Caribbean Region
The Caribbean evokes the feeling of freedom, the beach and the never-ending siesta. Just the thought of spending your vacation in the Caribbean already relaxes you and brings out serene and peaceful emotions.
The Caribbean truly has a distinct carefree lifestyle that infects anyone who happens to step onto its shore. While you are on the islands of the Caribbean, you can do lots of things. The Yucatan Peninsula, where the Playa del Carmen and Costa Maya islands can be found, offers great use of the white-sand beaches of Mexico.
The first is truly a party person’s paradise with bars, restaurants and resorts fronting the beautiful beach. You can just dance the night away in this place. On the other hand, Playa del Carmen is a serene place where you and your loved one can just let the time go by, lying around the sand. Across the strait, you can ride a ferryboat, and find the town of Cozumel that has breathtaking Mayan ruins and wonderful panoramas and vistas. This is a photographer’s dream destination with plenty of subjects to occupy him for the rest of the trip, if not his life.
Temperature and climate
The Caribbean is located in the tropical zone, which is why it usually experiences humid and warm conditions. This area has northeasterly trade winds, bringing dampness from the Atlantic Ocean.
The Temperature in the Caribbean ranges from 28 degrees Celsius during the hot months of July and August to around 24 degrees Celsius during the cool months of February and January.
The temperature varies annually but not so much. It’s usually colder before sunrise and hottest during the mid-morning to late afternoon. After 10 o’clock, it becomes cooler until the sun rises again.
During the winter, which corresponds with the winter in North America, there’s a significant decrease in temperature in the Northern Caribbean particularly the Bahamas, Jamaica and Cuba. The temperatures decline expectedly with increasing elevation. It’s so much colder in the areas of Jamaica that are of higher altitudes like the Blue Mountains.
Weather
The Caribbean usually experiences hurricanes and these weather patterns are typically formed close to West Africa then moving to the Caribbean. The season of stormy weather or hurricanes falls between the months of June and November. Most hurricanes tend to develop during September however. How many hurricanes occur changes yearly from as few as 2 to as many as 12. Hurricane weather typically varies from super low to heavy rainfall. The wind speeds of hurricanes are usually severe and this often travels at more than 100 kilometres per hour.
Cuba
The Caribbean country, the Republic of Cuba consists of Isla de la Juventud, some adjacent small islands, and the island of Cuba, which is the most populous island in the Greater Antilles.
Cuba, whose capital city is Havana, is found in the northern part of the Caribbean islands and is south of the eastern US, east of Mexico, west of the Caicos and Turks and north of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
Etymology of Cuba
“Cuba” is actually based on the Taíno language, which is from a term that may have an unclear message either translating to cabana meaning “great place” or Cubao meaning “where fertile land is abundant”.
Climate and Weather
Generally, like any other island in the Caribbean, Cuba has a tropical climate, although the island is often visited by trade winds. From the months of November to April, the season is dry and a lot hotter than from May to October when some rain showers happen
From September to October, hurricanes are common in Cuba due to the fact that the temperature is warm and that the island sits across the Gulf of Mexico.
Economic Resources
Nickel is probably the most important mineral economic resource of Cuba. In fact, Cuba has the 5th largest reserves for Nickel in the entire world. Another popular mineral resource in Cuba is cobalt, which is a by-product of nickel production.
Population
Cuba has more than 11 million residents coming from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures like the Ciboney and Taíno.
Cuba’s population has multifaceted origins, perhaps due to the fact that intermarriage among diverse ethnic groups is most common. On the demographic profile of Cuba, it is seen that immigration and emigration has a huge effect in the 20th century.
The White Cubans that makeup approximately 64 per cent of the population is primarily from the different Spanish nations who have diverse ethnicity.
The population of Cuba also consists of people that are non-Cubans. In addition, its population is also made up of some thousands of North African young refugees.
Cuban Tourism
Cuba, being part of the Caribbean islands, and the largest one at that, is becoming increasingly famous as a destination for travellers and worldwide vacationers.
Cuba’s history was full of unique events and the tourist attractions that the country offers mirror this together with how Cuba is today. Cubans are also friendly in nature, which is why most tourists love to come back for more of what the country has to offer. And of course, who could forget the immaculate beaches that Cuba boasts of? Side by side with Cuba’s hot music scene, the vacation spots in Cuba are truly a unique experience altogether to travellers from all around the world.
