I'm in Miami for business in early December. Planning to spend 6 days somewhere in the Caribbean/Central america after via a flight from Miami, before i return home to the cold London climate. I'm a mid twenties british guy and will be most likely on my own, which I normally hate, so looking for quite a lively place, though not overtly commercially touristy where I can meet backpackers or other young vacationers. I want to relax a little but have some fun in the evenings. Probably also like to learn how to dive. Budget is not too much of a problem but I would probably prefer to stay in the hostels/cheapish hotels etc as in my experience you meet more and better people than in expensive hotels. Any suggestions gratefully received!

Thanks

As a travel writer I would say that I have been most impressed by both of these destinations. T&T is cheap to visit..not tarnished by tourism ..and with a great environment for people who like to party ( population 1.3 million). If you want to dive just hop over to Tobago...I don;t dive..but I have been assured that it is a great place for seeing mantas, and reef denizens. Curacao is also vibrant ( but smaller) and has a wonderful capital and some excellent dive sites. Nearby Bonaire is brilliant for diving but when i was there a month ago I thought it might well deserve the moniker of The Valium of the Caribbean..there is absolutely nothing to do there after dark worth mentioning. Hope this helps. the websites for the destinations I mentioned are www.visittnt.com and www.curacao-tourism.com