Sugar-white sand, the clearest aquamarine seas and deep blue skies – even those who have never visited the Caribbean will recognize it as one the most beautiful places on earth. This extensive archipelago is not one place, but many different island countries, all with their own individual character, language, cultural attributes and geological wonders.
How do you prepare for the Caribbean? Prepare to be awed by its beauty; prepare to see amazing waterfalls, breathtaking rainforests, exotic birds, stunning underwater sights, vibrant flowers and happy people. Prepare yourself for a vacation like no other!
Many people visit the Caribbean for the first time on a cruise or all-inclusive vacation. Having sampled a taste of what the Caribbean has to offer, they resolve to return and see more. Most visitors choose one particular island to visit, rather than island-hopping, and in order to better experience local life and culture, they stay in a private Caribbean villa. Whether you are visiting for a short break or spending the whole winter as a snowbird, luxury holiday homes provide more space and freedom than restricted all-inclusive hotels and villas with pools are the perfect place to hang out and catch the sun.
Choosing where to stay, when to visit and how to arrive fully prepared for your vacation in paradise are all covered in this ultimate guide.
What to Expect When Visiting the Caribbean
The Caribbean is popular because it is like nowhere else. For a Caribbean vacation, visitors find the slower pace of life easy to adapt to and western stresses and pressures simply do not exist here. However, it does mean that service may also be slower. Patience and a smile will get your message across much better than raised voices and threats. Caribbean villas and luxury retreats often come with staff and visitors will soon learn how to make their requirements known. Most staff are only too keen to please, once they understand your request.
No two Caribbean islands are alike and each has its own unique attributes. Some of the most popular features include the high waterfalls on St Lucia, the plantation history and reggae music on Jamaica, the impressive volcano and black sand beaches on Montserrat, the rock features and quiet coves on Virgin Gorda and the beautiful yacht-filled harbors around the other British Virgin Islands. To fully appreciate your Caribbean island retreat, take a tour with a local guide. Expect colorful tropical beauty, friendly smiling faces, gorgeous sandy beaches and memorable sights.
Caribbean Climate and Weather
Winter and summer are one and the same in the Caribbean as it enjoys a tropical marine climate. Located within the tropics, temperatures rarely stray from 76-88°F (24-32°C) year-round. The Caribbean has an annual rainfall of 50-80 inches (1250-2000 mm). However, most rain falls from July through November in short but heavy afternoon showers. They quickly pass and the sun soon dries the puddles and leaves the rainforest steaming! The constant sea breezes from the trade winds keep the climate very pleasant and comfortable especially for those staying in private villas with pools.
Hurricanes occasionally pass through the Caribbean in late summer, affecting the odd island in its path, but visitors are well looked after and in very rare circumstances it may be necessary to move inland for a day or two. Although local shanty housing may be badly damaged, luxury retreats are much more sturdily built to withstand hurricane force winds.
Caribbean Culture
Caribbean society is very different from our Western standards. Education, housing and social standards of living are lower than in the US for most Caribbean locals, but visitors can ensure a high standard of living with all the familiar amenities by choosing to stay in luxury holiday homes.
The main languages spoken are Spanish, Dutch, French, Haitian Creole and Papiamento but most locals understand England and speak it, albeit with a broad island dialect. Religions practiced in the Caribbean are mainly Christianity with some Hinduism, Islam, Rastafari, Santeria and Voodoo.
What to Pack for Caribbean Beach Vacation Rentals
The climate at your island retreat is likely to be warm and sunny, so pack accordingly. Day wear should be beach attire or casual cotton clothing such as shorts and cotton shirts or t-shirts for sightseeing. Summer dresses which are loose fitting (and show off your suntan!) are ideal for ladies dining out. Men will be comfortable in smart shorts and a golf shirt, or long light-colored pants and casual shirts with a collar for more upmarket restaurants. In most cases island attire is brightly colored, in keeping with the exotic tropical surroundings.
Ladies should pack convertible or clear strap bras to allow for halter neck tops or cross-strapped sundresses which they are sure to want to buy. Costume jewelry is all that is required so leave heirloom jewelry in the safe back home. Select a few pieces of jewelry and strappy sandals which will complement a number of outfits and you will look and feel appropriately dressed for the Caribbean climate.
There is no need to pack a coat, although a folding umbrella may be handy. A lightweight jacket is an optional extra for cooler evenings during January and February.
