The Caribbean is a spectacular archipelago of tropical islands stretching over 2000 miles from Mexico to Venezuela. This region is famous for beaches, incredible resorts, warm sunny weather and a laid back lifestyle.
Is there a more beautiful region of the world to travel than the Caribbean? When it comes to beaches, I struggle to think of one.
Tourists pour into the Caribbean from all over the world, drawn by the delightful climate, the big blue sea and beautiful white sandy beaches. Many tourists rarely stray far from their resorts, but those who do will find an impressive range of historic sites, friendly locals, authentic experiences, dramatic scenery and so much more.
If you’re looking for a vacation in paradise, there’s a lot to get excited about – with the lush valleys and mountains and picture-postcard beaches, the tropical islands of the Caribbean are unbelievably beautiful. There is also a lot more to do than just sunbathing!
Although the Caribbean might seem like an unaffordable dream, it really isn’t. There are lots of islands perfect for travellers and backpackers with all budgets. You really can visit on the cheap and have just a good time.
Check out my top Caribbean travel tips including advice for where to go, top activities and tourist attractions, and also how to visit without spending a fortune.
Caribbean Travel Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Seek out the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Caribbean Tours
• Find the best sightseeing tours & attraction tickets on GetYourGuide or Viator.
• Search small group adventure tours with G Adventures.
Best Islands to Visit in the Caribbean
These are some of the most popular Caribbean countries that offer unparalleled quality and really are must-see destinations.
• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Aruba
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Bonaire
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Cuba
• Curacao
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Grenada
• Guadeloupe
• Jamaica
• Martinique
• Puerto Rico
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Maarten
• Turks & Caicos
• US Virgin Islands
Where to Stay
The Caribbean has long been a favourite holiday destination and lots of international travel companies specialise in providing fantastic package holidays, from budget accommodation to luxury hotels. Accommodation ranges from budget to luxury 5 star resorts. You have the choice you need to create a perfect holiday no matter what your budget. Prices here are more expensive than travelling in South America for example, but some of the resorts and hotels here are amazing and among the best in the world. Booking hotels and apartments in the Caribbean is generally cheaper the earlier you book (or very last minute) and also using online comparison websites.
Top Things to Do in the Caribbean
Get in Awe at Cat Island, Bahamas
The highest point in the Bahamas is found here: Mount Alvernia. Most beautiful beaches and crystal clear water perfect for snorkeling.
Get Lost in Havana, Cuba
Set in one of the last remaining strongholds of communism, Havana is full of character full with museums, history and beaches. A place of spectacular delapidation and charm…
Climb Lake Arenal, Costa Rica
Place of the forth most active volcano in the world, Lake Arenal is surrounded by lush tropical pristine rainforest and it has thermal hot waters nearby. Stunningly beautiful!
Relax in Placencia, Belize
Totally laid-back seaside town filled with prisitne sandy beaches along a narrow peninsula. The seafood is excellent and the manatee watching places are fabulous.
Discover the History of Port Antonio, Jamaica
Described by poet Ella Wheeler as “the most exquisite port on earth”, Port Antonio offers historical attractions and beautiful beaches.
Go Scuba Diving in Saba
Small, off the beaten scenic island (part of the Leeward Islands, Antilles) with amazing scuba diving and snorkeling, Saba is famous for its pinnacles (summits of underwater mountains) filled with many exotic fish.
Ultimate Relaxation
You can find some of the most incredible hotels and resorts in the world in the Caribbean, most located on pristine beaches.
Snorkelling and Scuba Diving
Crystal clear waters await. A wise crab named Sebastian once sang, “Under the sea, under the sea, darling it’s better, down where it’s wetter, under the sea.” No one knows this, but Sebastian was actually referring to the underwater world that resides off the coast of most Caribbean islands. Expect coral canyons and a HUGE range of tropical fish, manta rays and sharks. Nice!
Caribbean Budget Travel Tips
Everyone dreams of a long break in a luxury destination like Aruba right? Well, this can be done but only if you have a lot of money to put towards a luxury resort. But there are lots of ways you can visit this region on a backpacker budget, these tips will help.
Consider Cruises!
No really, although you might think cruises are crazy expensive, well some are, but others especially if booked last minute can be very cheap. A lot depart from Miami and set sail for the Caribbean Islands exploring multiple destinations – great if you would like to see a lot of a short period of time.
Go for a Better Known Island
Choosing a better known island means that more airlines fly there directly. More competition usually leads to lower air fares, so you’ll pay less for a flight to Barbados than you would to somewhere more a little bit more obscure, like St Kitts. Most of the better known islands are served by their own airports, so you won’t have to get on a ferry once you’ve landed. Most islands of the Caribbean are an eight – ten hour flight away, so there’s a good chance you won’t want to do much more travelling once you’ve landed. Besides, the more time you spend journeying to your location, the less time you have to relax in the sunshine!
Book In-advance
To save the most money on flights and accommodation be sure to book flights and places to stay well ahead of your preferred arrival time. The earlier you book the cheapest prices will be. The later you book, the less availability there is.
Avoid Peak Periods
Like other destinations, the price of Caribbean holidays varies depending on when you choose to go. Peak time in the Caribbean is from December to April, as this is when the weather is at its worst in the UK, and at its driest in the West Indies. For a cheaper alternative, travel to the Caribbean between May and September, as this is the low season. The weather during the low season can get quite humid, and there’s more chance of being caught in a tropical monsoon. However, these showers usually last minutes, and afterwards the hot Caribbean sun dries everything so quickly, you can’t even tell it rained.
Go All-inclusive
Selecting an all inclusive option may seem like an expensive feat, but it will actually work out much cheaper in the long run. Most of the hotels in the Caribbean are specifically tailored towards all-inclusive guests, so you’ll find some fantastic deals that could make the holiday of a lifetime much less expensive. The other great benefit of an all inclusive holiday is that you don’t have to worry as much about budgeting whilst you’re out there, as most things like food and drink will be included in the price of the holiday.
A diverse and fascinating region, the Caribbean offers something for everyone. Aruba, the British Virgin Islands, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Tobago… make the most of your dream destination in true jetset style and plan a trip to the Caribbean today.