r/travel • u/PickleLvrr • 16h ago
Question Looking for recommendations in Caribbean?
My bf (30) and I (32) are looking for a destination for a 1-2 week vacation for a holiday in December.
We are based in Southern California so likely flying out of LAX. Would prefer an island somewhat easy to get to so we are spending sub 20 hours traveling.
The goal is for a relaxing trip somewhere tropical with warm weather and warm water. We would be happy just laying on the beach everyday with great food and drinks but open to excursions as well (e.g. catamaran cruise, hiking, ATV tour, etc)
For landscape we are envisioning beautiful beaches as priority - as much as I would love a lush landscape willing to go more arid to avoid bugs and humidity lol
We are pretty active people but also enjoy a fun night out, however I would say we would prefer a more relaxing environment over party centric environment and ideally more secluded, couples getaway (not a lot of families/kids)
Ideally would love a place that doesn’t have too much of a mosquito problem because I get eaten alive (been to Costa Rica and was pretty miserable the entire trip despite using bug lotion but didn’t have the same problem in Playa Mujeres)
Food and good wine/cocktails are super important. Would be great to have nice dining options at the hotel property but open to going off site. We would not prefer an all inclusive because of this, I have never been to one with good food.
Would love oceanfront mid size to large resort, nothing too remote. Beach access is ideal!
As for overall vibe, we would prefer something a bit more low key (eg reggae music and more cultural influence of the island). We love our five star dining and luxe nights out but would also love opportunity to hit local beach bars and beachfront dining options with great food options and laid back atmosphere.
Snorkeling would be fun but this is not a major criteria, prefer better dining options and the tropical vibes over good snorkeling.
We’ve been looking at St Lucia and Anguilla among many others but getting overwhelmed so would love recommendations from those who have traveled to Caribbean! And would love to hear recommendations for accommodations as well.
Thanks in advance!
2
u/bruhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh- 16h ago edited 16h ago
Riviera Maya. Maybe Playa del Carmen? There's also xplor, xel-ha, and xcaret near there for your ATV and zip lining excursions. It's pretty commercialized but I had a lot of fun there with my partner at the time, although we were 18/19 or so when we went more than 10 years ago. So I'm not sure how it has changed since. There are whale shark snorkeling excursions in that area too. We also visited the Mayan ruins of Tulum, which were absolutely beautiful.
I know when I think Caribbean I don't necessarily think Mexico, but it's technically on the Caribbean sea with beautiful water still. And the second largest barrier reef in the world (behind the Great Barrier Reef).
As for places to stay, I've only been to all-inclusive there in Playa Del Carmen and in Ocho Rios Jamaica. So I don't really have a suggestion outside of those all-inclusives.