Ready to turn away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and soak up the beautiful sunsets and gorgeous blue waters? The Caribbean is a perfect place to accomplish all those goals.
Pack your sunscreen, turn off your cellphone, and book your destination to pure paradise. Check out making the right travel plans ahead of time to make sure you check off all the boxes for the perfect vacation.
There are many hidden gems in the Caribbean that you cannot afford to miss as well as some knowledge of the island you should be prepared with before landing at your desired destination. Read on to fully prepare yourself for the island adventure of a lifetime.
WHAT TO KNOW AHEAD OF TIME
One of the first mistakes that many travelers to the Caribbean make is assuming they know what island life is like. Some of their customs and ways of living can catch people off guard if they are not prepared ahead of time.
Bring Cash
One of the biggest mistakes people make is that they assume they can use their credit card for everything. In many cases, you will need to use cash. Your big-time hotels and restaurants will accept credit cards but expect to use cash at most other places.
Get Vaccinated
Another mistake that people tend to make when traveling to other countries is that they forget about some of the diseases that these other islands can have. With a large mosquito population, you want to get a yellow fever vaccine to make sure that you are safe. It is always better to take precaution before heading overseas. It is recommended that you get this vaccination at least 10 days before travelling.
If you develop any symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, developing a headache, muscle pains, sensitivity to light, loss of appetite, or gaseousness, you should seek a doctor right away. If treated right away, you can return to normal activities in 3-4 days, but if you ignore getting treated, it can result in death.
Research your island
A common mistake people make is that they assume that all islands are the same. There are flatlands and mountains and valleys that you can explore. Each island is different and has its own unique distinctions. You will be very much mistaken if you assume that everything is flat with straw markets everywhere. Don’t just stay at the resort the whole time. The Caribbean has so much to offer and you’ll be making a big mistake if you don’t venture out and explore.
A Whole Different Pace
When you hit the Caribbean, you will not be experiencing the fast pace of everyday life that you may be accustomed to. Things move at a much slower speed and you will need to learn to go with the flow. As stated on the website avoiding common mistakes on the Caribbean, you are surrounded by water; what is the rush? Everyone moves at a slow pace because there is no need to rush. Don’t expect anyone to show up on time and you will just need to learn to enjoy the slower lifestyle and soak up the experience.
Leave Your Cell Phones and Laptops at Home
Do not expect to have strong Wi-Fi service around the Caribbean. Assuming you are heading to the Caribbean for a vacation, you shouldn’t be concerned about logging into life outside of the island anyway. If you look hard enough, you’ll be able to find some service, but it is a challenge.
Sunday is a Very Religious Day
People in the Caribbean are very religious leading to the closure of many places on Sunday. Sunday may be the day you want to visit the beach or lounge around your hotel as many of the shops and other activities may be closed for religious reasons.
Be Cautious of the Food and Water
When staying in your hotel, be sure to ask about the faucet water and if it is safe to drink or not. Most hotels will provide bottled water for you, so be sure to take advantage of that. You also want to be cautious of any food that you get from the streets, especially fruits and vegetables. If you do purchase fruits or vegetables from a street vendor, make sure that you peel or boil it before eating. Otherwise, don’t touch it.
Be Careful of the Driving
Most driving on the road will take place on the left-hand side, so if you get behind a wheel, don’t forget where you are. You also want to be careful of the buses that drive around the islands. They are all over the road at very high speeds. You also need to be careful when renting bikes or Segways as there is not a lot of control on the roads. If you do decide to venture out, be sure to wear a helmet and look both ways.
HIDDEN GEMS
Now that you are aware of some of the things to know before heading to the Caribbean (it would be wise to do even more online research), there are some hidden gems that people don’t know about that they should see. Visit Caribbean’s best hidden gems to identify those places that you will be able to visit and check off of your bucket list.
Mount Cinnamon
On the hillside of Grenada, you will be able to find the upscale boutique hotel of Mount Cinnamon. It provides an outdoor oasis of beautiful daybeds, lounges, cafes, bars, and a breathtaking garden. It is not one of the most well-known places, so it will provide you an opportunity to get away from the everyday tourist areas of the Caribbean.
Pink Sands, Bahamas
The Bahamas is a vacation spot that many tourists visit in the Caribbean. Unless you find the right time when it is not overly crowded, you are going to be dealing with large crowds due to its popularity. The Pink Sands is one of a handful of hotels located on Harbour Island. There are 25 cottages with an on-site restaurant available as well as golf carts to take you to other destinations along the island. Visitors can take advantage of their 3 mile stretch of beach and enjoy some of the quiet luxuries of the Pink Sands.
Westender Inn, Jamaica
This remote Jamaican location is perfect for those who want to avoid the crowds of Jamaica. The Westender is a cliffside boutique with 24 ocean rooms and suites, garden villas, and log cabin suites. Guests have the luxury of onsite dining, pools, and access to a beach. This is the perfect hidden gem to enjoy some of the peace and quiet of Jamaica.
Hotel La Banane, St. Barts
Looking for a little taste of Paris without having to pay for the French lifestyle? The hotel and all its furnishings resemble vintage Paris. They offer nine bungalows with indoor/outdoor showers as well as some private terraces and two small pools. Palm trees surround this perfect oasis for couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Atlantis Hotel, Barbardos
Don’t panic when you see the name Atlantis and worry about the huge tourist attraction that defines the Bahamas. This is a small, historic property with only 8 rooms that is located on the rocky east coast and is perfect for those who are interested in surfing. They also highly recommend getting a car to help you travel around the island.
Nonsuch Bay Resort, Antigua
62 contemporary rooms await your stay at this upscale, secluded resort in Antigua. This resort features 3 pools, a beach, and a sailing club. Because of the remote location, dining is limited, although the dining at the resort is highly recommended. This doesn’t offer up many activities so if you are looking for more peace and quiet than anything else, this is your destination.
A GETAWAY IS STILL A GETAWAY
Despite all the warnings mentioned above, it is still the Caribbean. Beautiful ocean waters, perfect weather, and some time away from everyday life is the perfect recipe for a great vacation. The positives far outweigh the negatives of travelling to the Caribbean, but it is always best to do your research ahead of time and make sure you are fully prepared for anything that may come your way. Island life will immediately bring forth a smile from ear to ear.
Put those toes in the water, find some Caribbean signature drinks, and relax your days away. You know you deserve it.
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