No one can know what heaven looks like, but the picture of breath-taking Caribbean Islands could be close. In this tropical region, you will find everything that you can associate with the vacations of your dream. Clear waters in all shades of blue, beautiful beaches, rocky mountains, spectacular waterfalls and so much to learn about the local history and traditions. Although tropical islands may seem like hol-iday destinations only for the richest, you can still visit some places on a low budget. If you forget about the most luxurious hotels and you are vigilant enough to avoid tourist traps, don’t wait and or-ganize your trip! Here we present you a list of ten affordable destinations together with their most ap-pealing features.
Curaçao
What pictures do you draw in your mind when you think about tropical islands? If the answer is “beach-es”, then Curacao is the place for you. It’s known for its white sand and turquoise water, so you’ll have a chance to feel like you were in the middle of a Photoshop-edited postcard. If you’re also into scuba diving, there is no better place to try it. Colorful reefs and marine life will blow you away with their beauty. Although the beaches are astounding, it would be a sin to consider them as the only reason to visit this island. Don’t forget to visit monumental traces of history such as Willemstad, which is the main port city in Curaçao. What used to be a Dutch colony is a priceless example of the best colonial archi-tecture.
St. Lucia
What will you get if you add jazz music to a tropical island? You’ll get St. Lucia. If you think that the Car-ibbean islands are too exotic to offer you a small dose of widely-renowned art and culture, you are dead wrong. St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival attracts people from all around the world in the spring. Those who prefer enjoying the sun, should visit Reduit Beach and take a sunbath. A traveler who wants to feel like a real seaman may go on a cruise and enjoy the beautiful sight from the perspective of a ship. There’s also an option for sentimental souls. What’s more romantic than taking a walk along the exten-sive Reduit Beach’s shoreline with the company of golden rays of the sunset?
Antigua
Have you ever thought that having one or two beaches at your disposal is not enough? Fine. Antigua offers you 365 of them, so you don’t run the risk of boredom. Are you on vacation with your whole family? On this island, you’ll find a lot of safe spaces where you can have fun with your children. Take a beach ball with you and have the vacations of your dreams. Of course, Antigua has much more in store than beaches. If sight-seeing is what brings you joy, don’t forget to pack up hiking shoes. Once you get to Shirley Heights, you will be astounded by its amazing panoramic views. History lovers should visit Betty’s Hope, which was once a sugar plantation. Nelson’s Dockyard is another idea for an educational incursion. There you’ll be able to visit museums that will give you an unforgettable history lesson.
Barbados
Barbados, the motherland of famous pirate Sam Lord, is known for its white-sand beaches, where you can enjoy the sunrays and relax to the sound of hissing water. If it appeals to you, consider a short trip to Dover Beach or Bathsheba Beach. Taking a sip of the bittersweet Mount Gay Rum gives tourists the opportunity to feel like a real islander. If you crave more active pastimes, try some local sports. It may surprise you that Barbados offers you such disciplines as golf, cricket and polo. What contributes to the inimitable atmosphere of Barbados is the combination of different cultures. Such traditions as after-noon tea or horse races are something that you could expect in London, not in the Caribbean. But it’s exactly what you can experience in this former British colony. British influences are mixed with local customs and traces of contact with the African world.
Cayman Islands
You can’t think of a better place for scuba diving. Shipwrecks and colorful reefs guarantee amazing sights underwater. So-called Stingray City is a famous tourist spot, where you can interact with Atlantic stingray living freely in a shallow sandbar. Although it may sound like an option for the brave, following the guidelines guarantees safety. That’s why it’s a good attraction for whole families. The biggest is-land of this archipelago is Grand Cayman, where you can find most all-inclusive resorts, especially if you are a fan of pre-planned comfortable vacations. Those who prefer less-traveled places will be excited by Little Cayman. That’s the place where you can leave all of your worries and responsibilities behind you and enjoy the sound of the wind, which rustles the palm trees. Perhaps, you’ll want to visit Booby Pond Nature Reserve and take the scenic route, accompanied by the singing of birds. You bet you won’t be able to take your eyes off of beautiful nature.
