Caribbean

All our articles about Caribbean.

White sand and calm turquoise water at Eagle Beach on Aruba under a clear blue sky
Caribbean

Best Time to Visit the Caribbean, and the Truth About Hurricane Season

The temperature hardly changes all year, yet prices, crowds, rain and storm risk do. Here is how the Caribbean calendar really works, month by month and island by island, from Carnival in February to the quiet, cheap weeks of September.

The short runway of Gustaf III Airport on Saint Barts seen from the hill, with small planes parked and Saint-Jean Bay behind
Caribbean

Getting Around the Caribbean: Airports, Ferries and Island Hops

Short ferry rides, tiny planes, fixed taxi fares and islands that drive on the left: moving between Caribbean islands takes more planning than flying in. Here is how the main gateways and island hops actually work.

White sand, beach umbrellas and loungers on Grace Bay, Providenciales, with a tour boat on turquoise water
Money & Tipping

Tipping in the Caribbean: How Much to Tip, Island by Island

A 15 percent line already on the bill, a resort that forbids tips, a law that sets the gratuity for you. Tipping in the Caribbean changes from island to island, and the habits from home do not always fit.

White sand and turquoise water along Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, with beach umbrellas and hotels under a blue sky
Safety

Is the Caribbean Safe? Crime, Hurricanes, Bugs and Sharks

The Caribbean is not one destination but more than two dozen, and the risks range from street crime in a few cities to rip currents, dengue mosquitoes and a beach tree you should never touch. Here is an honest, island by island look at what to watch out for.

Panoramic view over Gustavia harbor on Saint Barts, with red roofs, anchored boats and green hills under a blue sky
Caribbean

Who Owns the Caribbean? Flags, Languages and Passports by Island

Some Caribbean islands are independent nations, others are part of France, the Netherlands, Britain or the United States. Here is who runs which island, and what that means for your passport, your wallet and the side of the road you drive on.

Wide white sand beach at Orient Bay on Saint Martin with turquoise water and small islands on the horizon
Caribbean

Which Caribbean Island Is Right for You? An Honest Match-Up

French cafés under a volcano, Dutch dive sites you can drive to, quiet British beaches or San Juan nightlife: the Caribbean islands are far more different than the brochures suggest. Here is how to find the one that fits your trip.

Colorful colonial buildings along the Handelskade waterfront in Willemstad, Curaçao, under a blue sky
Money & Tipping

Caribbean Money Guide: Currencies, Cards and Costs, Island by Island

Barbados dollars, EC dollars, euros, florins and a guilder that only arrived in 2025: the Caribbean runs on a dozen currencies. Here is how to pay on each island without losing money on the way, and where your budget goes furthest.