
Discover 7 Hidden Caribbean Islands You Must Explore
There are more than 7,000 Caribbean islands. Some are household names, like Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Aruba, while others are little more than rocks jutting out of the ocean.
A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
There are more than 7,000 Caribbean islands. Some are household names, like Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Aruba, while others are little more than rocks jutting out of the ocean.
Planning a trip to the Caribbean should start with a few simple questions:
Caribbean culture is a rich tapestry woven with influences from Africa, Europe, indigenous peoples, and even Asia. Each month in the Caribbean, you’ll find celebrations that welcome visitors to experience the warmth and diversity of the islands. Whenever your schedule allows you to venture down to the islands, good times will await.
Taxis in Bermuda are plentiful, and drivers are generally professional and polite. However, they are not inexpensive: in addition to distance, there is a charge for larger groups (maximum seven people) and for luggage. You can easily find taxis at the airport, cruise port, hotels, and popular tourist areas. Moreover, drivers can be hired as island guides on an hourly basis.
Seven Mile Beach is not only the most popular beach on Grand Cayman Island but also one of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean. However, it’s far from your only choice for surf, sun, and sand when visiting the three main Cayman Islands—Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac—and every beach in the Caymans is open to the public.
Rising dramatically from the sea, the drowned mountain chain that constitutes the majority of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a trueboater’s paradise. In contrast to the U.S. Virgin Islands, the BVI remains a relatively tranquil Caribbean destination, well-known for its marinas, secluded beaches, and cheerful beach bars.
The 60 islands that make up the British Virgin Islands feature an array of annual celebrations that draw visitors from around the world, especially the yachting community. Here are some of the best events and festivals to plan your next visit around.
The Caribbean remains one of the most popular holiday destinations for residents of the U.K. and Ireland, notably the islands that are (or formerly were) part of the Commonwealth. Here is information on the airlines that offer flights between Great Britain, Ireland, and the islands of the Caribbean.
Puerto Rico is an easy tropical destination to reach from most points in the continental United States, and for Americans, no passport is required. The main island encompasses just over 3,500 square miles, making it the smallest of the Greater Antilles.
The U.S. State Department offers an alternative to using a passport to travel between the U.S. and the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico, and Canada: the U.S. Passport Card. This card is marketed as a cheaper, smaller, and more convenient alternative to carrying a passport when traveling to these destinations by land or sea. However, many travelers may still prefer to apply for a full passport, as the Passport Card is not valid for international air travel.
Here are the best picks for authentic Caribbean-related gifts to brighten any holiday or occasion — or just to bring home rather than that same old t-shirt or gift-shop shot glass!
Nassau has always been the prime shopping destination in the Bahamas. The bustling Bay Street offers the biggest selection of shops, includingKing’s Jewellery WorldandSolomon’s Mines. Alternatively, consider visiting thePort Lucaya Marketplaceon Grand Bahama Island, a twelve-acre waterfront market featuring over 66 retail stores with a wide selection of jewelry, souvenirs, and gifts that cater to all tastes.
Cruising is one of the most popular ways to explore the Caribbean Islands. With cruise visits approaching 30 million each year, cruise lines are continuously adding new and exciting destinations to their itineraries.
Caribbean countries generally utilize their own currencies; however, numerous tourist destinations across the islands also accept U.S. dollars to attract American travelers. Major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, are widely accepted, although credit card transactions typically occur in local currency, with conversion rates managed by your card-issuing bank.
The Obama administration has loosened the ban on travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens, allowing most Americans to visit the largest Caribbean nation for the popular “people-to-people” tours. If you plan to visit the vibrant land known for Castro, Hemingway, salsa, and cigars, this guide outlines the companies facilitating your journey.
For the first time since the 1950s, Americans are allowed to travel legally to Cuba. However, navigating the process of obtaining flights and accommodations in Havana or Varadero can be quite complex, influenced by both bureaucratic requirements and limited availability. Therefore, many Americans choose to join tours organized by companies authorized by the U.S. State Department, aimed at facilitating cultural exchange trips to Cuba.
In the Caribbean, travelers can find duty-free shops at almost any airport, but certain island destinations and ports are also famous for their concentration of duty-free shopping. At these locations, travelers can find jewelry, watches, perfume, liquor, and other goods at a deep discount—25 to 40 percent in many cases. Citizens from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Europe and elsewhere may bring a limited quantity of goods home tax-free when traveling to the Caribbean.
Caribbean travelers can discover duty-free shops at virtually any airport, with certain island destinations renowned for their extensive duty-free shopping options. Visitors frequently seek out jewelry, watches, perfume, liquor, and other goods at significant discounts — often between 25% to 40%. Travelers from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Europe, and other regions are allowed to bring a limited quantity of goods home tax-free when visiting the Caribbean.
The Caribbean is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world for disabled travelers; however, not all Caribbean islands are created equal when it comes to accommodating visitors who are handicapped, in a wheelchair, or have limited mobility. Here are some tips for planning an accessible Caribbean vacation that is both enjoyable and convenient.
It’s easy not to be a millionaire. Most of us aren’t. However, you can vacation like one at the Sandals LaSource all-inclusive resort in Grenada. The resort booklet claims a luxurious experience, and it lives up to the promise.