Caribbean
The sun-drenched Caribbean brings to mind images of sparkling turquoise seas, miles of white-sand beaches, snorkeling and scuba diving amidst schools of rainbow-colored fish.
From the Gulf Stream waters of the north to the wondrous shores, vibrant wildlife and lush rainforests of the southern Caribbean, these picturesque islands adorn the sea like a necklace of gems awaiting discovery. Your greatest challenge is deciding which beautiful destination to choose. Our travel experts can help you select a boutique hotel or a Caribbean All-Inclusive Resort and create your perfect getaway.
Overview
Also known as the Island Countries, the Caribbean comprises nearly 7,000 islands within 26 countries. A melting pot of multi-cultural British, Spanish, French, Dutch, African and Creole influences, the region offers some of the world’s most intriguing cuisine, music, and art. Its centuries-old fortresses on such islands as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and St. Kitts provide a perspective on the region’s rich past.
What’s more, being home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in the world, including Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos, Eagle Beach in Aruba, and Crane Beach in Barbados has helped place the Caribbean islands near the top of many must-see lists.
Bahamas - A favorite vacation spot for sun-worshippers and intrepid travelers alike, The Bahamas is an idyllic getaway. Located north of the Caribbean in the Atlantic Ocean, these balmy, windswept isles offer visitors prime snorkeling and scuba diving, a plethora of hotel options and endless views of sparkling turquoise seas.
More than 700 islands and 2,400 cays, or smaller islands, make up the gorgeous, sunswept archipelago known as The Bahamas. The country became a British Crown colony in 1718 and an Independent Commonwealth in 1973, and still considers Queen Elizabeth II its monarch.
Some of the most famous include Nassau, Paradise Island, Great Exuma and Harbour Island. Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, lies on New Providence Island and is renowned for its pastel-colored colonial buildings and offshore coral reefs.
Jamaica - Visit an island gem in the middle of sparkling Caribbean seas, about 90 miles south of Cuba. Most of its resorts are clustered along the magnificent beaches of Montego Bay in the northwest.
It is the renowned birthplace of reggae’s favorite son, Bob Marley. The capital of Kingston in the south houses a museum in his honor. Surrounded by the lush Blue and John Crow Mountains, Kingston, offers ample opportunities to stop and smell the coffee at some of the local coffee farms dotting the Blue Mountain’s lush slopes.
In Negril, west of Kingston, you can stroll along miles of white sandy beaches. Then go snorkeling or scuba-diving in the area’s tranquil turquoise seas before your catch a bite at one of their famous restaurants or bars.
Why not head north and visit Dunn’s River Falls which is the island’s shopping capital of Ocho Rios. Take souvenier of the Caribbean’s third-largest isle home with you, as Jamaica’s warm tropical breezes and lively reggae beat seep into your soul.
U.S. Virgin Islands - Experience the islands’ colorful multi-cultural history along with its vibrant aqua seas, sumptuous cuisine and lively calypso beat. With no passport required for U.S. citizens traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, this is an ideal choice for a seaside escape.
The U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean consist of four large islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, plus around 50 smaller islets and cays. The capital, Charlotte Amalie, lies on St. Thomas.
St. John and the pristine Virgin Islands National Park sits to the east. St. Croix, with its historic towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted, is due south.
Best Time to Visit
This spectacular region boasts a warm, sunny climate with temps in the low 70s F in winter and mid-to-upper 80s in the summer. The high season stretches from mid-December through mid-April.
Bahamas - Travel during the warmer off-season in May is ideal to beat the crowds on the most popular Bahamian islands. High season runs December through May when temperatures remain in the upper 70s and low 80s F. Hurricane season generally runs from June through November.
Jamaica - The rainy season lasts from May through November. July and August are typically the hottest, when the weather is sunny, and temperatures average at 88 F. March and April are the windiest months. Hurricanes are a rarity in Jamaica, although as in much of the Caribbean the season runs from June through November.
U.S. Virgin Islands - Temperatures hover between 77 F in the winter and 82 F in the summertime. The wettest months are July through October, when brief showers help vacationers stay cool.
Money
U.S. dollars are accepted virtually everywhere, especially in the resort areas. Major credit cards and travelers checks are widely accepted throughout the Caribbean.
Water
All major hotels and restaurants use purified water throughout. Most hotels provide bottled water in all rooms, and many hotels now have potable water delivered through their taps using an on-site purification system; there will be a note in your room if this is the case.
Did You Know?
- The Caribbean is a remarkable region within the Caribbean Sea southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and North America.
- The Bahamas, on the other hand, is a single country, an archipelago made up of more than 700 islands and 2,400 cays, or smaller islands, partially in the Caribbean Sea and partly in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Amazingly, only about only 2 percent of the Caribbean islands are inhabited.
- The Bahamas ranks among the richest countries in the Americas.
- The region’s primary languages are Spanish, English, and Dutch. Papiamento, a mix of these languages, as well as Portuguese and French, is widely spoken on the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.
- Jamaica was claimed by Spain after Christopher Columbus landed there in 1494. In 1655, it came under English rule before gaining independence in 1962.
- The Quelbe style of folk music, with roots in Africa and Europe, is the official traditional music of the Virgin Islands.
