6 Things to Know About
Your Dream Caribbean Vacation
Even way back during the colonial
times, American visitors have always loved to visit the Caribbean.
These islands have been the favorite place of many for their dream
vacation. In the past 50 years, tourism to the area has increased
greatly, and today millions of U.S. citizens visit the islands every
year to enjoy all that the islands have to offer – beaches, fun in
the sun, exciting water adventure, and communing with nature.
But just what is it that makes the
Caribbean so spectacularly different from all other vacation
destinations out there? And how could you maximize on fun during
your Caribbean dream vacation?
On to the Old ‘West Indies’
The first set of explorers who came
to the shores of the Caribbean was Europeans. At the time, they were
seeking a sea route to India and when they found this tiny group of
islands in the middle of the vast sea, they called it simply as the
“West Indies,” thinking that they had landed in the Indies (then
meaning all of south and east Asia) when in fact they had reached
the Americas. Later on, it was changed to the Caribbean, after the
Caribs who were one of the dominant Amerindian groups in the region
at the time of European contact.
The Caribbean is actually a region of
tropical islands in the Caribbean Sea. It is situated between North
and South America and east of Central America. Its more than 7,000
islands extend for nearly 1,700 miles from Cuba in the west to
Barbados in the east and are bordered by several islets, reefs, and
cayes. There are a total of 25 territories including sovereign
states, overseas departments, and dependencies.
Each one of the islands of the
Caribbean has their own individualistic flairs and styles. No one
island is the same and you get a different experience as you hop
from one island to another. It has a wealth of cultures, languages,
natural environments, scenery, activities, and entertainment all
worth checking out. Whether you want the adrenaline rush of extreme
sports, being at one with nature up a hiking trail, complete
relaxation under the sun, or a night of dancing and grooving at a
rave party – the Caribbean has it all.
And yet, how do you know what you
want to see and where to go find it? How do you know which one’s the
best out of all those myriad of options? There’s so much information
out there there’s no telling how long it would take for you to go
through all of them. And that’s exactly what this page is all about.
Here you will find a list outlining all the highlight attractions
throughout the various areas of the Caribbean. This list will help
inform you and guide you along your path to re-discovering these
islands of dreams.
#1 -- Life is a Beach
Are you a sun worshipper? Are you all
for having sand between your toes and the sun beating down on you?
Hardly anyone ever goes to the Caribbean if not for its spectacular
beaches. In fact, beaches are the one thing that most people look
for in a vacation. And in the Caribbean, the beaches come a plenty.
Let’s start with Aruba, an island in
the Caribbean with a rich cultural heritage that runs from piracy in
the old days to music festivals almost any month of the year in the
present. Known for its pristine beaches, the island of Aruba is also
perfect for hiking, riding, and exploring the natural beauty of rock
formations, natural pools, and more.
The best beaches to relax and have
fun in Aruba include popular Palm Beach. With its soft sand and palm
trees that draw crowds, it’s no wonder that Palm Beach is the most
popular beach in this gem of an island. Next to it sits Eagle Beach,
pretty low-key compared to its highly populated neighbor. The beach
offers the same sweet sandy stretches and shady palms but without
quite as much bustling, making it perfect for a secluded holiday out
in the sun.
Another island that is just teeming
with gorgeous beaches is the Cayman Islands. Crystal waters,
beautiful marine life, enchanting sugar sand beaches, these are what
makes the Cayman Islands famous among visitors and locals alike. But
these aren’t all that the Islands have to offer. When you’re not
busy playing in the water, there is also lounging on the beach or
seeing some land attractions.
#2 Time for a Little “Alone Time!”
If you’re tired of the living the
busy city life of a working man or woman, then you’ll find the
escape you’ve been looking for at the Caribbean. Ask anyone. You’ll
find that the name of the place has become synonymous to “rest and
relaxation.”
One of the best islands to search for
solitude or perhaps, just a bit of “alone time” is Barbuda in Lesser
Antilles where sand and solitude are one inseparable entity. Its
curative quality for modern angst is deeply profound, offering you
the best setting for a relaxing dream Caribbean vacation. Whatever
Barbuda may lack in nightlife, or, for that matter, paved roads, it
makes up for its finely texture seaside grains. The island has so
much sand that it’s the leading export, shipped throughout the
Caribbean to replenish eroding shorelines. Even so, visitors to one
of Barbuda’s three exclusive resorts or its handful of guesthouses
aren’t getting shortchanged.
As the northern outpost of the
Leeward Isles, Anguilla is another island that offers not only
solitude in the Caribbean but seclusion as well. Only a sprinkling
of luxurious hotels mar the tropical landscape, giving it a whole
exclusive feel to it as you gave at mile upon mile pristine sands
and offshore coral cays.
One of the most southerly of the
Caribbean islands, Grenadines is a string of pearls afloat on the
sea of lapis lazuli. An island superbly undeveloped, it is a
favorite among escapists who love the supremely unspoilt and
sufficiently inaccessible. On these gorgeous islands, nightlife is
conspicuous in its absence, peace and solitude are unsurpassed,
offering that other side of the Caribbean for the solitary
connoisseur.
#3 Groove to the Caribbean Beat
If you think that the Caribbean is
all about beaches and solitary communion with nature, think again.