Jamaica
Usain Bolt, considered as the fastest man in history, well known for his athletics records in the entire world, also another famous personality is Bob Marley a legendary musician who is famous around the world, but one of the first things that come to mind when you talk about the reggae master aside from his music is the place where he was born – Jamaica!
Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean – the third largest island at that. It’s a place that is most commonly associated with clear blue beaches that stretch far and wide – almost at infinity. A trip to Jamaica is truly an experience not only of the wonderful beach but also of the almost unending sunshine of the Caribbean and the culture of various ethnic backgrounds.
When you travel to Jamaica, your activities may include diving, beachcombing, river rafting, snorkelling, waterfall climbing, ballooning, horseback riding, mountain biking or just simply swaying on a hammock just to relax and watch the setting of the sun.
Some Fast Facts about Jamaica
Jamaica is 146 miles long and 22-51 miles wide. It is 4,411 square miles in size – a little smaller than Connecticut. Its capital is Kingston and the language spoken by the locals in English. Ethnic groups are comprised of Chinese, white, East Indian, mixed and Black, which is the majority.
The natural resources of the island are limestone, gypsum and Bauxite, which they also export to other nations, along with sugar, bananas, citrus and citrus products, coffee, cocoa and rum.
Population
Although the majority of the people in Jamaica is of African descent, the population in this island of the Caribbean also consists of Europeans, Chinese, Arabic, and East Indian. Therefore, the Jamaicans are really quite multiracial.
Jamaica was once under the Spaniards, but it became a British colony in 1655 until 1962 when the country came to its independence.
Touring around Jamaica
If you are planning to go on a vacation to Jamaica, make sure to spare enough days for exploration as this island can never be explored in just a few days. Because of its diversified beauty, Jamaica is truly appealing to travellers from all around the world. From the spectacular waterfalls, the towering peaks of the Blue Mountain and the white sands of the beaches, Jamaica is truly a sight and experience to behold, waiting to be discovered.
When to schedule a trip to Jamaica
You can schedule a trip to Jamaica depending on how you want to experience the island. If you want it truly hot, you can go to Jamaica from July to August when the temperatures reach 85 to 90 degrees Celsius. If you want to go during a cooler season, February is the best month to schedule your trip to this breathtaking island. But regardless of when you are scheduling your visit, you will always be guaranteed fairly good weather, balmy trade winds and of course, plenty of suns!
If you want to save, you can schedule your trip during the off-peak season. The peak season for trips to Jamaica is between December 15 to April 15 and during this period, the rates are at their peak as well. The rates are at their highest of course during the New Year and Christmas holidays.
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is an island in the Caribbean that is located between Cuba and Puerto Rico. Hispaniola, together with Jamaica, Cuba, and Puerto Rico makes up the Large Antilles in the Caribbean and is the 2nd largest island in the Antilles and also the most populous. It is actually split up into 2 areas – the largest region in the Dominican Republic, and the smaller part is the Republic of Haiti, although Hispaniola once belonged in Haiti entirely.
The name Hispaniola came from “La Isla Espanola”, which was coined by Christopher Columbus. Eventually, the island was named “Hispaniola” by the English to mean “little Spain”.
Climate
Just like the other islands of the Caribbean, Hispaniola has a humid and tropical climate. All-year-round, the island generally has a tropical climate. But since it is directly located within the hurricane belt, it has some hurricanes from June to November.
Once you get on a vacation to Hispaniola, you’ll be amazed by its diverse landscape as it showcases valleys, dry forests, mountains and rainforests. The beaches of Hispaniola are beautiful especially in the Dominican Republic, which is around the Caribbean seas and located on the island of Hispaniola. The Dominican Republic may be familiar to anyone since it has become a famous travel destination for tourists all over the world. Not only will travellers enjoy the pristine beaches of this region, but also take pleasure in the travel activities the island has to offer such as rafting, fishing, mountain biking, whale watching, excursions and exploration of a few other tourist attractions in the northern coast and the Samana Peninsula.
Hispaniola has 5 main mountain ranges including the Cordillera Central or the Central Range that extends across the centre of the Hispaniola island, which has the highest peak in the Antilles; the Cordillera Septentrional, which is parallel to the Cordillera Central to the northern end of the Dominican Republic; and the Sierra de Neiba, which is also parallel to the Cordillera Central from the Southwest Dominican Republic to northwest Haiti.
