Whether you are looking for picture postcard beaches, prime diving opportunities or just a piece of paradise, the Caribbean has something for all tastes.
Sun worshippers can revel in the countless untouched beaches across the islands, whilst those who are feeling a little more active can experience the irresistible and impressive marine life found below the crystal waters. With so many islands, each unique in its offerings, it is impossible to tire of the Caribbean. Be sure to visit St Lucia to witness its wild and untamed yet undeniably beautiful landscape, and be absorbed by the blend of Caribbean, African and French cultures. Jamaica boasts the impressive Dunn's River Falls, a series of cascading waterfalls, whilst a trip to Grand Cayman is a must for those underwater enthusiasts, where you can explore shipwrecks and spot numerous tropical fish.

Caribbean Ports

Anguilla

Blowing Point, Anguilla

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda

Codrington, Antigua and Barbuda

Falmouth, Antigua and Barbuda

St John's, Antigua and Barbuda

Aruba

Oranjestad, Aruba

Barbados

Barbados, Barbados

Bridgetown, Barbados

British Virgin Islands

Captain's Best, Grenadines, British Virgin Islands

Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Tobago Cays, British Virgin Islands

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands

Georgetown, Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Dominica

Cabrits, Dominica

Dominica, Dominica

Portsmouth, Dominica

Roseau, Dominica

Dominican Republic

Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic

Catalina Island, Dominican Republic

Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic

La Romana, Dominican Republic

Puerto Levantado, Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Samana, Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Grenada

Bequia, Grenada

Grenada, Grenada

Port Elizabeth, Grenada

St George's, Grenada

Guadeloupe

Deshaies, Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe, Guadeloupe

lles des Saintes, Guadeloupe

Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe

St Barts, Guadeloupe

Haiti

Labadee, Haiti

Jamaica

Falmouth, Jamaica

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Port Antonio, Jamaica

Martinique

Fort de France, Martinique

Martinique, Martinique

Netherlands Antilles

Aruba, Netherlands Antilles

Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

Curacao, Netherlands Antilles

Fort Bay, Saba Island, Netherlands Antilles

Kralendijk, Netherlands Antilles

Phillipsburg, St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles

St Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles

St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles

Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles

Puerto Rico

Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

Ponce, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Bassaterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Nevis, Saint Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Castries, Saint Lucia

Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia

Soufriere, Saint Lucia

St Lucia, Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Carriacou Beach, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Mayreau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

St Vincent, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

Charlotteville, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago

Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago

Turks and Caicos Islands

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands

Virgin Islands

Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, Virgin Islands

Iles des Saintes, Virgin Islands

Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Islands

St. Croix, Virgin Islands

St. Johns, Virgin Islands

St. Maarten, Virgin Islands

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

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Currency

US dollars are widely accepted throughout the islands and some of the islands' currencies are directly linked to the United States dollar, keeping a fixed exchange rate at all times. Independent Caribbean nations have their own forms of currency, such as the Barbadian Dollar, or share a currency like the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. Any islands that are still territories or departments of other countries use the currency of their sovereign nations. For example, Guadeloupe, as a department of France, uses the Euro. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands use the US dollar.

It usually works out better to use the local currency, unless rates are posted in US dollars. You can change US dollars (cash or travellers cheques) locally and ATMs are available in most towns and cities.

Most major credit cards are widely accepted – although always ask if there is a surcharge for using them. Make sure you tell your bank you intend to use your debit or credit card abroad before you leave.


Time Difference

Most islands in the Caribbean lie in the Atlantic Standard Time but a few are in the Eastern Standard Time zone. Many islands do not observe daylight savings time. As a general guide, the Caribbean is 4–6 hours ahead of London.


Tipping

Tipping is fairly standard throughout the Caribbean and you will encounter various industry-specific taxes and service charges.

Restaurants often include gratuities on the final bill, which is usually 10% of the total cost of the meal. Additional tipping is at your discretion but is not expected. If a tip is not automatically included in your final bill, you should leave 10–15% for the meal and either US$1–$2 per round of drinks for bartenders or 10–15% of the total bar tab.

On some islands, taxis operate on a meter system; on other islands taxis adhere to fixed government rates. Also, depending on the island, you may have to pay either per car or per person. Most islands require taxis to display their rate card inside the cab; however, you should establish a flat fare with the driver before service begins. It is customary to tip taxi drivers approximately US$1–$2 for in-town fares, more on holidays, after midnight and on Sundays.


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