Vacation on the Caribbean doesn’t have to be all about sunbathing and sipping cocktails on the beach. You can do so much more like: snorkeling, biking, mountain climbing, exploring wildlife and scenery, zip lining, you name it and the Caribbean has got it. The trick to enjoying in what is perhaps the world’s best and most celebrated holiday region is to know where to get which activity. Here is a list of the top 10 things to do in the Caribbean, including activities to enjoy here, and where to get the most memorable experience.
Top 10 things to do in the Caribbean
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Snorkeling
That first dive is special for everyone, and Curacao in the Dutch Caribbean is the best possible location. The island itself is a vibrant place, but it is the sea life that will blow your mind. Enjoy brightly colored corals, flounders, and even the popular barracuda, especially at night.
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Hiking
For hikers, Dominica is the place to visit. It is covered in dense rainforests with impressive trails, waterfalls, and a boiling lake. Hiking holidays here are best enjoyed in a small group, with guides present that know all the best picturesque spots.
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Biking
The Cuban Revolutions tour is a biker’s dream; with participants going to places most tours never cover. Granted, it will require the biker to push some physical limits, but passing through exciting routes like the coast on the west of Santiago de Cuba and Sierra Maestra mountains will be all worth it in the end.
Cycling through Cuba: Photo on Flickr by Pedro Szekely / CC BY-SA 2.0
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Zip-lining
Visit Labadee, Haiti for what are hands down the most impressive Zip-line experience in the world. From a height of about 500 feet, you get to slide down about 2500 feet over the water, enjoying the amazing beach views and finally landing on the Dragon’s Breath Rock below.
Zip-line in Labadee, Haiti: Photo on Flickr by k1ng / CC BY-SA 2.0
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Kitesurfing
The Dominican Republic is the ideal place to go for kitesurfing and windsurfing. It has the best wind conditions, especially in February and March and between May and August. The reef protected waters here also add to the general laid-back mood.
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Wildlife
No tourist visit is complete without a little food for the eyes. The array of wildlife in Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago’s autonomous island will leave you breathless. Here, you will meet such animals as the leatherback turtle, the Southern Stingray, the Trinidadian guppy and the Mantis shrimp.
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Kayaking
Like many activities in the Bahamas, Kayaking here will leave you craving for more. For the best experience, go to the Andros Island of the Bahamas, especially the Fresh Creek area.
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Sailing
There is no shortage of locations to sail in the Caribbean, but the British Virgin Islands stands out and has even been called the world’s sailing capital by a few. The winds here are almost always consistent, and with the many islands, you can easily hop from one to another while enjoying the sea.
Sailing on Antigua in the West Indies
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Enjoy Caribbean cuisine
The Caribbean cuisine has something to offer for even the most delicate buds. Who can resist fresh seafood, just picked tropical fruit, and exotic spices? The Caribbean cuisine is a mixture of colonial presences in the region such as British, American, Spanish, and French. If you want to enjoy local food then choose larger islands like Puerto Rico and Jamaica, and if you are more to European and Asian style then choose smaller islands like St. Bart.
Kebabs and Spicy Jerk Chicken grilling in Jamaica
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Party
A little party never hurts, and Jamaica is definitely the go-to party location in the Caribbean. Enjoy the perfect combination of tranquility, dramatic sunsets and legendary parties.
The Caribbean is the best holiday location. You will almost always enjoy every island, but finding the perfect place for every activity will give you the best ever active holiday experience.