If you want to travel to Hispaniola, especially to the Dominican Republic, the best time to travel is from December to April when it is warm and comfortable. These months are actually the peak season for travellers. Most European and American tourists go to the Dominican Republic in Hispaniola during their own winter months so as to escape cold temperatures. Because the island is home to about 27 climate zones ranging from humid rainforest conditions to desert-like temperatures, the Dominican Republic in Hispaniola is the ideal place for vacationers. The island is actually very famous for its beaches in Bacardi Island and Samana that almost run endlessly. It is also popular for its scenic waterfalls, authentic dishes, fresh seafood and area restaurants.
To explore the island easier, it would be better to rent a scooter or a car. And since it is also typical to find animals and farmers crossing the main streets at any time of the day, foreign drivers need to be more cautious when driving around in any place at any time.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a paradise located in the northeastern Caribbean. An unincorporated and self-governing territory of the US, Puerto Rico can be found on the west of the Virgin Islands and East of the Dominican Republic. It is composed of the main Puerto Rico island and a few smaller islands such as Culebra and Mona. Among the Greater Antilles, Puerto Rico is the smallest by land area as well as the 2nd smallest in the number of people populating the territory.
Race and Population Make up
Puerto Rico is probably one of the most diverse ethnics make-up in the Caribbean. This is because of the number of racial communities that migrated to the island in the early 18th century.
A number of Chinese, Corsican, Lebanese, French and Portuguese got to Puerto Rico during the 1800s together with immigrants from Spain especially those people from Asturias, Galicia, Catalonia, Andalusia, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. People from other nations settled as well including Germans, Scots, Italians and the Irish. Thousands of other settlers went to live on the island after they have been granted land by Spain during the Royal Decree of Graces of 1815 that allowed European Catholics a certain amount of land.
The population grew from a hundred thousand to almost a million due to the mass immigration in the 19th century.
Language
The official primary language of Puerto Ricans is Spanish, with English being secondary. The language of Puerto Rico particularly is a variation from the Spanish spoken in other Spanish-speaking countries, perhaps mainly because of the influences that the ancestral languages have infused into it such as the languages of the Africans and the Taínos.
Religion
The dominant religion in Puerto Rico is Roman Catholic and this has been true throughout history. As a matter of fact, the first dioceses in the Americas were established in 1511 in Puerto Rico.
Every municipality in Puerto Rico has at least 1 church located in the town plaza. Protestantism, which was discouraged by the Spaniards was eventually embraced by Puerto Ricans under American rule.
Religious practices of the Taino were reinvented and different African traditional religious practices also became present. Moreover, Puerto Rico also became a home for the largest Jewish community in the Caribbean islands with about 1,500 – 2,500 Jewish inhabiting the region.
Traveling to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is truly a paradise. With its crystal-blue waters, coffee plantations and breathtaking rainforests, Puerto Rico is no wonder a dream vacation spot for most people all over the world.
But Puerto Rico has become a common vacation spot not only because of its beautiful scenery but also because of the rich culture the island holds.
If you are planning to travel to Puerto Rico, make sure that you have everything planned out so that your trip will go on smoothly. Know what you want to get out of your Puerto Rican trip. Do your homework first and make research about Puerto Rico so that you can properly plan your itinerary.
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands is a British territory that is famous for being a financial capital in the Caribbean. The three islands that make up the Cayman Islands are the Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.
The Cayman Islands is the main financial centre in the Caribbean. And although it is a British territory, surprisingly enough, there is nothing so British about the Islands. The Grand Cayman, for instance, is more Americanized than British as large malls are built and SUVs run around and even looking around for parking lot spaces. This area is also famous for banking and taxes and it uses the US dollars as if it was their national currency. All this description may point to the same characteristic of the Cayman Islands. However, there is actually so much more to this small nation than what is already obvious.
The Three Caymans
When you explore the rest of Grand Cayman’s long western coastline, you’ll discover the crowded commercialism that made it the Caribbean’s financial centre. If you, however, want to experience life at a slower pace in the Cayman Islands, visit the charming Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. In these smaller islands, travellers can enjoy the simplest pleasures in life ranging from bird-watching to snorkelling, diving and hiking.
The Cayman Islands may not have the spectacular view and steamy nightlife just like what the rest of the islands of the Caribbean have. But in place of these, the Caymans provide a much quieter charm for a relaxing vacation, with independent, sincere and warm people to welcome tourists from all over the world.
Cayman Economy
A major international financial centre in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands have banking and investment, hedge fund formation, insurance and general corporate activities as their biggest sectors.
The Cayman Islands is really successful in being a financial capital in this area and as a matter of fact, it already has become the 5th largest banking centre in the entire world. The Cayman Islands is home to around 111 plus banks that cater to both domestic and international clients.
