Caribbean : Super Family Vacation Spots - Bahamas, Jamaica, and St. Lucia. The best choices for families provide more than a “Kids stay free” policy. In our search we have passed by the word “free” always emphasized by upper case letters. A few places have appeared on our radar screen because they offer vacation package with added value. From The Bahamas and Jamaica to Curacao and St. Lucia we have found some delightful family vacation options. Each island has its own unique offering and some truly want families and demonstrate their desire by offering vacation values as well as experiences guaranteed to build memories.

Bahamas: Proximity to mainland US is the most obvious added benefit for families with the tropics in mind but time at a premium. The islands are remarkably flat with palm trees, soft sand and shell laden beaches lining the edges and thick pine forests mainland. There are hundreds of uninhabited mangrove islands and thousands of tranquil coves and reefs for diving, snorkeling and sailing. The British spirit with a tropical twist is apparent among islanders.

Abaco Reort Marsh Harbor Bahamas "Family Getaway" Vacation Deal. Plan a five-day/four night Bahamas vacation the whole family will love. This family-friendly vacation package includes: oceanfront accommodations, overlooking Sea of Abaco; breakfast and dinner daily; free meals for kids from Children’s Menu, when dining with a paying adult; one daytrip to secluded island with snorkeling and swimming, including lunch; single family ferry transfer for daytrip to Hopetown; complimentary watersports; unlimited use of tennis courts and two freshwater swimming pools; complimentary use of beach towels and chaise lounges at pools and beach; roundtrip transfers from Marsh Harbour Airport; taxes and gratuities for included services. Rate begins at $795.00 per person. Meal plans are available. Package is based on double occupancy, with four-night minimum. Two children per package maximum, when staying in room with parents, and $370 per each additional child. Airfare and Bahamas departure tax are not included in package rates. Subject to availability. Abaco Beach Resort Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas. www.abacobeachresort.com

Jamaica: A mountainous island of captivating beauty, Jamaica is an emerald in the Caribbean Sea. Known for natural beauty inland and awesome beaches along the sea, enchanting music and great coffee, the island is a friendly easy paced retreat where visitors are invited to test the “Don’t worry, be happy.” island philosophy. Montego Bay is an ideal launch pad for families wishing to enjoy a Caribbean holiday with natural variety and no stress. Shop at the Straw Market; sip from a cocoanut; stroll along the beach; snorkel or dive; sail or raft, the vacation possibilities are endless.

Montego Bay Rose Hall Resort. They offer all-inclusive carefree family vacation fun for kids of all ages. Spanning 400 beachfront acres, our enchanting resort location provides an endless host of activities so your family can play together. Beginning with the totally awesome Sugar Mill Falls water complex where guests can spend sun-drenched afternoons gliding down our lazy river in an inner tube; plunging down the 2800-foot thrill slide or enjoying the jungle garden - complete with a rope-and-wood suspension bridge. Try parasailing, snorkeling, kayaking and windsurfing sailing, volleyball and aerobics, day tennis, dive-in movies, live music each day and daily activities and games for the whole family, it’s all included. Relax in spacious rooms and suites and experience our historic Jamaica elegance. Everything is taken care of before you arrive, from meals and beverages to gratuities for the staff. Rates for all-inclusive packages depend on selected calendar dates. ww.RoseHallResort.com

Anguilla: The island’s appeal for families also comes in the form of her people, among the friendliest in the entire Caribbean. There's a welcoming spirit that's shared with visitors, instantly making everyone feel right at home on this island. Family friendly, this island paradise has many uncluttered, non-commercial beaches and several unique attractions for families. Not to be missed: The Dolphin Fantaseas provides a chance to swim with dolphins in a controlled safe environment. Take a family junket to Scilly Cay for West Indian barbecue, dancing, swimming, snorkeling and fun.

