Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
Caribbean Heritage Destinations
Vital statistics
Languages: English and Spanish predominate with French or Dutch spoken in some destinations.
Time: GMT -4 and -5 (summer -3 and -4).
Visas: UK nationals don’t require a visa except for visiting Cuba, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Money: Most destinations have their own currency but the US dollar (US$) is also widely accepted. Eight islands use the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), currently EC$3.72 to the UK£, while the euro (€) rules in French territories.
When to go
Mid-december to April: Peak season for winter sun-seekers from chillier climes. Prices spike for Christmas and New Year and can be high around February half-term and Easter. There is little rain and evenings may be cool in northern parts.
May to August: Expect hotter temperatures and lower prices for travel before the school holidays. Mangos are in season and some islands have major festivals, such as Crop Over on Barbados and Spice Mas on Grenada.
September to October: The hurricane season officially runs from June to November but the most severe weather often happens in these months, including Hurricanes Irma and Maria which caused widespread damage in 2017. Not all islands are affected, such as Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. Health & safety COVID-19 protocols vary, check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for the current situation. Take precautions for the heat and also to avoid mosquito bites, which are the cause of Zika virus and dengue and chikungunya fevers. For recommended booster info, visit your local travel health centre or fitfortravel.nhs.uk
Getting there
Most UK visitors travel from London on scheduled flights with British Airways (ba.com) and Virgin Atlantic (virginatlantic.com), flying time is around nine hours. Antigua and Barbados are the main hubs for these airlines although they do fly direct to many other island destinations as well, including Cuba, Jamaica, St Lucia, Dominican Republic, Nassau/paradise Island and Grenada.
TUI (tui.co.uk) operates seasonal charter flights to popular islands such as Jamaica, St Lucia and Cuba. Other options are flying via Paris with Air France (airfrance.co.uk) and via Amsterdam with KLM (klm.com). Both airlines serve St Maarten, another regional hub, while American Airlines (aa.com) has flights via the USA to many Caribbean destinations including The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and Dominican Republic.
Getting around
Many carriers offer inter-island flights including intercaribbean
(intercaribbean.com), Caribbean Airlines
(caribbean-airlines.com) and Air Caraïbes
(aircaraibes.com). Always get a window seat as scenic views are guaranteed. Ferries are geared to local needs and best used for short transfers.
Taxis can be pricey so consider hiring a car – you may need to purchase a local driving licence that the supplier can provide. Local buses both public and private (minivans) are cheap, entertaining and rarely comfortable; a ride in Barbados costs a flat BDS$3.50 (£1.27).
Cost of travel
Booking via a tour operator is perhaps the best option for popular islands and offers full protection; for a late deal check out tropicalsky. co.uk, caribbeanwarehouse.co.uk and britishairways.com/en-gb/offers/late-deals. Independent travellers will find the widest accommodation choice on larger islands such as Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Cuba. There is a wealth of small, characterful hotels.
Paying by credit card can attract a surcharge, and always carry some cash as systems may not be working. If you pay with US dollar bills, the change will most likely come in local currency.
Food & drink
Get ready to feast on fresh fish and lobster, spicy meats and luscious tropical fruits. Most islands have specialties, such as chocolate in Grenada and Jamaica’s Blue Mountain coffee.
Forget about costly imported wines and go for local rums and the growing number of island-made craft beers. Restaurants in resort areas can be expensive but there are always cheaper options along with bountiful markets and roadside stalls. In high season restaurants need reserving with a service charge or tipping the norm. Kitchens can be slow so get your order in fast if travelling with children.
Further reading & information
Caribbean Islands (Lonely Planet, £17) is the most comprehensive guide to the region, a new edition was published in June. UK publisher Papillotte Press is devoted to fiction, non-fiction and poetry from the Caribbean (papillottepress.co.uk).
Sugar in the Blood by Andrea Stuart (Portobello Books, £10) and The Sugar Barons by Matthew Parker (Windmill Books, £11) offer valuable insights into the days of sugar and slavery.
The Caribbean Tourism Organisation has information on 26 destinations in the region (0208 948 0057, caribbean.co.uk).