Knowing the Best Caribbean Vacations

When you’re organising a big break, it’s only natural to want the very best. Caribbean vacations are synonymous with luxury, style, year-round temperate weather, and of course – endless stretches of sparkling sandy beaches. Not to mention weddings and watersports! The pace of life is relaxed, the locals are warm and welcoming, and the scenery is truly breathtaking. This collection of islands is regarded as paradise on earth, and it doesn’t take a mastermind to work out why!

If you’re looking for the best Caribbean vacations, it’s wise to get clued up before you begin debating the relative merits of all the islands. If geography isn’t your strong point, here’s a quick update. Often referred to as the West Indies, the Caribbean region is made up of over 7000 islands that sit just east of Central America and to the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico, surrounding the Caribbean Sea. All are relatively quite close to each other, but have different qualities that can make choosing the best Caribbean vacations more complicated than you might first think.

So, which island is the best? Caribbean vacations offer a whole host of different attractions so are suitable for all sorts of tastes and personalities. Some are volcanic – like Barbados and The Bahamas, whilst others have imposing mountain ranges, such as Cuba, St Lucia, and Jamaica. So when trying to work out which islands offer the best Caribbean vacations, the answer to that question really depends on what you want from a holiday. Perhaps you’re after complete rest and relaxation, or want to experience a completely different culture? Maybe you fancy checking out some of the planet’s finest marine life with some scuba diving? Or it could be you’re after somewhere sun-drenched and idyllic to take those wedding vows?

It quickly becomes clear that there are all sorts of possibilities available. But to get you started, we’ll cover a couple of islands. It’s often thought that Barbados offers the best Caribbean vacations. Traditionally regarded as the grand daddy of sun-drenched holiday destinations, this particular island has the highest concentration of tourists of all the islands. With its buzzing atmosphere and developed culture and economy, it’s easily accessible and promoted as the best spot for first-timers. There are countless places to stay, loads of ready-made packages to choose from, and plenty of pursuits to try. All in all, Barbados is a pretty safe bet for those who want to experience the tropics but don’t fancy being somewhere that’s too rustic.

But don’t discount some of the other sunny spots on the map. The Cayman Islands in particular offer some of the best Caribbean vacations on earth. The scuba diving is regarded as the finest in the region, thanks in part to the rich concentration of coral. Head for Grand Cayman for a more developed atmosphere, or make a beeline for Little Cayman or Cayman Brac if you like the quiet life and a more rural feel.

There are oodles of islands to choose from, but hopefully you now have an idea of how to go about selecting the best. Caribbean vacations don’t come along every day, so make sure you do your research and get it right first time. Happy holidays!