Perfect Caribbean Travel For Every Vacation

Close your eyes and imagine a Caribbean vacation. Done? The images you called to mind probably contained pristine white beaches, aquamarine waters, and plenty of palm trees. Fortunately, the Caribbean is full of enough beautiful beaches to satisfy every traveler, but there's much more to the islands than just beaches – which is good news for travelers who want their trip to be more than just a day at the beach. While some islands are, indeed, known for their beaches, others, like Saba, hardly have any. There's a whole world of activities in the Caribbean; it's just a matter of knowing where to look. Learning a bit about some of the islands can help you get a feel for the many differences you'll find here. Basic Island Differences Surprisingly, weather can be quite different from island to island, as mountains, the trade winds, and even geographic location can cause some subtle and not-so-subtle differences. Islands such as Aruba are seemingly an anomaly – cacti and aloe grow more readily than fragrant hibiscus in its desert climate. Meanwhile, islands like Puerto Rico offer mountain hikes to adventure seekers, as well as cooler temperatures high in its ranges. Culture can be another important difference among islands. If you're looking for a taste of Paris alongside a bit of tropical sunshine, turn to Martinique and the other French West Indies. Travelers can also enjoy islands where Dutch colonial style still reigns in the Netherlands Antilles, or take tea in the British West Indies. Some islands have been territories of many nations throughout their history, and the cultural mix can be delightful. Activities, though, can make or break a vacation. There are plenty of natural sights to see, both above and below the waves; mountainous peaks rise high into the sky, and historic buildings attract many visitors. Cultural festivals like the famous Carnival are also popular draws to these islands. However, when you're looking for activities, it's important to make the right choices. Place-by-Place Jamaica attracts many visitors each year to its popular resort towns and beaches. Whether you're heading to Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Kingston, or somewhere else entirely, Jamaica has plenty of culture to offer. Golf on the grounds of a former plantation or explore its famous Blue Mountains. There's plenty to see and do on land. And, of course, who can forget the food and crafts? Still, avid snorkelers and divers may leave this island feeling a little disappointed. Cancún is the ubiquitous spring break vacation spot for most college students. But many people don't know that the surrounding areas have plenty to offer as well. Cancún may have gorgeous beaches and plenty of nightlife, but Cozumel offers incredible underwater sights to dazzle intrepid divers. The area known as the Mayan Riviera includes secluded spots like Playa del Carmen, which many families love, while Tulum hosts larger than life Mayan ruins. A popular spot for cruising as much as any other kind of travel, The Bahamas has plenty of popular ports and beaches, but crowds in the cities can be too much for some travelers. The Out Islands, however, are some of the most popular areas for vacationers looking to escape the crowds. Whether you're off to see Ernest Hemingway's Bimini, enjoying the hustle and bustle of popular cities like Freeport, or sailing and fishing between any of the islands, The Bahamas a great spot for a unique vacation not far from the Florida coast. Puerto Rico has plenty of advocates as well, since it offers travelers everything from mountain vistas to a bit of diving and snorkeling. It's best known for its history and its rainforest. While Old San Juan is popular, visit Ponce on the southern coast for something a little different. El Yunque, the only rainforest in the U.S. National Parks system, is a good stop for nature lovers. Shopping, casinos, and nightlife are all important aspects of San Juan's popularity, and don't forget to spend a bit of time at one of the beaches as well. Island Groups Get ready to sail when visiting the Virgin Islands. Whether you're planning to stop in at the U.S. or the British islands, you'll find crystal clear waters and plenty of sites. St. Thomas offers shopping; St. Croix features historic Dutch buildings; and St. John is home to a wildlife preserve. Snorkelers and divers will find beautiful sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands are much more secluded, and locals welcome vacationers with their warm smiles and British hospitality. Travelers who want another taste of something British can stop in at Barbados and have afternoon tea with the Bajan locals. Visitors to Bermuda can explore some of the cultural heritage this island retains, and stick around for a game of golf. Despite Bermuda's distinctly non-Caribbean location, it is still considered a popular tropical location and is often grouped with other Caribbean islands. The sister islands of Antigua and Barbuda are also known for beautiful beaches and rich British history, as well as incredible sailing. Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, known as the ABC Islands, are three of the Netherlands Antilles islands, located just north of Venezuela's coast. With the added distinction of being outside the Caribbean's “Hurricane Belt,” this trio of islands offers some unusual desert climates, fascinating history, and nature unlike anything you'll find in the rest of the Caribbean. Other Isles The Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Saba, Belize, and Dominica are known for their natural beauty. With mountains, rivers, tropical forests, and underwater scenes to explore, these relatively untouched locales provide ecologically-oriented travelers an especially rich and diverse set of Caribbean spots to explore. Each of these islands has a different culture and intriguing aspects. Whether you're curious about The Dominican Republic's popular surfing beaches or St. Lucia's famous volcanic peaks, you're sure to find something interesting to explore. While it may be easy to visualize what some would consider a typical Caribbean island, it may take a little more effort to really pick one that is perfect for your stay. Every traveler has his or her own idea of what makes a great getaway, and building that trip is easy in the Caribbean. With just a bit of discernment, everyone can be satisfied on their vacation to the Caribbean.

