Caribbean Travel Destinations
The Caribbean is an endlessly fascinating tropical region, comprised of numerous large and small islands, that stretches from North America (near Florida) in the north down across the equator, and ending above South America (near Venezuela). Although the Caribbean is referred to as though it represents a single entity, nothing could actually be farther from the truth! The lands of the Caribbean vary widely in their geography, their history, their peoples and cultures, and their governments. Each island destination offers its own unique charms. Here are several of the main destinations for Caribbean travel, with a bit of information about each to help you identify the Caribbean vacation of your dreams.
Caribbean Travel Destination: Anguilla
Anguilla is a relatively flat island with a peak altitude of 200 feet above sea level. The island is noted for having the best white sand beaches in the Caribbean. In addition, Anguilla has been developed for the tastes of the discerning visitor, with elegant resorts, fine dining, and secluded getaways. Anguilla is quiet and peaceful, and is ideal for those seeking a lazy, sun-splashed vacation.
Caribbean Travel Destination: Antigua
Antigua is often considered to be the "center" of the Caribbean, with its bustling cities, resorts, and beaches. It is internationally renowned as a sailing destination, and offers abundant additional watersports, such as scuba, windsurfing, deep-sea sportfishing and water-skiing. For fun, Antigua boasts Duty Free shopping for leading name fashions, jewelry, and perfumes, as well as an active nightlife for vacationing party-goers.
Caribbean Travel Destination: Aruba
Aruba, as a surprise to many, is a largely desert island! Based on its geography, there is relatively little rainfall on the island, and the island terrain resembles that of the Southwestern United States. Aruba is a popular and busy Caribbean destination with a present sense of its Dutch history. There are world-class resorts, abundant watersports, tours, and attractions, fine cuisine, and urban sophistication.
Caribbean Travel Destination: Barbados
Barbados is another busy and active vacation destination in the Caribbean. The islands offers beautiful resorts, excellent shopping, plentiful watersports, and numerous touring opportunities. However, Barbados offers a little something more -- a wide-ranging array of natural, historical, and architectural attractions located throughout the island. There are secluded beaches and coves accessible by car, stately churches to be toured, and historical plantations providing a glimpse into Barbados' colonial past.
Caribbean Travel Destination: Bonaire
Bonaire has long been a world class scuba diving destination, and in recent years, has become more widely traveled by tourists looking for a European-flavored Caribbean retreat. The culture is a blend of European, Native Indian, and Africa influences. The island is unspoiled, relaxed and ecologically-oriented with much of its natural beauty untouched and with large and protected bird sanctuaries available for touring.
Caribbean Travel Destination: British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands include Tortola and Virgin Gorda, as well as several smaller islands, and are a part of the British Commonwealth. The islands of BVI offer smaller resorts and guest houses that cater to visitors seeking an authentic Old World Caribbean experience. The BVI islands are generally steeply mountainous and are visible from one island to the next, making boat cruises among the islands an enjoyable pastime.
Caribbean Travel Destination: Martinique
Martinique is one of the Caribbean islands with a French flair at its heart (and from its history). Martinique is near the middle of the Caribbean island chain, and includes a windy Atlantic Ocean side on its east and a calm, beautiful Caribbean Sea coast on its west side. Martinique is a volcanic island, rising more than 4,500 hundred feet from its beaches, up through tropical rainforests, to its volcanic peaks.
Caribbean Travel Destination: Saba
Saba is the tiniest, but most precious, of Caribbean island destinations. The geography of the island includes mountainous slopes rising steeply from the ocean, with interior valleys of pastoral, unspoiled beauty. The island population lives in four small villages scattered throughout the island. The demeanor is friendly and relaxed in the several small hotels, guest houses and restaurants who serve the island's visitors. Primary attractions on Saba including diving, hiking, and relaxing, with day trips available to Saint Martin and several other popular and nearby islands.
Caribbean Travel Destination: St. Martin/ St. Maarten
Two cultures sharing one island and living in harmony! Saint Martin is the more commercial Dutch side of the island, boasting world-class resorts, abundant duty-free shopping, dining, water-sports and attractions. As you drive along the road that circles the island, you cross an invisible border and enter Sint Maarten, the French side of the island. On the Sint Maarten side, there is a quiet, unspoiled feeling, with rolling pastures, small villages, guest houses offering accommodations to visitors, and intimate French dining establishments. This island has it all!
Caribbean Travel Destination: US Virgin Islands
The US Virgin Islands include the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, as well as more that 50 more smaller islands and cays. St. Thomas is a mountainous island, with beautiful beaches, coves, and mountain forests. St. Croix is a flatter island, with rolling grasslands, white sand beaches, and with one end of the island supporting rocky desert terrain and vegetation. St. John is a volcanic island, with many bays and inlets around the island. The beauty of St. John has been captured forever since two-thirds of the island have been designated as a U.S. National Park. In St. Thomas and St. Croix, the visitor can find the perfect Caribbean vacation whether looking for large resorts, holiday villas for rent, watersports, Duty Free shopping, fine dining, or simply relaxing beside the azure blue Caribbean Sea.