Choose a Caribbean holiday for the ultimate paradise getaway

Which places should I visit?

Most people choose a Caribbean holiday for the weather and perfect tropical beaches. Shoal Bay in Anguilla regularly tops the list of best beaches in the world. With three kilometres of pinkish-white sand, it's not hard to see why. It's the perfect place for relaxation, or taking part in the snorkelling, kayaking, and other water sports on offer.

One of the more affordable Caribbean holiday destinations is the Dominican Republic. Head to the Punta Cana area for the perfect combination of modern resort facilities and palm-fringed beaches. Punta Cana has some of the island's best water sports facilities, 10 world-class golf courses, and fine dining restaurants by the resort's marina.

Best time of year for a Caribbean holiday

The peak months for Caribbean holidays are between December and April, when the weather in Europe is often cold and wet. Some of the best value trips are available in November, May, and June when the beaches are less crowded but the temperatures still hover between 24°C and 29°C. If you're flexible about when you travel and where you go, a trip to the Caribbean isn't as expensive as you might think.

Choosing a Caribbean cruise

Most Caribbean cruises involve a flight to Florida to join your ship, a week or two cruising the region, and then another flight back to Europe. Choosing a cruise holiday will allow you to explore a different Caribbean nations on almost every day of your trip. Each cruise line offers different itineraries, with the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Virgin Islands being popular stopping-off points. If you choose a cruise to the Western Caribbean, ports include the Mexican coast, Costa Rica, or Panama. Shore excursions can take you to the Mayan ruins at Tulum, coffee plantations in Costa Rica, or the famous canal zone in Panama.

The historic side of the Caribbean

If you enjoy combining lying on the beach with a bit of sightseeing, then the Caribbean has plenty of historic places to see. Explore some of the best preserved Mayan ruins in the region on Mexico's Caribbean coast, or on the island of Cozumel. The capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, is UNESCO-listed due to its historical significance. Stroll through the 17th-century colonial buildings around the old port. Willemstad, on the island of Curacao, is picture postcard-perfect with brightly coloured buildings dating from the city's founding as a Dutch trading post.