Caribbean
Bahamas
The azure allure of The Bahamas has attracted hordes of visitors for centuries. A mere 50 miles from the coast of Florida, this archipelago in the Caribbean has more than 700 islands and is known for its pristine beaches, watersports such as boating and fishing, duty-free shopping and colorful culture. As cruise ships call year-round at Nassau, Freeport, and a host of secluded private islands, anytime is a good time to visit the islands of The Bahamas. There are many family-friendly resorts, romantic bungalows, and private villas available for travelers looking for a quick getaway from the U.S
Caribbean - Eastern
Bustling ports brimming with activity and duty-free delights, crystal-clear beaches a stone’s throw away from the docks, island after island of pure tropical bliss… the Eastern Caribbean is arguably the world’s most cruise-friendly region, and its most popular destination for those in search of sun, sand, and R&R. Cruise lines of all sizes and budgets offer itineraries that either remain solely within these waters or include one or more of its ports of call. With Puerto Rico serving as the Eastern Caribbean’s main travel hub, the region is usually defined as including the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, St. Martin, Anguilla, St. Barth’s, Saint Eustatius, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda.
Caribbean - Extended
The Caribbean might sound like one homogenous collection of islands to many tourists, but anyone who’s been to its disparate countries and territories knows that numerous cultures, cuisines, landscapes, and experiences can be found among its crystal-clear waters. The region is comprised of 28 independent countries and dependent territories. A notorious pirate haunt for centuries, the Caribbean was the Wild West of the Old World for centuries, and was long coveted by its monarchs. To this day, the English, French, and Dutch have footholds here. The Spanish would have as well, were it not for the U.S., but their 300-year rule in these lands can still be felt in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Mexico.
It’s almost impossible to describe the Caribbean as a whole (unless “sunny with plenty of beaches” counts as a description!). And for many travelers, it’s equally difficult to choose one Caribbean destination. Do you want the colonial charms of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico or the pink-sand beaches of the Bahamas? Do you prefer the picturesque waterfalls of Jamaica or the shipwrecks off Cayman Islands?
Caribbean - Southern
By being farther from the U.S. mainland, the islands in the Southern Caribbean tend to be the road less traveled in this tropical region. Places such as Martinique, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines or the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) retain a more exotic feel than other Caribbean destinations. These islands are also incredibly diverse, ranging from mountainous tropical wonderlands covered in lush rainforests to windswept, rocky havens with beaches that will remind you why you came to the Caribbean.
Caribbean - Western
With an alluring blend of ancient civilizations, eco-adventures, unparalleled diving sites, and plenty of sun, sand, and surf, the Western Caribbean is a natural magnet for travelers. The fact that it’s the closest region of the Caribbean to the mainland U.S. certainly helps as well. Loosely defined as the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, and Honduras, as well as the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, the destinations here offer a diverse and always enriching experience.