Sun lotion, sunglasses, hats and sandals are all available to buy on the Caribbean Islands, but there will be no bargains. The best plan is to pack what you know you will need, but rest assured that you can buy anything you may have forgotten when you get there, including familiar brands.
Prescription medication should certainly be packed in your hand luggage as it is not always available on smaller Caribbean Islands.
Spare batteries and film for specialist camera equipment are best brought with you as they may not be available on the smaller BVI. As the electrical power in Caribbean villas is standard 110 volt (as in the US), you may want to bring an international plug and dual voltage electrical appliances.
Caribbean Food and Drink
Fresh seafood, lobster, grilled fish, goat and chicken make up the main staples of Caribbean cuisine, but they will taste better than anywhere else for sure. Maybe it’s because the fish is freshly caught and prepared with local seasoning or because you are generally dining al fresco!
Jamaica in particular has a distinctive cuisine. Chili peppers and breadfruit are local staples and the spicy jerk chicken is a must to try. If you have a self-catering holiday villa, buy jerk seasoning as a dry rub and apply it to chicken before grilling it to make a very easy meal with a salad on the side and sweet fruit for dessert. Avoid Scotch bonnet peppers (they are very fiery) and ganga cakes that may contain marijuana, which is technically illegal.
The national dishes on the Virgin Islands are stewed goat, oxtail or beef, fish and green leafed callaloo. Fungee, also called cou-cou, is cornmeal mixed with okra and was a regular meal for slaves on Barbados.
On the Cayman Islands, turtle stew is the local dish. On Montserrat it is goat water and on many other islands rice and beans are the main staples for locals.
Holiday villas all have modern kitchens with American standard appliances, making it easy to self-cater. Local markets and supermarkets have familiar brand groceries, salad ingredients, coconuts and strange looking vegetables such as callaloo (like spinach), plantains, edoo and sweet potatoes. There are many types of banana in the Caribbean, some of which are treated as vegetables rather than fruits.
Cost of Living with Caribbean Villa Rentals
The cost of food and drink when staying in private villas in the Caribbean is likely to be slightly higher than US mainland prices due to most groceries having to be imported. However locally grown produce such as rice, bananas, coconuts and coffee beans in Jamaica are a bargain. Those fortunate enough to be enjoying a long-term luxury vacation rental may find the cost of electricity higher, but sea breezes and ceiling fans generally negate the need for air-conditioning.
The cost of hiring a car with full insurance (which is essential on the islands) is high but mopeds, taxis, shared taxis and local buses are a great experience and are quite reasonable.
Eating out with the locals can be as cheap as $3 for a soda with rice and beans which is the staple lunch on many islands. However a nice restaurant with good service in a scenic waterfront location can be pricey. Beer and local spirits are always a cheap option; imported wines and U.S. branded spirits are obviously more expensive.
Things to Do in the Caribbean
The warm climate and crystal clear seas make the Caribbean the ideal place to enjoy watersports, and the islands have no shortage of opportunities for taking boat trips from your luxury vacation rental. As well as the usual beach activities – banana boat rides, jet skis, pedaloes, kayaks and surfing – the Caribbean is particularly well suited to windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling and scuba-diving.
Surfing is best during the winter months on the island of Tortola and on Virgin Gorda at St Thomas Bay when the Atlantic surf is up.
Montserrat is generally one of the least developed for tourist activities but some beaches have watersports. However, the lack of tourism and infrastructure is what attracts many to enjoy Caribbean villas on Montserrat at a gentler pace of life in natural surroundings.
Sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing are popular around Jamaica and in the British Virgin Islands due to the constant sea breezes. There are many regattas and opportunities to hire a small sail boat such as a sunfish or hobie cat, or take a sunset cruise. The billowing canvas and lack of engine noise makes this the perfect way to relax and quietly watch the sun slip below the horizon to mark the end of another perfect day. If there is no cloud on the horizon, you may even be fortunate enough to see the natural phenomenon of a green flash as the sun finally disappears.
Snorkeling equipment is available for hire on the beaches in Jamaica and day trips to suitable reefs can be found near luxury holiday homes at Negril and Montego Bay. Expect to pay around $35 USD for a 1½ hour trip including equipment and snorkeling guide and $65 for a half day trip.