Festival Fun In The Caribbean

No matter what your interest you're sure to find something to do in the Caribbean year round. However, travelers who enjoy taking part in cultural exploration have an especially well-suited option in the islands - the many delightful festivals of the Caribbean. Carnival Events The best-known Caribbean festival is Carnival, sometimes spelled Carnaval. On many islands this event takes place just before Ash Wednesday, but the dates vary from island to island. This event is generally characterized by an island-wide party, so parents with younger children may want to keep this in mind, while those interested in becoming a part of island culture will usually enjoy this event. Traditional Carnival dates are followed throughout much of the Dutch and French Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barthelemy, and Saint Martin – but not Sint Maarten. The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominica, Montserrat, and Trinidad and Tobago also share these Carnival dates. In Sint Maarten, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, and Jamaica, Carnival falls directly during Easter week, and those in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico continue their celebrations from the week before onto Easter itself. At the end of April, vacationers can enjoy Carnival on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. With Sint Eustatius (sometimes called Statia), St. Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda travelers can take part in the festivities of a Caribbean Carnival in July. Grenada's Carnival falls in August while St. Kitts' year-ending Carnival festival is celebrated for a week beginning on Christmas Eve. Every island celebrates differently, and one thing you can be sure to find is a colorful expression of an island's culture. Carnival is particularly known for its festivities filled with traditional characters from island lore. Often, a king and queen are named for the event and, though all Carnival celebrations include music, on some islands musicians vie for competitive titles. If you're looking for a sure way to see and hear the best the islands have to offer, Carnival is one cultural event you shouldn't miss. Mass Music While music is a necessity in Carnival celebrations, it's also something islands take particular pride in. Islands often host annual festivals featuring the cream of the crop in reggae, jazz, soca, and more. With so many music festivals in the region, it's easy to find one year-round. The Barbados Jazz Festival is one of the Caribbean's most popular jazz festivals. Called “Paint it Jazz,” the event is generally held early in the year, around the middle of January, which is the same month a different type of crowd converges on the U.S. Virgin Islands for the St. Croix Blues and Heritage Festival. In February, travelers can enjoy Jamaican styles at the Negril Music Festival. In May, the sounds of jazz are easy to find. Curaçao's KLM Jazz Festival happens early in the month, and the St. Lucia International Jazz Festival opens its doors mid-month. At the end of May, those who like jazz can also stop in at the Heineken Jazz Festival on Puerto Rico or visit Antigua for their Jazz Festival. June opens with Jamaica's Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, and those who enjoy reggae may want to stop by in late July or early August for the Reggae Sumfest. Merengue fans also have something to look forward to in July, when the Dominican Republic hosts the Merengue Festival. Curacao invites travelers to listen to jazz again at the Curacao Jazz Festival in early October, but those who would like to stop in the Dominican Republic can also enjoy their Annual Jazz Festival early in the month. While Jamaica kicks things off in November with the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, Trinidad is host to the Pan Jazz Festival mid-month. Those who like music, particularly jazz, will always find it in the Caribbean, but a music festival in these islands is a unique experience. Enjoy these events year-round across the islands. Local Socials Every island has its own local festivals. While many include Independence Day or the celebration of a ruler's birth, there are some traditional festivals that differ among the islands. Of course, most islands host plenty of local festivals, but some of the most famous parties include the following: * Puerto Rico celebrates its agriculture with a Coffee Harvest Festival for its popular mountain brew. You can celebrate alongside the locals in mid-February. * Reggae lovers will find plenty to enjoy on the island of Jamaica around January 6th, when Reggae Sunsplash coincides with the Bob Marley Birthday Bash. * Pirates Week is a popular time to enjoy the Cayman Islands, especially for the young at heart. This celebration of pirates and the past takes place on the last week of October. * Sailors can enjoy Antigua Sailing Week at the end of April. This popular celebration has included as many as 1,500 participants, with 5,000 onlookers watching some of the world's top sailors. * Historically, Barbadian field workers celebrated the end of the growing season in July or early August, and this tradition has carried forward in the form of Barbados' Crop Over Festival, one of the best-known Caribbean events. No matter when you're planning a trip to the islands, you're sure to find something being celebrated. On some islands towns each have their own local celebrations, while on others you may find that other events are more important. However, celebrations make a fun way to see the Caribbean.