Planning a Caribbean Vacation

There are lots of things to consider.

First, what kind of vacation will it be? A family vacation? A romantic getaway? A cruise or resort stay? Active or pure relaxation? Does the resort have what you want, such as nightlife, casino, first class dining options, and spa? Or would you prefer to pay less and skip these amenities?

How long do you want to vacation? Most people like one-week, one-destination Caribbean vacations. If you take a cruise to the Southern Caribbean, the duration will probably be 10 – 14 days.

What is your budget? All-inclusive resorts and cruises are the best values. Be sure to research all the options because there are different kinds of resorts, such as for honeymooners or singles or families. The same is true for cruises. They range from a three-day Bahamas cruise for $299 to a two-week luxurious cruise that can cost a few thousand dollars. No matter what kind of vacation, you need to have a handle on what it will cost including activities, souvenirs, meals, etc. The beauty of the Caribbean is that you can do just about anything, such as scuba diving, golf, swimming with dolphins, exploring old forts and ancient ruins, and taking a canopy tour of a rainforest. Or you can sit on the beach or by the pool with an umbrella drink and a good book.

Where do you want to go? Do some research to determine what is best for your needs. The following is a list of the most popular destinations:

Antigua – Anguilla – Aruba – Bahamas – Honduras – Bermuda  Belize, Costa Rica, Barbados — Grenadines – Curacao – Grand Cayman – Cancun – Cozumel- Martinique – Jamaica – Puerto Rico  – Grenada – St. Vincent – Tobago – Dominican Republic – St. Martin/St. Maarten – St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands – St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands -, British Virgin Islands – St. Lucia – St. Kitts – Tobago – Turks & Caicos

Note that some, such as Cozumel, Bahamas, Costa Rica, and Cancun, will cost less than St. Marteen, Martinique, and Tobago.

For more on islands of the Caribbean, visit www.destination360.com/caribbean

When do you want to go? Keep in mind that winter is the most expensive time. Low or shoulder seasons are the middle of April to early December and summer. The reason summer is cheaper is because it is also hurricane season!

For more information, visit www.caribbeantravel.com  and www.onecaribbean.org.

For all-inclusive resort stays, visit www.sandals.com and www.beaches.com, and for best hotel room deals, www.tingo.com

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