I have enough airline miles that I need to use before April 30 to get me to either the Bahamas or Puerto Rico. Any recommendations on where a solo female should go since I haven't been to either
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Cat:Caribbean and the AtlanticForum:0EE6B316
Cat:Caribbean and the AtlanticForum:0EE6B316Discussion:ef2a00ac-afc7-47c7-bab5-de3b188d5c22
I have enough airline miles that I need to use before April 30 to get me to either the Bahamas or Puerto Rico. Any recommendations on where a solo female should go since I haven't been to either yet? Also, any thoughts on where to stay in either destination? I would be there anywhere from 4-6 days and prefer smaller hotels/B&B but am open to other accommodations. Thanks Frommer family!
You don't say what you like to do once there. If you want to sit on a beach, the Bahamas is quieter. If you also want to see historic sites and nightlife, Puerto Rico is a better choice. In the Condado area of San Juan, there are several B&Bs either on Ashford Avenue (the main street) or 1/2 block away.
I've been to San Juan, Grand Bahama, and Nassau as a solo female. As cejnyc says, the decision really depends more on whether you want more beach /water activities or culture and nightlife. I love San Juan for the architecture, the history, and the sense of being in a foreign country. But if you choose a beach area hotel, I believe you'll need to cab or bus yourself into Old San Juan where the action is. There is also the cruise ship factor - be sure you aren't trying to arrive/leave on a weekend when the cruisers are in - nor do you want to be in Old San Juan when 5000 or more tourists descend on it for the day - those narrow streets do get crowded.
Conversely, although I don't care for Nassau (too much cruise ship traffic and pushy vendors), I love the Lucaya area of Grand Bahama for pure relaxation and friendly people. The beaches are marvelous - the marina/marketplace offers a number of restaurants/bars/etc overlooking the water - and most places are walking distance to each other - or they offer very inexpensive bus service around the island. I like to snorkel and Deadmans Reef offers very good snorkeling from the shore.
I prefer to stay in larger hotels so I can't speak to any specific B&Bs in any of your choises......
I was in PR in Oct/Nov for 2 weeks with a female friend and loved it. Our favorite beach was on Culebra and we loved the entire island with beaches for playing in the surf as well as 2 snorkeling beaches. We rented a car and loved the freedom of just going where we wanted. Whole island is so small you can enjoy all 4 coasts easily in the time you have planned. Send you more on our itinerary if you wish.
A small very friendly place in old san juan is the Gallery Inn a very unique place you can always take a bus from the terminal to Isla verde for beach time
The Bahamas are about the beach. Puerto Rica is like a trip to Europe! Nassau has a few cultural attractions but otherwise unless you only want sand and sun, Puerto Rico is the place to go. You don't say your age or your budget so it is hard to recommend an itineary or lodging. If you are 50 or older look into the Road Scholar Puerto Rico program. It is terrific and takes you all over the island except for San Juan which you can do on your own after the program. If you are under fifty, buy a good guide book and find out what interests you and what you can afford and plan your trip accordingly. PatBlakes
I have enough airline miles that I need to use before April 30 to get me to either the Bahamas or Puerto Rico. Any recommendations on where a solo female should go since I haven't been to either yet? Also, any thoughts on where to stay in either destination? I would be there anywhere from 4-6 days and prefer smaller hotels/B&B but am open to other accommodations. Thanks Frommer family! Posted by gyraffe
Hi Joelle-I'm a female that has travelled quite a bit solo - and I found Eleuthra a wonderful small island in the bahamas - lots of b&bs in Harbour Island; I don't have any names for one tho. Don't know Puerto Rico. aj
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm 48 and primarily wanted a beach vacation with some cultural/historic attractions. But my list just expanded and now I can also go to Aruba. I tend to be a budget traveler.
As a recent widow in her late 70's, I would like to travel solo for my first time...any one like myself...any suggestions for my first venture out? Have been to Spain and several times into Mexico, but not on my own.
http://www.curacao.com/ is the Island NEXT to Aruba ( I've been to both ) Much prettier with more Dutch flavor and coulorful Explore the Hato Caves, an elaborate network of stalactites and stalagmites with drawings at least 1,500 years old. Hike the trails of the 4,446-acre Christoffel National Park, teeming with exotic wildlife and gardens. Diving enthusiasts will love the Mushroom Forest, an underwater jungle of 10-foot, mushroom-shaped star coral. For memorable shopping adventures, visit our capital city, Willemstad -- a charming port of high-end retailers, restaurants, and nightlife spots. It is one of the Caribbean’s few UNESCO World Heritage cities. Vivid, sherbet-colored buildings showcase Dutch colonial architecture not to be found anywhere else outside of the Netherlands.
