Top Reasons to Visit the Caribbean
If you’re someone who enjoys the mystery, excitement and wonder that comes with traveling, you probably have a mile-long list of all the places you want to go. With so many amazing places out there, it can be hard to decide where to head first. If you can’t make up your mind where you’d most like your travels to take you next, consider the Caribbean. So grab your guidebooks, pull out your suitcase and get ready to plan your dream Caribbean vacation.
Why visit the Caribbean? Here are just a few of our top reasons to visit the Caribbean for the trip of a lifetime.
1. The Beaches
Even if you don't usually love to relax for hours on the beach, we think the spotless beaches of the Caribbean might convince you. And if you already are a beach-lover, this could very well be your dream come true.
Caribbean beaches are known far and wide for their pale, pristine sand and uniquely turquoise water that’s so clear it almost seems unreal. As wonderful as it looks in pictures and on TV, it’s even better in person. Perhaps best of all is the fact that you can enjoy these beaches year round, as the Caribbean has no cold and snowy seasons.
2. The Underwater Adventures
Swimming in the Caribbean is unlike any other experience and is well worth the journey. But it isn’t the only incredible activity you can enjoy in the water when you travel to the Caribbean. Try diving and snorkeling in warm, crystal-clear water that’s brimming with life and excitement. From dolphins and turtles to tropical fish and coral reefs, there’s so much to see and do in these beautiful waters.
The Caribbean is full of places that allow you to rent equipment and offer quick lessons on how to use it. Guided underwater adventures are available too, as well as sections of the water that are safe for non-professionals to explore and enjoy.
3. The Accommodations
You’ve probably seen luxury Caribbean resorts advertised on TV and in guidebooks alike. These hotels and resorts are every bit as amazing as they seem, and for those wishing to travel in the utmost in style and comfort, it’s hard to find anything in the world quite as spectacular. And if you'd prefer more of a private space than a hotel, you can also rent out villas and vacation homes across various islands for a truly memorable vacation.
Even the process of getting to the Caribbean features better accommodations than most trips. Forget noisy, cramped airplanes and instead enjoy the luxury and relaxation of a cruise ship that will carry you to the Caribbean in the utmost style and comfort.
4. The Festivals
Festivals have substantial ties to the culture, character and history of many Caribbean islands. These explosive events feature an exotic cocktail of dancing, music, colors, costumes, food, drinks and partying — it’s impossible not to enjoy yourself. Carnival, an annual festival that takes place on St. Thomas and features a different theme every year, is a perfect example of one such event.
Not every festival is the same, however, meaning that you can choose ones that are most suited to your tastes and personality. For example, if music is something close to your heart, something like the Jamaican Reggae Festivals may be right for you. At a party like this, you can enjoy all the food and sights while also listening to some great music.
5. The Sunsets
You could scour the entire world over, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a sunset more beautiful than the ones you’ll enjoy every night here in the Caribbean. Whether you want to take a thousand pictures or just sit back and enjoy it with a loved one, it's worth making the trip for the sunsets alone.
6. The Food
Perhaps one of the best ways to truly experience another culture is to embrace their cuisine. When it comes to Caribbean cuisine, you won’t have any lack of exciting recipes and unfamiliar ingredients to try. The seafood is always fresh and delicious and plays a major role in local dishes, but there are also huge varieties of other dishes so that even someone with a less-adventurous palette will be able to find something they like.
Caribbean food itself may not be as familiar to us as something like Mexican, Italian or Chinese food. Because of this region’s history and development, the cuisine here is a unique blend of African, European, Amerindian, Chinese and East Asian traditions all swirled together to create something new. Spices are used liberally, and if you enjoy hot food, you’ll definitely enjoy many of these dishes.
7. The Variety of Islands
We tend to speak of the Caribbean as though it’s a single, cohesive region, but this could not be further from the truth. In reality, the Caribbean Sea is home to around 7,000 different islands, some belonging to the same nation or federation and some being independent entities. Many of these islands are extremely tourist-friendly and regularly welcome travelers from around the world.
The allure of this variety is that a trip to the Caribbean isn’t a trip to just one country. It gives you the opportunity to hop from island to island, sub-culture to sub-culture and one stunning landscape to another. You can experience an incredible range of diversity all while still staying right in the same small region of the world.
8. The History
If you’re a history buff, you’ll find that there’s more to these islands than just lovely beaches and beautiful sunsets. These islands are also home to centuries of history, and much of that is visible through the material culture. Many of the islands have historical sites you can visit. Tour preserved mansions and colonial-era forts as well as museums and art galleries.
For a trip that’s especially rich in history and culture, Puerto Rico, in particular, would be an excellent choice for the history-savvy traveler.
9. The Diverse Geography
Plenty of places in the world offer beautiful scenery, but there aren’t many that offer the sheer geographic diversity you’ll find in the Caribbean. Enjoy snorkeling in deep waters one day, climbing a waterfall the next, hiking through dense rainforests the day after and top it all off by summiting a mountain the next day. No matter what type of geographic landscape you want to experience, you can find it and more in the Caribbean.