Of the annual Gross Domestic Product of the Cayman Islands, tourism accounts for at least 70%, and among the tourists that visit this part of the Caribbean, 99% visit the Grand Cayman. The major cruise ship port in the Cayman Islands is George Town, bringing in at most 22,000 tourists per day, 5 times a week depending on how many ships are operating on the port.
Cayman Islands’ Tourist Attractions
The Seven Mile Beach is one of the most famous attractions in the entire world and it is located in Grand Cayman. Aside from the Seven Mile Beach, the Pedro St. James Castle also draws in tourists to the Cayman Islands who want to explore the history of the area.
The Cayman Islands is also most famous for its scuba diving destinations that boast of its crystal clear waters. Snorkelling locations where visitors can swim with stingrays are also popular like the Stingray City in Grand Cayman.
If you want to experience the best of both worlds – a fast-paced and laid back lifestyle – the perfect place to come to is the Cayman Islands. Not only will you be able to explore nature at its finest, you will also experience and learn a lot more.
The Eastern Caribbean
Breathtaking photographs of the Caribbean are enough to entice one to visit. With its pristine white beaches, crystal-blue water and diverse culture, as well as its showcase of nature’s gifts such as its extraordinary reefs, volcanic peaks, and spectacular mountain ranges, anyone who visits the islands will definitely have something to come back for.
Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada and Barbados all make up the Eastern Caribbean. Most people are lured into travelling the Eastern Caribbean not only because of its beautiful beaches and natural attractions but also because most travellers may make the most out of their dollar’s worth here. The currencies in these nations are stable. Thus, travelling on a budget is much easier when you make the Eastern Caribbean your destination. Furthermore, many of the islands in the Eastern Caribbean have not yet developed tourist facilities that are overpriced.
Going on a vacation to the Eastern Caribbean
Scheduling a trip to this part of the Caribbean is probably the best and most economical decision you’ll ever make this summer season. The Eastern Caribbean actually boasts of 7 top destinations that may take anyone’s breath (but not his money) away.
Barbados
There are many ways to spend your time and money in Barbados well. Barbados has many hotel options and pink and white sand beaches. But Barbados is more than just that because this place is really rich in West-Indian culture. Furthermore, it has more sightseeing tourist attractions than all the other islands in the Caribbean.
Dominica
Dominica has a gorgeous landscape, thrilling recreational activities and friendly locals, things that make up for not having five-star hotels. Travellers on a budget may find that Dominica is the perfect destination for them because the prices here are really reasonable.
Antigua
Antigua is best known for its beaches, which are mostly in coves. These beaches are calm because they are protected from rough surf, which is why they are perfect for diving and for other exciting water sports. However, this place offers more than just these wonderful beaches.
Snorkelling, for instance, is a great way to fill up your entire vacation since it is generally not that costly. It may be best to have your own equipment, but there are also places where you can rent out masks, fins, and snorkels. When you snorkel and experience an entirely different world, you’ll find different types of fish and impressive formations of corals. In inexpensive places like Antigua, you’ll definitely enjoy your vacation much more.
Barbuda
Barbuda is part of the state of “Antigua and Barbuda”, which has about 97,000 people. It is located in the North of Antigua and around Guadaloupe, Montserrat, St. Kitts, St. Barts, Nevis and St. Martin.
Barbuda is actually one of the best beach destinations in the Caribbean islands. Most of the time, the beaches in Barbuda have no facilities, which is why it’s important to find a shade you can stay in to keep out of the sun for a time. You may think that you have seen everything in Barbuda if you have just seen one beach. However, each beach in Barbuda is more interesting than the last. And this could keep even the most pessimistic of travellers satisfied for hours.
Grenada
Grenada is one of the island nations that make up the Eastern Caribbean. It has a breathtaking physical beauty that offers picture-perfect places such as its white sand beaches and wonderful coral reefs. But not only does Grenada offer these scenic views. It actually offers a whole lot more; including the vibrant cultural heritage and the rich history that Grenada has been shaped with.
Other Places in the Caribbean
Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe and the Virgin Islands are some of the archipelagos in the Caribbean that are actually overseas regions of either the United States of America or Europe. These regions are as interesting as the other Caribbean nations but are unique in their very own ways.
Trinidad and Tobago
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is located in the Southern Caribbean. It covers around 5,128 square kilometres that consist of 2 main islands – Trinidad and Tobago, as well as some smaller islands.