Jamaica
Among the islands located on the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica is one of the most popular. Everyone recog-nizes the Rastafari movement and Jamaican music, but this island offers much more than Reggae and dreadlocks. A lot of people may be confused about the facts and myths of Jamaican life, so our advice is: visit this place and check yourself! There you will a wide variety of tourist spots that deserve at least a short visit. One of them is Negril, known for its hot and sunny beaches. If you are a vivid lover of golf, you should see golf courses in Montego Bay. Those who are brave enough and seek adventure will def-initely enjoy climbing waterfalls in Ocho Rios, located in the northeast. It would be unfair if we didn’t mention great possibilities for surfers. Tourists know that Port Antonio is the place where we should try some surfing, especially at Boston Beach. Do you prefer something more stable than a surfing desk? If so, river rafting is the perfect summer pastime for you. Once you get out of the water, go hiking along the wonderful Blue Mountains.
Guadeloupe
Everyone falls in love with the sun-washed coasts of Guadeloupe. The combination of black- and white-sand beaches and lush forests guarantees amazing photo spots. Are you wondering what tourist attrac-tions you can find there? You will be surprised by sugar plantations and distilleries that have been exist-ing for centuries in local villages. The villagers will welcome you warmly, making sure that you’ll feel in their land at home. This rustic atmosphere is reinforced by the unspoiled nature that is a characteristic of this place. If you are tired of your monotonous urban life, Guadeloupe will strike you as another world.
Grenada
Tourists love Jamaica, Barbados and Caymans, but some of them may ignore Grenada, finding it not worth visiting. Don’t be one of them! This small piece of land gives everything that you expect from the Caribbean Islands in a compact form. What exactly can you find in this place? You must admit that local tropical landscapes in the Caribbean can leave you breathless. If you’re one of the people who get easi-ly excited about natural beauty, you can be sure that such features as mountains, waterfalls and lakes in Grenada will make you fall in love with them. Remember to make a trip to one of the rainforests, which guarantees the type of atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Of course, this island offers you much more than eye candy. Meet native people and learn as much as you can about their amazing local history.
St. Barts
Sand beaches, verdant hills, clear waters and roaming iguanas. How does it sound? Of course, it’s only a small part of what St. Barts offers tourists. If you are a sophisticated fan of European national cul-tures, you’ll get the chance to admire the combination of Swedish and French traditions. It means good news for fans of French cuisine and Swedish architecture. But don’t think that st. Barts is a mere copy of French and Swedish attractions. After all, we’re talking about a place in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, and nobody will leave this small piece of heaven unsatisfied. Go to the saline beach and admire waters in the color of teal, turquoise and cobalt blue. If you are prone to sunburn, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get equipped with an umbrella. Thanks to that we’ll be able to watch astonishing sights safely.
Turks & Caicos
Are you tired of your everyday life and want to go off the beaten track? The Turks & Caicos islands are ones of less traveled (at least in comparison to Jamaica or Barbados) places on the Caribbean Sea. That’s the place where you’ll be finally able to relax and enjoy not only the weather but also the sights. Once you set your heart on a tropical adventure, find the Turks & Caicos Islands on the map and draw a cross. You’ll see how soothing it is to look at clear azure water and listen to the sound of the breeze. The beaches are known as a secluded getaway for overworked city-dwellers and career climbers. It’s hard to believe how slow and silent life gets when you sunbathe and swim in the waters of the Turks & Caisos islands. Obviously, you don’t have to spend all of your time on the towel. If you want to learn about the local history and customs, visit the Turks & Caicos National Museum. Once you finish this ed-ucational trip, go to Cockburn Town. That’s the place where Christopher Columbus docked.
