Laid back Caribbean country recommendations for travel?

[trance399]

Countries and/or specific resorts.

I like very hot weather. Planning on September or October when kids are back in school. Not specifically looking for a place I can wear my swim briefs - because I would anywhere regardless of where I was.

Preferences:
-Looking for a hot, humid place
-Walkable
-Clean, quiet (at night)
-Safe to walk alone at night
-LGBT friendly (some Caribbean countries I've heard are not and I can't support that)
-Good food (not deep fried)
-Decent happy hours and preferably not drinks that are $15+ USD
-Probably prefer not all inclusive since I've heard bad things about all inclusive resorts serving mostly deep fried crap
-Adults only resort would be a big plus

Any recommendations?

Was looking into Aruba, Curacao, or Bahamas (Bahamas seems too pricey though).

[BozeHawk]

Due to their European history Saint Martin/Saint Maarten (one side French, the other Dutch), Aruba (Dutch), Curaçao (Dutch), Martinique (French), and St Bart (a French collectivity) would be good places to check out.

[_su_]

I've been to the Excellence resorts in Punta Cana Dominican and Playa Mujeres Mexico, both times times during Christmas-week. Adults-only, all-inclusive. Drinks are included; they even keep your room fridge stocked daily with beer, water and soda, along with 3 different bottles of liquor (e.g. Smirnoff, Jack Daniels, and Captain Morgan). So leave your money locked in your room the whole stay. That being said, I did have a speedo and a square cut laying out to dry on the tub which were stolen by the cleaning service, along with a shawl belonging to my wife.

Each resort has 6-7 different cuisine restaurants (Mexican, Indian, French, American, etc.), and you don't need to make a reservation like you do at other resorts. I have a gluten allergy, so no deep fried anything for me, and they were very accommodating. Very big gates protect the resorts, but they allow vendors to come in and try to sell excursions to guests. While in Mexico, we visited the pyramids and a cenote. Recommend getting a "swim-up" room if available so you can walk out the back of your room and hop right into the lazy river.

Fyi, I was the only one I noticed wearing a speedo, but did receive compliments, so not a problem. There were reports of topless women out on the beach, but not poolside; seems to be a gray-area whether toplessness is legal. Made for some very interesting conversations at the bars at night.

I will second the recommendation for St. Martin/Maarten. We only stopped for an excursion on a cruise, but those were the most beautiful beaches.