Caribbean in February?

[Leiv]

Hi,

Could you recommend a destination for february?? I would like to go to the beach to swim and relax....so nice beaches, good weather and warm water is a must.

I was thinking about Guadaloupe, Martinique, Dominique, Sta. Lucia, Antigua, etc....... which one of this islands have the nicests beaches??

Thanks

[bikeshop]

It's subjective but I believe the best beaches are actually on the biggest islands - Cuba & the Dominican Republic. Besides having the best beaches, other advantages are that they are by far the least expensive and most friendly islands - if you can get out of the resorts.
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[paul]

Bear in mind that February is very much peak season for the Caribbean. There's an interesting article by Arthur Frommer that I've attached below. Doesn't answer your qeustion, I'm afraid, but might nevertheless be of interest:

Having trouble getting reservations in the Caribbean in February? Try Central or South America instead
By Arthur Frommer

In travel, February is the cruelest month. It is then that frostbitten Americans seek to flee to the tropics (meaning Mexico and the Caribbean), only to find that flights and hotels are either totally full or else priced at their highest rates of the year.

Central and South America are easier to reach and still rather reasonably priced in February. Here are seven accessible and inexpensive yet warm destinations in that most frigid of months:

(1) Offshore islands of Honduras: Its banana industry largely destroyed by a recent hurricane and its coffee crop devastated by worldwide low prices, Honduras is turning to tourism for salvation and is actively promoting (and perhaps subsidizing) its dirt-cheap dive trips from offshore Roatan. Capricorn Leisure flies you down to these extraordinarily clear waters and puts you up at the hillside Half Moon Bay Cabins on Roatan, perfect for nondivers as well. Throughout February, flights depart midweek from American Airlines-served cities, at air-and-land prices of $749 from Miami, $768 from Dallas, $813 from New York, $931 from Chicago, $938 from L.A. or San Francisco and $982 from Seattle. Additional nights are $32; single supplement is $193. Contact Capricorn Leisure Travel at 800/426-6544 or www.capricorn.net

(2) Argentina: With no solution yet in sight for its economic crisis, the price of an air-and-land package to Buenos Aires is now only $465 for six nights in February at the centrally-located Waldorf Hotel near the Galerias Pacifico (shopping and restaurants). The price includes a three-hour tour of this elegant city, a shopping discount booklet (the buys are extraordinary, given the debased state of the Argentinian peso) and round-trip air on Aerolineas Argentinas from Miami. The February price from New York is $550, from Chicago $600, from Los Angeles $650. Additional nights are $17; single supplement is $100. The tour operator is Analie Tours (800/811-6027, www.analietours.com).

(3) Brazil: February is the peak of Rio's ''summer'' high season, and yet such is the plight of the Brazilian economy and currency (still dropping) that Marnella Tours (866/993-0033, www.marnellatours.com) is able to offer a price of only $664 for a remarkable air-and-land package to Rio. In February, you'll pay that reasonable sum to fly midweek from New York on Varig Airlines, checking in for seven nights at the modern Trocadero Othon Hotel overlooking Copacabana Beach. Daily breakfast and a half-day Corcovado tour are included. Alternately, you can use American Airlines to reach Rio (and enjoy the same package) from Miami ($714), Chicago ($924) and Los Angeles or San Francisco ($904). Additional nights are $24; single supplement is $130.

(4) Peru: For less than $800, Latin American-specialist Analie Tours (800/811-6027, www.analietours.com) offers a one-week immersion in the culture of the Incas in February: two nights in Lima at the Mariel Hotel in the prosperous Miraflores district then a flight to the ancient capital of Cuzco for four nights at the Hotel Emperador in the historic district. After touring Cuzco's ruins, you're taken on a full-day tour of breathtaking Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Andes. The package price: $769 from Miami; $959 from New York, Boston, Chicago or the West Coast. Additional nights: Lima $22, Cuzco $25, Machu Picchu $35. Single supplement: $130.

(5) Santiago, Chile: Like Los Angeles, it's warm during the day, cool at night. Also like L.A., this sophisticated capital is within an hour of both mountains and beach. Throughout February, Discover Latin America (800/826-4845, www.discoverlatinamerica.com) jets you to Santiago's Mediterranean-style Torremayor Hotel (or similar) for six nights with breakfast daily. It throws in a half-day tour of Santiago, a full-day tour to the charming seaside resort of Viqa del Mar and picturesque port city of Valparaiso, and it includes round-trip air on Aerolineas Argentinas for only $777 from Miami, $852 from New York and $952 from Chicago. Additional nights are $39; single supplement is $150.

(6) Guatemala: You stay in only two locations: Guatemala City for four nights at the modern Biltmore Hotel and one night in the market town of Chichicastenango at the Villa Grande Hotel overlooking the town. But you receive numerous escorted sightseeing tours -- to the 16th-century colonial town of Antigua, Lake Atitlan and the lakeside village of Panajachel, in addition to touring Guatemala City itself. Grupa Taca and connecting carriers transport you, and tour operator Sunny Land Tours (800/783-7839, www.sunnylandtours.com) supplies you with land arrangements, for a total of $519 from Miami, $619 from Dallas, Houston or New York, $639 from Chicago and Washington and $749 from Los Angeles and San Francisco, all throughout the month of February. Additional nights are $35; single supplement is $150.

