Solo Travel to the Caribbean

[punche]

I have a small chunk of annual leave that is going to expire in early November. None of my friends or family are free so I’m looking to take a cheap-ish trip on my own. Something like an airbnb and local restaurants. Won’t rent a car so want to be close to things.

Is solo travel to somewhere like Barbados or Antigua a bad idea?

Boring I would have thought. Safe - yes but stay in an area with tourists. You won’t have a huge choice of nice places with good restaurants and you might be a long way from a beach. I’d look at late availability with a company like Exodus. Not sure the Caribbean islands work for solo women. I would explore more than restaurants and a beach.

I went to St Lucia on my own a few years ago and had the best holiday of my life! It wasn't cheap though - look up Body Holiday, they cater to solo travellers and do an amazing job of it. Can't wait to go back. (Don't faint when you see the prices though, it was worth every penny)

Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands is safe. It is expensive but I imagine not much different to other Caribbean islands, plus a variety of restaurants catering to price levels. Start of November is still hurricane season so you might get rain, but it’s a gamble.

I've visited the Caribbean solo a few times just for an easy/quick/warm getaway when I lived in North America. Early November is tricky because it is still volatile weather (end of hurricane season).

RE places both safe and interesting for a solo foreigner AND workable for a non-driver - Barbados (look at the west coast if you want the best beaches) is great. Antigua's a particularly good option if you have to go before mid Nov, but stay close to St. John’s or English Harbour if you want to take full advantage of affordable transit around the island. Aruba and Curacao and maybe Martinique (a little more volatile politically, and speaking French is an advantage although not necessary) could also work.

You could also look at Riviera Maya and Quintana Roo on Mexico's Caribbean coast, or Cozumel if you really love the beach/ocean and water activities. You can get around there without a car but it may take a bit of forward planning and a bit more money. The Caribbean coast of Belize (Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker) could work, but be careful as safety may fluctuate in Belize in general. Also consider the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica (Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Cahuita).

Some of my absolute favourite places in the Caribbean have been the "wild cards" - Santo Domingo in the DR if you like cities, BVI (Tortola and Virgin Gorda) if you like peace, quiet, and nature, Montserrat for the history and crazy eerie landscape, although it may be too tricky if you have only one week.

I’d go. Been to Barbados and St Lucia and off to Antigua in November. I’d definitely go on my own if I wanted a really chilled rest holiday.

We have done various sailing holidays in the BVIs. You don’t get the full impact if you aren’t on a boat. It’s just a hotel somewhere nice. Airbnb - no idea but a car would be vital. You don’t see the best places from public transport.