St Croix, USVI
Jamaica (Kingston)
Turks and Caicos
Travel on Vacations
Caribbean Islands
Travel, vacations, tours and tourism
Tavel, Vacations, Tours and Tourism information for Caribbean Islands. Our topics inlcude Restaurants, Overviews, Attractions, Common events, Recreation, Tipical weather, Activities and more.
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Sun, brilliant white sand, aquamarine seas. Sound like Caribben of your imagination? This tropical paradise exists on all twenty-seven islands of the Caribbean, from the most famous beaches to the out-of-the-way cays.
The Caribbean is also rich with surpirses. Wander the islands and you will hear eight major languages. You might also see a cricket match, a colorful street festival, and brisk action at the blackjack tables.
With its pleintful coral reefs, the waters of the Caribbean were made for scuba diving. Colorful snorkeling gear and flippers are poolside everywhere. And those pools; they come every shape and size, from spawling complexes with swim-up bars to private plunge pools.
Deciding where to stay is half the fun. How about a funky cabana right on the beach? A luxury suite? Your perfect place to sleep may be in either of these settings or any in between two palms.
The Caribbean is all about unwiding; however you choose to do it, and, of course, eating. Savor jerk fish fresh off the grill or sample gourmete cussine. A simple glass of mango juice may be just the thing to refresh you.
Ply the duty-free shops for a souvenir outfit or a par of sandals. Do it all, or do nothing at all.
Areas in Caribbean Islands
AnguillaIf you're in search of total serenity, Anguilla is the Caribbean getaway of your dreams. The beautiful surroundings and languid tranquillity create the perfect place to master the fine art of taking it easy. Island life centers around the fabulous, pearl-white beaches - and the inviting turquoise waters that offer diving among wrecks, reefs and walls. Plus, the snorkeling, sport fishing and sailing can't be beat.
Antigua and BarbudaWhen British Admiral Horatio Nelson searched the Caribbean high and low for the perfect place to hide his fleet, he found all the critical elements neatly combined in Antigua. The largest of the British Leeward Islands has warm, steady winds, a complex coastline of safe harbors, and a protective, nearly unbroken wall of coral reef.
ArubaAruba is located deep in the Caribbean, just about 15 miles north of Venezuela. It is only 20 miles long and 6 miles wide, making it the smallest of the Dutch Caribbean, or "ABC" Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao). Aruba became a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1986, yet the island retains much of its early Dutch character. Despite its diminutive size, Aruba offers every Caribbean delight imaginable from water sports, to casinos, colonial heritage, forts, serene white-sand beaches, and so on. Blessed with pleasant trade winds and a nearly rain-free climate, Aruba is an island of enchanting contrasts. On the western shore, soft powder beaches fringed with palm trees slope gently to the warm, turquoise sea. Meanwhile, the island's interior is a desert-like landscape punctuated by divi-divi trees and the occasional pastel-colored cottage.
BarbadosBarbados was under British rule from its first settlement in 1627 to its independence in 1966, and these unbroken centuries of dominion left a legacy of proper British heritage. In many ways, the island seems like a tropical England with cottages sitting neatly in well-tended gardens, parish churches gracing every neighborhood, and a hilly area in the northeast called the Scotland District. The English are still present in a small but thriving community of settler's descendants, but England certainly isn't the only nation to have influenced Barbados. More than 70% of the islanders are of African descent, and the more flamboyant, rich African heritage also pervades local life. Even the language is affected, with the Queen's English as the official tongue, but the colorful local patois as the common language.
BonaireBon Bini na Bonaire! Welcome to Bonaire! This secret hideaway is a Caribbean gem with a tiny population covering just 5% of its land, so the rest is wild, secluded, and perfect for letting go of stress and the trappings of hustled modern life. Bonaire derives its name from the language of its indigenous people, the Caiquetio, descendants of the Arawak Indians who came from Venezuela around 1000AD. It comes from the word "Bonay", meaning "low country", and its untarnished land is, indeed, relatively flat. But don't equate "flat" with boring, as Bonaire is the most interesting island in the Dutch Antilles.
British Virgin IslandsCayman IslandsThere was a time when the Cayman Islands were lost in Jamaica's shadow but, little by little, travelers discovered the pleasures of its scuba diving, which outclasses that of just about any other island, and the warm welcoming islanders that make you feel like part of their family. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman make up this British colony. George Town, in Grand Cayman, is the capital, serving mostly as a business center that borders a protected harbor popular with cruise ship passengers pouring in for top-notch duty-free shopping. The National Museum occupies one of the few remaining 19th-century buildings, and chronicles the natural and seafaring history of the Caymans.
