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Are you wondering which Caribbean island is right for you to visit? Well, we have summarized 10 critical factors for you to consider in this post.
The Caribbean is made up of over 700 islands, reefs and cays so there are loads of destinations for you to enjoy.
In this article, we outline 10 thought provoking factors to consider when choosing the Caribbean island that is right for you.
So let’s get into all the details.
1. Safety
If safety is one of your major concerns, Caribbean islands such as Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago are two places to avoid.
Haiti has been challenged with economic and political instability for several years and hence visitors should greatly consider this when visiting.
Trinidad & Tobago has struggled with very high crime rates which visitors should bear in mind especially if you are moving around the island as a solo female traveler.
Alternatively, if going to an island that is safe is important to you, then places such as St Barths, Anguilla and Grenada where crime rates are low are great options for your bucket list.
We have comprehensive covered in an article the safest and most dangerous islands in the Caribbean in an article on this website.
Feel free to click over to this post for more in depth information supported with statistics.
2. Weather
Another major factor to consider is the weather as some islands receive higher levels of rainfalls than others.
For example, the Dutch Caribbean islands such as Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire experiences low levels of rainfall when compared to the Eastern Caribbean islands.
If sunny weather is required for you to enjoy the attractions and excursions that you want to do, then these destinations are better.
On the contrary, if you enjoy rainfall a destination such as Dominica is ideal to consider as it often rains somewhere on the island every day.
Annually, the hurricane season affects the Caribbean islands from June to November.
During this period the weather is largely unpredictable and a storm could interrupt your vacation without much time to reschedule your plans.
We always suggest when visiting the region to consider World Nomad Insurance to protect you and loved ones against delays and travel disruptions due to hurricanes.
Also travel insurance is also important for protection against incidents such as theft or injury while enjoying an excursion.
The Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are also outside of the hurricane belt.
3. Language
Due to the diverse history of the islands, there are numerous languages spoken by the nationals.
Caribbean islands such as Martinique, Guadeloupe, Haiti, St Martin and St Barths are principal destination to explore if French is your mother tongue.
Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are excellent destination for Dutch speakers. Alternatively, Spanish is the primary language spoken in Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, Roatan and Costa Rica.
There are a number of Caribbean islands where English is spoken such as Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica, St Vincent & the Grenadines and St Lucia.
We have also covered on this site the best Caribbean islands to visit for English speakers.
Feel free to click to read for greater knowledge into our best picks for English speakers.
4. Budget
The amount of financial resource that you have available is a critical factor to determining where you go in the Caribbean.
Flights to destinations such as Jamaica and Bahamas are much cheaper due to their close proximity to the United States.
Alternatively, flights to Grenada will be more costly as it is located in the Southern Caribbean.
Furthermore, some islands have a diverse range of accommodation options which makes the prices more competitive for consumers.
Additionally, other islands are easy to get around via public transportation such as Grenada, Barbados, St Lucia and St Vincent which means that you can visit several attractions on a mini bus.
Other islands have no public transportation such as Bonaire which makes it more expensive as you will need to rely on taxi to visit many of the attractions and excursions.
We have compiled a resource on this website which covers the 5 Best Caribbean islands to visit without a car.
Feel free to click over to the article for more details. This resource is valuable if you are on a budget and will like to save on transportation.
Budget travelers may also want to visit multiple destinations to kill two birds with one stone so to speak.
Therefore, islands such as St Lucia and Martinique in the Southern Caribbean are excellent to visit as there is an efficient ferry service that connects them with Dominica and Guadeloupe.
At times during festive season, L’Express Des IIes which is the ferry provider travels from the French Caribbean Islands to Antigua.
In the Northern Caribbean, there are ferry services from St Maarten to St Eustatius, St Kitts, Anguilla, St Barths and Saba Island.
St Thomas is also an excellent destination for island hopping as there are ferry services to the other islands of the US Virgin territory and also the British Virgin Islands.
5. Entertainment
If nightlife is one of your main travel motivations, then islands such as Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Bahamas and Puerto Rico should be high on your priority list.
