Caribbean

The islands of the Caribbean Sea or West Indies are an extensive archipelago in the far west of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly strung between North and South America. They've long been known as a resort vacation destination for honeymooners and retirees, but a small movement toward eco-tourism and backpacking has started to open up the Caribbean to more independent travel. With year-round good weather (with the minor exception of hurricane season in the late summer and early fall), promotional air fares from Europe and North America, and hundreds of islands to explore, the Caribbean offers something for almost everyone.

Understand

The Caribbean islands were first inhabited by the Arawak Indians, then were invaded by a more aggressive tribe, the Caribs. Unfortunately, the Caribs could not appreciate their victory for long, for the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British, colonised their lands. The islands have known many historic battles - and more than a few pirate stories.

Greater Antilles

To the south and southeast of Florida, are several relatively large islands (hence the name):

• Cuba
• Cayman Islands
• Jamaica
• Navassa Island - uninhabited wildlife refuge
• Haiti - western Hispaniola
• Dominican Republic - eastern Hispaniola
• Puerto Rico

Lesser Antilles

In an arc between the Greater Antilles and along the north coast of South America are dozens of small tropical islands:

• Virgin Islands
• British Virgin Islands
• Anguilla
• Saint Martin
• Netherlands Antilles (Leeward group)
• St Barthelemy
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Montserrat
• Guadeloupe
• Dominica
• Martinique - the "little France" of the Caribbean
• Saint Lucia
• Barbados - the "little England" of the Caribbean
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Grenada
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Margarita
• Los Roques
• Netherlands Antilles (Windward group)
• Aruba
• San Andres and Providencia

Other islands

These countries are not in the Caribbean basin but are variously close to it, and are commonly associated with the Caribbean (e.g. members of CARICOM, the Caribbean Community).

• The Bahamas - a cluster of islands north of the Greater Antilles and southeast of Florida.
• Turks and Caicos Islands - a cluster of islands south of the Bahamas
• Bermuda - some distance to the north of the Caribbean, but commonly associated with the region.
• Several countries in South America, Central America, and Mexico have shorelines – and islands – in the Caribbean.

Get In

For the duration of the 2007 Cricket World Cup (until May 2007), Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago offer the shared CARICOM Visa, which can be used by the citizens of 46 countries to enter any CARICOM country. Visa applications can be made at the embassies of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, or in countries with no representation, at United Kingdom embassies.

By Plane

• From Europe to:
  • Antigua and Barbuda (ANU) from London (LGW),Manchester (MAN) by BA, BMI, Virgin, XL and from Frankfurt (FRA) by Condor
  • Barbados, Bridgetown (BGI) from London, Manchaster by Virgin, BA, Caribbean Airlines, XL and from Frankfurt by Condor
  • Cuba from London (LGW)by Virgin, Air Jamaica, from Madrid (MAD) by Iberia, from Paris (CDG) by Air France and from all three by Cubana
  • Saint Lucia, Hewanorra (UVF) from London (LGW) by Virgin, BA, Caribbean Airlines and from Manchester (MAN) by Virgin
  • Martinique Fort-de-France (FDF) from Paris by Air France, Air Caribes (cheapest from Germany ?)
  • Tobago (TAB), from London (LGW) by BA, Virgin, XL and from Frankfurt (FRA) by Condor
  • Trinidad, Port-of-Spain (POS) from London by Caribbean Airlines

• Airlines:
  • Air Caraibes: from Paris to Guadeloupe, Martinique
  • Air France: from Paris to Guadeloupe, Martinique
  • Air Jamaica: London to Jamaica and Cuba
  • British Airways: from London (LGW) to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Tobago and from Manchaster to Saint Lucia
  • Caribbean Airlines: from London to Barbados, Saint Lucia, London - Antigua, Belfast - Tobago (see BWIA Route map)
  • Condor/Thomas Cook: from Frankfurt (FRA), see Condor Route map
  • Cubana: To Cuba from Madrid, Paris, London
  • Virgin Atlantic: from London to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Havana, Jamaica, St Lucia, Tobago and from Manchester to Barbados and St Lucia
  • XL: from London to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts, St Lucia, Tobago

Get Around

The most popular way to visit the Caribbean islands is to take the one of many Caribbean Cruisesoffered by all of the major cruise lines. Go here-Caribbean Cruises and use this FREE cruise search engine to find any and every Caribbean cruise available. This engine will show the complete itineraries, dates available, information on the ports of call, and the current rates, which are updated automatically every 24 hours.

Another excellent way to explore Caribbean is sailing:

• Caribbean Yacht Charter - great selection of boats for rent along with lots of useful tips and facts about this vibrant area.

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