Because you’ve never been more wrong in your life. At night when the
sun takes a dip in the shining waters of the Caribbean Sea, the
islands come alive with a dynamic nightlife that keeps you on your
feet all night long.
Who said the Caribbean is only for
the sun worshippers? There’s enough room for the party animals and
the night owls who love the excitement that a Caribbean night
offers. The casinos, bars, pubs, restaurants, shows, and music of
the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Aruba, and Puerto Rico will keep
you going way after the sun goes down. The islands, after all, are
known for its many different music genres, from meringue, jazz, and
reggae to rock and roll.
Aruba might be known for its beaches,
but it holds nearly the same reputation for its nightlife. At least
ten casinos present stage shows in addition to the gaming tables.
Varying from Las Vegas-style shows to themed entertainments,
featuring folklore, steel-pan bands, maybe even limbo, you never
have a lack for things to do for fun at night. And if that isn’t
enough, there are weekly street festivals showcasing local dance,
food, and arts and crafts.
They say Puerto Rico defines
nightlife. Well-known for its many upscale casinos with plenty of
sideshows to entertain you between placing your bets, or instead of
doing so, people are right in saying that the island is a hopping
place to be when the sun goes down.
#4 Heed the Adrenaline Rush!
Perhaps your idea of fun is enjoying
the more extreme side of life? Then head on to the Caribbean and get
wet, get sweaty, get gobsmacking scared! Feel the adrenaline rush
from a mountain bike ride down rugged landscape of Trinidad and
Tobago, the land of Limbo, calypso, steelpan, and Carnival.
Tobago is known for its beautiful
rainforest, coral reef, tropical birds, white sandy beaches, and
heavenly blue waters. It has beautiful fauna and flora and a lot of
sportive activities to do aside from mountain biking, such as scuba
diving, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, water skiing,
horse riding, hiking, tennis, and golf. All of this in one beautiful
unspoilt tropical island.
Scuba diving is another strong draw
that brings people to the islands of the Caribbean. There are
several fabulous sites on the island where marine life is rich,
perfect for a scuba diver. The islands of St. Kitts and Nevis for
instance, though not a major Caribbean scuba diving destination, but
they do have a spectacular coral reefs, providing you with an
excellent diversion. Other notable islands is St. Croix (U.S. Virgin
Islands) which boasts of a deep ocean trench of up to 5,000 feet
deep.
The Lesser Antilles islands are
located in the Eastern part of the Caribbean region and an excellent
site for a real Caribbean adventure. This group of island is a
fusion of the rich cultures of Africa, Europe, and East India.
Island hopping in cultural extremes can never be as enjoyable as you
experience the intensity of these islands’ Carnival tradition and
breathe in the warm Caribbean breeze.
#5 Have Fun with the Family
Are you looking to bring your family
with you when you go on the ultimate Caribbean getaway? No problem
then, because the islands have everything you could ever want in a
family vacation destination.
Being the second largest island in
the Caribbean, Hispaniola, Dominican Republic is one of the hottest
destinations for families on a Caribbean vacation. To the north,
you’ll find Amber Coast in Playa Dorado which is only about 20
minutes away from La Union International Airport. The coast is ideal
for those traveling with kids or traveling in a group as the choppy
seas provide the perfect environment for windsurfing, boogie
boarding, and playing in the surf. When not in the water, families
can even explore the ancient town of Puerto Plata, founded in 1504
and famous for its many historic forts.
Another great destination for
traveling families is Grenada. Dubbed as the “Spice of the
Caribbean”, Grenada in St. George is alive with the sounds of young
laughter. Mile wide beaches and sparkling waters provide an
enchanting backdrop as you shell-walk with your kids down Grenada
and its sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
Acknowledges as having some of the best diving spots in the
Caribbean, this travel destination will let you test your snorkeling
and scuba skills on clear waters featuring the 600-feet Bianca C
Shipwreck.
#6 Love is In the Air
But if what you’re looking for in a
vacation is to spend some time with your special someone, check out
the luxurious offerings in Puerto Rico, the land of romance and
salsa.
A destination full of color, culture,
sassy music, historic landmarks, tropical rain forests, smaller
island excursions, scientific research centers to tour, exotic
wildlife, pristine beaches, great cuisine, and plenty of nightlife –
that is exactly what Puerto Rico, the Jewel of the Caribbean is all
about. The island is so replete with all things bright and beautiful
there truly is no better place on earth for romance to bloom. The
sunsets and sunrises just don’t get any better and many visitors
find that they never want to leave the streets and beautiful plazas
of historic San Juan. The colonial city is one of the most beautiful
of all the major Caribbean cities and can charm you in a way few
tropical destinations can. From narrow cobblestone lanes and
wrought-iron balconies, archways, and plazas, it doesn’t take long
to realize you are in an 18th century Spanish colonial
city alive with antique shops, art galleries, and small, attractive
sidewalk cafes.
Other Caribbean destinations worth
checking out are Antigua, Dominica, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and St.
Croix.
The great thing about the Caribbean
is that you never have a lack for fun things to do. Life may be a
beach, but that could get boring. So why settle for only one thing
when a cornucopia of options is being put on display for you?
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