The Caribbean, also known as the West Indies, is a gorgeous archipelago of paradise islands that sit close to South America. Popular with honeymooners, you can now visit the Caribbean far more easily than before, and if you do you can expect sunshine, azure waters, and pristine beaches. Some of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean include Trinidad, Barbados, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Dominica, and Grenada, which means that you can island-hop to your heart’s content here to find the perfect island for you. Wherever you choose however, the Caribbean has something for everyone to enjoy, from water sports to nature centers, sandy beaches to island shopping.
Mount St. Catherine is the highest mountain in Grenada and as a result it has some of the most stunning views. You can trek up the mountain and you will pass through breathtaking lush rainforest as you do so and the views of the crater at the top of the mountain are phenomenal.
Travel time:
55 minutes by road (US$30)
Clothing: Hiking clothes and boots are a must.
Distance from Kingston: 87.3 km
Mystic Mountain is one of the top adventure spots in Jamaica and offers thrilling bob sled rides if you are feeling brave, or you can also go zip lining through the forest. There are also water slides here as well as an aerial tram that will take you up through the lush rainforest.
Travel time:
1 hour 45 minutes by road (US$35)
Clothing: Clothes compatible with zip lining and activities like bob sledding are a must.
Distance from Roseau: 40.4 km
The Valley of Desolation and Boiling Lake provide fantastic opportunities to hike, although only consider this if you are an experienced walker. The hike here is not an easy one and you will need to hire a guide, but it is worth it to take in the gorgeous scenery here and the mineral waters of Boiling Lake.
Travel time:
1 hour 8 minutes by road (US$30)
Clothing: Hiking clothes and boots are a must.
Distance from city center: 30.4 km
Belmont Estate is a plantation that dates from the 17th century and the produce from here goes on to the Grenada Chocolate Company which makes some of the best chocolate in the world. If you want to learn more about how this delicious foodstuff is made, then don’t miss the chance to come here and indulge your sweet tooth!
Best mode of transport: Taxi
Duration of travel: 58 minutes
Make sure that you book a tour of the plantation in advance.
Distance from city center: 12.1 km
Harrison’s Cave is one of the best loved attractions in Barbados and features a stunning cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites that add an eerie atmosphere to the cave. It also has little rock pools and waterfalls but you don’t have to go spelunking here if you are not feeling that adventurous. Instead, you can take in the cave by taking a tour on a tram at a cost of $30.
Best mode of transport: Taxi
Duration of travel: 20 minutes
Make sure to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty in the cave as well as sturdy shoes.
Distance from city center: 49.3km
The Waitukubuli National Trail spans 115 miles and takes you’re around the southern corner of Dominica to the stunning Cabrits National Park. You can walk here for up to 6 hours and the trail will take you through amazing pristine rainforest and craggy mountain areas.
Best mode of transport: Taxi
Duration of travel: 1 hour 12 minutes
Hiking boots are a must.
Grand Anse Beach is one of the most popular in Grenada and is made up of soft, fluffy white sand and turquoise waters. There is also plenty of shade on the beach thanks to majestic palm trees, sea grapes, and almond trees.
Negril Beach is not only the most famous beach in Jamaica but it is also probably one of the most famous in the Caribbean, so make sure you give it a visit. The sunsets here in particular are spectacular and you will also find 5 miles of pure white sand to enjoy.
Toucari Bay is a fishing village that is also known for being one of the best beach and dive spots in the country. If you venture into the sea here you will find a breathtaking wreck of a World War I ship as well as an amazing array of marine life.
Baywalk Shopping Mall is one of the newest shopping experiences in St. Lucia and seems to have everything you could want under one roof. There are 70 stores here as well as food outlets and restaurants and there is also a supermarket and even a casino!
Jamaica Colosseum Mall is a great place to come if you are looking for over 120 different stores in one place. There is also a food court here that serves a range of local bites and some fast food options.
Trincity Mall has the claim to fame of being the largest mall in the English-speaking Caribbean and there are over 300 different shopping outlets here. As well as a wide range of stores, you will also find two food courts and some delicious dining options including kiosks, cafes, and sit-down restaurants.
Pepperpot:
Eaten all across the Caribbean, Pepperpot is a kind of stew that usually contains vegetable such as okra, squash, potatoes, and eggplant. Meat such as beef is also added as are dumplings called fungi.
Conch:
Conch is a kind of sea snail that is popular in the Caribbean and indigenous to its waters. They are similar in taste to clams and are sold all over the Caribbean and can be cooked in stews or soups or chopped up and fried as fritters.
Chicken and Rice:
Chicken and Rice also known as Arroz Con Pollo is eaten in many places in the Caribbean and was said to have first been introduced by the Spanish. It is usually made with rice, chicken, tomatoes, peppers, and garlic.
Rainbow Beach Bar Restaurant is located on Main Street in Calibishie and has a stunning range of mouthwatering seafood. The tables are set out on the waterfront so that you can take in the picturesque views, and they also serve a delicious rum punch.
Scotchies is said to have some of the best jerk chicken in all of Jamaica, so head here if you want to try this spicy classic. There are two branches, one in Ocho Rios and one in Montego Bay.
Bananas Restaurant is located in True Blue and is the place to come if you want a bite to eat. Even more fun however is to stay on here and visit the club that is also part of the restaurant and where the party keeps going into the early hours of the morning.
QUAD Nightclub is a multilevel nightclub in Jamaica and is actually the only one on the island. You can expect a range of music here from jazz to dancehall, and reggae. The club is also reasonably priced and entry is $12.
The Palladium disco is part of the wider Grand Palladium Bavaro Resort and Spa and you can purchase a day pass if you want to party there. In addition to a night club there is also a restaurant on site.
For visa processes for each individual country please see below:
Drugs use is illegal in the Caribbean although some countries have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use.
Prostitution is illegal across most of the Caribbean.
The legal drinking age is 18.
The Caribbean has one of the highest murder rates in the world and violent crime is widespread across the region. As such travelers should be vigilant at all times.
Homosexuality is illegal across most of the Caribbean and is considered a criminal offense. It is mainly enforced against homosexual men.
There are no specific vaccinations recommended for the Caribbean but there are areas where the zika virus has been detected.
The indigenous people of the Caribbean Islands were the Arawak Indians followed by the Caribs. Over the centuries there have been many colonial powers in the Caribbean including the Spanish, Dutch, British, French, Portuguese and Danish. As a result, languages now spoken in the Caribbean include English, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Creole.
