Holidays to the Caribbean are on the money for bright white beaches, colourful coral reefs and off-road adventures.
Idyllic islands
If there’s one thing the Caribbean aces, it’s a beach holiday. This island family racks up some stand-up stretches, where the sands are suncream-white and the waters are as clear as rum. But that’s not all. It manages to pull off UNESCO-ticked sights, action-packed rainforests and cute old towns, too.
Silky sands
There’s one word for the beaches in these parts – tropical. Aruba’s regularly up there on World’s Best lists. And it’s a similar story in Barbados, with top-dollar resorts hugging the pristine beaches. But Jamaica takes the cake for its so-called Seven Mile Beach – a buzzing, white-sand belt with a good helping of reggae bars. Over in St Lucia, the beaches are black-sand beauties.
Kaleidoscope culture
Caribbean holidays aren’t just bucket and spade territory. It’s crammed with culture, as well. First up, you’ve got Bob Marley’s digs – Jamaica, where reggae, spicy chicken and a chilled attitude rule the roost. But some have European vibes, too, like Dutch Aruba and its paint-palette capital, or British-like Barbados. Here, you can wolf down afternoon tea while watching the cricket.
Ready, set, go
The Caribbean is just as flush with rainforest as it is beaches. The Dominican Republic is one of the big dogs in this department. There are loads of ways to explore its greenery – by zip-line, all-action buggies or huge monster trucks. Along the coast, you’ve also got world-class diving, surfing and whale-spotting.
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Countries in the Caribbean
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to visit the Caribbean is usually during the dry season, which runs from December to April. You’re likely to get the best weather at this time of year, with lower humidity and less rain – a win for exploring the islands and beachy days. It’s good to know that this is also peak tourist season, so prices are at their highest and everywhere will be busier.
For the sweet spot between good weather and fewer people, think about going in the shoulder seasons (late April to early June and late November to early December).
There are lots of things that contribute to the overall cost of a Caribbean trip, like the type of accommodation, time of year and what you do while you’re there. Compared to more expensive Caribbean Islands like the Bahamas or Barbados, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica are generally the most budget friendly. It’s pretty cheap when you’re out and about, like buying food, drinks and paying for activities.
To find the best price, you can narrow down your search by what you’re prepared to pay when looking through our cheap holidays. Pick your destination and dates, then order the results by ‘total price – low to high’ to start looking at the cheapest options.
Aruba is famous for its stunning beaches. Eagle Beach and Palm Beach are iconic with cliché white sand and clear water. Aruba’s beaches are ranked as some of the best in the world, with prime conditions for swimming, snorkelling, and watersports. It’s a similar story on Barbados’ Platinum Coast, and other beaches that are worth a mention are Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia, and Jamaica’s Seven Mile Beach.
Every island brings something different to the table, but Jamaica stands out for having a strong line-up of activities, from zip-lining, white-water rafting and scuba diving to exploring the Blue Mountains and waterfalls. There’s loads of cultural things to do, too, like going to the Bob Marley Museum, catching a reggae concert or going to local markets. The Dominican Republic, Barbados and St Lucia are also up there, with UNESCO-protected historical sites, music festivals and hiking in the rainforest.
To get some inspo for things to do while you’re away, check out what experiences are available in the Caribbean.