Alternatively, if you are craving peace, tranquility and relaxation, then destinations such as Grenada, Bequia, Barbuda, Montserrat, Nevis, Saba Island, Anguilla and St Eustatius are places to consider.
6. Beaches
The Caribbean is known for its amazing white sand beaches and this remains a main travel motivation factor for visitors to the region.
Antigua and Barbuda is the Caribbean island that is known for having 365 beaches being one for every day of the year.
The island is blessed with white sand, black sand and exotic pink sand beaches.
Halfmoon Beach, Dickensen Bay Beach and Darkwood Beach are three of the key spots loved by locals on the island.
Other Caribbean islands to consider for breathtaking beaches include Bermuda, Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
We have a resource on this website which covers the Best Beaches In The Caribbean.
This is an excellent post to review if your main travel goal is spending time on the beach and you are seeking all the stunning locations.
7. Amenities
This is an important factor to consider if you require a degree of comfort or even access to certain specialized medical facilities.
Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados have some of the best health care clinics and facilities in the Caribbean.
Sandals Resorts which have a presence in several Caribbean islands are excellent for individuals who are gluten intolerant or who suffer from celiac disease.
Sandals La Source Grenada and Sandals Barbados are two of our favorites.
If for medical or personal reasons, you prefer to visit a Caribbean island without mosquitoes, Montserrat is an excellent option.
Due to the presence of an active volcano on the island, it is tougher for mosquitoes to survive.
8. Time
The Caribbean island that is right for you largely depends on the amount of time that you have to vacation.
It is easier to get a true sense of a smaller destination in a short period of time.
For example, if you spend a week in Grenada you can see the major attractions and drive around the island as it takes about three hours.
Visiting the Annandale Waterfall and diving to the first underwater sculpture park are some of the best things to do in Grenada.
Alternatively, if you spend a week in Jamaica you are barely scratching the surface.
Jamaica has Ocho Rios which is ideal for adventure seekers, Montego Bay which is excellent for golfers, Kingston which is exceptional for music lovers and so much more.
Additionally, the time of the year is a great factor to consider especially when it comes to cost.
Budget travelers can access excellent deals during the slow season which is during the months of September and October.
9. Type of Attractions and Excursions
You should also consider the type of attractions and excursions that you are seeking to enjoy when choosing which Caribbean destination is right for you.
Belize is a diver’s paradise in the Caribbean.
Some of the top spots in the country to consider include Turneffe Atoll, Belize Barrier Reef, Hopkins and Placencia.
Furthermore, Belize has 300km of barrier reef system which is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef which is the second largest system in the world.
If you are interested in high end and luxury shopping, destinations such as St Maarten, Puerto Rico, St Thomas and St Barths should be high on your bucket list destinations.
10. Passports and Visas Requirements
Depending on your country of origin a visa may be required before embarking on your trip.
It is therefore prudent to do your research to be sure.
If you are a US citizens and do not have a passport, travel to US overseas territories such as St Thomas and Puerto Rico is seamless.
No passport is required for entry and exit to these US dependencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Caribbean Island Do The Rich And Famous Go?
The Caribbean island visited by the rich and famous is Canouan. The island is 3.2 square miles and 29 miles away from mainland St Vincent and is adored for its magnificent white sand beaches. Canouan which means island of turtles has a population of 1,683 inhabitants based on a 2012 census.
What Is The Number 1 Island In The Caribbean
Dominican Republic is the number 1 island in the Caribbean as it receives the highest number of visitors. Dominican Republic is loved for its lively nightlife atmosphere, white sand beaches, waterfalls and mountains. The island is home to the Caribbean’s tallest peak and the tallest waterfall.
What Is the Best Island To Move To In The Caribbean
There are a number of excellent islands to move to in the Caribbean. Some favorable ones include Belize, Antigua, St Lucia, Dominican Republic and Grenada. Some of these islands make it seamless for foreigners to purchase property as well as provide avenues for non-nationals to achieve citizenship.
Final Thoughts: Which Caribbean Island Is Right For You
Thanks for taking the time to read this article. We trust that these 10 factors discussed above were helpful as you decide which Caribbean island is right for you.
We are confident beyond a shadow of a doubt that wherever you choose, your stay will be amazing.
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