General Travel Tips
If possible, use the services of a guide so you can take the most out of any exploration and get valuable insight into the history and culture of the island you are visiting.
Take a range of summer clothes, as well as long sleeves, a light jacket, and a pair of heavy-duty boots (if going hiking) to be prepared for the chillier evenings and mosquito bites.
Try to adapt to the Island Time, where things go slow and nobody is in a hurry (except for, perhaps, the local drivers!). With that in mind, you will understand why most Caribbeans are never on time for appointments!
Tap water is usually safe to drink across nearly all Caribbean destinations. However, most hotels and restaurants offer bottled water or tap water that is meticulously filtered. In any case, it might be best to stick to bottled water as many islands collect their water in cisterns and do not follow the advanced purification and filtering methods of other countries, although attempts are being made to modernise the process. Some Caribbean nations may ask you to save on water by taking shorter baths. However, this usually applies to smaller and less touristy islands.
Electricity
Depending on which Caribbean destination you visit, the electricity supply can either be based on the international 230V (50 Hz) or on the US 120V (60Hz) distribution systems. So, you may need to bring a power adapter with you for your devices. Kindly note that some islands, such as Cuba, Haiti, and Dominican Republic, experience regular power outages primarily due to the pressure forced on the available grid supplies due to increased demand for additional generating capacity. Also, the electricity distribution and transmission systems are significantly affected by hurricane-force winds between June and November, causing prolonged supply disruptions.
Tipping
Things divide here, as some regions accept tips while others incorporate a 10-15% service fee to their restaurants and hotel bills. For rental villas, tipping is usually not required and is entirely up to you. Now, if you wish to tip staff, taxi drivers, and venues for their amazing services or products, you can certainly do so, even if it is not required.
Dress Code
The Caribbean region is a rather reserved community, with some nations frowning upon swimwear being sported while shopping or eating. What is a big no in the Caribbean, though, is camouflage clothes. In most countries, it is forbidden to wear military-like attire or have items with camouflage patterns. This applies to children’s clothes and toys. Anything camouflage-related will be confiscated at the airport and never returned to you, so be aware. That aside, some restaurants may have a formal or semi-formal dress code, so please check with the dining facility before you book a table.
Driving in the Caribbean
Most of the Caribbean islands are fairly easy to navigate, although road signs and lights are not ever-present. As for driving per se, expect drivers in a hurry, especially mini-bus drivers, that will not hesitate to overtake on a blind corner, giving little regard to safety and rules. That aside, the local drivers usually have an easygoing attitude. The roads are often bumpy and with potholes, mainly due to the many tropical rains that gradually degrade the road infrastructure.
Regarding driving on the left-hand or the right-hand side of the road, all Spanish-speaking Caribbean destinations (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba), as well as the Dutch islands (Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba, Statia, Saba, and St. Maarten) and the French islands (St. Barts, St. Martin, Guadeloupe, and Martinique) drive on the right. Oddly, the US Virgin Islands, along with many British and former British Caribbean destinations drive on the left.
Important Note: To rent a car in the Caribbean, you will need a local driving licence, except for very few islands that will allow you to get a rental car if you have an international driver’s licence. In most cases, you can issue your local driver’s licence at the car rental agency or head to the nearest police station and present your licence from home. Once acquired, the local driving licence is usually valid for up to 90 days.
Come Prepared for Mosquito Raids
With most Caribbean islands welcoming visitors with green, lush vegetation and a great climate, it is no wonder that mosquitoes find a favourable breeding place in the still water puddles that have been formed over time. To avoid the annoying itching of mosquito bites and the risk of getting infected with Zika or Dengue, kindly bring mosquito repellent and apply it often on your skin, especially in the late-afternoon and evening hours. Alternatively, you could visit the Caribbean islands during the dry season, when the mosquito presence is rather slim. That aside, wear light-coloured clothes (these insects are believed to be attracted to dark colours) or buy a bug zapper when you arrive.
Must-Try Things in the Caribbean
Besides exploring the sugary shores and the pristine natural landscape, the Caribbean is a region where you can try truly exciting things to add to your experiences. For example, you could consider:
Ziplining in Puerto Rico, Antigua, St. Martin, Haiti, and Jamaica, which feature the longest, steepest, and most thrilling zip lines in the Caribbean that will take you above tree canopies, rainforests, and lush jungles only to pamper you with incredible ocean views!
Sliding down Dunn River Falls in Jamaica you will feel as if you are sliding like a child into a picturesque pool that awaits with its refreshing waters.
Visiting the massive forts in Brimstone Hill (St. Kitts & Nevis), Citadelle Laferriere (Haiti), Fort San Felipe (Dominican Republic), Fort George (Grenada), and Fort Saint Louis (Martinique), which impress with their grandeur. Some of them are also declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while others date way back to the 16th century.
Bird-watching in Trinidad & Tobago, is perhaps the best place for this particular activity, with diverse habitats and some of the most beautiful birds on earth.
