by Darryl Brooks

Created on: May 04, 2009

Few places on earth can give the traveler more diversity in terms of people, landscapes, food, and culture than the Caribbean. This Caribbean travel guide will touch on some of these locations and how to experience them. From the deserts of Aruba to the jungles of Jamaica, with cultures of Dutch, Spanish, French, and African descent, in large cities to small villages, there is no place like the Caribbean.

For many, the best way to experience the Caribbean is on a cruise. With itineraries that stop at a few islands to many, a cruise ship can give the traveler a wide range of Caribbean experiences. The money saved on hotels can be enough to pay for the cruise, and although it is recommended you try the local cuisine, your meals are also covered. There are two standard cruises in the Caribbean, a western itinerary which usually stops in Jamaica, Mexico, and Grand Cayman, and an eastern, which usually stops in St. Thomas, San Juan, and the Bahamas. Of course, there are many variations on these two themes, and many other cruises that go further south and hit virtually every island in the Caribbean.

Although there are too many islands to cover in this Caribbean travel guide, here are a few that stand out for one reason or another. Aruba is as far south as you can get without being in South America. This desert island is populated by a warm and friendly people. The weather is fairly consistent and a constant trade wind keeps the heat at bay. There is not a lot to do there, but for a relaxing vacation with perfect weather, it is perfect.

St. Thomas at the north end offers a wide variety of pleasures from snorkeling to shopping. It can give the traveler the best of all worlds. Hotels on the east end of the island offer superb snorkeling, and it is a short ferry ride over to St. Johns for more natural beauty. Puerto Rico has a diverse geography from the rain forests to the cities. Old San Juan has an old world European look and feel and is great for shopping. Jamaica has a lot of nice all-inclusive resorts where you could spend an entire vacation. For the more adventurous, there are jungles and waterfalls to explore. St. Martin offers both Dutch and French cultures for a little taste of Europe in the tropics.

No place on earth can give the traveler more fun in the sun and diversity than a trip to the Caribbean. Whether you fly into a single destination, or cruise from port to port, you can spend years exploring these wonderful islands without experiencing everything.

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