Caribbean Island or Colombia

[Artner]

I'm at loggerheads with dh about this one. We have whittled out holiday choice down to either Colombia or Tobago.

Dh wants Barbados. He wants to fly and flop, stay at 2/3* hotels and self cater a bit. Stay on the beach. Fly in economy.

I want to go to Colombia and take in some culture. For the same money we can stay at 4 or even 5* hotels and afford to eat out for every meal. Fly in business class.

Barbados is nice but unexciting. However you couldn’t pay me to go to Colombia (and I say that as someone who in the dim and distance past used to get paid to go to Columbia!) OK for those who enjoy a bit of danger with their tourism I suppose. Tobago though, is a bit more off the beaten track and has some very nice bits. There might not be the mainland South American history and culture there, but there is a lot going on wrt nature and conservation, and it would also tick your DH’s desire for a beach. And if you are missing the sensation of always watching your backs to make sure you aren’t the victims of petty theft and mugging, it’s not that far to hop across to Trinidad.

If you're going that distance, I'd want some culture and interest, so I'd say Colombia. or what about Cuba although i've heard the beach resorts are pretty rubbish.

What about Costa Rica, or Belize? Might be more of a compromise?

Colombia is safe for tourists. They don’t get involved with drugs gangs. It has interesting cities and great wildlife. Use a reputable tour company. You don’t normally fly direct from uk though.

I’ve done with boring beaches. They are pretty much the same in the Caribbean! I do think island hopping in the Caribbean can be fun though. Choose the right islands and there are ferries. You then see local culture.

Costa Rica gives you a bit of everything. Beach at the end of the trip is pretty usual. There are also some great beach resorts in Brazil if you want to combine them with something more adventurous such as the Amazon, Iguazu falls snd Rio, In most South American countries you need your wits about you. But I’ve seen robberies on Caribbean islands too. So it’s bad luck if something happens.

Don't go to Costa Rica, it's a total tourist trap now.
Colombia has been in rehab for a few years and had apparently improved. Direct flights from Heathrow to Bogota and it's pretty cheap to go elsewhere after if you want to go around.
If you want Caribbean islands you can sail from Panama to Colombia via some fabulous islands run by the indigenous people or go the other way and finish with Panama city.