The Ultimate Guide
to Caribbean Travel: 35 FAQs
Choosing your perfect destination in the Caribbean can be daunting and challenging as many factors make up your holiday, determining which location is best for you.
A few impacting differences across the Caribbean islands can include your budget, ideal weather, the activities you want to experience and the culture you want to immerse yourself in.
The Ultimate Guide to Jamaica
Welcome to your Ultimate Guide to Jamaica! Jamaica is a stunning island known for its beautiful beaches, lush green mountains, vibrant culture, and exclusive cuisine. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate relaxation, or a holiday full of adventure, Jamaica is the perfect spot.
Here’s a summary of everything you should know while planning your trip to Jamaica…
Accommodation
Jamaica has an extensive range of accommodations, from all-inclusive five-star resorts that provide you with some of the best experiences that the whole of the Caribbean has to offer to boutique hotels and family sized-villas. Popular tourist areas include Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril, and Kingston.
Hot tip: Book in advance, especially during peak season. You don’t want to miss out!
Making the Most out of the Trip
Jamaica offers a plethora of attractions that may suit your holiday checklist. Here’s our top five list of what to do when visiting Jamaica:
1
Visit Dunn’s River Falls,
which is located in Ocho Rios. This magnificent waterfall is one of Jamaica’s most popular tourist attractions. You can climb the falls with a guide or simply admire the view from the bottom, depending on how daring you feel!
Relax on the Beach
and top up that fantastic tan. Jamaica is known for its beautiful beaches and the relaxing vibe that they provide. A few of its most well-known include Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay, and James Bond Beach in Ocho Rios.
2
3
Try Jamaican Cuisine
in its home, getting authentic Jamaican flavours. Jamaican food is delicious and unique, with influences from Africa, India, and the Caribbean. Take advantage of the famous jerk chicken, ackee, and goat curry, or you’ll regret it once you’re back home eating a frozen pizza!
Explore Kingston
Jamaica’s capital city, and explore its abundance of history and culture. Make sure to visit the Bob Marley Museum, the National Gallery of Jamaica, and the bustling markets and shops that are sure to be Jammin’.
4
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Going on a River Safari
is the best way to take in a wonderful nature that Jamaica is home to. Take a boat tour down the Martha Brae River or Black River and spot crocodiles, exotic birds, and other wildlife.
Jamaica FAQs
Does Jamaica sound like your type of trip? Here are a few Jamaica-specific FAQs to help make your plans more uncomplicated.
Jamaica is famous for being the birthplace of reggae and Bob Marley. This attribute is something that has set the tone across the whole island. Besides that, Jamaica is home to some of the fastest sprinters in the world, the best rums, and the best beaches!
English is Jamaica’s most commonly spoken language, but most of the population is fluent in Jamaican Patois, a creole language. So you should be fine communicating with the locals!
The Ultimate Guide to St. Lucia
Here’s your guide to unlocking access to St. Lucia’s natural beauty and the ultimate relaxation you can locate here.
The History of St. Lucia
St. Lucia has a busy cultural scene and a rich historical past, making it today’s popular tourist destination. Buckle in for a quick history lesson that will introduce you to the culture and history you will encounter when you travel here.
Starting in 200 AD,
St. Lucia was settled by the Arawaks and later followed by the Caribs in the ninth century.
Spanish explorers visited St. Lucia around 1499, but no Europeans settled here until the 17th century.
Home to lots of valuable sugar plantations during this time, the island was fought over.
British and French forces battled for control over these plantations until St. Lucia became a British Colony shortly after 1814.
in 1979
St. Lucia gained independence not that long ago, in 1979!
Today, St. Lucia’s economy is primarily funded by successful tourist traffic.
The Perfect Place to Unwind
Although it is essential to learn about the culture and history of your holiday destination, it’s also important to relax and heal whilst using those out-of-work holiday requests! After all, we all need to unwind at some point.
St. Lucia is the ideal location to travel if you are seeking relaxation and a moment of silence among the hustle of your busy lifestyle!
Visit one of the many amazing spas the island offers and indulge in some deep massage therapy, cleansing facials, and their specialty, hydrotherapy!
Spas aren’t the only place in St. Lucia known for their relaxation qualities. Why not practice deep breathing, focus your mind with meditation, or practice mindfulness by connecting with your surroundings on the pristine beaches of St. Lucia?
It’s the best place across the Caribbean to gain complete relaxation.
St. Lucia FAQs
Have we sold you on St. Lucia? Have a look at some nitty gritty St. Lucia FAQs!
