Aruba – photo by Travelling Pooh on Flickr CC

Maximize Your Caribbean Getaway

Given the choice of any destination in the world, where would you like to go for a sun-drenched beach retreat? The answer on most people’s minds is a destination in the Caribbean, which is hardly surprising, with an abundance of paradise-like islands to choose from, most of which benefit from balmy temperatures all year round, this alluring and enticing region never fails to disappoint.

However, if you do choose to go on an all inclusive break to the Caribbean, spending some time away from the beach will afford you some unforgettable experiences.

But what can you see and do exactly? Well, here is how to get the very best of your stay in the Caribbean.

photo by Tom Hart on Flickr CC

Go snorkelling

The Caribbean Sea’s tantalizing turquoise water is a sight to behold while on terra firma, but numerous other delights lurk beneath the surface. For this reason, you simply must make the time to go snorkeling in-between relaxing on the beach.

Although you should be able to see some mesmerizing marine life wherever you go, the Antilla Shipwreck in Aruba is shallow enough for snorkelers to see the coral formations and tube sponges that have grown on the ship, creating a habitat for tropical fish, anemones and shellfish.

Do a spot of shopping

On any trip away from home, most tourists will want to pick up a special souvenir as a constant reminder of their vacation. In the Caribbean, this can be a local handicraft or something from one of its high-end duty-free shops.

One island that boasts a particularly impressive selection of duty-free products is in Aruba, where you can find anything from designer watches to a bottle of the island’s finest rum.

Jamaican chicken jerk – photo by jeffreyw on Flickr CC

Sample the cuisine

One of the best things about all inclusive getaways is that your food and drink comes free of charge. But if this doesn’t include customary Caribbean fare, make sure you find somewhere serving up the local cuisine.

Each of the islands offer their own individual dishes, but it can be difficult to look beyond Jamaica’s love of jerk. This seasoning is mainly applied to pork or chicken and comprises of allspice and Scotch bonnet peppers and then the meat is barbecued creating a succulent, spicy dish with crispy skin. This tasty specialty can be found all over Jamaica, so make sure if you’re on the island you give this fantastic dish a try.

Explore the cities

Away from the shorelines you can find a great deal to do in the Caribbean’s urban areas too. One stand out example is San Juan in Puerto Rico.

Culture vultures will be pleased to know there are numerous historical attractions here such as old fortresses and castles. But if you’d prefer to take things easy, simply wander down the cobble-stoned lanes of Old San Juan and do some people watching at a nearby cafe.

So, while the Caribbean has no trouble addressing the wants and needs of easy-going sun-seekers, it can also provide more active travelers you want to mix a little outdoor adventure with some culture. Try a trip to the Caribbean and find out why this region keeps pulling people back to its sandy shores.

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