evolutionary backgrounds are also a plus.

Mammals, invertebrates, and slime molds of interest all welcome. We are not avid birders (although fond of blue footed boobies).

Which Caribbean Island for our family vacation?

jlowen — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:49:11 -0800

I am planning a summer vacation with my wife and 8-year old daughter. We would like the majority of our vacation to include beach combing and hammocks, kayaking, snorkeling and hiking. Which Caribbean island would be best for this? I am planning a summer vacation with my wife and 8-year old daughter. We have about 2 weeks in mid-June and our main focus is exploring nature and relaxing. We’ve zeroed in on somewhere in the Caribbean. We don’t want cruises, party-culture or super-crowded areas and we aren’t scuba divers.

We would like the majority of our vacation to include beach combing and hammocks, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and will need access to fresh vegetarian food.

Some touristy stuff would be ok, for the sake of our child-- something like the Cayman’s Turtle Farm would be worth spending a few days with crowds of tourists.

Which island would be best for this?

Help me find a specific Caribbean souvenir mug that I saw while visiting St. Lucia in January.

victoriab — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:23:24 -0800

Help me find a specific Caribbean souvenir mug that I saw while visiting St. Lucia in January. My husband and I went on our first serious vacation this January and had a great time visiting St. Lucia. While there, we stopped at a little roadside stand selling these very nifty dark blue coffee mugs with a white map of the Caribbean islands. We didn't buy them because it was one of the first places we stopped and we didn't want to be lugging them around all day. Also, we figured we'd see the same mugs at 80 other places around the island. Well, no such luck.

Anyway, we both still mention those mugs when we're making coffee in the morning and kind of laugh about how we wish we'd bought them. So, my husbands birthday is coming up and I though how cool it would be to buy 2 and surprise him. The problem is I've been searching and can't figure out how to find the mug...can anyone help me?

Mug description - dark cobalt blue mug, maybe tapered at the bottom, map is in white but not in a white box...it looks like it's etched into the mug so that the blue represents the water surrounding the islands. I think the map is just the Caribbean islands.

Examples of environmental (in)justice in Mexico, Cuba, and/or northern South America?

gottabefunky — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:21:31 -0800

Looking for examples of environmental (in)justice in Mexico, Cuba, and/or northern South America. What are some specific examples of the link between social justice and environmental degradation in Cuba, central Mexico, Venezuela, the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador, and/or northern Peru?

I'm looking for instances where a lack of social justice has led or contributed to environmental impacts - or the reverse, where a rise in social justice has led to a decrease in pollution, overfishing, clear-cutting, etc.

I know oil exploration in the upper Amazon is one good example. What are some more?

Caribbean Advice

Pressed Rat — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:30:23 -0800

The Mrs. & I are looking for a 25th anniversary Caribbean vacation in late summer or fall and, never having been, are kind of overwhelmed. Advice? Experiences? See inside... Were in our 50s, not that that keeps us from doing anything. Not interested in a cruise & prefer no screaming kids, so we're thinking something more adults oriented (but not a bunch of old naked people), or at least where we can get away from the crowds if/when we want. Not excited about Mexico at the moment, but am open for Jamaica, Aruba, Virgin Isles, Puerto Rico, Belize, Costa Rica, others? Am hoping to keep costs around $1000-1500 per or less. Considering all-inclusive resort, primarily because of the one-stop shopping, but game for more intimate vacation rental by owner approach. I KNOW there must be something better out there. Thinking anywhere from 4-7 days. Don't mind the off-beat but am suffering from experiential ignorance. From East Tennessee, but could fly out of either Nashville or Atlanta. Have seen some earlier post recommending Caye Caulker in Belieze, Dominica & Viegues. Would welcome anyone with recent experience, good or bad, to relate or advice on what did/didn't work for them. Thanks!

Traveling to St. Martin / St. Maarten

Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 15:42:07 -0800

St. Martin / St. Maarten filter: My wife and I are vacationing there from Feb. 8 to Feb. 13. Restaurant suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also interested in general suggestions for things to do/see. We'll be staying near Grand Case but will have a car so we can get pretty much anywhere. In case it matters, it's just the two of us (no kids) and we're in our early 30s. We're open-minded about trying all sorts of activities, but probably tend more toward the relaxed. Mostly interested in restaurant recommendations, though! Thanks so much.

P.S. I saw this helpful question, but it mostly focused on activities rather than restaurants.

Please help me help my friend eat and grocery shop healthier, in Trinidad and Tobago or the Caribbean generally.

