Caribbean Vacations
Caribbean Vacations Make A dream Come True
Traveling to these islands on Caribbean Vacations, is like walking onto the set of a Hollywood movie. Attractive bikini-clad women sunbathe on the soft sandy shores even as pro surfers ride massive waves in the blue ocean. The Caribbean Islands are the perfect holiday destination whether you are single, newly married or traveling with three generations of family. Tourists planning a stress-free beach holiday can never go wrong with a Caribbean vacation deal. The scenic beauty, along with a wide range of fun activities, great local food and fantastic locations, turn the Caribbean Islands into a dream vacation destination.
What Is The Best Time For A Caribbean Vacation?
There really is no "best" time to travel to the Caribbean. The Caribbean Islands enjoy warm and sunny weather all year long with few seasonal variations.
The height of tourist season in the Caribbean coincides with the winter holidays in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. The period from mid-December to mid-April brings in the most tourists. If you do not mind the crowds, shop around for the cheapest Caribbean vacation packages. Remember, this is the high season. There is great demand for hotel rooms at this time. Moreover, room rates tend to skyrocket and several hotels introduce minimum-stay requirements. Plan well in advance to get your reservations on time.
For cheap Caribbean vacations, late spring or fall is ideal – leaving aside the busy spring break season. If you want still lower rates, head to the Caribbean Islands during June, July and August. Room rates are known to drop by as much as 60 percent during this period. Look out for a cheap all inclusive Caribbean vacation package if you are on a shoestring budget. The reduced rates during this time are due to the arrival of hurricane season, which lasts from June to November-end. The rains benefit budget travelers by bringing this annual shower of discount Caribbean vacation packages.
Caribbean Vacations: The Best Caribbean Islands
The Caribbean Islands are also known as the West Indies, because Christopher Columbus famously mistook these shores to be the Indies back in 1492. Thousands of islands populate the waters of the Caribbean Sea providing numerous wonderful Caribbean vacation spots for tourists from around the world. Given the large number of scenic islands in the area, each breathtaking in its own way, it is difficult to select the best vacation spots in the region. However, some islands are more popular than others are. Here is a closer look at some of them.
St. Barts
St. Barts is the preferred vacation destination of Hollywood A-listers and business tycoons. This glamorous Caribbean island is a 10-minute flight away from the busy St. Martins. Sadly, this 8-square-mile island is ultra-expensive and not suited to the budget traveler. But if you want champagne and caviar, this is the perfect Caribbean vacation spot.
Barbados
If golf is on your mind, head to this "Little England in the Tropics". Barbados made it to golfing history after Tiger Woods exchanged wedding vows with his then sweetheart Elin Nordegren. The high-profile marriage may have ended in disaster, but Barbados continues to win the hearts of tourists. The island is home to one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean – Sandy Lane's Country Club. This easternmost island of the Caribbean has beautiful white sand beaches. Its east coast is a surfing paradise. Adding to its appeal are buildings dating back to British colonial times.
Anguilla
The eel-shaped island of Anguilla is yet another wonderful option for a luxury Caribbean vacation. Great for celebrity spotting, this island is home to over 30 beautiful beaches and quite a few luxury resorts. There may not be too many junk food vendors, but the island offers plenty of fine dining options. This Caribbean paradise may not have much of a nightlife but it offers great diving, windsurfing and fishing opportunities. Perfect for a lazy Caribbean beach holiday!
Grenada
The "Isle of Spices" has much to recommend it as a popular Caribbean vacation spot. This fertile island is home to fields of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and cocoa. The capital, St. George, has a beautiful harbor, idyllic beaches, lush green hills, tropical rainforests, and a cuisine with French influences. There is no better way to add spice to your Caribbean vacation.
Nevis
Nevis is the picture-perfect honeymoon destination. Home to beaches, rainforests and the striking 3,200-foot-tall Mount Nevis, this island is secluded and intimate. There are development restrictions on this island, which explains the lack of high-rises. One only hopes that Nevis island will retain this untouched quality for several more years.
