Caribbean?

[HRCsMumma]

Hi everyone.

Looking for a 2 week holiday in January / February time. 2 adults and my (then will be 4) year old DD

Any recommendations? Budget is around 6-7k.

Also, would you recommend AI?
Open to other suggestions too for different countries. Would like beautiful beaches, hot weather (mid to late 20s) clear water, nice food etc. the usual.

Thank you.

Keep in mind any vaccinations you would need, especially for DD, if you go long haul.

I think the general consensus is to fly direct.
Will definitely look at Thailand and Sri Lanka. Thank you all!

Barbados is great with kids. Totally safe to travel around by public transport or hire a car. Children are made very welcome when eating out and west coast beaches are very shallow and warm. You are not restricted to AI as every where is safe and welcoming. West coast just South of St Lawrence gap towards Oistins is fairly priced as is just North of the gap towards Bridgetown.

Its a few years since I've been but the RIU Negril in Jamaica is one of the nicest hotels I've ever been to.

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/caribbean/jamaica/jamaica/negril/hotels/riu-negril.html?utm_medium=paidsearch&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiuC2BhDSARIsALOVfBKWv6By4HKkrj67xu2Q5_kmy0RhTBTH4jJG7pO0ytWBdeLmJUR-SrgaAiyzEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Barbados is lovely. It's EXPENSIVE though! I found the supermarkets so expensive and probably would have been cheaper places but the restaurants were also expensive.

We were AI so it wasn't a massive issue but I wouldn't have wanted to do self catering

Antigua was very nice in Feb. Carlisle Bay is a great hotel but not sure on costings for 4.

Jamaica would be mid to high 20s, very beautiful, but I would mostly stay in resort/ do organised tours. Thailand amazing, possibly around 30 degrees then, wonderful people and so much to see and do 😊

All inclusive is fantastic, and works out much cheaper than eating out 3 times a day, or having to prep your own meals. If you go on a day trip, you let the hotel know the evening before and they will do you a packed lunch to bring with you 😊 It’s usually 24 hour as well, with snacks and drinks provided in between main meals. Usually snacks provided near the pools too.
Friend recently went to Mexico, did not feel safe.

I don’t think the Bahamas would be warm enough at that time of year.
Yes, would probably need vaccinations and anti malaria tablets for Thailand, that I don’t think you would need for the Caribbean.

Another vote for Barbados. West coast has stunning family friendly beaches excellent for swimming & snorkelling, the food is great and caters to all tastes (from ££££ to roadside shacks for a fish cutter, wraps or home cooked macaroni pie). Huge range of accommodation to suit your budget and its only about an 8hr direct flight. Tap water safe to drink (no need to buy bottled water), we find it very safe to travel about the island (no fear of having to remain in AI compound), the local buses can be a joyous experience. Best thing about it is the Bajans. Its the sort of place families return to year after year, not really a place for crowds of drunk Americans, the ones I've met have been more genteel or professional couples. My lot have very different expectations of a holiday (one v active, one wants to laze on the beach all day sipping pina colada) and we all adore Bimshire.

Different islands will depend what board you go.

Jamaica - you need to be all inclusive really. It is a fantastic island with a lot to do but check transfer times as it is bigger than you think.

Barbados - you can do anything but it is a shame to do AI as the restaurants are so fabulous. Room only/B&B or self catering allows you to get out and about and try all the restaurants. If you are in Holetown most places are walkable or 5 mins in a cab. You can also go to the south coast but choppier sea. That said The Crane is a great resort for kids on south coast but rough Atlantic seas. Mango Bay, Crystal Cove, Tamarind etc are all great hotels on west coast. Plenty of self catering too. If you are a foodie this is your island! Also safest and easiest to walk around.

St Lucia - if in Rodney Bay you can do all inclusive or self catering. It is a long transfer though.

Antigua - likely All Inclusive as things can be quite isolated.

I'm glad we did AI in Barbados as it would have cost a small fortune to eat out for 10 days.

Done Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica and I'd recommend any of them.
Beautiful beaches and warm sea
AI is less hassle when you need a drink all the time cos it's hot and it's more relaxing than going out looking for a restaurant every night

When you are choosing between the Caribbean and Thailand etc you are dealing with two very different ballgames. I lived in the Caribbean for years and it is very expensive to shop for groceries . If you were going I would suggest AI. While there is a surface level of friendliness there can be a great deal of resentment towards tourists. I wouldn't touch Jamaica as just too much crime. Antigua is a good low key destination with great beaches. It's expensive though.
I looked at prices recently and Thailand, Sri Lanka etc are far cheaper and more likely to be in your budget.

Mexican AI and Barbados SC are two completely different holidays.

Maybe look up a few random restaurant menus to get an idea of costs. We like Tides in Holetown for a more luxurious dinner, that's probably the most expensive place we would eat at during a trip. 100 Barbados dollar is about £40.
https://www.tidesbarbados.com/menus. Mains around $100, starters $50, desserts $30. However you can mix up with SC and casual eats - a flying fish sandwich (burger) might be $35 (£13). So overall, I would say quite similar to UK price ranges for low - high end.

Unfortunately, @Chewbecca when we went in March, we had a very disappointing meal at Tides. . We've been several times before, and so it was even more of a letdown.

25%tax on a meal now 😳

Where does it say that?

So DH and go on a 'big' holiday every 5 years, (which will be this next trip) and a smaller more local holiday more often in the U.K. annually. I think we will do Thailand on the next big holiday after this one. Mainly because of DDs age and a lot of the travel included in island hopping. It's my dream to do it but we want to do it right with DD.

So we're certainly looking forward to Caribbean now. We were looking to go in January but if we hold off a couple of months and go in March we can save another £1500 at a push, if we're strict. So hopefully looking at a budget of 6.5k in March 2025. Is that more realistic of a budget?

Then 2030, island hop with DD who will be 9.

Sorry typo on budget. Originally 6-7k for January

At a push we could to 8-8.5k for March / April but that will be for everything (spends, extras) Included.

I just put in a March date, and came up with Mango Bay for £6617.70 for 14 nights, all inclusive. It's in a great location on the West Coast.

We did 10 days in a 4 star AI in Barbados in February last year for £5K. That included flying from our local airport to LHR and an overnight stay in an airport hotel.

@BIWI on the menu that the poster linked to. It is inclusive in the price.

Oh I see - but those are quite normal really - VAT is one of them, its 12.5% service (which is often added to bills here) and the 2.5%, which I assume is a tourist tax.

Thank you sooo much. That's a top 3 contender!