Caribbean? Worth visiting or boring and tacky?

[Nivvers2001]

Planning a trip with family or either February half term or Easter holidays and really want to go somewhere properly hot and exotic and relax, swim, see wildlife etc. I'm a very nervous flier but accept I'm going to need to travel at least 8/9 hours for proper heat. My shortlist is currently Barbados or St Lucia but not sure if there's that much to do. Other options would be Mexico or Thailand (DH ie less keen and both require a longer flight which isn't ideal).

Some of the BVIs are lovely, as mentioned above. St Lucia and Grenada are as well. Curaçao is nice too.

I do agree with others though that the title of this thread is pretty rude.

I'll call out racist nonsense whenever I see it. Cheers.

Do you know anyone from the Caribbean? Friends? Colleagues? What do you think they'd think of your thread title?

I’d change your title OP it’s beyond rude and condescending

Dominican Republic often crops up on those worst holiday destination threads, but I haven't ever heard anyone ever referring to any island as being tacky?

Not that I'm on countdown for our next trip or anything as it is

@AStonedRose I don’t the Op meant the people were tacky. I took this to mean resorts - and some of them aren’t great. They can be avoided though. There are shopping areas devoted to cruise ship passengers and they are best avoided really. I think choosing the right islands to visit is key and most people don’t go beyond the main ones with airports. That’s a shame as there’s better available but no crowded wall to
wall Bars and restaurants. Far more laid back and better for it.

And you are also beyond rude. Go away.

I'm not changing it. If it was that offensive it would have been taken down. Maybe you enjoy being offended for no reason.

Thank you!

Omg she’s asking not telling.

she wants to know which if any of these places are over-developed and commercialised such that AI resorts etc have pushed out small, authentic hospitality and local culture.

It’s a perfectly reqsonable question, are you all on something today?

Where would you say is the best place to stay in Barbados? West coast or south coast?

Meh. She's had plenty of chances to clarify what she means, or even to change the thread title.

Instead she's doubled down and abused and insulted multiple posters.

So would you not recommend going?

I don't think Op's actually going to any of these places. She's just here for the drama and shit stirring.

We stayed just south of Bridgetown, walking distance from the town centre. I can't remember the name of the hotel, but it is very close to George Washington House.

Given that in one of your previous ramblings you called Mumsnetters ‘Morons’ I’d call you bloody offensive!

I've been to Jamaica and Cuba, OP. They were fantastic. You'd hate them.

Look, any place that is easily accessible by North American and European tourists and has all inclusive resorts could be considered to have tacky elements. However it’s really easy to avoid in the rest of the country.

Barbados- we hired an Airbnb on the west coast, ate at incredible restaurants, hired a car and travelled around by reggae bus.

Antigua- did stay in an all inclusive but it was all inclusive optional and was a small boutique hotel, no slides or mini disco or questionable buffet. Again we went out and about exploring.

St Lucia- going this winter. We are staying in a ‘tacky’ family friendly all inc because we have DC but we also plan to go hiking, snorkelling, to visit the volcano and waterfalls. There was also plenty of accommodation options that didn’t have slides and an entertainment team.

Cruises- I indulge my tacky self and hit up senor frogs where I can!

Wouldn’t be my no 1 choice but doesn’t mean wouldn’t be yours.

Yes the whole of the Caribbean is awfully tacky ☺️ … dont bother going, i’d recommend Blackpool for a staycation or Benidorm for a European trip. Please leave these destinations alone for the rest of us who can appreciate it’s beauty

@Nivvers2001 Look at where the top hotels are. West Coast every time. There isn’t great wildlife on Barbados. The beaches are great if you can access them. It’s an interesting enough island but others are more authentic.

Goodness, what a question, Having been to most of the Caribbean islands which are beautiful and fascinating in their own individual ways, I can hand in heart say no person sensible has ever described them as boring and tacky,

is their resorts that could be considered thus, sure, I’ve not been to one, but possibly, but the islands themselves, no, how very odd.