CuracaoUpon entering Curacao, don't be surprised to hear people saying "Bonbini" to you! This means "Welcome" in the language called Papiamento, which is a mixture of the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, English, and Arawak Indian languages. The largest island of the Netherland Antilles is full of exciting activities and interesting sights like the many markets, coral reefs, underground and underwater caves, golden beaches, remarkable fishing, championship golf, and exuberant nightlife. The island's gentle, leisurely lifestyle and storybook towns lend a touch of its Dutch roots to this tropical retreat. Discovered in 1499 by a lieutenant of Columbus, it was declared useless because there was no gold. By 1634, the natives were conquered by the Dutch who used its excellent harbors for military exercises.
DominicaWhen Christopher Columbus arrived in Dominica in 1493, he found an island flourishing with nature's wild abandon. Today, Dominica remains largely untamed and immensely appealing for travelers seeking adventure. All across this abundant island, rivers rush through dense rainforests, mountains reflect in quiet lakes, and the songs of rare birds mingle with the roar of waterfalls. Morne Trois Pitons National Park offers one of the best looks into island ecology. Three peaks rise above one of the world's last oceanic rainforests.
Dominican RepublicGrenadaThe Caribbean island of Grenada is packed so full with breathtaking vistas and lush plants that the original Spanish colonists called it "green hills," after their own city of Granada, Spain. Subsequent French and British settlers were drawn by the same allure, and modern visitors to the "Isle of Spice" can still enjoy all the thriving rainforests, cascading waterfalls, blue lagoons, coral reefs, and secluded powder-white beaches that enchanted European colonists centuries ago.
GuadeloupeIt's so très chic, with all its French trappings like lovelies modeling bathing suits on the beach and compact little Euro cars zipping around the narrow streets. Even most of the visitors are French, escaping their Paris ennui by descending en masse to their treasured little butterfly island deep in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. Guadeloupe shines among the family of Caribbean islands as an affluent and self-assured country with cosmopolitan flair bordered by beaches and coral reefs on one wing and open lands with the verdant, volcanic peaks of the Parc National on the other. The eastern wing, Grand-Terre, is dry, flat, and sandy with the best beaches in the country, which of course led to the development of its many restaurants, casinos, resorts, and clubs. Basse-Terre, the western wing, is wild, wet, and mountainous, and though it once went largely unnoticed by visitors, it now hosts streams of whale-watchers, hikers, divers, and deep-sea anglers.
JamaicaJamaica is a magical place, full of beauty and endless vacations possibilities.
MartiniqueThe appeal of this island is much greater than its diminutive size. Known as Madinina (Island of Flowers) by the natives, the land is draped with blossoms from orchids to flamingo flowers. Beautiful sandy beaches ranging in color from crystal white to midnight black and salt and pepper mixes of the two are bordered by the clear, warm waters of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Born from a volcanic eruption, fertile Martinique contains lush vegetation, palm beaches, and a varied landscape. The central and northern parts of the island are covered with rolling hills and sharp peaks, while the shorelines are smooth and sandy.
NevisIntoxicating natural beauty, sunny skies, warm waters, and sparsely peopled beaches combine in the sister islands of St Kitts and Nevis to make them one of the most seductive spots in the Caribbean. The twin islands are separated by a 2-mile wide channel, with ferry services that help visitors easily enjoy them both in a single trip! Christopher Columbus first spotted the islands in 1493, when they were populated with native tribes, but the Europeans didn't colonize until the British arrived in 1623. Their strategic location and valuable sugar trade led to an advanced and luxurious development that was among the best in the Colonial Caribbean. Those high standards continue today and, in fact, St Kitts and Nevis only recently gained independence from Britain, in 1983.
Puerto RicoPuerto Rico is an Estado Libre Asociado, that is, a commonwealth territory of the United States and its vivacious capital, San Juan, was founded in 1521. Though it is now the oldest capital city flying the US flag, it was once the strategic center of the Spanish Empire in the Caribbean, and maintains the largest and best-preserved complex of Spanish colonial architecture in the region. Cathedrals, museums, and stately Spanish squares abound, creating an ambience of romance and colonial grandeur.
St Barth'sIf you've ever wanted to lounge around on a small, secluded bit of heaven in the middle of the ocean, head over to St Barths. This 8-square-mile island has all the ingredients of a tropical wonderland - a Caribbean location, pristine beaches, clear waters, and a laid-back island spirit. St Barths is so appealing that it regularly draws a crowd of the rich and famous. People who can afford anything choose this little dot on the map, and since there are few private areas on this island, celebrity spotting is common. In fact, all the beaches are public domain, so you may find yourself sunbathing next to Tom Cruise!.
St Croix, USVIThe United States Virgin Islands are the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean. The islands' long-standing international reputation stems not just from their pristine beaches, warm weather, and crystal-clear waters, but from their cultural diversity, as well. Additionally, visitors appreciate the chance to visit exotic islands under the safety of the American flag. Another favorite asset is the sun-kissed people. Island-spiced, friendly, and quick to smile, Virgin Islanders are literally from everywhere - from native Arawak and Carib Indians, to the descendants of Africa, England, Holland, Denmark, Spain, France, India, and the United States. St Croix is the largest of these islands, with two distinct towns to visit the twin cities of Christiansted and Frederiksted.