The best months to travel to St. Lucia is between December and February. This will ensure you get the best weather from your trip abroad! Visiting a little earlier in the year is a great way to access St. Lucia’s tourist hotspots without as many travelers!
On average, travelling to St. Lucia from the UK takes around eight hours and 45 minutes. This is one of the longest flights you will experience, so it’s important to pack smart. This means remembering to charge that Ipad, bring that book and plenty of snacks!
The Ultimate Guide to navigating Grenada
Travel to Grenada and be welcomed with open arms by a unique cultural blend of Caribbean, African and European influences.
Spend your Eastern Caribbean dollars in the picturesque town and bustling market before retiring the night with wine on the harbor.
Either way, you will have a fantastic time!
Where to go in Grenada
Grenada has various popular locations and accommodations, ranging in price and luxury. Let’s look at the most popular sites and see what the best option for your holiday is.
is among the most popular tourist areas, thanks to its blissful beaches, busy restaurants, and shops.
Several resorts and hotels are located here, ranging in price.
is the capital city of Grenada and is home to a range of hotels and guesthouses that you can book as accommodation.
One of our favourite elements of these accommodation locations is that they offer unbelievable views of the harbor that you won’t find anywhere else. This is a great option for those interested in exploring the city’s history and culture.
is a quieter area that is located near the airport. Its several upscale villas and hotels make it an ideal option
if you would rather have a more secluded and peaceful experience in Grenada.
offers a mix of budget-friendly guesthouses and upscale resorts. It’s an excellent option for tourists to explore the southern part of the island.
Only one thing is sure, staying in one of our all-inclusive five-star resorts is the perfect luxury stay, no matter the location.
Only one thing is sure, staying in one of our all-inclusive five-star resorts is the perfect luxury stay, no matter the location.
Sandals Grenada
The Sandals Grenada Resort provides the best scuba diving experiences, premium liquors, five-star dining restaurants, and six individual bars.
If what’s above the water amazes you, you’re in for a treat for what’s below.
The resort also offers the chance to dive at over 30 sites, including the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean! Need to be more attractive? How about the first-ever underwater sculpture park in the world?
Grenada FAQs
Grenada earned its nickname ‘The Spice Isle’ due to being home to several spice plantations. Here are a few more interesting facts about the island to gain your interest.
No, the crime rate in Grenada is low, and in comparison to some of the other Caribbean Islands that could be choices for your holiday in paradise, it comes out on top as a safer option.
It is wise to pack mosquito repellant when traveling to Grenada as they are pretty standard here, and nobody likes to get bitten! There is also a risk of being bitten by a mosquito and contracting the Dengue virus during the rainy seasons in Grenada. Still, hopefully, you won’t be traveling here during this time.
You can fly directly to Grenada from three locations: New York, Charlotte and Miami. If you fly from another airport, you likely have up to two stops on your journey overall.
Qatar Airways, Caribbean Airlines, JetBlue and American Airlines are all airlines that can get you to your week in paradise. The only differences across airlines will be prices and experience.
The Ultimate Guide to the Bahamas
You may think all the Caribbean islands are similar, offering blistering sun, pristine beaches and never-ending entertainment, but the Bahamas is somewhere that ticks a few more boxes.
Marine Life
The Bahamas is home to some of the most beautiful marine life globally and is the perfect location for animal lovers. Some wildlife you will get to befriend on your travels are dolphins, turtles, sharks, and much more colourful fish that swarm the sea.
Experiencing this underwater civilisation of wildlife is within your reach in the Bahamas, as there is an opportunity to rent snorkel and scuba diving equipment at every turn.
Island Hopping
Island hopping is one of the many destination-specific experiences the Bahamas offers, with over 700 islands and cays. This is the perfect day plan for those who love to be on the move, explore as far as the eye can see, and sail the open waters between!
There are plenty of island hopping tours to book, and you’ll likely run into the opportunity if you visit some of the most popular tourist-based beaches.
Luxury Resorts
The Caribbean is known for the luxury holidays that it provides its guests with, and the Bahamas is the perfect example of this!
Play on world-class golf courses, visit one of the 20 unique restaurants your resort offers or book a five-star professional massage to relax those muscles and make the most out of your all-inclusive experience.
Exuma
Consider choosing Exuma as your final destination for a truly unique and unbeatable holiday experience. Known for its beautiful collection of islands and the natural wildlife that brings the beaches to life, Exuma is bucket-list worthy.
Speaking of bucket lists, you can tick ‘swimming with the pigs’ off after visiting here, as Exuma offers one of the most amazing beaches inhabited by pigs that are said to have left there many years ago and were once cargo on sailors’ boats.
