Caribbean: Tips

Holiday Travel If you're looking to travel during winter holidays like Christmas or New Year's, book as far ahead as possible (6-10 months in advance) as airlines and accommodations sell out fast. Expect to pay a small fortune.

Confirm Flight Many smaller island-hopper airlines have erratic service. Confirm your reservations a couple of days in advance--yes, we mean it--and anticipate schedule changes if the airlines don't find enough passengers to justify a previously arranged flight.

Watch your Bag Arriving at Caribbean airports can be a harrowing experience. Expect encounters with overworked (and sometimes rude) customs officials and beware “porters” who offer to “help” with your bags only to run off with them.

Just in Case Occasionally, when small planes are booked to capacity, weight requirements force airlines to ship baggage separately. Pack a day's worth of necessities in a carry on just in case, especially for St. Barts, Anguilla, Saba, St. Vincent, and Nevis.

Currency Be aware of what currency each island uses – the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, for example, deal in Euros.

Cruises Eastern Caribbean cruises are better for travelers looking to maximize ocean- and shop-time, while Western cruises are better for diving and snorkeling aficionados. Southern Caribbean cruises tend to be longer and offer a mix of the two.

Jazz Festivals Barbados is renowned for its annual Jazzfest each January, while the Dominican Republic hosts show-stopping acts in October.  St. Lucia hosts a superb jazz festival as well, usually at the beginning of May.

Easily Accessible The easiest islands to reach via nonstop service include the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

Travel Effort Islands that are off the beaten track require a connecting flight from one of the main Caribbean gateways like San Juan, St. Maarten, and Montego Bay.