The Caribbean Sea

The Caribbean Sea beaches the northern coast of South America and western coast of Central America. North America lies north of the Caribbean Sea along with The Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The Caribbean Islands are also known as the West Indies.

With sheer beauty and national diversity, the Caribbean Sea has a large number of destinations for the traveler to experience. (Picture complements of U.S. Department of Tourism.)

The French West Indies, where French is the language, the food is outstanding and topless bathing is accepted. The Islands are very French and very chic. The Dutch West Indies including Aruba, the popular beach destination, brings East Indian cuisine. The British West Indies are very diverse, with influences from North America, South America and West Africa. Tourism development is controlled on the British Virgin Islands to retain a low profile.

The Spanish influence dominates the Caribbean Sea and its larger islands with Central and South Americas.

(Picture complements of Puerto Rico Tourism Board.)

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands offer a great vacation destination for U.S. Citizens, not requiring a passport.

It is not hard to understand why the Caribbean Sea is the world's number one destination to cruise. The Caribbean Islands is a much loved, year-round, warm weather destination. Beaches, oceans, cliffs, and shipwrecks; scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, sport fishing, golf, tennis, ecotourism, hiking, spas, honeymoons, and destination weddings, are all just a small part of the attraction to the Caribbean Islands.

Accommodations range from small secluded luxury resorts to the extravagance of a self contained large all-inclusive resort and spa, providing activities, restaurants, and shopping. Looking for a remote hideaway? You'll find it on one of the Caribbean Islands.

Vacationing in the Caribbean is done year round. Both the summer and the winter seasons average temperatures of 75 to 85, and may go down to 65 in the evening and rise as high as 95 midday. With the exception of the Bahamas Islands which experience December and January with occasional cool spells down in the 40 and 50s at night and 60 and 70s during the day. (Picture complements of Aruba Tourism Board.)

Caribbean peak season is mid December to mid April. The months of July and August are almost as busy. Fall weather can be ideal, however, hurricane season officially last from June 1 to November 30. Caribbean governments have worked hard to protect their residents and their tourists. They work closely with the U.S National Hurricane Center and the Weather Channel. Cruises are rarely canceled because of a hurricane. It is usually no problem for the ship to just change the route.

Picture complements of Jamaica Tourism Board.

San Juan, Puerto Rico is the big hub for flights to almost every Island. There are several other mini hubs. Many of the airlines in the Caribbean also offer air passes that include three or more stopovers.

Island hopping is easy with several islands being serviced by ferries running among the close islands. A ferry runs between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Each island has a distinctive topography, history, and culture. Vacationers who use public transportation will find themselves immersed in the local culture. Most visitors prefer to use taxis, car rental, or tours. Majority of islands have a fixed schedule of taxi fares. Visitors should always check with the hotel to learn what the taxi service is expected to cost.

The Caribbeans are predominantly Christian. The French and Spanish islands lean toward Roman Catholicism, British and Dutch islands lean toward various protestant denominations. Judaism is found more on the Dutch islands and Hinduism and Islam are present along with Christianity on Trinidad. Religions of Africa, Voodoo, and other beliefs also exist including the local Rastafarianism of Jamaica.

(Picture complements of Puerto Rico Tourism Board.)

Caribbean music is a mixture of both African and Latin rhythms. Calypso originated in Trinidad along with the steel-drum music. Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae. The Dominican Republic gave the world the meringue.

You can expect to enjoy the Rum drinks, pina coladas, daiquiris, and zombies, along with all the carnivals and festivals. U.S. Virgin Islands, particularly St. Thomas, is the shopping mecca for U.S. Citizens because goods come into islands duty-free.

List of Islands:

Northern Caribbean
Jamaican, Cayman Islands, Haiti, Dominican Republic, one of the busiest tourist destinations with Europeans, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix), and part of the US. British Virgin Islands.

Eastern Caribbean
Leeward Islands: St-Martin/Sint Maarten, Anguilla, St. Barts, St. Eustatius, and Saba. Antigua,, Barbuda, St Kitts, and Nevis, Montserrat.

The Windward Islands – Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia , St. Vincent, Grenadines, and Grenada.

Southern Caribbean
Trinidad and Tobago, Margarita Island, and the APC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

West Caribbean and coast of Latin American
Cozumel, Bay Islands of Honduras, San Blas Islands of Panama, Cartagena and San Andres in Colombia, and Caracas and Margarita Island in Venezuela.