Paradise for Pigs
Since then, the pigs have settled in and definitely made themselves at home, surviving off the wildlife and the waste food that cruise ships dump nearby.
Since the island has become a tourist-friendly location, you’re free to swim with the pigs, take selfies and even feed them! They’re bound to love you, then!
The Bahamas FAQs
If anything sold you on the Bahamas, we’re sure it was the chance to swim with the pigs, so let’s answer some questions you might have about it!
The pigs located on the shores of the Bahamas in Exuma are generally considered peaceful and calm; after all, they are on holiday! But it’s important to understand that these are still large and unpredictable creatures. If you buy food to feed them, it’s suggested to do this sooner rather than later, as if they decide to steal the food from you, they may charge.
Booking a day trip to Pig Island, as tourists call it, can set you back around $438. A pricey but once-in-a-lifetime experience for sure! There’s an all-day experience that includes food, a drink, and a trip to see Pablo Escobar’s plane crash alongside the swimming experience for about $480. That may be worth the extra cash if it seems your perfect day!
The Bahamas are in the top ten locations that provide an ethical holiday, so this is the perfect destination choice if you’re one for saving the trees!
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you travel to Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados or elsewhere, many of the same vital questions apply to your travels. The following 20 questions are among the most commonly asked questions before traveling to the Caribbean.
We have accumulated and answered these crucial questions to highlight the essential parts to plan when organizing your sunny getaway. Sit back and browse as we review everything you need to know before packing your case.
Travel Restrictions
It’s best to be fully clued up on the travel restrictions that may impact how smoothly your airport experience will go before booking those flights and hotels. Here’s the rundown of everything you should know, from criminal records to vaccines.
Destinations across the Caribbean are home to various rules regarding travel requirements and criminal records. Jamaica, for example, requires that you wait five years after completing a sentence for serious crimes before attempting to fly there. Before entering the Bahamas, you are advised to get clarification from the Department of Immigration before flying, as they have restrictions.
Some of the most popular Caribbean destinations requiring no COVID-19 vaccinations are Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, the Caribbean Netherlands, the Cayman Islands, and the British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominia, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, and St.Lucia. In comparison, visitors to Bermuda are expected to show proof of vaccination.
When traveling to the Caribbean, you are allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days over a period of 180 days if you do not need to acquire a visa to travel there. If you are a US or Dutch national, your maximum stay is instead 180 days over a year. Those of you looking to travel to the Caribbean for over your allowed periods will need to seek a residence permit.
A traveler should have gotten recommended vaccines before traveling to the Caribbean islands. Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tdap, chickenpox and Polio, are the recommended vaccines for this destination. These vaccines will ensure you are not denied access and protect you against possible illness.
Your Safety
Your safety is our priority, with your five-star experiences following as a close second. The next section will answer any questions you may have regarding your safety, whether traveling alone or seeking information regarding your health.
Like other holiday destinations, the Caribbean sees minor street crimes such as pickpocketing or scams. Overall, the Caribbean is a safe tourist destination, as statistics show violent crime rarely impacts travelers.
Royal Caribbean protection covers a range of cruise-related expenses and risks, including delays, medical emergencies and cancellations. Visit CruiseCare to learn more about their terms and conditions.
With a below-average violent crime rate and a zero-per cent murder rate, St.Barts is classed as the safest Caribbean island to travel to. A popular tourist hotspot, St. Lucia is also considered as very safe to travel to.
Due to the possibility of contracting diseases such as the Zika virus, yellow fever or malaria, it is advised that the booking party postpone all non-essential travel to tropical locations such as the Caribbean until after pregnancy. These diseases are commonly mild and not harmful to individuals but can impact pregnancy negatively.
In short, yes. The Caribbean is safe to travel alone. Some of the safest islands across the Caribbean are the Cayman Islands, St Barts, the British Virgin Islands, and Montserrat. In particular, Grand Cayman is an excellent option for solo travelers as it is considered the safest island for alone travelers.
Budgeting your Holiday
We all wish that it wasn’t the case and that we had all the money in the world to fund our well-deserved breaks away, but sadly, the budget for your holiday is crucial.
We’ve found some tips and tricks to reduce your price and some average spending costs to prepare you ahead of time so that you’re not counting your coins on the last day!
A few tips to try and reduce the price of your holiday to the Caribbean are to know when to travel (as prices vary per month), shop around for the cheapest flights, use the local ferry system to travel once there and hunt for those special offers when booking accommodation.