The more populous and larger of these two is Trinidad. Tobago on the other hand makes up only about 6 per cent of the area and 4 per cent of the population of the entire state of Trinidad and Tobago
The economy of Trinidad and Tobago is primarily based on petroleum and petrochemical industries. Even though Tobago is called “the jewel of the Caribbean” most of the time and has a few resorts, the country does not depend heavily on tourism as a source of income.
The people of Trinidad and Tobago are often collectively called Trinbagonians. They are also called Trinidadians if they live in Trinidad, and Tobagonians if they live in Tobago.
Trinidad and Tobago are often considered as part of North America even though the language and culture of this nation are actually attributed to the Caribbean English-speaking nations.
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago that is found in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea. It covers about 1,628 square kilometres of land. Guadeloupe is not part of the Americas but an overseas region of Europe. Guadeloupe consists of 5 islands – the Grande-Terre, Basse-Terre Island, Marie-Galante, Les Saintes and La Désirade.
It is one of the 26 regions of France and is a very important part of the Republic. Because it is part of France, Guadeloupe is part of the EU or the European Union. Therefore, just like most EU countries, the currency of Guadeloupe is in Euro.
The culture of Guadeloupe is most famous for the literary achievements of notable poets such as Saint-John Perse, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in the year 1960. The region always had a rich literature, which is still uplifted by many living poets, novelists, writers, essayists and journalists of today.
Virgin Islands
The US Virgin Islands is a group of islands in the Caribbean that is actually an insular area of the US. It belongs to the Virgin Islands archipelago that is divided into 2 political entities – the East, which consists of Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, Virgin Corda, Tortola and more than 5 other smaller islands, which are considered as an overseas territory of the UK; and the West, which consists of St. John, St. Thomas, St. Croix and Water Island, which are all administered by the US as an unincorporated territory.
The Virgin Islands are primarily famous for their white sand beaches such as Trunk Bay and Magens Bay as well as the harbours Christiansted and Charlotte Amalie.
The Virgin Islands have a tropical climate balanced by several trade winds. Temperatures in the archipelago change throughout the year. Rain showers vary but the wettest of months are from September to November, while the driest months are March and February. Hurricanes are also common in the islands from June to the month of November.
Tips in Traveling to the Caribbean
The Caribbean is an ideal place for anyone with their loved ones. As a matter of fact, there are a few places you can take your family and friends to in the Caribbean. Aside from that, there are numerous activities you can all participate in like water sports. In addition, travellers can also shop, hike, snorkel and do other eco-adventures for a more memorable and fun-filled family Caribbean vacation. There are actually resorts in the Caribbean that offer a fun vacation for families with various swimming pools, child-care options and restaurants. Of course, who can forget the white sand beaches that the Caribbean offers?
What island to choose for your Caribbean vacation with your family
If you have your kids with you, go to an island in the Caribbean that has many direct flights so that your trip will be much more convenient for you and your young children. Without having to change planes, you can avoid getting stressed out. The islands that have a large number of direct flights are Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic. These islands offer hundreds of direct flights weekly from North America.
These Caribbean islands also have great options for family dining and hotel accommodations. There are large resorts in these islands that offer fun-filled programs that cater to kids. Moreover, with these types of resorts, you no longer have to worry about finding kid-friendly restaurants, whether you are at a family fast food joint or at the resort.
Activities for Families travelling to the Caribbean
Your first priority should be to spend quality time with your loved ones on the beach. You can experience the challenging waves and winds of the beaches in the Dominican Republic where activities such as kiteboarding and windsurfing can be tried by you and your young children.
You can also try diving and snorkelling and see the wonderful underwater world in the Caribbean oceans. If you want a unique experience, you can try feeding the friendly Stingrays at the Stingray City on Grand Cayman or hiking in the El Yunque Rain Forest. You can also try night swimming with your family in Puerto Rico.
Packing for your Caribbean Vacation
Preparing for your exciting trip to the Caribbean is a very important phase in your vacation planning. This is because when you go to the Caribbean, you will be stepping on foreign soil. Thus, the more you need to pack well and prepare yourself by knowing more about your destination.
Caribbean packing is like packing for any other tropical destination. The first and most important thing to bring of course is your sun protecting lotion. But when going to the Caribbean with your family, be prepared to play and party.
But before anything else, make sure that you have all your travel documents with you in a safe and secure place. These documents include your driver’s license, valid passport, boarding passes or airline tickets. It’s ideal to have a carry-on bag with you so that your documents and pocket money are accessible.
