1. Summary 2. Highlights 3. Culture 4. Getting In 5. Geography 6. Health 7. Communications

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edit Caribbean Travel Guide

The islands of the Caribbean Sea or West Indies are an extensive archipelago in the far west of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly strung between North and South America. They've long been known as a resort vacation destination for honeymooners and retirees, but a small movement toward eco-tourism and backpacking has started to open up the Caribbean to more independent travel. With year-round good weather (with the minor exception of hurricane season in the late summer and early fall), promotional air fares from Europe and North America, and hundreds of islands to explore, the Caribbean offers something for almost everyone

edit Highlights

Go Sailing and find your very own island to hang out on. With over 7000 islands the Caribbean is probably the best sailing destination in the world. It has warm water, consistent trade winds, and the idyllic, secluded beaches just waiting to be explored. While just about anywher in the caribbean can be great, the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands are probably the best jump off point.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Surfing. Winter in the Caribbean means waves that march their way down from cold storms that form off of North America. The caribbean can be a perfect escape to catch those waves in bath tub like water. And while you'd be surprised at the nooks and crannies that offer surf all throughout the Caribbean, your best best are the Rincon area of Puerto Rico, the Abacos in the Bahamas, and the northeast coast of Barbados

edit Culture

Background

The Caribbean islands were first inhabited by the Arawak Indians, then were invaded by a more aggressive tribe, the Caribs (to whome the Caribbean is named after). Unfortunately, the Caribs could not appreciate their victory for long, for the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British, colonised their lands. The islands have known many historic battles - and more than a few pirate stories

edit Getting In

By Plane

From Europe to:
Antigua and Barbuda (ANU) from London (LGW),Manchester (MAN) by BA, BMI, Virgin, XL and from Frankfurt (FRA) by Condor
Barbados, Bridgetown (BGI) from London, Manchaster by Virgin, BA, Caribbean Airlines, XL and from Frankfurt by Condor
Cuba from London (LGW)by Virgin, Air Jamaica, from Madrid (MAD) by Iberia, from Paris (CDG) by Air France and from all three by Cubana
Saint Lucia, Hewanorra (UVF) from London (LGW) by Virgin, BA, Caribbean Airlines and from Manchester (MAN) by Virgin
Martinique Fort-de-France (FDF) from Paris by Air France, Air Caribes (cheapest from Germany ?)
Tobago (TAB), from London (LGW) by BA, Virgin, XL and from Frankfurt (FRA) by Condor
Trinidad, Port-of-Spain (POS) from London by Caribbean Airlines
Turks & Caicos Islands (PLS), from London (LHR) through Nassau, Bahamas

Airlines:
Air Caraibes: from Paris to Guadeloupe, Martinique
Air France: from Paris to Guadeloupe, Martinique
Air Jamaica: London to Jamaica and Cuba
British Airways: from London (LGW) to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Tobago and from Manchaster to Saint Lucia
Caribbean Airlines: from London to Barbados, Saint Lucia, London - Antigua, Belfast - Tobago (see BWIA Route map)
Condor/Thomas Cook: from Frankfurt (FRA), see Condor Route map
Cubana: To Cuba from Madrid, Paris, London
Virgin Atlantic: from London to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Havana, Jamaica, St Lucia, Tobago and from Manchester to Barbados and St Lucia
XL: from London to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts, St Lucia, Tobago

edit Geography

Greater Antilles

The westernmost islands, to the west and southwest of Florida, are mostly relatively large (hence the name). The following islands make up the Greater Antilles: Cuba, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic (eastern Hispaniola), Haiti (western Hispaniola), Puerto Rico, and Navassa Island (uninhabited wildlife refuge).

Lesser Antilles

Between Florida, the Greater Antilles and the north coast of South America are dozens of small tropical islands. The following islands make up the Lesser Antilles: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados (the "little England" of the Caribbean), Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Los Roques, Margarita, Martinique (the "little France" of the Caribbean), Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin/Saint Maarten, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Andres and Providencia, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Virgin Islands.

Other Caribbean Regions

While these countries are not "technically" in the Caribbean Basin they are closely and associated with the area and are "caribbean in feel". (In some cases they even belong to Caribbean Chambers of Commerce.)

The Bahamas - a cluster of islands north of the Greater Antilles and southeast of Florida.
Turks and Caicos Islands - a cluster of islands south of the Bahamas
Bermuda - some distance to the north of the Caribbean, but commonly associated with the region.
Parts of South America, Central America, Mexico, and the United States have shorelines – and islands – in the Caribbean.

edit Health

Food and Water

It is advised to check whether the country you are traveling to has potable water or not as this varies as to what island you are on.

edit Communications

Internet

Depending on what Island you are on Internet ranges from abundant to non-existant, generally the more touristy an Island is the more likely they are to have easily accessible Internet.