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You’re all-inclusive packages to the islands and can’t wait to get there. The Caribbean offers everything you can imagine. Beautiful beaches, world-class resorts, fantastic cuisine, and a fun and friendly culture that make you want to visit there and never leave.
If this is your first time visiting, be prepared to fall in love. But there are a few tips that you should know before pulling the trigger and booking your trip. These practical tips will help you to make your dream vacation a reality and run as smoothly as possible.
Which Island?
The first question you should ask yourself is which island to visit. And trust me there are tons of options. To answer this question, you need to dive a little deeper into your vacation plans. Are you traveling with your family, including young children?
The island and resort you would book at are vastly different than the trip you would book with a group of friends ready to party or a romantic getaway with your significant other. Pay careful attention to the booking details (for instance, some resorts are adult only) and make sure the activities they offer are suited to your vacation needs.
Consider All-Inclusive
When looking at resort options, it is easy to pass over all-inclusive packages as they may seem expensive. But all-inclusive resorts are fantastic! In almost every case you will save money. You have to consider that in the Caribbean prices are so much higher than at home.
Even the price of a gallon of milk can be shocking. So if you are planning on eating on a budget, you may have a difficult time of it. And don’t think just because the food and drinks are included that they are subpar. There are some fantastic restaurants offered at many Caribbean all-inclusive resorts, with plenty of options to satisfy even the most sophisticated of palates.
It is much easier to budget for vacation when you don’t have the variable costs of meals and activities. Many all-inclusive resorts have amazing pools, swim-up bars, and even included activities like snorkeling, surfing and more.
When to Travel
Timing is a huge issue when planning a Caribbean vacation. There can be arguments made for traveling both in peak and out of season. When traveling in peak season which runs from mid-December to mid-April, you will definitely pay a premium. The flights are going to be more expensive, and the resorts are going to charge more. This is a beautiful time to visit though, so if it’s in your budget, go for it.
Traveling in the offseason will reward you with budget-friendly airfare and steep discounts on resort bookings. While this may sound like the way to go, hurricane season needs to be taken in to account. The last thing you want to do is pay money and book your dream vacation only to have it cut short by a hurricane, or spend the entire trip in the room due to bad weather. If you opt to go this route, make sure you can be flexible with your travel dates and make sure you purchase insurance to keep your money safe in the event you are unable to travel.
Pack Sunscreen
Nearly everything is more expensive in the Caribbean. Even if you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, there are small things that can cost tons of money. Sunscreen is one of them. Because the Caribbean is much closer to the equator than your home base, if you skimp on the sunscreen, you will burn. And no one wants to begin their vacation with an uncomfortable sunburn. When you are at the beach in the Caribbean, you will need to apply sunscreen more frequently than you would at home. You will also want to go with a higher SPF. So, when you think you have packed enough sunscreen, pack more.
Conclusion
The Caribbean is a fantastic vacation destination. With over 7000 islands in the Caribbean, no two vacations are alike. Once you have vacationed at on island and enjoyed it, you will want to sample what the other islands have to offer. Even try out different resorts. If you are especially adventurous, book a multi-island vacation to sample a little of everything. Follow these tips to maximize your ideal holiday, get the most out of your dream Caribbean adventure, and most importantly have fun making memories!