The islands of the West Indies (Caribbean Islands) are divided into three geographic groups – the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Windward Islands.  Most islands have a similar tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from the low 80’s to upper 80’s depending on the time of year.  Some agriculture is practiced with sugar cane, bananas, coffee and cocoa being the most prevalent.  

Tourism is the main industry on these islands, and almost all have been developed with tourists in mind – luxury hotels and condos, lively marketplaces, dining and entertainment venues are all common features.  Another commonality is the emphasis on diving, snorkeling, fishing, and other water sports since the clear waters surrounding the islands are perfect for all of the above.

Each island has its own unique flavor, however, as they were colonized by different nations with a wide variety of languages, traditions, and cultures.  Love reggae music?  Jamaica is the place to be.  Art galleries?  Try Nassau.  Pristine, unpopulated beaches?  St. Lucia.

Obviously transportation to the islands is by plane – most have modern airports to accommodate tourists.  Cruise ships also have ports of call in the Caribbean, and this might be the way to go if you want to experience more than one island during your vacation.

In general, if you’re looking for white sand, gorgeous beaches, near perfect weather year-round, and a wide variety of things to do (especially if you’re a water sports enthusiast) the islands of the Caribbean will fill the bill!

• Hiking WNT (Waitukubuli National Trail in Dominica)  is a surefire way to get off the beaten path and get to know the culture and friendly people of this beautiful island.  The trail is the most extensive hiking trail in the Caribbean, taking the hiker through rainforests, farmland, marine reserves, magnificent waterfalls, and scenic coastline vistas.
• Visit the Cayman Islands Turtle Centre to get an idea of the environmental challenges faced by some of the Caribbean’s most vulnerable creatures.  And in the evening take a nighttime kayak trip to Grand Cayman’s Bioluminescent Bay.  The sea glows with bioluminescent light from the incredibly tiny dinoflagellates, giving the impression of colorful lights dancing on the surface of the sea.  Want to swim with stingrays?  You can do that too!
• Relax on one of the most secluded beaches in the Caribbean – Sugar Beach in St. Lucia.  Located between the iconic Piton Mountains, this pristine beach is the definition of “tropical paradise.” 
• The Samaná Peninsula in the Dominican Republic is where it’s at from mid-January through mid-March if you want to witness the spectacle of thousands of humpback whales migrating to warmer waters .  While in the Dominican Republic you’ll want to visit Spain’s first city in the New World, Santo Domingo, for a glimpse into its historic past.
• Visit the Blue Mountains in Jamaica, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because of their history as a sheltering place for escaping African slaves.  It’s also the location for the famous Blue Mountain coffee plantations where some of the most expensive coffee in the world is grown in the unique environment of the mountain valleys.  Jamaica’s other popular export – rum – is produced from the harvests on sugar cane plantations.  Today Jamaica is the largest exporter of rum in the world.  So, have a cup of Jamaican coffee in the morning, and enjoy a delicious rum cocktail in the evening as you watch the sunset in Negril.
• View one of nature’s wonders at the Baths National Park in Tortola.  Weathered volcanic rock forms these sheltered pools at the ocean’s edge.  A photographer’s dream come true!
• Bonaire, one of the Dutch ABC islands, is home to 89 dive sites in the protected Bonaire Marine Park.  Snorkeling, shore diving and night diving are all superior experiences here as the reef has been so well protected by strict environmental restrictions.  If you’re not a diver, you can do some bird watching at the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary, kayak through the mangrove forests, or pay a visit to the donkey sanctuary.
• If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, you may be tempted to limit yourself to the property and never venture outside.  This would be a mistake as you’ll miss out on experiencing authentic Caribbean hospitality and “off the beaten path” spots that local guides would be proud to show you if you show a genuine interest.  Examples?  Goat Cave in Anguilla, a hike to the Petit Cul de Sac pools on St. Bart’s, or diving to see the Ocean Atlas in the Bahamas.
  
  

FACTS 

• The Caribbean Islands include approximately 700 islands, islets, reefs, and cays over 1,000 miles long from north to south.  Only 2% of this archipelago is inhabited. 
• 7,000 years ago, the original inhabitants of the islands were people from South American tribes including the Mayas and Taino and Kalinago indigenous groups. As the area was colonized by European explorers, this population was wiped out due to disease and war.  As the indigenous population disappeared, over 5 million West Africans were brought to the islands to take their place as slaves on the profitable cotton and tobacco plantations built by the European profiteers.  Most of today’s population are descendents of these West African people. 
• The most common language spoken in the Caribbean is English.  Other languages are Spanish, French, Dutch, Haitian Creole, and Papiamento, another Creole language based on a blend of Spanish and Portuguese.
• The region is home to over 500 species of birds.  172 of these are unique to these islands. One such bird is the Bananaquit which can be found in Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest.
• The 600 mile long Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the second largest reef in the world and is the region’s largest marine habitat.
• There are 19 active volcanoes in the Eastern Caribbean.

FUN FACTS

• The term “West Indies” often applied to the Caribbean Islands arose from Chistopher Columbus’ belief that he had landed in India.  He wasn’t even close, but chose to refer to the islands in this way as a salve to his ego.
• Dominos is the regions’ favorite game, and it can be noisy because the players like to slam their domino pieces on the table to celebrate each successful move.
• The Scotch Bonnet pepper may have traveled to the Caribbean with the West African population and is now a staple in Caribbean cuisine.  Be warned – it can be over 30 times hotter than a jalapeno!
• You can swim with pigs on the island of Exuma, one of the islands in the Bahamas.
• The Pirates of the Caribbean movies were indeed filmed (in part) in the Caribbean.

• The peak months for travel to the Caribbean is from December to April as the likelihood of hurricanes is minimal and the humidity is lower.  As with any “peak season,” it’s also more expensive to travel during this time, and way more crowded with folks getting away from winter weather.
• If you’re concerned about hurricanes or are traveling during months when they typically occur, keep in mind that the ABC islands, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, rarely experience these severe storms, and each is a delightful destination with much to offer.
• Keep valuables in a hotel safe and carry a small amount of local currency for purchases at local marketplaces that may not accept credit cards, but will have merchandise that’s actually worth taking home.  Supporting local artisans rather than tourist traps will be appreciated.
• Pack lightly – beachwear, casual shoes and clothing, and a light sweater or jacket (in case the A/C is blasting) are about all you’ll need.  Oh, and sunscreen and insect repellent should be at the top of the list!
• Steer clear of any offers to sample or purchase drugs of any kind.  First of all, it’s illegal and the penalties for possession are stiff.  Most importantly, this kind of interaction is dangerous as most crimes committed in the region are drug related.