Beaches Guide

What is one of the least expensive wedding destinations in central america or the carribean?

Approx 20-30 people. for 3 to 4 nights stay. beach wedding and reception

Jamaica.

Need travel advice, Central America?

We are planning a vacation to Central America likely in February and early March of 2011. We have been to Mexico three times including the Mayan Riviera, Cozumel, Mexico City, Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido, Zihautenejo and Acapulco and this time we are looking for something different and less-touristy, albeit still within Latin America given the warm to hot weather at that time of the year and the ease and low-cost of travel from North America. We are independent travellers and we ideally would prefer to rent our own transport rather than be lugging bags on and off buses. We are middle of the road travellers who don’t require five-star accommodations but won’t stay in hostels. I’ve always been accustomed to staying in very nice places for $50/night. I was initially considering Costa Rica for our vacation due to the wide variety of things to do and landscapes. After some research (travel guides and internet) I have found that I am absolutely shell-shocked by the suggested accommodations and meals costs in C.R. which appear to be far higher than Mexico and essentially on par with the U.S. I have also read several times that driving in C.R. is not advised due to poor roads. I am also now considering Panama but according to what I’ve read there appears to be much less to do there. Can anyone provide any advice on Panama and if it would be as enjoyable as C.R. for a 2 to 3 week holiday, or for that matter any other destination in the region? Note that we’re not interested in Guatemala (as I do want to spend part of the holiday on the beach), El Salvador (too scary) or Belize (waaaaay too expensive). Anyone have any comments on Honduras or Nicaragua in comparison to C.R. and Panama, and in particular if they’re suitable for the independent travellers who only know the most basic of Spanish?

Well I’ve been to both Panama and CR, but CR is waaaaaaay more enjoyable if you guys are looking for a real getaway. Panama is got big cities just as any country. CR has big cities but they’re kinda more rural (all tho you can find the fancy stores & everything else). But there’s no point of comparison if you guys are considering nature, there’s a bit of everything in CR.

Certainly some roads aren’t quite made for us used 2 driving in perfectly paved roads. That’s completely true, but they’re not that bad either, at least not for me.

Accommodations are certainly big ticket items if you’re considering the big resorts, but if you choose to go with the smaller ones prices aren’t that high. Food… I think it’s reasonable, I mean, I’ve no complaints. In fact, Panama may set you back larger bills for food, because they use US $, and the exchange rate for Costa Rica’s currency is great (I believe it’s called colon).

I’d certainly advise you guys to go with CR, it’s just paradise, they’ve got a bit of everything.

Hope that helps!! Enjoy… pura vida

Best beaches in Mexico during March?

Best beaches in Mexico during March?
my family and I are planing a trip to Mexico next year during the month of march . What beaches do you recommend for this time of the year. . Looking for good weather and warm water . on any coast of mexico

March is the best month to be in Mexico………all of Mexico`s beaches and weather is at it`s finest. Low humidity and no threat of tropical storms anywhere except up in the N/E Matamorros and southern Texas can see rain at that time of year.
Occasionally La Semana Santa (Holy Week) (Easter) can fall in late March but normally falls in April. You would like to avoid that event, especially if you don`t like crowds. You can`t even walk on the beach without walking over people.
The only other deterrent are the Spring Breakers and that can be a rather wild encounter "of a third kind"
March is normaly my last month and I just hang out on my patio and tan up and relax most days and if I sail back , I sail during the month of March.

Which Caribbean Island has the best beaches?

I’ve been to a bunch of Islands so far and I don’t want to go to one I’ve already been to. The islands I’ve been to are:
St. Thomas
St. John
St. Martin
Anguilla
Aruba
Puerto Rico
Bahamas
St. Kitts
Nevis
Is there an Island besides those that’s known for having the best beaches?

I have been to most of those places as well, so you really narrowed down my choices for an answer!

I may be a little biased since I really love this island, but I am going to say Jamaica. There is a beach there for almost any occasion and lifestyle (or clothing style – clothed or, well, um.. not clothed!).

My favorite is, by far, 7 mile beach over in Negril, and the area has plenty to see and do. Parts of 7-mile are clothing optional as well if you are in to that. But if you are looking for family beaches, then you can check out Cornwall Beach over near Montego Bay.

Turtle Beach and Mallards Beach, near Ochie, are more secluded but still within walking distance to hotels (a quarter of a mile or so to the nearest hotel). Both also boast great Jamaican food nearby as well.

While over there, check out Dunn’s River Beach as well. The world famous Dunn’s River Falls overlook this beach, making it the perfect point to take in nature and enjoy the scenery.

Where is a small, nice, city that you could live at? With beaches. (in USA)?

I just want to know, where is a small town, nice and pretty, with a beach that i could live at. In the united states.