The cheapest Caribbean island option currently is the Dominican Republic. Here, you can grab some amazing all-inclusive deals that are sure to provide value for money! Puerto Rico and Curacao are also known as some of the most affordable choices for Caribbean traveling.
On average, an individual can expect to spend around $200 per day, but this amount can hugely differ depending on your island of choice. Luxury resorts can cost you between $1,500 -$4,000 for a week of all-inclusive and five-star treatment.
The Perfect Date
Making sure you plan your holiday on the perfect date is just as important as where you travel. Choose your months wisely, as the Caribbean is home to some nasty storms!
The best time to travel to the Caribbean is in May, June and November. These months rank as the ideal holiday months, as you can still bask in the Caribbean sun but miss out on some of the tourist traffic and extreme prices during the peak season in December to April.
Avoid booking your holiday between September and October, which is called hurricane season, for a reason! During these months, the Caribbean is prone to extreme storms and unsettled waters. These weather conditions are far from what you want during your week away from home!
Destination
With the many amazing Caribbean Islands to choose from, we wish you luck in narrowing it down! Here are a few frequently asked questions that should help your decision.
The Caribbean offers plenty of options with many amazing islands to choose from. Our top 5 islands that provide the best holiday experiences are Barbados, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Dominican Republic and St.Lucia. Though your decision will have to be based on preference as all islands offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
There are many reasons to travel to the Caribbean Islands. Firstly, the intense sun and clear blue waters are what draw most tourist traffic to the Caribbean Islands. Secondly, the Caribbean Islands offer experiences that can’t be found anywhere else across the globe, such as swimming with pigs, their excellent culture and fascinating cuisine.
Your Travel Partners
Traveling alone or with your little ones can change the whole course of your holiday, and establishing who your travel buddies are is vital in some critical decision-making.
We recommend traveling to Guadeloupe in the Caribbean if you plan a solo journey. Its white sand beaches, volcanic mountains and some of the most intense diving locations globally will surely keep you entertained. Guadeloupe is less known to travelers than Jamaica or St. Lucia, so it offers an experience, unlike the rest.
One of the most family-friendly islands across the Caribbean is the Bahamas. The Bahamas has plenty to offer to keep you and your little ones busy on your holiday, including scuba diving, horse riding experiences and many more kid-friendly activities.
Romance and Passion
No matter which Caribbean destination you choose for your romantic getaway, it will be the perfect opportunity to create memories to last a lifetime, reignite the flames of your relationship and fill every moment with true love.
Below are some romance-aimed and frequently asked questions to equip you with all the answers to bringing you closer to your other half, allowing you to rekindle whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, honeymoon, or simply going on a tropical island to isolate yourselves together.
an anniversary
honeymoon
a tropical island getaway
The opportunity to see the sun rise and set again at different ends of the perfect tropical island is just one of the many reasons the Caribbean is classed as one of the most romantic holidays. But that’s not all it has to offer. Test the waters with a couples massage, jump into a crazy adventure to hike up waterfalls with your partner in crime, or just hold hands whilst soaking in that vitamin D.
St. Kitts and Nevis are recognised as one of the most romantic Caribbean Islands due to the isolation that it offers. So if you’re looking for the perfect spot to top up your alone time, this island is the choice for you!
Yes! Barbados is considered one of the most romantic holiday destinations across the globe. Barbados is located at the meeting place of the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean; this marriage of beautiful clear blue oceans is enough to remind any pair of the love and connection they share when they are together.
Splash the cash and book the honeymoon suite, reliving the period of bliss after marriage. Take moments and make them special such as watching the sunset and looking into each other’s eyes. You will build your holiday with your partner by the moments you make into memories, take photos, go on adventures and book that romantic dinner!
Miscellaneous
We’ve covered the broadest bases; here are a few little ones that slipped the net.
One way to travel to the Caribbean and give back to the community is to enrol in a volunteer program. Aldeas De Paz is a volunteering community. One of their most popular Caribbean volunteer projects is the Animal Rescue and Farm Maintenance program and the Youth Care and Community Development project.
There are a few options to travel between the glorious Caribbean Islands, and this is often called island hopping. Whether by ferry, private boat, tour or air, traveling between the islands is just a booking away. The most popular way to travel and explore the Islands is a cruise.
About Us
Gathering all the information that you need to put together your dream holiday, including the destination, the accommodation, the activities, and more, is something that we pride ourselves on.
Being able to help shape the magical memories that families share whilst on their Caribbean travels is what we strive to do and have been doing for over 30 wonderful years.
Start creating your personally-tailored getaway today so that you’re in the beautiful blue Caribbean seas tomorrow.
