Hotels in Caribbean

Caribbean Travel Guide

Culture

The culture found throughout the Caribbean is as rich and colourful as the landscape. Contrary to popular assumption, the history of the region long predates the endeavours of Christopher Columbus and is brimming with ancient traditions, arts and heritage.

There is no shortage of unique culture and traditions throughout the region from the ancient temples of Belize to the Dominican Republic’s vibrant Carnival celebrations to Jamaica’s deep-rooted love for reggae and beyond. Regardless of the island, you opt to visit, you’re sure to be met with a unique culture and locals who are happy to share it with you.

Fortunately, many Caribbean nations have clung to their indigenous roots over the centuries and still practice ancient customs from folklore to herbal remedies and farming methods.

Things to do

When it comes to things to do in the Caribbean, the options are limitless. It’s the best of the best for foodies, adventure seekers, culture vultures and those who prefer to just lounge the day away under a palm tree.

Fancy a vacation centred around food? From Martinique’s eclectic variety of cuisines to Trinidad’s epic street food to Puerto Rico’s iconic lechon asado (spit-roasted pig), you’re covered. Or maybe you’re looking for a vacation filled with adventure and heart-pounding experiences like hiking trails, scuba diving and rainforest exploration? There are plenty of options on that front, too. Just head to El Yunque in Puerto Rico for some of the best hiking trails complete with jaw-dropping views and ancient Taino petroglyphs.

If you’re looking to really dive in and experience the local culture of an island, you can’t go wrong. From Cuba’s rich and fascinating history; Bermuda’s St. George which doubles as a UNESCO site and the oldest English town in the New World and Curaçao’s unique blend of Caribbean and Dutch culture, there are plenty of options to explore.

Food & Drink

From Puerto Rico all the way down to Trinidad and Tobago, each island’s food scene is more vibrant and delicious than the last. The region’s long and often troublesome history with colonisation has lent it one of the world’s most unique and multicultural cuisines. You’ll find huge influences from African, Creole, European, Latin American cultures, and so much more. It’s of course, impossible to describe the entirety of Caribbean cuisine in a single dish but the most iconic ones include Jamaican jerk chicken, Puerto Rico’s lechón asado (spit-roasted pig) and Barbados’ flying fish and cou cou.

Then, of course, there’s the rum. Rum is synonymous with much of the Caribbean, especially in Cuba, Grand Cayman, Barbados and Jamaica. It’s a huge part of Caribbean culture and nightlife. After all, pretty much all iconic Caribbean drinks are made with the magic elixir such as mojitos, pina coladas and coco locos.

Culture

The culture found throughout the Caribbean is as rich and colourful as the landscape. Contrary to popular assumption, the history of the region long predates the endeavours of Christopher Columbus and is brimming with ancient traditions, arts and heritage.

There is no shortage of unique culture and traditions throughout the region from the ancient temples of Belize to the Dominican Republic’s vibrant Carnival celebrations to Jamaica’s deep-rooted love for reggae and beyond. Regardless of the island, you opt to visit, you’re sure to be met with a unique culture and locals who are happy to share it with you.

Fortunately, many Caribbean nations have clung to their indigenous roots over the centuries and still practice ancient customs from folklore to herbal remedies and farming methods.

Things to do

When it comes to things to do in the Caribbean, the options are limitless. It’s the best of the best for foodies, adventure seekers, culture vultures and those who prefer to just lounge the day away under a palm tree.

Fancy a vacation centred around food? From Martinique’s eclectic variety of cuisines to Trinidad’s epic street food to Puerto Rico’s iconic lechon asado (spit-roasted pig), you’re covered. Or maybe you’re looking for a vacation filled with adventure and heart-pounding experiences like hiking trails, scuba diving and rainforest exploration? There are plenty of options on that front, too. Just head to El Yunque in Puerto Rico for some of the best hiking trails complete with jaw-dropping views and ancient Taino petroglyphs.

If you’re looking to really dive in and experience the local culture of an island, you can’t go wrong. From Cuba’s rich and fascinating history; Bermuda’s St. George which doubles as a UNESCO site and the oldest English town in the New World and Curaçao’s unique blend of Caribbean and Dutch culture, there are plenty of options to explore.

Food & Drink

From Puerto Rico all the way down to Trinidad and Tobago, each island’s food scene is more vibrant and delicious than the last. The region’s long and often troublesome history with colonisation has lent it one of the world’s most unique and multicultural cuisines. You’ll find huge influences from African, Creole, European, Latin American cultures, and so much more. It’s of course, impossible to describe the entirety of Caribbean cuisine in a single dish but the most iconic ones include Jamaican jerk chicken, Puerto Rico’s lechón asado (spit-roasted pig) and Barbados’ flying fish and cou cou.

Then, of course, there’s the rum. Rum is synonymous with much of the Caribbean, especially in Cuba, Grand Cayman, Barbados and Jamaica. It’s a huge part of Caribbean culture and nightlife. After all, pretty much all iconic Caribbean drinks are made with the magic elixir such as mojitos, pina coladas and coco locos.

FAQs when booking a hotel in Caribbean

Confused about which is the best Caribbean island? It all depends on what vibe you’re looking for, as each island is unique. Barbados boasts some of the best beaches, Aruba has jaw-dropping natural parks and local culture, while Jamaica has jerk chicken, picturesque beaches, warm locals and vibrant reggae music.

If you want to stay on a quiet island with few tourists, then consider Guadalupe which still has a rustic vibe and is more affordable than neighbouring St Barths. St Vincent & the Grenadines is made up of 32 islands and cays, with only nine of them inhabited, so there are lots of secret coves to explore.

The Caribbean has all-inclusive luxury resorts on most islands, so you can find a beautiful place to stay with ease. Popular islands for all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean include Jamaica (Montego Bay area), St. Lucia (Jade Mountain resort is a must-visit!) and the Bahamas for larger resorts.

Yes, you can visit the Caribbean on a budget! The Dominican Republic is one of the cheapest Caribbean islands. Other affordable Caribbean islands include Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and U.S. Virgin Islands.

If you are going to take advantage of the resort restaurants and bars and spend most of your leisure time at the hotel, then yes, 100%! You can save a lot of money by opting for all-inclusive packages. However, if you want to dine out of the hotel and explore local restaurants in the area, then it is not the best option.

Popular all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean on KAYAK include Four Seasons Resort And Residence Anguilla; Hilton Barbados Resort and Ladera Resort in St. Lucia.

The cheapest months to go are generally June through to November. Hurricane season in the Caribbean tends to last from early June until late November, so hotel rates are usually lower during this wetter time of year.

You should book your Caribbean vacation at least 1-2 months in advance! You should probably book nine months or more in advance, especially if you want to stay during peak seasons like Christmas and New Year’s. Hotels often reduce rates at the last-minute, so just book airfare.

Exuma in the Bahamas is famous for its clear waters, and travellers also rave about the clear water on the beaches in the Cayman Islands. But, chances are you will enjoy crystal clear water no matter where you decide to go in the Caribbean.

This depends where you are flying from, but generally the islands of the Bahamas, Jamaica and Puerto Rico have the most flight options worldwide and to the USA.

Explore popular places in Caribbean