MrFish — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:15:09 -0800

Please help me help my friend eat and grocery shop healthier, in Trinidad and Tobago or the Caribbean generally. Several weeks back I somehow or other volunteered myself to help my friend from Trinidad start eating healthier.

Firstly, and foremost, by drawing up a grocery list for her, detailing healthy food items one might readily buy and quantities thereof.

Secondly, by gathering and putting together some good general nutrition advice.

I've been trying off and on at this for a while and really only made progress with the second part. As for the list, pathetic progress really! My present strategy is putting together a week's menu and adding up the amounts. Now, here is where I'm having trouble.

Reasons:
a) availability of foods (What foods will you find or NOT find in Trinidad or Caribbean islands generally?)

b) I'm not a good cook (But she has two cookbooks, the American Better Homes & Gardens cookbook and the Trini Naparima Girls School Cookbook. Still, how on earth do I advise with my limited cooking skills? Maybe menu composing is the wrong idea. Maybe I should just figure out highly nutrtious staple items with which many meals can be made?)

b2) I'm definitely not a good Caribbean cook (being an American, good usage of her local fruits and vegetables is not something I have a proper understanding of. I know some of their NAMES but little else! Things like Caribbean pumpkin, bitter melon, chayotes, bodi, seim beans, yucca, dasheen, dasheen bush, shado beni, sorrel, barbadine, plantain, green papaya.)

c) She wishes to become mostly vegetarian. Eggs and milk are fine though. (my concern is that she will likely need certain vitamins or enriched soy products to avoid deficiencies, mainly in B12. Can these be found easily without importing? Nasty VAT and duty on suppliments.)

I really don't want to disappoint her. Any advice or resources would be so much help!

Help Choosing a Honeymoon spot

2legit2quit — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 14:48:13 -0800

Where in the Caribbean should we go for our honeymoon? We have the following islands available to us through the SFX timeshare program:

* Antigua
* Aruba
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Bermuda
* Dominican Republic
* Grand Cayman
* Sint Maarten
* St. Lucia
* St. Thomas
* Turks and Caico

We are a very active couple looking for a mostly relaxing trip, but would also like to have a day or two of fun activities. We also need it be reasonably priced. Bonus points if the island has some semblance of waves on the beach.

law student needs cheap vacation, cerveza

charlemagne — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:17:22 -0800

Where can my fiance and I spend a week decompressing on a warm beach in Mexico/Caribbean/Latin America without paying through the nose OR sleeping in a thatched hut? Me and Mr. F are in Los Angeles, looking to fly down to Mexico for about 6 days the second my law school's final exam period ends. We've heard wonderful things about Isla Mujeres and the area south of Cancun, but flying to Cancun in mid-late December would be very expensive--about $725 a ticket. Yikes. That plus a hotel room would be too much for us. We'd like a vacation somewhere on the beach, where we could do lots of quiet relaxing, and he could surf, possibly. Not partiers, not dedicated to climbing on any Mayan ruins, very interested in eating our weight in delicious shrimp tacos. Here's what I'd like from you fine people:

1) other places in Mexico that could be lovely, wouldn't be as expensive to fly into, and are far enough south to avoid the recent unpleasantness (i.e., Mexico's devolution into a gang-ruled hell)

2) other vacation spots that would allow us to swing in a hammock, staring into the crystal blue ocean, eat tacos and drink beer

What I don't want:

1) The name of this hostel you stayed in once when you were backpacking through Costa Rica that only had a *moderate* cockroach infestation. I may be a student, but we're old, and I'd sooner stay home than sleep in a bunk bed.

2) all-inclusive resorts in downtown Cabo San Lucas or Cancun where someone with a whistle will try to make a margarita in my mouth.

(I know, there are a hundredy-million questions on here that have already been asked about Mexican beach vacations. I read them, and found great suggestions. However, my main deal is the cost of the flights out of Los Angeles, $700 being *way* too much.)

Where in the Caribbean/Central America to go in late November?

xiaolongbao — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 08:40:19 -0800

Where in the Caribbean, Mexico, or Central America should I go in late November? I'm looking at a three- or four-day weekend with a friend in late November (specifically, sometime during the 17th-22nd). I've been to Costa Rica before and have my eye on a sweet package to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean coast), but am not sure the weather will be decent.

I'm also considering Nassau, which I enjoyed in the past and where I feel the weather would be more decent (maybe?), and we could feasibly go anywhere else in the Caribbean/Mexico/Central America area. We've already been to Mexico City, so would rather not go there again. We need to go outside the U.S., so Puerto Rico is also out.

