Best warm weather vacation- Carribean or Mexico- suggestions on where to go and...

[SuzieD]

...where to stay? Desperately need to go somewhere warm and get away from this long winter. Looking for suggestions for a beach vacation that isn't ridiculously expensive, somewhere relaxing, beautiful, some music, some nice sites to see, and great food! Can anyone help?

[stella39]

There are many Caribbean suggestions I could make because you just described the whole Caribbean. But one island stands out.

St Maarten/St Martin is the gourmet food capital of the Caribbean, it has beautiful beaches, it's relaxing and you are just ferry boat rides away from Anguilla and St Barth's.
I think St Maarten has the best duty free shopping in the Caribbean next to St ThomasUSVI. This island has casinos and plenty nightlife.

The island is half french and half dutch. I prefer the Dutch side of the island but many visitors like the French side due to the clothing optional beaches on that side of the island.
The French do not frown over topless sun bathers. You will find some topless on the Dutch side but not as many

As far as where to stay, you don't say what your budget is.
My suggestion for you would be, Hotel L'Esplanade on the French side or Oyster Bay Beach Resort on the Dutch side.
I would read the unbiased reviews from tourist like yourself on tripadvisor.com Here is the link of all the hotels

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g147346-St_Maarten_St_Martin-Hotels.html

Enjoy and have fun)

[kse]

I second Stella's review of St. Maarten. I haven't been, but my Mom and my Aunt went to the Dutch side last year and they loved it.

They have been to several of the Caribbean islands, and really enjoyed the French and Dutch lifestlyes, particularly the food.

[Timothy B]

I'd suggest you Curacao.
Secluded beaches, clear warm waters, very nice people, relaxed and laid back atmosphere and great food everywhere you turn. There are a couple of museums on the island, including one of the best heritage museums around, the Kura Hulanda Museum. once there, do take the time to take a stroll through the Kura Hulanda Hotel as well. It's an expensive, but unique hotel. The Curacao Seaquarium and the Ostrich Farm are also very good places to visit, and at the ostrich farm, if you care for some african cuisine, try the restaurant there.
Janchie's, parke shete boka and Plasa Bieu (old marked) offer some of the best local dishes on the island, including okra soup, cactus soup, iguana soup or stew and goat soup and stew.

Don't know what kind of budget you are on though.

check it out.
http://www.curacao.com