5 Reasons to Vacation in the Caribbean
The Caribbean has a lot to offer, especially if you’re looking for a warm getaway while it’s snowing back home. With brand new hotels, upscale resorts and perfect-for-the-family packages, the Caribbean has a ton to offer. There’s also so much to experience, from sports and wildlife to seasonal celebrations and, of course, beach lounging. Here are five reasons to consider heading to the Caribbean for your next vacation.
1. The temperature is unbeatable.
The Caribbean is close to the equator, which can be thanked for its phenomenal weather. The lows are typically around 70 degrees, while highs are generally around 86 degrees. The best weather can be found from December to April. It’s not even too hot to visit during the summer months, though, even though many travelers want to steer clear during July and August. The truth is that during the summer, temps are only a few degrees warmer than during January to March (the busiest tourist season). If you’re used to humid weather at home that reaches upward of 90 degrees, you may actually find the Caribbean a bit cooler during the summertime. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy those fantastic breezes islanders always rave about.
2. There’s tons to do for every interest.
If you want to stay busy during your vacation, the Caribbean is an excellent place to be. Altogether, the Caribbean boasts more than 7,000 islands, more than you could possibly visit and experience in a lifetime. Together, though, there’s a wide assortment of things to do, see and eat. If you love to get outdoors, consider hiking in a rainforest in Puerto Rico. In Aruba, take advantage of a deep water submarine tour. Foodies will love sampling all sorts of dishes in Jamaica. The good news is that so many of the islands are close to one another, which makes it easy to island-hop during a single vacation.
3. The beaches are prime for relaxing.
If you just want to kick back and relax for your entire vacation, you can’t get much better than the beaches of the Caribbean. The sands are golden and warm, the water is bright aqua blue, and the weather is perfectly balmy. If you feel the urge to get up and do something, consider a water sport, like snorkeling. The best beaches in the Caribbean include Barbardos’ Mullins Beach, the Pink Sands beach in the Bahamas, and Grenada’s Grande Anse.
4. The culture is varied and laidback.
Caribbean culture is a mix of several cultures, including African, British, Chinese and Indian. Altogether, this makes for an interesting, eclectic and laidback way of life. Each island comes with its own set of culture and traits that you can dive into, then you can hop to the next island for a totally new experience. Puerto Rico is especially great to visit during the Christmas season because they celebrate from November through January.
5. Caribbean food and drink is delicious.
While Caribbean cuisine is now popular throughout the world, you can eat the real deal when you’re on one of the islands. Try jerk chicken, lechon asado (in Puerto Rico), or goat stew from Aruba or the Cayman Islands. Seafood lovers will want to try all sorts of fish dishes, which come straight from the gorgeous, blue sea. One of the best places to taste grouper or flying fish is in Barbados, which you can get either grilled on a barbecue or as part of a stew. Need something to wash all of those delicious meals down with? The Caribbean is known for it’s rum-heavy drinks, so make sure to sample all sorts of concoctions as you make your way across the islands.
Can’t get away during the winter? The Caribbean is also a beautiful place to visit during the summer months. Demand drops during this time, so you can enjoy paradise without being overrun by tourists.