(7) Costa Rica: The hottest destination in Central America is easily and reasonably visited in February. You receive your first and last nights in the inland capital city of San Josi (colonial and modern architecture, cultural events, crafts markets) and then five nights in between at the oceanfront Best Western Jaco Beach Resort, an ideal Pacific Coast base for sportfishing, rafting and every other water sport, as well as a trip to nearby Manuel Antonio National Park. Your Travel Service (888/877-9131, www.yourtravelservice.com) paves the way, flying you on Martinair from Miami for $569 or on other carriers from Houston ($689), New York ($699), Chicago ($740) or Los Angeles ($769). Additional nights are $25; single supplement is $235.

Paul
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[jorge_pa77]

I'm totally agree with bikeshop... The best beaches are in Cuba. You can find Varadero beach ( the most beatiful beach in the world) all kind of atractions, hotels five starts or 4 or 3... All inclusive, and more...
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[arcoiris]

[aaron]

Advertising your accommodation doesn't answer the OP's question.

Please desist from advertising unless you are answering the question specifically. There are very clear posting guidelines on this site - please refer to them.

Thank you

Aaron
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[travelhunters]

I haven't been there, but I've been intrigued by a place called Margarita Island, off the Caribbean coast of Venezuela. I found it on the traveland.com website. Here's what they have to say about it (message follows):

>>>Only on the Island of Margarita will you find a variety of beaches spanning from the roughest waters to the calm and quiet ones. Enjoy activities such as kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving, jeep safari, duty free shopping, fun nightlife, casinos, golf and more. On Margarita Island, explore an island rich in history and experience many different worlds and climates: coral reef lagoons, the Amazon's rain forest, the plains the savannas, the Andes mountains and the largest Delta in the world.
Known as 360 days of Sun! <<<

Has anyone ever been there? Just the name along has intrigued me
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[Dr. X]

I spent a day there on a winjammer cruise. I liked it. Beautiful island.

[msquared]

Cabarete, in the Dominican Republic is one of the nicest places I have ever been for beaches. We rented a jeep and drove out to a beach that had cliffs surounding it with crystal water and very fine sand. I stayed at the Windsurf Resort in Cabarete through my company Fun For Life Club International. You literaly walk across the street past a few resturants and are looking at crystal blue water. There is a lot of water sports on the beaches. Windsurfing, Kite Boarding, and Surfing are very popular.

There is more information on my website about the resort and how you can go down there.

Jamie Muzik
info@fflci.com
http://www.fflci.com

[paellaman]

Go somewhere in the southern Caribbean, that's where the water is likely to be the warmest in february.

All depends whether you want lots of action, jet ski's for hire and casino's, or if you prefer relaxation and non touristic places.
I personally like Tobago, the hilly side . For instance Castara or Englishman's Bay.
Another great place to go is Carriacou.
In both Islands there is no mass tourism, Carriacou being the quietest.

Follwing refers to Carriacou and is an exerpt from our website:
Perhaps you get lucky and are invited to a wedding or a tombstone when strolling about in Carriacou, both subjects to big gatherings where people stop by to show their respect, have a drink and taste what's cooking, or simply to have a chat with other villagers or locals flown in from abroad for the occasion.

On Sunday's there are many church-services to choose from in a great variety of church societies- From Catholic mass to a spiritual and African inspired Baptist service. You will be warmly welcomed by the congregations.

People from Carriacou are happy to meet you, and a glass of rumpunch usually gets great conversations going.

Go on the bay one early morning to meet the local fishermen coming in and the villagers going for their morning swim. If you hear the conshell blowing hurry to the beach, then there is fresh fish on sale…

Paradise Beach on L'Esterre bay is a peaceful beach with beautiful calm seas. It is one of the best beaches in Carriacou

Go for a scenic tour of the island and stop at Belair to get the most breathtaking view of the entire island with its expanse of water and islets.

Take a trip to Petit Martinique and visit the mud-hut museum. Return and relax on the many white sandy beaches and be sure to bring your gear to go snorkelling among the reefs.

Go for a trip to White Island to enjoy the marvellous water and snorkelling, to Mabouya to experience a completely untouched islet. Bring your fishing gear, this is where the locals go spearfishing

Take a water taxi, and let BananaJoe entertain you with his knowledge while you enjoy the coastline.

Have a wonderful afternoon on Sandy Island, and feel like Robinson Crusoe. Take a cooler and your snorkels, have a swim in the lagoon . An unforgettable experience!

[Boom Boom II]

Try Trinidad & Tobago for a fairly inexpensive - casual vacation - Tobago is the smaller sister island to Trinidad (Bigger more industrial) but very reasonable - fairly easy to get to via miami, nyc, you can prob get a room for around $95-120 a night - when we were there we stayed at a place called sanctuary villas - but it wasnt on the beach - but a short drive is all it takes - also I agree with the Dominican Republic - great, cheap but when we were there we didn't leave the resort because we were told it wasnt that safe - check out USVI as well - i just received an e-mail from american for a RT tik. from JFK to STT was about $250 - cant beat that
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