General Travel Tips
If possible, use the services of a guide so you can take the most out of any exploration and get valuable insight into the history and culture of the island you are visiting.
Take a range of summer clothes, as well as long sleeves, a light jacket, and a pair of heavy-duty boots (if going hiking) to be prepared for the chillier evenings and mosquito bites.
Try to adapt to the Island Time, where things go slow and nobody is in a hurry (except for, perhaps, the local drivers!). With that in mind, you will understand why most Caribbeans are never on time for appointments!
Tap water is usually safe to drink across nearly all Caribbean destinations. However, most hotels and restaurants offer bottled water or tap water that is meticulously filtered. In any case, it might be best to stick to bottled water as many islands collect their water in cisterns and do not follow the advanced purification and filtering methods of other countries, although attempts are being made to modernise the process. Some Caribbean nations may ask you to save on water by taking shorter baths. However, this usually applies to smaller and less touristy islands.
Electricity
Depending on which Caribbean destination you visit, the electricity supply can either be based on the international 230V (50 Hz) or on the US 120V (60Hz) distribution systems. So, you may need to bring a power adapter with you for your devices. Kindly note that some islands, such as Cuba, Haiti, and Dominican Republic, experience regular power outages primarily due to the pressure forced on the available grid supplies due to increased demand for additional generating capacity. Also, the electricity distribution and transmission systems are significantly affected by hurricane-force winds between June and November, causing prolonged supply disruptions.
Tipping
Things divide here, as some regions accept tips while others incorporate a 10-15% service fee to their restaurants and hotel bills. For rental villas, tipping is usually not required and is entirely up to you. Now, if you wish to tip staff, taxi drivers, and venues for their amazing services or products, you can certainly do so, even if it is not required.
Dress Code
The Caribbean region is a rather reserved community, with some nations frowning upon swimwear being sported while shopping or eating. What is a big no in the Caribbean, though, is camouflage clothes. In most countries, it is forbidden to wear military-like attire or have items with camouflage patterns. This applies to children’s clothes and toys. Anything camouflage-related will be confiscated at the airport and never returned to you, so be aware. That aside, some restaurants may have a formal or semi-formal dress code, so please check with the dining facility before you book a table.
Driving in the Caribbean
Most of the Caribbean islands are fairly easy to navigate, although road signs and lights are not ever-present. As for driving per se, expect drivers in a hurry, especially mini-bus drivers, that will not hesitate to overtake on a blind corner, giving little regard to safety and rules. That aside, the local drivers usually have an easygoing attitude. The roads are often bumpy and with potholes, mainly due to the many tropical rains that gradually degrade the road infrastructure.
Regarding driving on the left-hand or the right-hand side of the road, all Spanish-speaking Caribbean destinations (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba), as well as the Dutch islands (Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba, Statia, Saba, and St. Maarten) and the French islands (St. Barts, St. Martin, Guadeloupe, and Martinique) drive on the right. Oddly, the US Virgin Islands, along with many British and former British Caribbean destinations drive on the left.
Important Note: To rent a car in the Caribbean, you will need a local driving licence, except for very few islands that will allow you to get a rental car if you have an international driver’s licence. In most cases, you can issue your local driver’s licence at the car rental agency or head to the nearest police station and present your licence from home. Once acquired, the local driving licence is usually valid for up to 90 days.
Come Prepared for Mosquito Raids
With most Caribbean islands welcoming visitors with green, lush vegetation and a great climate, it is no wonder that mosquitoes find a favourable breeding place in the still water puddles that have been formed over time. To avoid the annoying itching of mosquito bites and the risk of getting infected with Zika or Dengue, kindly bring mosquito repellent and apply it often on your skin, especially in the late-afternoon and evening hours. Alternatively, you could visit the Caribbean islands during the dry season, when the mosquito presence is rather slim. That aside, wear light-coloured clothes (these insects are believed to be attracted to dark colours) or buy a bug zapper when you arrive.
Must-Try Things in the Caribbean
Besides exploring the sugary shores and the pristine natural landscape, the Caribbean is a region where you can try truly exciting things to add to your experiences. For example, you could consider:
Ziplining in Puerto Rico, Antigua, St. Martin, Haiti, and Jamaica, which feature the longest, steepest, and most thrilling zip lines in the Caribbean that will take you above tree canopies, rainforests, and lush jungles only to pamper you with incredible ocean views!
Sliding down Dunn River Falls in Jamaica you will feel as if you are sliding like a child into a picturesque pool that awaits with its refreshing waters.
Visiting the massive forts in Brimstone Hill (St. Kitts & Nevis), Citadelle Laferriere (Haiti), Fort San Felipe (Dominican Republic), Fort George (Grenada), and Fort Saint Louis (Martinique), which impress with their grandeur. Some of them are also declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while others date way back to the 16th century.
Bird-watching in Trinidad & Tobago, is perhaps the best place for this particular activity, with diverse habitats and some of the most beautiful birds on earth.