Take your pick of the islands
Each of the Caribbean islands offers its own unique personality and qualities, making it easy to select one that ticks all the boxes on your personal holiday wish list. You could opt for one of the the vibrant, music-filled party atmosphere islands, such as big and bold Cuba, or enjoy the lush beauty and serene nature of islands like St Lucia.
It’s worth planning ahead as the activities available can vary depending on the time of year, but whether you’re planning to drink and dance, hike or snorkel, it should be easy to keep yourself entertained wherever you go.
Beaches for family fun, or some quiet solitude
If you prefer a cheap Caribbean holiday, then relax on the beach. Caribbean holidays are a beach lovers emporium, with literally hundreds of prime quality sandy stretches scattered across the region. Beaches and coves range from family-friendly zones to secluded havens, where you could spend the whole day in peaceful solitude while working on your tan.
The tiny island of Aruba and larger and more well-known Dominican Republic both offer pristine white sands, and Cuba‘s Varadero Beach is known as ‘the best beach in the world’.
Mix and match with multi-stop tours
With so many destinations in fairly close proximity to each other there’s also the option to create your own multi-stop tour. This is a great way to get a deeper sense of the character and variety of the Caribbean and take home some great memories.
You could start out relaxing at an All Inclusive hotel in Jamaica, then hop over to St Lucia and feast your senses on its luscious jungle landscape and exotic sea life. And finish off in singer Rihanna’s home of laid-back Barbados, all while enjoying a classic Caribbean cocktail and watching the sun go down.
Enjoy a taste of local cuisine
Each Caribbean island has its own unique cuisine, so it’s worth making an effort to eat out locally and sample what’s on offer. The Caribbean also has a long rum-making history.
Take a sip of Mount Gay Rum straight from the distillery in Barbados, or try some Old Jamaica Rum at the Appleton Estate in Jamaica. St Lucia offers a fine chocolate tour of the Rabot Estate, and you can even learn about the history of the Trinitario cocoa bean in Grenada.
Take in some nature, history or culture
There’s plenty to see and do between chilled out beach days. Cricket fans can watch a match at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. In Jamaica you can visit Bob Marley’s birthplace at Nine Mile and his former home in Kingston. You can get a taste of wild nature with whale-watching in the Dominican Republic or taking a hike in the stunning Pitons of St. Lucia.
Join the fun of carnivals and festivals
Many of the islands have carnivals and festivals throughout the year with floats, live music and delicious street food. Plan ahead to join in the fun. Holiday to the Caribbean offers a real treasure chest of things to see and do to suit families, couples and groups. With its balmy temperatures even in winter, it’s the perfect getaway option at any time of the year.
When is the best time to go to the Caribbean?
Holidays to the Caribbean are renowned for their desirable climate, with temperatures normally ranging from 24°C-29°C all year round. This means it’s always warm, but never too hot for sunbathing and sightseeing. The best time of year to visit is normally considered to be the dry season between December to April, when you can enjoy cloudless skies and low humidity.
Many tourists find that the Caribbean is the perfect winter sun destination. However, rates are higher during this time, and you might encounter crowds in some locations. Book a trip right at the start of the high season, in early December, before rates start to rise and the crowds arrive for the Christmas holidays. Or, if you like to party, February is the ideal time for you to visit the Caribbean. It’s the season of carnival, when there will be celebrations, parades and dancing all over the islands.
What is the cheapest month to go to the Caribbean?
The cheapest time of year to visit the Caribbean is during the rainy season from May to November. During this entire period you’ll experience low-season rates – accommodation is likely to be at its cheapest during the months of July and August.
Meanwhile, the most expensive times to travel to the Caribbean are from mid-December to mid-January and throughout March (coinciding with the Christmas and Easter holidays). If you’re looking for bargains, but don’t want to be in the Caribbean during the height of the rainy season, we recommend the shoulder seasons of May and November, when you’ll experience much less rain, but with the benefit of low-season prices and uncrowded beaches.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that some Caribbean islands are much cheaper than others – Dominican Republic, Barbados and Jamaica are all cost effective year-round.
What is the rainy season in the Caribbean?
Many tropical countries don’t have four seasons like we do in the UK. Instead, they have two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. However, the fact it’s the rainy season shouldn’t put you off visiting the Caribbean. You’ll experience short, sharp showers in the late afternoon, which actually refresh the atmosphere after hot, sunny days. The islands also look far lusher and greener this time of year. Different islands experience different levels of rain – Aruba is renowned for being one of the driest islands in the Caribbean, as it’s located outside the hurricane belt.
Which Caribbean island is the most popular?
Each Caribbean island has something different to offer tourists, whether you’re looking for romantic honeymoon landscapes, great nightlife or scuba diving opportunities. In recent years, the Dominican Republic has attracted the largest number of tourists. This is because it’s easily accessible, with frequent flights, and because it’s much more affordable than other destinations in the Caribbean. Of course, its stunning palm-tree fringed beaches, lagoons and the water sports on offer also contribute to its allure.
Cuba is the second-most-popular Caribbean island, thanks to its unique and distinctive culture. Cities such as Havana have a timeless elegance, while the streets are lined with vintage cars, and echo to the rhythms of Cuban jazz. The stunning beaches and pristine mountain and jungle landscapes mean this island offers a little bit of everything.
Which Caribbean island has the best beaches?
Whichever Caribbean island you visit, you can be assured of world-class beaches, with powdery white sand and beautiful water. Aruba scores particularly highly, with many travel experts voting Aruba’s beaches as some of the world’s best. Eagle Beach, on the island’s west coast, is one of the most popular on the island. It has pure white sands, sparkling turquoise waters, and is lined with thatched umbrellas. Despite it’s popularity, it manages to maintain the atmosphere of tranquillity you’re looking for from a Caribbean beach.
The twin islands of Antigua & Barbuda also boast some stunningly unspoilt beaches – 365 of them, in fact. You’ll find stretches of pale pink sand, caressed by impossibly blue waters, and surrounded by greenery. Take a trip to Barbuda’s aptly named 17-Mile Beach, where sand, sea and sky stretch beyond the horizon, and you’ll easily find a quiet spot to lay your towel. However, whichever Caribbean island you choose, you’re bound to find a picture-perfect beach.