10. The Spas
These days, “Caribbean” is synonymous with relaxation, rejuvenation and rest. This is because of the beautiful weather, the luxurious beaches and the glamorous resorts. Most importantly, however, this is because the Caribbean is known far and wide for its world-class spas.
People travel from around the world to relax at the spa on a beautiful and pristine Caribbean island. You will feel relaxed from the spa treatments, massages and other pampering sessions, and you’ll get the benefit of gazing out upon beautiful vistas at the same time for a complete experience that will leave you feeling recharged and ready to take on the world again.
11. The Boating
Swimming is an excellent way to pass the time in the Caribbean, but it isn’t the only way to explore the crystal-blue waters surrounding the islands. Many of these islands feature marinas equipped with luxury private yachts that you can rent to explore the many hidden coves, cliffs and beaches around the island, and even travel between islands that are close enough together.
And if private yachts aren’t your style, there are plenty of other ways to get out on the water. From sailboats and small motorboats to larger, public boat tours, there’s a boating experience for everyone in the Caribbean.
12. The Weather
For those of us who live in climates frequented by snow, ice and brutal cold, it’s no surprise that we see the Caribbean as a paradise on earth. Here, the weather is sunny, bright and clear almost every day of the year without fail, with year-round temperatures in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit. While this region will typically experience one of two major storms a year, the weather is perfect and peaceful nearly every day, with no cold weather no matter what the season.
13. The Exploration
Many places around the world are beautiful and magical, but there’s one thing only a trip to the Caribbean can give you, and that’s the sheer sense of exploration. Many islands offer regular tour groups that let you hike to remote mountains, waterfalls, rivers and rainforests. While these groups help keep you safe and return you to town in due time, they also allow you to lose yourself in nature for just a few hours as you experience the wonder of feeling utterly dwarfed and insignificant next to such magnificent natural surroundings.
14. The Accessibility
It isn't hard to get to the Caribbean. It’s just a plane ride away, and if you’re coming from the United States, it’s a short plane ride at that. Because this is such a popular vacation destination, you can often find discount packages that allow you to make it down here no matter how big or small your vacation fund might be.
Flying isn’t the only way to get to the Caribbean, however. Many people take a cruise to get here, and it isn’t hard to see why. Cruises may take longer to arrive, but the wait is well worth it, as your cruise gives you private accommodations along the way, entertainment, restaurant and bar service and so much more. The best part is that many cruises will take you on a select tour of the islands, allowing you to visit a new location each day so that you get to experience the beautiful diversity of the islands without having to choose your daily island destination.
15. The Souvenir-Shopping
No vacation or trip is complete without a souvenir to help you remember your trip for years to come. And while a souvenir can technically be anything, the Caribbean offers countless opportunities for you to shop your heart out. Nearly every port you visit will be overflowing with shops and stores of all kinds, just bursting with tempting items that would make excellent souvenirs. From open-air markets populated by local artisans to luxury designer stores, there’s a little something for everyone.
Both of these types of shops offer a very different shopping experience. If you’re looking to truly embrace the flavor and culture of the Caribbean islands, why not visit both types?
16. The Duty-Free Pricing
Whenever you shop at home, you aren’t just paying for the price of the item itself. You’re also paying sales tax, and the price of the product itself may be higher because of importation costs or additional taxes. All of this results in you almost always paying more than the item is worth — whether that’s by just a few cents or a much more significant amount. Even when you shop abroad many times, these same rules are true.
Not so in the Caribbean, however. In the Caribbean, many of the items fall under the category of duty-free pricing. This means that the price listed is the final price, and no additional taxes have been or will be added. Often, this means you can purchase items at a mere fraction of the cost it would take to buy them back home.
Visit Little Switzerland on Your Caribbean Vacation
Between the sunshine, snorkeling, beaches, spas, festivals and more, you’ll hardly need one more reason to be convinced to visit the sunny Caribbean. But there is one more reason, and it might be one of the most exciting reasons of all — the Caribbean is home to Little Switzerland.
Here at Little Switzerland, we’re excited to be known as the preeminent luxury jewelry retailer in the Caribbean. For over 60 years, we’ve been helping visitors to the Caribbean find their perfect souvenir in the form of a classic watch, a gorgeous one-of-a-kind ring or a necklace that will light up everything from the beach to the ballroom.
Best of all? We offer duty-free pricing on the world's top luxury watch and jewelry brands. We also offer a variety of financing plans so no matter how much you’re looking to spend, there’s an option for everyone to get that perfect souvenir. And when you by souvenirs from Little Switzerland, you're getting more than just a seashell that'll sit on the shelf collecting dust. You're buying a gorgeous piece of jewelry that you can wear with you wherever you go, reminding you every day of your dream vacation in the Caribbean. Even if you're not looking for a souvenir for yourself, our jewelry and watches are perfect gifts to purchase for loved ones back home, and crystal-clear ways to say, "I was thinking of you the entire trip."
We operate over 30 locations sprinkled throughout the Caribbean across 10 different islands and Key West, so no matter where your vacation takes you, there will always be a Little Switzerland near you. Find the location nearest to your destination today so you can include a visit in your Caribbean travel plans.
