Think white sands, palm trees, rippling blue seas and hot sun - and you've got the Caribbean, more than 7,000 islands, reefs and coasts dotted around the Caribbean Sea. From gorgeous Barbados to funky Cuba, there's an ideal spot for everyone and it's affordable too.
With hundreds of package deals to choose from: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico especially are accessible. Your best budget-wise month is May - as prices triple from mid-December to April.
With hundreds of package deals to choose from: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico especially are accessible. Your best budget-wise month is May - as prices triple from mid-December to April.
Caribbean beaches
For a taster, there's Little Bay on Anguilla, with clear waters and powder sand beaches. Johnson's Point on Antigua has great views at sunset and the snorkelling's really good at Pigeon Point near Falmouth Harbour.
Pink Sand Beach in the Bahamas is so-called because red plankton's mixed in with the sand. Crane Beach on Barbados has great swimming, clear water and superb white sands, Varadero on Cuba (on the Straits of Florida) has about 20km of clean beaches and clear waters and is near to lively Havana.
There's Negril and Seven Mile beaches on Jamaica. Tulum (overlooked by Mayan ruins), Playa del Carmen and Cozumel in Mexico and bustling Accra Beach on the south coast of Barbados.
For a taster, there's Little Bay on Anguilla, with clear waters and powder sand beaches. Johnson's Point on Antigua has great views at sunset and the snorkelling's really good at Pigeon Point near Falmouth Harbour.
Pink Sand Beach in the Bahamas is so-called because red plankton's mixed in with the sand. Crane Beach on Barbados has great swimming, clear water and superb white sands, Varadero on Cuba (on the Straits of Florida) has about 20km of clean beaches and clear waters and is near to lively Havana.
There's Negril and Seven Mile beaches on Jamaica. Tulum (overlooked by Mayan ruins), Playa del Carmen and Cozumel in Mexico and bustling Accra Beach on the south coast of Barbados.
Caribbean sightseeing
In Mexico, visit bustling Mexico City before heading for the Baja California coastline and Mayan ruins of Teotihuacan. The Dominican Republic's capital Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial district is fascinating and partying to merengue music is a must.
Jamaica's the place to chill and enjoy a reggae beat. Visit the Bob Marley Museum in his former home in capital Kingston, the National Gallery and the bustling market. If you're into flowers - and hiking - head to the Blue Mountains from June to September?
Cuba's capital Havana's a bustling city filled with colonial treasures - and nature lovers and families will enjoy the Gran Parque Nacional Sirra Maestra.
On Barbados join a Barbados National Trust hike, hire a horse in Mullins Bay or head to capital Bridgetown for its nightlife.
Head to Grenada and St Lucia for rainforest, to Tobago for diving and Antigua for superb beaches. Twitchers will love Trinidad and history buffs will be drawn to Antigua's many colonial forts.
In Mexico, visit bustling Mexico City before heading for the Baja California coastline and Mayan ruins of Teotihuacan. The Dominican Republic's capital Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial district is fascinating and partying to merengue music is a must.
Jamaica's the place to chill and enjoy a reggae beat. Visit the Bob Marley Museum in his former home in capital Kingston, the National Gallery and the bustling market. If you're into flowers - and hiking - head to the Blue Mountains from June to September?
Cuba's capital Havana's a bustling city filled with colonial treasures - and nature lovers and families will enjoy the Gran Parque Nacional Sirra Maestra.
On Barbados join a Barbados National Trust hike, hire a horse in Mullins Bay or head to capital Bridgetown for its nightlife.
Head to Grenada and St Lucia for rainforest, to Tobago for diving and Antigua for superb beaches. Twitchers will love Trinidad and history buffs will be drawn to Antigua's many colonial forts.
Family attractions in the Caribbean
Swimming, watersports and diving can all be enjoyed here and most big resorts and hotels will offer a creche or kids programme. There is also plenty of opportunity for nature treks and wildlife spotting.
On Trinidad and Tobago, they'll love the glass-bottomed boat trip to Buccoo Reef, on St Lucia there's a kids summer programme and on Antigua they'll love the Jolly Roger Cruise.Day trips around the Caribbean
Head for Mount Coubrail Estate, a coconut and cocoa plantation on the mainland from St Lucia or nearby Pigeon Island. In Nassau go on a boat trip to the Exuma Cays or head to the Buccoo Reef from Tobago.