Paradise Cove Resort. This is a secret hideaway for families searching for a quiet retreat. Amenities include a Kiddies' Playground and their own small sized pool for ages two to 10 years of age as well as an Olympic sized pool for general use. On site they have weekend "cookies and cream" parties and pizza making sessions. Each one-and two-bedroom suite provides a fully equipped kitchen and a private cook may be arranged. Rates begin at $160 for a studio, $185 for a one-bedroom suite and $260 for a two-bedroom suite during the summer season and $235, $310 and $430 respectively during the winter. 264-497-6603 or e-mail para-cove@anguillanet.com or www.paradise.ai

St. Lucia: Off-the-beaten-path, delightfully green and relatively unspoiled, the island offers green-draped mountains, hidden valleys, banana plantations, a bubbling volcano, and miles of uncrowded beaches. Combining French and British heritage, the residents welcome visitors with a friendly Creole lit. Safe, friendly and delightfully Caribbean, it is ideal for a family getaway. St. Lucia is an island loaded with family vacation potential. Providing uncrowded beaches, soft ocean breezes and a welcoming atmosphere, St. Lucia embraces arts and music offering visitors a uniquely St. Lucian experience. As local guides explain St. Lucia was once known as "Island of the Iguanas" but should really be called “The Island of Bananas” because at least six different varieties grow on its soil. Feast from a variety of native dishes, maybe even pepper root stew. Other kid-friendly tropical tastes include: mangoes, papayas, pineapples, soursops, passion fruit, guavas, and coconuts. The national dish is Callaloo Soup, made from a leafy green similar to spinach and the earliest Amerindian cultural breads farina and cassava may still be found on menus.

Cocoanut Bay Resort and Spa. A picture perfect vacation spot located on the Atlantic shores in the Eastern Caribbean on the friendly island of St. Lucia. The resort, minutes from the international airport, located in Savannes Bay on a beautiful beach. Large rooms with double queen beds, or connecting rooms are available. Amenities include all resort activities, entertainment nightly, food and drink. There are three pools plus a water park that includes a lazy river and water slides. Included in the price is Kidz Klub with a well supervised children's activity center for ages 3-12. Coconut Bay Resort and Spa, Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, West Indies. Call toll free 1-866-978-6226 direct at (758) 456-9999 or www.coconutbayresortandspa.com 

Aruba: Aruba Government has organized an island wide program "One Cool Family." to entice families to visit and to return. No matter the interest they have a suggestion and often a value benefit. For example "children snorkel free" is actually offered by "De Palm Tours. For countless island tours if an adult pays the child does not. Swim, snorkel, SNUBA (SNorkeling + scUBA) or take a walk on the ocean floor without getting your face or hair wet with Sea Trek, exclusively featured on De Palm Island. Not to be missed: For a thrill with a bored teen try land sailing or dune sliding at Boca Prins. The Atlantis Submarine also will thrill all ages as it takes riders on a mini underwater cruise.

Hyatt Regency Reort and Spa. Looking for a fun-filled Caribbean family vacation? Our spectacular 12-acre resort on world-famous Palm Beach offers a welcoming combination of superb amenities, ideal location and outstanding service. Discover countless ways to spend your days. Play tennis, relax on the white-sand beach, race down the waterslide, or pamper yourself at Stillwater Spa; enjoy the mystical freshwater lagoon stocked with fish and guarded by black swans. Try hard-court basketball; play pool and beach volleyball; dive into a magnificent, three-tier swimming pool; practice yoga; enjoy snorkeling in crystal waters; play bingo poolside; prefect your water balloon toss; savor delicious cuisine; take a chance in the casino. Bonus points: Enroll the children in Camp Watapana, the perfect place to experience the culture and uniqueness of Aruba. Children age 18 or younger stay free in parent’s room using existing bedding. Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino J.E. Irausquin Blvd #85, Palm Beach, Aruba, Dutch Caribbean. www.Aruba.Hyatt.com

