Here we go…

Bahamas

Summary:
I have only spent a day on Paradise Island, touring The Atlantis resort property. I have to say, The Atlantis itself is quite impressive and probably worth looking into staying there. It looks appropriate both for romance between partners and fun for the kids.

Deals:

Local Currency: Bahamian Dollar (BSD)
Strength vs. US Dollar (as of 2/26/2009): Even (1 USD =1 BSD)
Happy Meter:  45%
GDP per Capita (recent estimate): $29,900
Unemployment Rate (most recent estimate): 6.9%

Barbados

Summary:
Lush and beautiful, the mountainous island of Barbados has stellar beaches and beautiful weather. We spent our actual honeymoon on Barbados after Hurricane Hugo destroyed St. John (where we were planning on going, but have yet to go to). With Barbados it’s best to stay on the beach and in your resort or go on a guided tour. The road maps of the island are poorly documented and the drivers dangerous.

Local Currency: Barbadian Dollar BBD)
Strength vs. US Dollar (as of 2/26/2009): Weak (1 USD = 2 BBD)
Happy Meter:  21%
GDP per Capita (recent estimate): $20,200
Unemployment Rate (most recent estimate): 10.7%

Belize

Summary:
Belize is wonderful once you get out of the capital of Belize City. There is a rain forest with Mayan ruins in the interior and the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere on the coast. Although quite poor, the people are extremely friendly. The official language is English.

Deals:

Local Currency: Belize Dollar BZD)
Strength vs. US Dollar (as of 2/26/2009): Weak (1 USD = 1.95 BZD)
Happy Meter:  65%
GDP per Capita (recent estimate): $8,500
Unemployment Rate (most recent estimate): 8.5%

Bermuda

Summary:
Bermuda is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom (UK), so it has a very British feel to it. The downside of this is that the food is British as well, not spicy Caribbean food that I like so much. The island itself is colorful and beautiful. There are only 66,000 residents of the island, but the island is very small. It is not really “Caribbean,” since it is north of the Caribbean. It is relatively expensive versus other islands, but it is a short flight from New York.

Deals:

Local Currency: Bermudian Dollar (BMD)
Strength vs. US Dollar (as of 2/26/2009): Even (1 USD = 1 BMD)
Happy Meter:  75%
GDP per Capita (recent estimate): $69,900
Unemployment Rate (most recent estimate): 2.1%

Cayman Islands

Summary:
Like Bermuda, the Cayman Islands are an overseas territory of the UK. Unlike Bermuda, however, the Cayman Islands are nested in the heart of the Caribbean, just south of Cuba. The weather is fantastic and the famous “seven-mile beach” on Grand Cayman is break-taking and beautiful. Since it is a coral island, the ocean is crystal clear and great for diving activities.

Deals:

Local Currency: Cayman Island Dollar (KYD)
Strength vs. US Dollar (as of 2/26/2009): Strong (1 USD = 0.84 KYD)
Happy Meter:  80%
GDP per Capita (recent estimate): $43,800
Unemployment Rate (most recent estimate): 4.4%

Jamaica

Summary:
Jamaica is a lush island, especially in the interior. There are several hotels that cater to romantic (even decadent) vacations. Two areas of the island that are worth visiting are Ochos Rios and Negril. The poverty on the island is pretty severe and, the last time we went, we are essentially in compound, shielded from the local population.

Deals:

Local Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
Strength vs. US Dollar (as of 2/26/2009): Strong (1 USD = 0.88 JMD)
Happy Meter:  15%
GDP per Capita (recent estimate): $7,700
Unemployment Rate (most recent estimate): 10.1%

Mexico

Summary:
Mexico is a big country and much of your experience will depend on where you go. I have never been to Cancun, but I hear it is nice, albeit very touristy. The Baja peninsula is nice as well, especially Cabo St. Lucas. We went to Puerto Vallarta and had a great time. I have heard that crime is a problem in Mexico, but we didn’t experience anything like that.

Deals:

Local Currency: Mexico Peso (MXN)
Strength vs. US Dollar (as of 2/26/2009): Very Weak (1 USD = 14.97 MXN)
Happy Meter:  40%
GDP per Capita (recent estimate): $14,400
Unemployment Rate (most recent estimate): 4.1% (with perhaps 25% underemployment)

Puerto Rico

Summary:
Puerto Rico is an overseas territory of the United States, so if you are coming from the U.S., you don’t even need a passport to visit the island. Also, they use U. S. dollars and no exchange is necessary. I enjoyed the island. There are some poverty-stricken areas of the island, especially around San Juan, but there are also some nice hotels, clubs and restaurants. I found the food in Puerto Rico to be some of the best I have found anywhere in the Caribbean (even Jamaica).

