Does anyone else find the Caribbean to be disappointing?

[Cyndijo]

Trying our third island in the Caribbean, and this will be our last. We’ve done Grenada which was nice. We did St Lucia which we didn’t like due to being hassled constantly. We came back from Antigua a few weeks ago and it was fine.

I always picture the Caribbean to be beautiful and unspoiled, friendly. But we find service to be really lacking, and often the beaches quite dirty.

Yes, I'll never set foot in the Carribbean because I can't afford to I'm afraid I'd find it so terribly disappointing.

It completely depends on the island. Its a bit like saying all of USA is disappointing! I've been lucky enough to visit a fair few of the islands and the only ones I'd return to are Aruba and Grand Cayman.

Years ago my colleague went to Antigua on her honeymoon and when I got married the following year she advised us against the Caribbean as she found it very disappointing for many of the reasons given above. We ended up going to Malaysia which was amazing.

We went to Barbados, we did not stay in an expensive hotel, which was OK. We went around most of the islands on buses. It was OK but I would not go back. It seems to be based on expensive hotels and golf.

Surely it’s a racist trope to assume places like Barbados are ‘developing countries’? I haven’t read anything on this thread that indicated people think Caribbean people are ‘smiling fools who love serving white folk’. How do you know visitors haven’t already done their research about the places they want to visit???

We loved Cuba when we went, it was beyond beautiful, beautiful white beaches, crystal clear water, amazing people, rich in culture…one of the most beautiful places I’ve been…think it depends on your expectations more than anything

I don't understand people not realising that there are the resorts and then there is how the locals live. It is the same in every country from the ones in the Caribbean to Thailand and the Far East. I lived in the Caribbean for over 10 years so well acquainted with most of the islands. Many of the locals deeply resent tourists despite tourism being their major earner. Yes many appear friendly but that can drop quickly. Jamaica is the one country I would say is a definite no no due to drugs and crime. There is the potential of crime in any of these islands however. Islands can vary due to their heritage - British, Spanish or French. Antigua is a great island as there are so many little side trips you can do either with taxi or a rental car. What suits one won't suit someone else. They are no different from Koh Samui, Phuket, Seychelles etc in respect of rich and poor.

Barbados is fantastic! The wildlife, botany, coast, culture. We stayed in an Air B&B on Paynes Bay. Snorkling, friendly locals stunning place. I think you are all a bit odd quite frankly. I would return tomorrow if I could afford it.

I've only been to Cuba and Grand Cayman. Polar opposites in many ways but both great holidays. Cuba was definitely much more interesting, we're not resort people and travelled around a bit. Buying churros at a street stall and chatting away with the seller in one of the beautiful towns is something I'll never forget. Swimming with huge sting rays in Grand Cayman is another thing. There are always wonderful experiences to be had if you get out and about no matter where you go IMO. I am a huge fan of SE Asia and Mexico as well though and probably would recommend Thailand/Malaysia/Mexico over the Caribbean - there's just generally more to explore there than on a smallish island. Good service isn't really something I think about though, but maybe it's more of a resort thing.

expect to stay at a standard far superior to anything the majority of the residents could hope for.

I really can't think of a country where most residents could afford local 5star resorts, so not really sure what point you're making.

I've a number of friends that have been to various islands & keep returning.
All they talk about is beaches, food & drink.

It seems there's nothing else to do. Tell me I'm wrong.

If a holiday is for lazing around, drinking & eating (I'm not knocking it), there are surely better & cheaper options closer to home.

Well Barbados has hummingbirds, fireflies and treefrogs for a start hard - hard to replicate a sub tropical climate. They also have amazing plants.

If a holiday is for lazing around, drinking & eating (I'm not knocking it), there are surely better & cheaper options closer to home.

Not in the middle of the winter really, if you don't like deserts but want some tropicaö greenery.

I’ve been to about 8 islands and love the Caribbean. Barbados was probably my least favourite and St Lucia my favourite. I like to do twin centre holidays with a mix of staying in a luxury resort and staying somewhere more basic near a beach or small city which I use as a base for seeing the island and eating in different places.

What we were also disappointed in was the constant trying to rip tourists off. I’ve been to countries ‘known’ for tourist scams, but I consistently found that people were tryIng to charge double or not give change etc.

Sadly there are many poor people like lots of countries. But the tourists won’t return if you treat them badly.

Could not agree more. We are done. It is more than just slow service. Most workers in Caribbean islands at resorts seem resentful and even rude at times. Yes I am aware of cultural and economical differences but to act this way to customers that are kind and supporting your income is unacceptable. Mexico is NOT like this. In Mexico they are kind, attentive, hardworking, and quick. That’s where we will go on the future.

The service drives me bonkers….

Agree with the posters saying Aruba is the only one I’d return to (though I haven’t done Bermuda or Grand Cayman). It was clean, safe and prosperous with very friendly people.

Bermuda isn't in the Caribbean - it is nearer to New York and is in the Atlantic Ocean.

We've just come back from Barbados with my elderly mum. She was born on the island but came to England for schooling and then settled here.

We all agreed that is the last time we will go. They had Jacobs Creek chardonnay for £58 a bottle in one restaurant... People seem less and less friendly yet it is more and more expensive.

Sadly you mostly seem to be going to resorts on bigger islands and then moaning. The truth is you can find lovely places on out of the way islands but they take effort to get to. And money.

Go to the bvis. Preferably via a boat. You really can escape others if you don’t go high season. Get a crewed yacht. Lots to see and do but not in a fast life sort of way. More about snorkelling and seeing different islands. St Vincent and the Grendadines is great and do visit BequIa. Get a villa or a boat. Just don’t do some islands in big resorts.

So you've visited three islands and now have dismissed the WHOLE of the Caribbean?! Ignorant.

I loved St Vincent and the grenadines when I went there 20 years ago.

I went to Antigua around 10 years ago and LOVED it - we were the first guests in what is now presumably an established hotel (right next to the med school; before us it just took students). Direct beach access and the pool all to ourselves for a ridiculously good price.

I remember interesting naval history and a magical evening at Shirley Heights; storks flying over, beautiful flowers. Not so good - a few edgy encounters in St. Johns. Quite liked a group of schoolgirls nicknaming me Snowy though possibly shouldn’t have 🤣 would go again but can’t afford it now with 3 kids.

I've been to St Lucia, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Antigua. Loved all of them . We use public transport for most of our exploring, but also take tours if the trip cant be done on public transport. Without exception we've found the locals to be friendly. The only place we were approached was in Castries and that was to offer us drugs. Left us alone when we said no .

If you don't like being approached don't go to Turkey or Tunisia.