St. Augustine, FL
Fernandina Beach, FL

Why must "suits" be worn on beaches in the USA?

Any place I’ve been in the world except Saudi Arabia, Iran and Indonesia do not require people to wear "bathing suits" like in USA. Even in Muslim countries Egypt and our neighbor Canada it is legal for women to go topless. Is because of the Puritan influence still ahold in the US or do the manufacturers of bathing suits keep these archaic laws on the books to sell more suits?

Actually the laws against topless sunbathing are state laws. There is no Federal law against it, and on a beach in my area within a National Park system nude sunbathing is allowed in designated areas.

Would u prefer to travel Scandinavia, Russia or South Ameria?

Place like South America, Hawaii, there are great beach, flowers, but tempreture is too high.
Place like Russia, Canada, there are no nice beach like Brazil, but it is not warm and sweaty.

I prefer to travel colder place, place like Brazil is too warm.

Well I have been to all the Scandinavian countries as well as Russia so next on my agenda is one of the South American countries such as Brazil. But yeah I agree with you, South American countries would be really hot, and places like Finland, Norway, Sweden, etc have similar climates to where I live so I wouldn’t be bothered by the cold.

Best secluded beaches in the Caribbean?

I am looking at going to the Caribbean for 2 weeks from Dec. 29- Jan 12, and I was wonder what areas we not touristy and not crowed– yet provide the clear blue waters?

Thanks!

There are really only a few that can get very laid-back.
-Turks and Caicos: These are technically not in the main Caribbean range, but very calm nonetheless.
-Antigua can get calm
-The Bay Islands (off the coast of Honduras)

My personal choice would have to go to The Bay Islands. The beaches can get just as beautiful as other destinations, plus there’s a lot to do there. They are mainly known for the world-class diving (they sit on the second largest barrier reef in the world), but are less expensive than the majority of Caribbean destinations and Belize.

ROATAN: The largest and most developed of The Bay Islands. You might see a crowd or two on The West End, but when you compare this to other Caribbean destinations (Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, etc.) even The West End can be reasonable. If you want to get even more laid back, head to some of the other places on the island: such as Sandy Bay.
Things to do:
-Ocean Kayaking
-Carambola Botanical Gardens
-Diving
-Snorkeling
-Deepsea Submersible: this is one of the more expensive excursions, but unforgettable, and you can’t do it with such quality anywhere else in the world. The captain takes you in a submarine (place is known as Stanley’s Submarines), and you go deep into the Cayman Trench.
-Ziplining

UTILA: Utila is more laid back and cheaper than Roatan. The beaches aren’t as extensive as those of Roatan, but still nice. Utila is known for the several opportunities to dive with whale sharks.

GUANAJA: The hardest, and thus, one of the more expensive of the islands. However, Guanaja is unique in that it is beautifully remote, has an amazing underwater topography (caves, tunnels, canyons, etc.) and is also great for hiking. I recommend Bo Bush’s Island House or Clearwater Paradise: these people will offer you the best experience on Guanaja.
Things to do:
-Ocean Kayaking
-Diving
-Hiking
-Visiting local communities

Also, much closer to Honduras’s North Coast (yet farther from The Bay Islands) are THE CAYOS COCHINOS. These are two small islands surrounded by several cayes. They’re a protected area, so this is the most secluded you can get. Best access is by a tour from La Ceiba. Great beaches, beautiful diving.

I simply recommend The Bay Islands — go now, before they lose all of their tranquility, and get as expensive as the more popular destinations.

Is USA the last Western country to forbid women to breast feed in public or be topless on a beach?

I saw women breast feeding in public in Cairo Egypt and many topless women on Egyptian beaches so it seems even some Muslim-dominated countries are culturally less prudish than the Puritan USA.

The hypocrisy of the US in regards to sex still astonishes me. I used to live next to Valley Forge National Monument Park, and the Rangers, US Dept of the Interior employees, used to ride horses and uses remote cameras and advanced optics (paid for by the taxpayer) to crack down on local lasses who had the nerve to go down into one of the hollows (depressions, or folds in the land) to sunbathe topless! No bare breasts there, by God! Thousands of dollars and hundreds of man-hours to prevent the occasional glimpse of nipple!

Where do I find my Caribbean beach in the Mediterranean?

White sand… Turqoise water…
I know the Mediterranean sea has nice beaches but i’m looking for the special one that hasnt been invaded by tourists yet.

Not gonna find anything Caribbean in the Mediterranean Sea. If you want seclusion, then try for a small town or village along the coast. I tend to watch a lot of travel shows like Rick Steves Europe and Globe Trekker, and there seem to be some nice coastal towns in Western France and in Italy that are off the beaten path. Or you could even head to an Island like Crete (near Greece) or Corsica (near Italy).