St KittsIntoxicating natural beauty, sunny skies, warm waters, and sparsely peopled beaches combine in the sister islands of St Kitts and Nevis to make them one of the most seductive spots in the Caribbean. The twin islands are separated by a 2-mile wide channel, with ferry services that help visitors easily enjoy them both in a single trip! Christopher Columbus first spotted St Kitts in 1493, when it was populated with native tribes, but the Europeans didn't colonize until the British arrived in 1623. Their strategic location and valuable sugar trade led to an advanced and luxurious development that was among the best in the Colonial Caribbean. Those high standards continue today and, in fact, St Kitts and Nevis only recently gained independence from Britain, in 1983.
St LuciaRich in cultural history and natural beauty, the island nation of St Lucia offers a touch of everything you want in a Caribbean vacation. An unspoiled, tropical gem nestled in a chain of islands known as the Lesser Antilles, St Lucia traces its colorful history to long before colonial times, yet it has a legacy of over 400 years of European influence. While the country's economy is mainly agricultural, its natural attributes have made tourism the fastest growing industry. Dramatic coastlines are enhanced by coral reefs and isolated beaches of both white and black sand. The awe-inspiring twin Pitons soar 2,000 feet up from the southwest shore, sheltering a lush interior rainforest with a profusion of giant ferns, wild orchids, and the beautiful plumage of rare tropical birds.
St Maarten/St MartinOne of the smallest territories in the world to be partitioned between two sovereign nations, St Martin/St Maarten is a 37-square mile island that has been shared by the French and the Dutch with neighborly cooperation and friendship for almost 350 years. The border is almost imperceptible, and people cross back and forth without ever realizing they have entered a new country! The only marker is a monument testifying to centuries of peaceful cohabitation and the treaty that made this special arrangement possible.
St Thomas and St John, USVIThe US Virgin Islands are the most popular tourist spot in the Caribbean. Their international reputation stems not only from their pristine beaches, warm weather, and crystal-clear waters, but also because visitors see them as the most culturally diverse, ethnically rich, and artistically vibrant society in the tropics - all wrapped up in the safety and familiarity of the American flag. The natives are one of the best assets - island-spiced, friendly, and quick to smile, Virgin Islanders are literally from everywhere - as diverse as the peaceful Arawak and fierce Carib Indians, and culturally rich as the descendants of Africa, England, Holland, Denmark, Spain, France, India, and the United States.
St Vincent and the GrenadinesWith St Vincent at the prow and a series of small islands and cays sprinkled in its wake, the Grenadines have long been renowned as one of the world's top sailing destinations. With each island set only about an hour's sail apart, this area of the Caribbean is great for island hopping or drifting off to your own deserted beach. Popular Grenadine islands include exclusive Mustique, a retreat for the rich and famous; Canouan, a crescent-shaped island popular with yachters; and private resort islands including beautiful Young and Palm Islands.
TobagoTrinidad and Tobago - two islands, one country. Two vacations in one - could you ask for a better deal? Lying just off the South American coast, this is the most culturally diverse of its peers, with a landscape and natural history as rich and varied as the rainbow faces of its many distinct heritages. A melting pot of cultures with an irrepressible zest for life, this is a land of music and festivals, where Carnival, calypso, steel pan music, and the limbo dance were born. The islands were first settled many centuries ago by Amerindians, and were then stumbled upon by Columbus, settled by the Spanish and French, then conquered by the British. Both islands' populations are mostly descended from the Africans who were imported to work the plantations, and the Hindu Indians who replaced them after emancipation. Portuguese, Chinese, Lebanese, and Syrian traders followed.
TrinidadTrinidad and Tobago - two islands, one country. Two vacations in one - could you ask for a better deal? Lying just off the South American coast, this is the most culturally diverse of its peers, with a landscape and natural history as rich and varied as the rainbow faces of its many distinct heritages. A melting pot of cultures with an irrepressible zest for life, this is a land of music and festivals, where Carnival, calypso, steel pan music, and the limbo dance were born. Trinidad was first settled many centuries ago by Amerindians, and was then stumbled upon by Columbus, settled by the Spanish and French, then conquered by the British. Both islands' populations are mostly descended from the Africans who were imported to work the plantations, and the Hindu Indians who replaced them after emancipation. Portuguese, Chinese, Lebanese, and Syrian traders followed.
Turks and CaicosTurks and Caicos - a group of secluded islands tucked peacefully off the southern end of the Bahamas - is the perfect retreat for those seeking tranquility enveloped in white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. More than 200 miles of spectacular, sandy coastline set the perfect scene for beach lovers. And turquoise waters teeming with vibrant butterfly fish, exotic black coral, and orange sponges beckon scuba divers.