Caribbean Vacations

The history of the islands of the Caribbean produces almost as many surprises as the islands themselves. Pirates and planters, slaves and scalawags, soldiers and sailors all played a role in shaping the way the islands are today.

Some of the islands were settled more than 6,000 years ago by a people known as the Ciboneys. Eventually, they were joined by the Arawaks, and finally, about 800 years ago, by Carib peoples. Although a few descendants of these original natives survive, most were killed off by disease and war brought by the Europeans. While Christopher Columbus claimed the area for Spain, within 150 years of the discovery, the English, French, and Dutch had also staked out strongholds. The Swedes and Danes had outposts in the Caribbean as well. And because the Europeans brought in African slaves to work their plantations after the native peoples died out, there is a strong African influence throughout the region.

What to Expect

While most of the islands have beautiful beaches, some are more accessible than others, and the color of the sand can range from dazzling white to midnight black. Most of these islands began as volcanoes, so they are often quite hilly and rocky. Some get a great deal of rain and thus have lush rain forests, while others are relatively dry. Some are well-developed and eager for tourist dollars. Others see few tourists, and have few facilities for visitors. On the whole, however, the people are friendly and eager to share their way of life with foreigners.

Caribbean Climate

The islands are invariably warm, with temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit winter and summer. Autumn is considered to be the rainy season. There tend to be more mosquitoes then than at other times of the year. Winter is generally dry. It is also the most crowded tourist season, as North Americans come south to getaway from the cold. Not surprisingly, hotels tend to charge their highest rates during the winter.

Travel Documents

Regulations vary from place to place. While it is useful to have a passport, many governments allow travelers to prove their identity with a birth certificate containing a raised seal. Travelers should inquire about these matters before leaving home. Currencies vary from island to island. The U.S. dollar is legal tender in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in the British Virgin Islands. Some countries use the Eastern Caribbean dollar as their legal tender. Islands that are part of France use the Euro. Some countries issue their own currency.