Sport fishing is popular from many islands as the waters are teeming with smaller reef fish, prize marlin, sailfish and tuna which favor the deep waters of the Cayman Trench just off the north coast of Jamaica. Fishing charters are also popular around Virgin Gorda and the other British Virgin Islands where Caribbean villas are plentiful. These charters are priced per boat, max 4-6 persons, and they cost around $500 for a half day and $1000 for a full day.
Golf is popular on many Caribbean islands, with great scenery and plenty of natural hazards. Some of the best golf courses in the Caribbean are on the island of Jamaica, which has the space and terrain to suit this popular sport. However the lack of space on the BVI and the rough terrain on Montserrat mean there are no golf courses on those particular islands.
Hiking in the rainforest on Puerto Rico is very rewarding with tumbling waterfalls and the cries of many birds and monkeys in the dense canopy. However hiking is not a regular activity on most Caribbean islands as beach strolling is more popular. The undeveloped areas of the BVI have marked paths, particularly in the two national parks: Sage Mountain in Tortola and Gorda Peak on Virgin Gorda.
Cricket is a popular sport in the Caribbean and in particular on Jamaica, where Sabina Park in Kingston is one of the International Test Grounds.
Festivals in the Caribbean
Like many other countries, the Caribbean enjoys celebrating local festivals, religious saint’s days and historic customs. Each island is different, but it is worth looking out for posters of these local events, and join in.
Carnival originates from “carne vale” which meant “farewell to meat”, at least for Lent and is a time of feasting and fun. Dates vary but it is usually held in late February/early March. It is the excuse for a huge party Mardi Gras style with parades, costumes and thousands of revelers dancing to the steel band music provided on the back of lorries which are loaded with loud speakers. Trinidad has the largest carnival on the islands and those staying in Caribbean villas at that time must make a point of joining in and experiencing this street party event. In the heat, the dancing is more a knee bend and shuffle with the odd bump and grind!
Montserrat is the only country outside Ireland where St Patrick’s Day is an official public holiday. In fact, the festival lasts for a whole week on Montserrat with a parade and traditional Caribbean entertainment. The reason is that in the 17th century the island was a haven for Irish Catholics who were persecuted on other Caribbean islands and by 1678 a census showed that more than half the residents on Montserrat were of Irish origin.
On Jamaica the Jonkonnu festival is a popular event. It celebrates an African rebel (John Canoe, which became Jonkonnu) outwitting the British and taking control of the fort. Other popular events for those staying in Jamaican luxury retreats are the Jazz and Blues Festival in spring, the Ocho Rio Jazz festival in June and the summer Reggae Sumfest and Pro Surf Contest in July.
The British Virgin Islands has a Regatta in February with associated fun events, and all the islands have their own saint’s days and celebrations for Christmas and the New Year.
Health Issues
Malaria is not an issue in the Caribbean but there are occasional outbreaks of dengue fever. Take preventative measures by avoiding getting bitten by mosquitos. Do not walk through the jungle at dusk and wear an insect repellant containing DEET when going on inland treks or trips.
Local hospitals and clinics are OK for basic emergencies but they can be hot and busy with long waits. A consultation with a doctor will cost around $40-60. Medication is generally cheaper then in the US but the range of drugs is not always widely available.
More serious casualties may need to be med-evaced to a larger island such as Puerto Rico or Jamaica, and for that reason full medical insurance is absolutely essential for all travelers, including owners of private villas.
Safety Issues
Crime in the Caribbean varies greatly from island to island but the most crime free islands are Montserrat, the Cayman Islands, St Barts, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands including Virgin Gorda, and Dominica. High areas of unemployment, poverty and drugs tend to be the catalysts for crime, as they are the world over, and are best avoided.
The usual common sense warnings apply – if your Caribbean villa rental has a safe, use it, especially when the maid is present. Keep your passport, driving license, credit cards and cash securely on your person or in a safe. Avoid slum areas of cities such as Kingston in Jamaica and do not walk on the beach alone after dark. Leave valuable watches and jewelry at home and do not flaunt expensive cameras and high tech gadgets. Keep the front door of your luxury vacation rental locked especially if you are out in the garden or pool.
It is a good idea to scan or take a photocopy of your wallet contents and the back page of your passport and keep it separately so that if replacements are required you have all the information to hand. That’s a good tip even when you return home too!
Wherever you choose to stay for your Caribbean holidays, villas make a great base for relaxing in comfort with your own private amenities and you are sure to enjoy a wonderful vacation that you will certainly want to repeat.