I'm starting to plan an anniversary trip for winter 2018 and want to go somewhere different. Been to quite a bit of Mexico, Dominican, Cuba and Kauai. Would LOVE to see Turks but it's out of budget, thoughts on Aruba, Antigua, Curacao, st Lucia, how do I choose??! Thanks!

St. Lucia is the most beautiful Caribbean island I've seen. I've only been on a cruise though, so can't recommend accommodation. Have you considered Costa Rica or Thailand?

Turks can be done for the budget of the places you've listed. Visited St Lucia a few more months ago and definitely prefer it to T&C. Barbados is also fantastic!

I can see how flights would be in our budget but the hotels and food seem high, especially in US $ lol

We stayed in a place just off the beach (10 years ago though) in the $100 USD/nt range. Depending where you stayed in St Lucia you'd be looking at very similar (or higher) prices. I'd look at SE Asia if I were you. We always traveled to the types of places you have listed and now all I want to do is go to Asia. Flights aren't too much more than Caribbean prices lately but you can stay in fantastic beach front places for a fraction of the price and dining out is crazy cheap and the beaches just as nice if not nicer.

Just went to northwest Costa Rica and really enjoyed it. Some nice resorts (I stayed at Andaz Hyatt Papagayo) but also a more interesting culture than a lot of the places you've been. Tons of wild life, great people. If you want something off the beaten path you can also do a day trip to Nicaragua but you need to do it through a tour company because crossing the border can be complex.

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Turks !! Loved it there, I got married there

St. Martin, loved it! Why more affordable than Turks

There's been a lot of good seat sales for Costa Rica and Nicaragua lately. We've been to CR and few years ago and loved it but it wasn't as cheap of a holiday as we figured. Everything was more or less in US $. Nicaragua is where we're going next. I've heard nothing but great things and prices are still reasonable.

Have you booked your Nicaragua trip yet?

I have been to St. Lucia 4 times. It is beautiful! Costa Rica is on my list too.

Meredith, where do you recommend staying in St. Lucia--I want to be able to walk to places rather than be somewhere remote?? Thanks in advance for your suggestion.

Closer to Castries or Soufriere. Google a map of St. Lucia and hotels and you can get a better look. We also stayed at Coconut Bay Resort close to the airport. It is windier on that side.

We were just in St Lucia and unless you are willing to pay a lot for several day tours you really need a car in order to see the sights. We did use public transit for super cheap as well, but it is very inefficient there and you'd have a hard time getting to the main places. We stayed in Laborie, Soufriere and Rodney Bay.

Yes. You can see much if you rent a car.

Been to St. Lucia and Antigua. We loved Antigua!

Antigua over St lucia for you then?

For me, yes

Panama or Costa Rica are beautiful. My favourite place in the world is Sansara Surf and Yoga Resort in Cambutal, Panama. There are other cheaper accommodations in the area if that's out of your budget and local food is inexpensive.

Grenada!!!!

Australia or New Zealand!

Would love to but need to keep it to 10 days!

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I love Great Exuma, rent a small house on vrbo and rent a boat, visit uninhabited islands.

And even consider Columbia, Cartagana is lovely.

That would be Colombia

Lots of good sales to Nicaragua.