No-brainer Caribbean vacations

By Bob Friel

updated 12:42 p.m. ET April 10, 2007

In these days of total information overload, trying to put together a just-right vacation — one precious week of escape from work and worry — can itself feel like work. Of course the Caribbean is a no-brainer for a great getaway, but which of the dozens of countries, hundreds of separate destinations and thousands of accommodations should you pick? Many places in the region offer something for everyone but, in order to take the stress out of choosing, we’ve collected slam-dunk ideas designed to satisfy particular desires. Simply find the category that fits what you’re looking for and select your perfect vacation.

For families that stay and play together
A Caribbean vacation can be one of the most fun and memorable things a family can do together. And thanks to an increased emphasis on resort-based kids clubs and activities for all ages, it’s never been easier. The following are No-Brainer picks for three distinct styles of family getaways.

Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
SeaWorld, Vegas and a beach resort awash in a 20-million-gallon marine park: Get the Griswalds together and tube the Lazy River, ride the water slides and ogle the sharks. Or sign up the wee ones for a Kids Club (available for ages 3 to 12), and let the teens go wild at Gamers Reef while Mom and Dad roll dice at the casino or get rolled in seaweed at the Mandara Spa. Enhance the No-Brainer factor by signing up for an Atlantis meal plan. Rooms from $245 per day in low season ($420 high). 800-285-2684; www.atlantis.com

The Westin St. John, USVI
St. John is a family-friendly destination with excellent snorkeling, hiking and beautiful beaches. The Westin offers a great base for exploring the island — most of which is a national park — and also provides plenty of action right at the resort: iguana feedings, kids-club sailing lessons, floating trampolines and always-popular movie nights by the pool. No-Brainer add-on: Rent a Jeep for off-campus jaunts to places like Little Cruz Bay for its restaurants and shopping. From $299 per day in low season ($479 high). 888-627-7206; www.westinresortstjohn.com

Villa Vacations
With so many Caribbean rentals available, there’s a home to fit any family. You can choose a villa where you do all the shopping and cooking yourself or one fully staffed with cooks, butlers and babysitters. Villas start at around $1,000 a week for a conveniently located one-bedroom and range into the stratosphere for killer beachfront mansions. The following villa-rental agencies are one-stop shops, experts at matching you with the right home. Most agencies offer a pre-stocking service — if you go non-staffed, having at least one day of food and drinks waiting for you is a No-Brainer.

Caribbean Villas and Resorts 800-338-0987; www.caribbeanvilla.com

Destination St. John 800-562-1901; www.destinationstjohn.com

ReMax Island Properties St. Maarten/ St. Martin 866-978-5852; www.islandproperties online.comWIMCO Villas 800-449-1553; www.wimco.com

For those who desire more amour
If you want to make sparks fly, set the scene perfectly. The Caribbean does its part naturally, providing hot sun, swaying palms and sultry, starry nights. Add the seductive atmosphere created by one of these resorts, and you’ve reached inevitable irresistibility.

Petit St. Vincent, St. Vincent and The Grenadines
“Don’t come rappin’ if the red flag’s flappin’” is the official policy of PSV, a 113-acre private island rimmed with two miles of sandy beach. Here you can sequester in one of the 22 stone-walled cottages and never worry about a housekeeper’s knock causing cuddle-up interruptus. Simply replace the red flag with yellow whenever you need food or drinks. No-Brainer lunch special: Book a picnic on a nearby sandy spit. From $470 per day in low season ($740 high). 800-654-9326; www.psvresort.com

The Caves, Negril, Jamaica
Freudian? Yes. A little too impressed with its own trendiness? Oh, yeah. But The Caves is also undeniably one of the Caribbean’s sexiest retreats, with a clifftop Jacuzzi, private dining in a candlelit grotto, an Aveda mini-spa and hot A-list guests. There’s no beach, but what better metaphor for amour is there than holding hands and jumping off the cliff? The romantic room picks are One Drop (closest to the ocean, canopy bed, outside shower) and the ultra-private Bird’s Nest (hand-carved king bed, inspiring ocean views). From $515 per day in low season ($765 high). 800-688-7678; www.islandoutpost.com

Coral Reef Club, Barbados
This elegant, Platinum Coast beachfront hotel has 88 rooms, but those seeking the ultimate in classic Caribbean romance need only have eyes for the five Luxury Plantation Suites. Ceiling fans spin above your balcony bar. Sip cocktails on shaded lounges or reach for them from your private plunge pool. Take them inside to the huge soaking tub or straight to the elaborately carved four-poster. Have the staff set up an intimate dinner on the bougainvillea-draped balcony. From $1,150 per day in low season ($2,410 high). 246-422-2372; www.coralreefbarbados.com

For those who go to extremes
Not satisfied with sinking into a beach chair day after day? This region offers plenty of adventure, from soft (like snorkeling and bird watching) to extreme (like dodging jaguars on weeklong jungle treks). These three countries are the kick-ass kids of the Caribbean.

Belize
Belize boasts a wide selection of surf (snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking) and turf (hiking, caving, canyoning, biking) activities.

Zach Stovall Experienced guides will take you on an adventure in Belize.

Surf: The Inn at Robert’s Grove is a top spot in Placencia, the jumping-off point for dives with whale sharks and trips to uninhabited cays. Seven nights all-inclusive from $1,970. 800-565-9757; www.robertsgrove.com

Turf: Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch & Jungle Lodge has super-experienced guides. No-Brainers are the three- to seven-night programs that let you select from Ian’s high-adventure menu. Seven nights all-inclusive from $975. 866-357-2986; www.cavesbranch.com

Dominican Republic
The D.R. is the most varied of all the Caribbean countries, with vast bays that attract humpback whales during the winter mating season and both the region’s highest point (Pico Duarte: 10,416 feet) and its lowest (Lago Enriquillo: 114 feet below sea level). Iguana Mama, the crème de la adventure-crazed crème of D.R. outfitters, offers caving, hiking, biking, canyoning and eco-tours. Sign up for a weeklong adventure itinerary, which includes accommodations. Seven nights all-inclusive from $1,895. 800-849-4720; www.iguanamama.com

Dominica
On this unspoiled island you can scuba dive in a submerged caldera in the morning and then hike a topside volcano in the afternoon. Sperm whales frequent the bays, parrots and mountain chickens (giant frogs) enliven the rainforests and there are waterfalls galore. Here are two places where you can stay comfortably close to nature and get dialed into all the adventure:

Beau Rive From $123 per day in low season ($141 high). 767-445-8992; www.beaurive.com Jungle Bay From $199 in low season ($249 high). 767-446-1789; www.junglebay dominica.com

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