Other Islands In The Caribbean
Aruba is perfect for a relaxed Caribbean vacation with lots of windsurfing thrown in. Equally laidback are the British Virgin Islands. Marine life enthusiasts should head to the Bahamas for their all inclusive Caribbean vacation. The Bahamian islands are home to the third largest coral reef in the world. Also figuring on the list of best Caribbean vacation spots for snorkeling and diving is the trio of isles known as the Cayman Islands.
The Dominican Republic is home to historic monuments, high-end hotels, rocking nightclubs and white sand beaches. It forms the ideal location for many luxury Caribbean vacations. Meanwhile, the secluded St. Lucia is the perfect venue for a destination wedding. And who can forget Jamaica, with its scenic natural beauty, music and easygoing lifestyle.
Also worth mentioning are the pink sand beaches of the Bermudas, the jaguar preserve of Belize, the untouched appeal of St. John, the hiking trails and protected reefs of Saba, and the glitz, glamour and cigars of Cuba.
Family Caribbean Vacations
A vacation to the Caribbean with family in tow is always a lot of fun. But how do you select the perfect Caribbean vacation spot? With 7,000 isles, islets, reefs and cays vying for your attention, it is tough to take a call. It might help to start looking for islands with hotels and resorts that offer all-inclusive Caribbean vacation packages. St. Lucia is home to a few all inclusive resorts. If you are on a Caribbean vacation with kids, consider renting one of those lovely Caribbean vacation villas.
Another option for Caribbean vacations with kids is the cruise liners. A Disney Cruise is always a hit with the children. Even Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean offer great Caribbean vacation packages for families travelling with kids.
The Bahamas offer some of the best family Caribbean vacations. The rich marine life and activities like diving with the dolphins and feeding the sharks are always a hit with the children. The Cayman Islands is a suitable snorkeling destination for slightly older kids. Younger ones can build sandcastles on Boatswain's Beach and admire the sea turtles as they swim to the shore. Aruba's Donkey Sanctuary tends to be popular with the younger children, but there are other attractions like the California Lighthouse to explore. Outdoorsy families will love Saba, with its hiking trails, rainforests, rich wildlife and a dormant volcano.
Caribbean Vacations For Couples
The pink sand beaches, stylish pubs, resorts and restaurants of Bermuda set the scene for some of the best Caribbean vacations for couples. For a quieter holiday, head to the remote and peaceful Virgin Gorda, one of the British Virgin Islands. It has great beaches and scuba diving facilities.
Nature-loving couples should fly to the untouched shores of St. John within the American Virgin Islands. Similar solitude (though at a higher price) is available at the island of Anguilla. The idyllic isles of Nevis and St. Lucia also provide a beautiful background to the most romantic Caribbean vacations.
Caribbean Vacations For Singles
While traveling to the Caribbean Islands alone scope out destinations that are safe for single travelers. Places with a decent transportation system are preferred. Bermuda fits the bill, but the absence of a rocking nightlife often keeps singles away.
If you are looking to party the night away on your Caribbean vacation, it does not get better than Cancun. Be ready for lots of dancing, bars with all-you-can-drink offers and plenty of opportunity to meet singles. Jamaica too is famous for its vibrant nightlife with plenty of bars and nightclubs. Dominican Republic is yet another great Caribbean vacation spot for singles. The island houses several all inclusive resorts, which reduce traveling costs considerably.
More toned down Caribbean vacation spots for singles include the Grand Cayman and Grenada. Both these islands have their share of pubs and nightclubs, but they are also safe options for singles Caribbean vacations.
Caribbean Vacations: Getting To The Caribbean Islands
Most tourists nowadays prefer to fly to their Caribbean vacation spot. The time taken and the degree of ease in reaching your destination is wholly determined by the chosen island. Some islands offer better air connectivity. Getting direct flights from the United States to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic or the Bahamas is no trouble at all. However, the more secluded islands have to be reached via an internal connecting flight from major Caribbean airports like San Juan, St. Martin and Montego Bay.
If time is not an issue, you could consider sailing to your Caribbean Vacations destination on a cruise liner.
