The Caribbean is a great place to go on a vacation because of its beautiful beaches, lively festivals and diverse geography. The region is home to thousands of islands and cays, with 13 independent countries and double the number of dependent territories for travelers to explore.
While a trip to a Caribbean island is likely to include palm trees and sandy beaches, each island has something different to offer. Many languages and exceptional cuisine can be found on neighboring islands. Here are some of the most amazing experiences.
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For history, it's the best.
Jamaica has a huge impact on the world. The island has been a popular vacation destination for decades and is home to many things. Many historic sites on the tiny island tell the story of Jamaica's history.
Major hotels and resorts are located along the coast of Montego Bay. The National Gallery of Jamaica is the oldest museum in the English-speaking Caribbean and is located off the resorts. The Taino population were the first to colonize the island and the gallery has artifacts from that time.
The Greenwood Great House is a former plantation that has an extensive collection of antiques, books and musical instruments from Jamaica. The Appleton Estate is a rum distillery that was built in 1749. A tour includes a short film on the distillery's history, a walk through the sugar cane fields, and a stop in the tasting room.
For culture, it's the best.
The ABC Islands are a group of Dutch islands in the Southern Caribbean. The diverse population, unique terrain and global cuisine of the island of Curaao make it stand out.
40 to 50 nationalities make up the population of Curaao, and most residents speak at least four languages, including a mix of Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish. The geography of Curaao is different. There are beautiful beaches, a desert landscape that can be explored by quad bike, and a cave system on the southern tip of the island.
Dutch colonial homes, vibrant street art, and fantastic museums can be found in the city of Willemstad. In its global dishes, Curaao has a variety of cultures. There are many places to eat on the island, from fried fish at Plasa Bieu to roadside goat burgers at Williburger.
It's an ideal place to visit in the fall because it's outside of the hurricanes.
It's the best for the beach.
In an area made up of hundreds of islands, Turks and Caicos has some of the most sought-after beaches in the Caribbean. The string of islands has an average of 350 days of sunshine a year, so most days are beach days. You can visit several beaches on your trip to Turks and Caicos, which has over 100 islands and cays.
Most of the island's hotels and resorts are located in Grace Bay in Providenciales. One of the top beaches in the Caribbean because of its turquoise water, expansive shoreline and soft, white sand, you could spend your entire vacation here. Bight Beach is less than 10 minutes south of Grace Bay and Leeward Beach is five minutes north of Grace Bay.
You have to travel by water taxi, boat charter or a day trip to get to some of the more secluded beaches in Turks and Caicos. The group of African settlers who arrived in Middle Caicos in the 19th century named the island's rum after them. You will most likely have the entire beach to yourself if you travel by ferry.
For snorkeling, it's the best.
St John is a part of the US Virgin Islands. St John is the smallest of the three and is accessible by ferry from St Thomas. St John has some of the clearest, warmest waters in the Caribbean and is a great place to snorkel.
The home of an underwater snorkeling trail is Trunk Bay. There are signs about the reef and native plants and animals that can be seen on the 400 foot underwater trail. Snorkelers often spot sea turtles at Maho Bay, and Honeymoon Beach is home to tropical fish and coral.
St John doesn't have an airport, that's a planning tip. Travelers can take a ferry to St John from the Cyril E. King Airport.
It's the best for food.
Most travelers head to Grand Cayman, the most developed of the three islands, because of its calm, crystal-clear water. The island is a great place to eat.
Blue by Eric Ripert and Tillie's are two of the best seafood restaurants in the country. Turtle, the national dish of the Cayman Islands, can be found in versions of soups, burgers, and steaks. There are food festivals all over the place.
The Cookout Festival brings chefs and wine and spirits experts from around the world, and October marks Restaurant Month with restaurant specials around the island.
A planning tip is to use the Caymanian dollar, which is equal to US$1.25. US dollars are accepted but expect higher prices here.
The best for partying.
While Puerto Rico is a great place to lay out on the beach, the nightlife in San Juan should not be missed. Travelers can tour the Spanish forts El Morro and San Cristbal during the day. The city has many great bars and entertainment venues at night.
One of San Juan's most popular bars is La Factoria, which is a labyrinth of six different bars with their own drinks menu and vibe. El Batey, a classic dive bar, is one of the great bars. The Mezzanine has a second-story view of Old San Juan. When the sun goes down, La Placita de Santurce becomes a lively outdoor block party, and travelers should visit it.
If you have time, check out the two restaurants that claim to be the birthplace of the pia colada.
For festivals, it's the best.
The tiny island of Barbados is home to Mount Gay Distillery, which has been making rum for over 300 years. There are over 80 great beaches to choose from, but some of the best activities in the country can be found on land.
Crop Over marks the end of the sugar cane season on the island. The event is held at the end of July. The grand finale of the festival is The Grand Kadooment, a carnival that takes over the streets of Bridgetown with revelers in colorful costumes, high speakers, and food and drinks.
The island puts on a world-class Food and Rum Festival with local and top chefs around the world. There are concerts and a golf tournament on the jazz excursion in October.
Plan early if you plan on playing mas in one of the masquerade bands. Popular bands sell out quickly due to the custom-made costumes.
For adventure, it's the best.
The island of St Kitts is a paradise for adventure travelers. White sand and black sand beaches can be found on the island. Mt Liamuiga is a volcano on the western side of the island. It is one of the tallest peaks in the Caribbean.
St Kitts has an extensive network of trails and caves that hikers can take to reach waterfalls, craters and the island's native verdant monkeys. Travelers can take a ride on the St Kitts scenic railway. Passengers can take a 30-mile tour of the island on the three-hour ride. The first English settlement in the Caribbean, Old Road Town, and the UNESCO Heritage fortress are some of the things to see on the island. Zip line over the rainforest is one of the things thrill seekers can do.
You can see both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea from the top of Timothy Hill, which is about 4 miles from Basseterre.
For hiking, it's the best.
Every day of the year, Antigua has at least one beach. Those who go beyond the beaches will get a lot of hiking excursions. Many of the mountains and hills on Antigua and Barbuda are excellent hiking trails.
Mt Obama is Antigua's most well known mountain. The highest peak on the island is 1319 feet high. The panoramic views of Antigua are available to those who make it to the top of the mountain. Mt Obama is an intermediate trail that can be difficult to hike on a hot day.
There are more low-key hikes around Antigua that can be found by going to Nelson's Dockyard National Park and following the trails that lead past landmarks like Pigeon Point Beach. Hikers can work up a sweat on the Pillar of Hercules hike, which takes them to a limestone formation.
Nature's best for it.
St Lucia is a beautiful island in the Caribbean. The Pitons, the twin volcanic peaks, are the most well-known landmark on the island. Travelers can explore the natural wonders of the Pitons by taking a boat ride, hiking to the top of Gros Piton, or snorkeling in the surrounding waters.
Travelers can take a mud bath at the Sulfur Springs located in the historic town of Soufrire. The interior rainforest of St Lucia is a great place to explore. The Edmund Forest Reserve is a great place to see the St Lucian parrots and orioles.
There are many waterfalls on the island. The 50ft waterfall known as Dennery Falls is an off-the-beaten-path waterfall that is best explored with an experienced guide.
The article was last updated about 5 hours ago.
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