Budget is roughly $500-$700 for airfare and hotel. We're not into partying/drinking but desire a beach and sunny weather (of course this is always a gamble). Touristy/explory stuff is cool. One of us speaks fluent Spanish and we both speak French. At this point, weather and awesomeness within our price range are the most important factors.

Thanks for your thoughts, Mefites!

Vacation destination in the caribbean/mexico on budget

victorashul — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:17:16 -0800

Looking for all inclusive caribbean/mexico vacation on a budget of 2000 CAD in a good hotel I am turning to the wisdom of the crowd to tell me some vacation spots in the caribbean region and/or mexico.

I've been to Jamaica and Cuba before, and now i'm looking for a destination in either Jamaica or Mexico, and, most importantly, on a budget of 2000 CAD for 2 person for 7 days leaving from Vancouver (preferably) or Seattle.

I've heard a few good thinks about Mexico, but after a brief look around i've discovered that there are a few regions and more than a few hotels in each region. I do not know anything about the regions, but this is what i would like:

- 4-5 star hotel, Good food and drinks (quite important to me), and nice beaches. The night life is secondary as i intend to go there to relax, but a little partying wouldn't be out of the question. I'm planning on travelling from 1st of September for 7 days (the departure date is flexible into september).

So, where have you guys and gals been, and liked and recommend?
Which hotel made you gasp in delight?

Which sites out there provide the best deals?

Please don't be shy and spill the beans on the best places out there

Cheers! :)

Bermuda or US Virgin Islands?

ubermuffin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:15:19 -0800

Short trip this August: Bermuda or USVI? Why, and where to stay/what to do? I'd like to plan a trip for the girl I'm seeing and myself to go somewhere warm with beautiful beaches in early August.

We've narrowed the possibilities down to Bermuda or the US Virgin Islands. Bermuda, because it's close -- we're flying from Pittsburgh -- we can find cheap flights, and I've always wanted to see it. USVI because she's part Danish and there's lots of Danish history and influence there. I am aware that August is hurricane season in the Caribbean so that might be a factor too.

We're looking for a nice, low key, place to stay for 3 or 4 nights. Not super interested in all-inclusive packages. Definitely interested in being close to other activities (hiking/biking/poking around towns) besides sitting idly on the beach -- but that's a big draw too.

Have you been to either of these places? Do you have any recommendations for places to stay? Where would you go?

Pirates, without the arrr.

BadMiker — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:34:39 -0800

Recommend me a good book on pirates. Without any arrring please. I've wasted more time than I'd admit playing 'Pirates and Traders' on the phone (highly recommended if you have android) and it's got me interested in pirates and Caribbean history in general.

Can you suggest a good book; one which has a good focus on principal characters, 'pirates' and otherwise, ties in the economic and political background of the period, explains the development and history, but which also manages to be readable and engaging?

Beach and casino in August?

Salamandrous — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:48:16 -0800

Yay! I'm going on vacation with my amazing awesome brother! Neither of us have done something like this before and we don't really know where to start. We want to travel the first week in August, for 4-5 nights, from Washington DC. I want to be on the beach, but directly, walk outside the room onto the beach on the beach. He wants a good casino there or near by. We were thinking the Caribbean but are open to anything that's an easy flight. A cruise is also a possibility. Our budget is up to $2000 (flights + hotel + preferably food). Where have you been that was beautiful and relaxing and fun? Or else, how did you wade through the plethora of vacation/hotel sites to find exactly what you were looking for? Thank you!

Six Days Near St. Maarten

kevin-o — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:15:08 -0800

What should my boyfriend and I do for 6 days on or near St. Maarten? To celebrate his 60th birthday, my boyfriend's father is flying the whole family to St. Maarten for a week. My boyfriend and I were able to arrange our schedules to travel out 6 days before the family for a little pre-vacation of our own. We are also celebrating my boyfriend's graduation from law school and his completion of the New York Bar Exam.

During the family portion of our trip, we will be staying in a resort on the French side of the island. We would like our first six days to be as different from that as possible. (Neither of us is a huge fan of resorts.) We wouldn't mind staying on St. Maarten but would also love to travel anywhere that is a short ferry or flight away.

We enjoy active vacations and would love for our time to include hiking, kayaking, bicycling, etc. We love food, especially street foods and other local favorites. We prefer character and charm to luxury. We like to go out at night, but usually prefer bars/dives to clubs. We also would enjoy being in the middle of nowhere. We are gay, and if there are gay activities nearby, we would love to visit them, but we only need for places to be tolerant and safe. We would be happy spending our time all in one place or bouncing around a little bit.

We are trying to stick to spending no more than $1,500US on this portion of the trip, and we would really prefer to keep our budget closer to $1,000.