With over 7,000 individual islands and around 25 countries to explore, you’ll be guaranteed to find whatever holiday dream you’re in search of. From Cuba’s rich and unique heritage to the crystal clear waters surrounding the Bahamas and Jamaica’s lively culture – the Caribbean doesn’t disappoint. Here’s our list of the very best islands to help you plan your dream Caribbean getaway.
6. Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is an island paradise overflowing with natural beauty and a top destination in the Caribbean. The landscape varies from unspoiled beaches and thick rainforests all the way to colonial towns and the impressive and incredibly photogenic ‘Pitons’ volcanic rocks. We recommend visiting the town of Soufrière where you will experience the vibrant Saint Lucian culture with its heavy European colonial influences, bustling sea front and an abundance of nature’s finest sights. Our must-sees include the world’s only ‘drive in volcano’/sulfur hot springs, Diamond Waterfall, the Pitons and a tour on horseback that takes you through all of the best spots.
5. Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Probably one of the lesser-known islands, with only 2,000 inhabitants, you’re almost guaranteed an extremely personal and homely experience in Saint John. As part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saint John is an attractive pick for those looking to experience a more unusual side of the Caribbean on a cheaper budget. Apart from lounging around on any one of the stunning beaches that line the island, there is a plethora of outdoor activities to keep you entertained for hours. Diving, sailing, hiking and watersports dominate our list of top activities to do in St. John but you can equally have a great time sipping on some tropical juice on Oppenheimer’s gorgeous beach or Salomon’s bay if you’re happy with some tropical nudity!
4. Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic or DR as it’s commonly referred to is one of the stereotypical island paradises you imagine when you think of the Caribbean. The DR is blessed with over a 1,000 miles of pristine beaches and stunning mountainous regions with lots of outdoor activities to help you capitalize on the island’s natural beauty. For all you adrenaline junkies, there is plenty to choose from, including kite surfing, whale watching, mountain biking and whitewater rafting. If you’re looking for relaxation your best bet is on one of the many beach resorts or for more inspiration check out this list of the top 10 beaches by CNN.
3. Jamaica
For such a tiny island, with just under 3 million inhabitants, Jamaica has managed to influence the world with its catchy reggae beats, sporting legends and tantalizing cuisine. Whilst the island has far more to enjoy than just that, we recommend you indulge in some of the classic ‘touristy’ things and try some of the island’s delicious jerk chicken, attend a ‘jammin’ reggae festival and visit Bob Marley’s house. There is also a vast array of picture perfect beaches to relax and unwind on, some of our picks are, Reggae beach, Frenchman’s Cove and the 7-mile long Negril beach. If you’re more of an active adventurer, Jamaica also offers zip lining, cave tubing, river rafting and some stunning inland spots to explore on foot and by boat.
2. Cuba
It’s the largest of the Caribbean islands and is growing in popularity with tourists year on year. The island typically conjures up imagery of gorgeous coastlines, rolling mountains, Cuban cigars brightly colored vintage cars and of course Che Guevara. The country’s capital, Havana, is a great place to start off your dream Cuban holiday and every year thousands of people flock there to relive the 50’s and 60’s culture that still lives on. The colonial architecture, combined with the vibrant Latin American culture creates a unique electric atmosphere. If you’re into classic cars we highly recommend taking in all of the city’s highlights in your very own Buick or Chevrolet, which you can rent for $50 (per person per day). You can’t leave Cuba without trying your hand at Salsa dancing at one of the many clubs and bars on offer, trying out the delicious street food and visiting the famous (but partisan) Museo de la Revolucion. For a full list of the very best Cuba has to offer check out this handy Buzzfeed article.
1. Bahamas
The Bahamas are technically located in the Atlantic Ocean but have long since been regarded as a part of the Caribbean – and they’re our top pick for 2017. Formed out of 700 individual islands and cays, the Bahamas are one of the ultimate destinations to enjoy beach life throughout the Caribbean. Depending on your mood you can find a beach to suit your needs whether that be de-stressing, eating ocean fresh food, adventuring or even partying! Tep’s favorites include the famous Pink Sand Beach, Junkanoo Beach (for all day party lovers), Gold Rock Beach, Treasure Cay Beach and any of the secluded beaches on Rose Island. If you don’t want to spend your entire holiday on the beach you can take a dive, try out a new watersport, go fishing or take a private flight around the entire archipelago – there’s an abundance to explore!
Your dream Caribbean holiday wouldn’t be complete without your very own portable wifi device to help you stay connected and share those picture perfect beach snaps! Tep’s portable device is perfect for travelers on the go, it connects seamlessly in over 80 countries and fits in your pocket, so is great for adventurers too! For a fixed daily cost of just $9.95 per day, you get unlimited internet usage for up to 5 devices, plus you’re guaranteed to save you a lot of money on roaming charges. Given that it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to find a wi-fi zone when you’re travelling to remote beaches it’s perfect for your Caribbean escape. For more info or to buy/rent a Tep wireless device visit our site here.