The best island to go to... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

missmae218547 · 10-05-2006, 05:39 AM

Hey Travel Punkers!
After talking to a friend who spent a month chilling on a beach in Tortola, I've decided I MUST do the same. My friends and I plan to go in a year or so, and I want to get some thoughts/tips/advice on which island to go to. My goals for the month in the Caribbean are:

1. Laying in the sun on the beach.
2. Laying in the sun on the beach drinking rum.
3. Hiking.
4. Swimming.

Not too much to ask for, me thinks. However, I want to go to an area where it isn't incredibly populated, but close enough to civilization so that we can get supplies, etc. I've tried Googling ideas, but thought it was time to turn to the boards! Also, if you have any ideas how expensive any of these islands you might suggest are, please include that, it's good info!

Any thoughts will help, thanks!

**tumblezweedz** · 10-05-2006, 08:22 AM

A friend of mine did a similar getaway in Anguilla. She loved it.

**omisan** · 10-05-2006, 02:38 PM

Tortola is freakin' awesome. Of all the Caribbean islands I've visited, though, I still think St. Martin is my favorite. It's among the most expensive to get to (sometimes it's cheaper to go from Paris or Amsterdam than it is from the States!) but there are specials to be found, and once you're there, stuff is cheeeeap. We're talking $8 (or 8 euro if you prefer to overpay) 1L handles of Absolut vodka at the corner store, $2 shots at the bar, and good meals in the $6-10 range. Unfortunately, there aren't that many lodging options, although there are some cheapie low-end hotels... What I loved about SXM is the mixture of Caribbean culture, Dutch, and French. You could constantly change languages within a few miles of travel. All the crazy euro expats there are pretty fun, too.