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caribbean:
general info
· travel advisories
· getting there
· getting around
when to go
· history
· scuba diving
· beaches
· hostels
tours
· things to do
· duty free shopping
· pirates
· links
· read reviews
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From the UK
The Caribbean is well served from the UK, both by charter and scheduled flights. The transatlantic flights take 8 or 9 hours and with the time change you can usually arrive in good time to catch flights to almost all the Caribbean islands or just to settle down and watch the sunset. There is no reason to fly via the US unless you particularly want to. Fares are at their peak around Christmas, and between July and September - this is slightly curious because it doesn't coincide with the Caribbean's own high season (winter in the northern hemisphere), which runs from January to April.
The main hubs for travel from the UK are Jamaica, San Juan, Antigua, Barbados and Trinidad, but many other islands have connections on scheduled or charter services.
From Europe
Scheduled fares are expensive but they can often be discounted. There are also a number of European charter operators which offer discounted rates.
From the USA
Fares from the USA vary little from one carrier to another. The seasons are strictly observed: mid- December to mid-April is high season, late June to mid-September is the summer peak, and the rest of the year is low season. Charter flights are also available through travel agents and this may mean as much as a third off the scheduled price - check your newspapers and your travel agent.
By Sea
A popular way of travelling around the Caribbean is by cruise liner, which enables
you to visit as many as four or five different islands in a week, without the
hassle of delayed flights or even packing your suitcase. Most depart from Miami
or Fort Lauderdale and a few are based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They sail all
year round.
The possibilities of independent travel to the Caribbean by sea are more limited
and may not be convenient anyway because of the time involved. However, many cargo
ships make the crossing to the Caribbean and Central and South American and some
take passengers. It no longer seems possible to work a passage out to the islands,
even swabbing the decks, unless you have a merchant marine card.
A large number of yachts make the Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean towards the
end of the year - after spending the summer in the Mediterranean - arriving in
time for the winter sailing season. You might be able to pick up a yacht on the
south coast of Britain, in the south of France, in Gibraltar, or even in the Canaries
any time from September. Try the yacht club notice boards and yachting magazines.
If you know of a great destination we're missing,
review it for us!!
If you're gonna travel abroad, make sure you are prepared... take it from us, travel insurance is an absolute must!
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