Curacao: Located just two and a half-hours from Miami, this island is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is perfectly situated just outside of the hurricane belt. This tropical island boasts an eclectic mix of history and culture, which has served to create a Caribbean experience unlike any other. Also known for its abundant pristine diving conditions, this island is ideal for an adventurous family as well as those looking to unwind and enjoy a deluxe holiday surrounded by a rich menu of cultural experiences. Not to be missed: Take a trip to the Curacao Seaquarium with its semi-submerged viewing platform and a dry front row seat for sea life viewing. Landlubbers should head to Hato Caves near the airport for a look at old coral reefs that are now dry land sea caves with limestone formations, underground pools, cave drawings and fossils dating millions of years ago.

Royal Resorts - Sea Aquariun Resort. Within walking distance of the Curaçao Sea Aquarium. The two bedroom, two bathroom villa style units have both style and space. Each unit has a full kitchen and there are eight restaurants within walking distance. The villa style units sleep six and for more space they can interconnect creating palatial space. The resort’s social activities include aqua aerobics, water polo, beach soccer, sand castle building and pool volleyball. There is a protected lagoon beach with safe shallow waters for youngsters. Free diving lessons are also available for guests that wish to explore the island’s waters. Papiamento language lessons are complimentary for all wishing to get a culture fix on the island. Willemstad 1-800-221-8090 US/ Canada & Mexico or 954-485-5412 or online. www.royalresorts.com

Hotel Kura Hulanda. For families with well-traveled teens this urban hotel is perfect. Luxury, beauty, delightful atmosphere only steps from the city. As a Leading Small Hotel of the World it exceeds expectations offering guests a sense of place within a cluster of well restored and presented guest houses. Babysitting and children’s programs at Museum Kurá Hulanda, a world-acclaimed anthropological museum are available for younger guests. For more information call Leading Small Hotels of the World toll-free at 1-800-223-6800, the hotel directly at 011-5999-434-7700 or www.kurahulanda.com or www.lhw.com

British Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda: This pristine cove laded area of the Caribbean was once a haven for notorious pirates. The tales of Blackbeard, Bluebeard, Captain Kidd, Sir Francis Drake and Long John Silver are still related with vigor. Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Treasure Island was based on Norman Island just south of Tortola. The diving and snorkeling is great the sailing the best and privacy easy to find. Not to be missed: Try snorkeling at the caves just off Norman Island, the waters are always calm and the swimming easy. The underwater visibility is a bonus so take a trip to the Rhone National Marine Park to see the wreck of the RMS Rhone.

Tortola BVI - Long Bay Beach Resort and Villas. Making sure families experience a sense of place and have a great time in the Caribbean is what the staff at Long Bay Beach Resort and Villas do best. The resort offers off-the-beaten-path tropical elegance. The atmosphere is serene, green and family friendly. There are activities for the whole family and opportunities to educate children about the environment in an area where ecological preservation is a top priority. Long Bay has a children’s pool with waterslide. In addition, the resort has a reputation for having the best restaurant on Tortola. Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas, PO Box 433, Roadtown, Tortola. BVI Contact the resort directly (not for reservations) 1 (284) 495-4252. From the continental US, Canada, Puerto Rico and the USVI: (954) 481-8787 or toll-free 1-800-345-0356. From the UK and Europe, 0870-160-9655. Go to www.longbay.com or reservations@longbay.com

Biras Creek Resort. This vacation retreat is accessible only by watercraft and is entirely self-contained. It is a safe sanctuary for families needing down time in a deluxe tropical atmosphere. There are jogging paths that weave throughout the 150 acre complex and each guest has the use of a fat tire bike during the stay. There are supervised lessons available for children wishing to learn how to surf, sail, snorkel or improve a tennis game. Meals may be taken at the hilltop dinning area or in private suites. FYI: Children must be at least 6 years old to stay at this resort. Toll-free 1-800-223-1108, 284-494-3555 or www.biras.com

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