If you're on St Kitts head for the volcanic peaks of Mt Liamuiga or head to the arid interior if you're on Aruba.
Swimming, watersports and diving can all be enjoyed here and most big resorts and hotels will offer a creche or kids programme. There is also plenty of opportunity for nature treks and wildlife spotting.
On Trinidad and Tobago, they'll love the glass-bottomed boat trip to Buccoo Reef, on St Lucia there's a kids summer programme and on Antigua they'll love the Jolly Roger Cruise.Day trips around the Caribbean
Head for Mount Coubrail Estate, a coconut and cocoa plantation on the mainland from St Lucia or nearby Pigeon Island. In Nassau go on a boat trip to the Exuma Cays or head to the Buccoo Reef from Tobago.
If you're on St Kitts head for the volcanic peaks of Mt Liamuiga or head to the arid interior if you're on Aruba.
Eating out in the Caribbean
Many hotels and resorts offer buffet meals and full English breakfasts etc. Fast food - including beef and veggie patties - are readily available. Look out for ackee, a yellow fruit, and salt fish in Jamaica. And of course there's Jerk chicken or pork, marinated in spices and peppers.
In Trinidad try a doubles, made out of two rounds of fried dough, filled with curried chickpeas in a spicy sauce, and in Guyana try a Pepperpot - a pork, beef or lamb stew flavoured with peppers, thyme, chillies and cassareep (grated cassava, brown sugar and cinnamon).
On Barbados there's flying fish filled with a paste of peppers, thyme and onions and then grilled or fried. Try it with a side dish of sweet potato or rice.
In Mexico and Cuba look for dishes strongly influenced by chillies and peppers.
Many hotels and resorts offer buffet meals and full English breakfasts etc. Fast food - including beef and veggie patties - are readily available. Look out for ackee, a yellow fruit, and salt fish in Jamaica. And of course there's Jerk chicken or pork, marinated in spices and peppers.
In Trinidad try a doubles, made out of two rounds of fried dough, filled with curried chickpeas in a spicy sauce, and in Guyana try a Pepperpot - a pork, beef or lamb stew flavoured with peppers, thyme, chillies and cassareep (grated cassava, brown sugar and cinnamon).
On Barbados there's flying fish filled with a paste of peppers, thyme and onions and then grilled or fried. Try it with a side dish of sweet potato or rice.
In Mexico and Cuba look for dishes strongly influenced by chillies and peppers.
Nightlife in the Caribbean
You'll find reggae, merengue, jazz and even rock music on offer. If you're after English-style pubs, Barbados is well supplied or you could enjoy a reggae and rum sunset cruise.
Aruba's well-known for its nightlife, including Vegas-style big shows at its casinos and themed entertainment at its resorts. Partying is endemic on the Dominican Republic and Jamaica but research your night spot as some can get quite rough. In Havana it's all about salsa and tangos. Join the locals in an all-night party in Vedado or La Habana Vieja. Expect much of the same in Mexico, with jazz and mariachi music too.
You'll find reggae, merengue, jazz and even rock music on offer. If you're after English-style pubs, Barbados is well supplied or you could enjoy a reggae and rum sunset cruise.
Aruba's well-known for its nightlife, including Vegas-style big shows at its casinos and themed entertainment at its resorts. Partying is endemic on the Dominican Republic and Jamaica but research your night spot as some can get quite rough. In Havana it's all about salsa and tangos. Join the locals in an all-night party in Vedado or La Habana Vieja. Expect much of the same in Mexico, with jazz and mariachi music too.
Shopping in the Caribbean
Mexico has superb clothing, jewellery and leather bags - head to the markets or smaller villages. In Cuba, it's Havana for its markets in La Habana Vieja and the Gran Teatro de la Habana, and St Martin and St Thomas are particularly good for duty-free shopping.
Mexico has superb clothing, jewellery and leather bags - head to the markets or smaller villages. In Cuba, it's Havana for its markets in La Habana Vieja and the Gran Teatro de la Habana, and St Martin and St Thomas are particularly good for duty-free shopping.
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