Which is the best Caribean island to take a 5 day vacations in January? Steps from the beach, nice warm and th

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jeremy d

Duh!! Jamaica Duh!

nearnorth

The direct flight rules most islands out. The only ones would be:
Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Nassau Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Aruba.
Jamaica and Dominican Republic are islands where you don't want to leave your resort at night, and when you go shopping you get harassed in a very stress-inducing manner by desperate shop keepers all selling the same thing. This sounds mean, but it's the simple truth. However if this doesn't deter you both these islands have wonderful beaches and geography, great resorts and food (Jamaica has AWESOME locally grown coffee!!) and are the least expensive Carribean options. And all the locals who work at the resorts or who are not trying to sell you something are wonderful people. Very warm and friendly and touchingly proud of their culture. I love Jamaica, I just don't go out to the towns to shop much.

Nassau is very Americanized, and becomes a madhouse at times due to it's giant Atlantis resort which is the #1 most travelled Carribean destination out of all resorts and all entire other islands. It's also flat -- no lush rainforest mountain goodness.

As a travel agent, I have heard many cases of racism against American's from Puerto Ricans so I am reluctant to recommend going there. Though I'm sure this isn't too common. Puerto Rico is expensive though. And direct flights go into San Juan, which is away from the vacation resort areas. So expect a long drive to your resort once you land. (This is the same in Jamaica -- but the countryside is beautiful.)

Aruba is a flat-ish desert island, but great beach, great food & night life and all island citizens get free full education from their government so there isn't much poverty and hence it's very safe (that Natalie Holloway thing is NOT representative of the goings on in this island) there are no desperate street and beach vendors begging you to buy their things. This might be a little bit pricier than the other islands unless you're very flexible with your dates -- then you can get just as good of a deal. (Tip, for a 5 night fly either Thurs to Tues or Wed to Mon for the best airfare). But a flight to Aruba will be closer to 4 hours.

And for all these islands direct flights from any DC area airport do not go every day... usually only around two possibly three days a week.

â™¥Boricuaâ™¥

Puerto Rico fo course! Beautiful island, you will love it! Cuba and the Dominican Republic are also Beatiful places to travel.

Stargatebabe

The problem with the 3 hour limit is you can't get far enough south to get into warm water in January. I've been to Jamaica and Grand Cayman then and the water was nippy for my taste. Plus I don't recommend Jamaica, they don't like Americans. 'nuf said.

You have to go really far south to get nice warm beaches. Sorry. Think the U.S. Virgin Islands or lower.

SANDRA Q

aruba or the dominican republic.

playaseca2000

Try Apple tours , we went to Dominican Republic last Sept . and stay in Punta Cana In SunScape the Beach it was wonderful , also try tripadvisor.com

vitamin C

CuraÃ§ao is a very good option. The people are very friendly and you can be sure to have a good service there.

Sarah

Although it is a bit further than 3 hours from Washington DC, I would recommend Barbados, Mustique in St Vincent and the Grenadines or Tobago! Good luck and have a blast!

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