Deals:

Local Currency: US Dollar
Strength vs. US Dollar (as of 2/26/2009): Even
Happy Meter:  65%
GDP per Capita (recent estimate): Unknown
Unemployment Rate (most recent estimate): Unknown

St. Lucia

Summary:
St. Lucia is a beautiful, mountainous island near Venezuela. Because it is so close to the equator, wear sunscreen! The sun is extremely powerful. There are a number of romantic resorts on St. Lucia, including Sandals, Jalousie, Ladera and (a new one) Jade Mountain. I found that there was a “split” in attitudes of the local population – friendly and happy in the North, unfriendly and unhappy in the South. Also, don’t try and drive between Castries and Soufriere like we did – it’s right-hand drive on some of the windiest roads I have even driven on.

Deals:

Local Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
Strength vs. US Dollar (as of 2/26/2009): Slightly Weak (1 USD = 2.67 XCD)
Happy Meter:  50%
GDP per Capita (recent estimate): $11,300
Unemployment Rate (most recent estimate): 20%

St. Marten

Summary:
St. Marten is divided into a Dutch-controlled area and a French controlled area. Frankly, I found the French side to have better food and beaches. We found a sheltered bay on the French side that our kids could swim in, protected from the rough waves. Unfortunately, Saint Marten is rather expensive because they use euros. Of course, there airport is named Princess Juliana International Airport, which delighted my wife, Juliana.

Local Currency: St. Marten Euro (EUR)
Strength vs. US Dollar (as of 2/26/2009): Strong (1 USD = 0.78 EUR)
Happy Meter:  55%
GDP per Capita (recent estimate): Unknown
Unemployment Rate (most recent estimate): Unknown

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Ciboney Jamaica

Jamaica is one of the most-traveled honeymoon islands in the Caribbean with tons of resorts, from small and intimate to places where the partying goes on ’til dawn. We chose something in between.

Ciboney (now, Sandals Jamaica) is about a forty minute bus ride from the Kingston airport and most airlines will fly direct from major US cities. My favorite airline to fly to the Caribbean is Air Jamaica. Now I know you may be wondering “who the hell is flying those planes?” But have no fear they have partnered with Delta and are extremely professional. And since they know most people are flying to either their honeymoon or anniversary they try to make the flight extra special. All their “lovebird” flights include free beer, wine and champagne (yummy), and they keep you entertained on even the shortest flights with videos, food and fashion shows.

On Arrival, you will be met at the airport and immediately handed a Red Stripe, the beer of Jamaica, then board a large greyhound sized bus for the ride to Ciboney. The roads are good for the most part, and the guides will point out places of interest along the way all the while continuing to ply you with Red Stripe. No worries – there will be a bathroom pit stop!

The resort sits up on a hill with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. You will be ferried up to your villa in a golf cart and a porter will help you settle in. The villa will consist of four units in each building. There is a sitting room with decidedly uncomfortable rattan furniture (I guess they think you won’t spend too much time there) a full kitchen, fridge stocked with beer, wine, rum and juices and a bedroom with lovely louvered windows opening to the sweet smells of bougainvillea bushes. We were given the impression that our villa would also be stocked with snacks but that was unfortunately not the case, and a bit of a let down. There is a television in the sitting area with satellite TV should you want to watch sports or movies.

Behind the villa is a pool you will share with the other rooms in the villa. We lucked out in that there was only one other couple in our unit and they never seemed to use the pool. The resort is not directly on the ocean but they have rights to a beach at another resort just down the hill and a shuttle runs all day. The beach is small and fills up quickly. I found that a bit of a let down. They do have all of the requisite water sports available, wave runners, sailing, water-skiing, parasailing, diving etc. There are many wandering vendors on the beach, and you can get pretty much anything you want from them including the plant Jamaica is so well known for – ahem. The vendors can be quite pushy at times but usually a firm “no thank you” will work.

The resort is all-inclusive so your meals and drinks are covered. There are several restaurants which serve everything from traditional Jamaican fare to continental to burgers. I found the Jamaican patties addictive! Throughout the resort are paths that lead to several communal outdoor Jacuzzis, wonderfully refreshing after a walk.

The main house also has an impressive pool with waterfall and swim-up bar. The grounds are truly gorgeous but marred a bit by chain link fences with barbed wire at the top, giving the resort a bit of an “armed camp” feel. But since crime is a problem in Jamaica, I guess these measures are necessary.

The resort also boasts a spa. I found the spa lacking, the treatments seemed rushed and the spa therapists uninterested. In all I found the staff to be friendly but in a forced sort of way. The hospitality was a bit insincere.

All in all the price is right here, you get a lot for your money, but I had trouble getting over the fact that a lot of the smiling and “no problem mon” veiled a real dislike of visitor. To be fair, this is a very poor island and perhaps the attitude is understandable. There is much to see, from the gorgeous Blue Mountains that produce some of the world’s best coffee, to waterfalls and rivers. You can take jeep tours, horse back ride or just laze around in the sun. If it’s a good deal on luxury you are looking for Ciboney is for you!

A last word of warning: if you choose to indulge in the local “product”, DO NOT, repeat DO NOT, attempt to bring it back with you to the US – there will be dogs at the airport.

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