Whether you are planning a relaxing holiday, a honeymoon or even a wedding ceremony, you should seriously consider the Caribbean as a destination. It’s not just for those who love to lounge on the beaches either. There is something for everyone, even if you are an adrenaline junkie. Fishing, diving, snorkeling, trekking and sailing are just some of the holiday delights you can experience here.

Many people think the Caribbean is a single country, but in actual fact, it is a collection of islands and countries that all fall under the description the ‘Caribbean’. With each island and country you will find a unique culture that belongs to them, rather than an overall culture. This means you will see a variety of architectural styles, music and food when traveling between each one. Because of the earlier colonization of the Caribbean, you will find many cultural influences from the Dutch, British, Hispanic and Gallic cultures. The terrain will change also, with some places having rainforests and mountains, and others having beaches and lagoons.

Where you choose to stay will depend largely on your budget and what type of holiday you wish to experience. Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels, to guesthouses and B&Bs, so there is something there for any budget. If you are traveling with your family, it is a good idea to take a look at the all inclusive family resorts. This type of resort offers three meals a day as part of the booking price, as well as non-alcoholic and most alcoholic beverages. Often these all inclusive resorts will also include a number of activities as part of the package, such as various water sports. It is important when booking your accommodation to make sure the resort you choose is suitable for children, as some will only cater for adult holidaymakers.

Another benefit of an all inclusive resort is that they provide a lot of activities and entertainment options for children. This is fabulous if you want to spend some quality time with your spouse, knowing that the children are well looked after and occupied. These resorts are a good venue for a wedding, with plenty of rooms for your guests, a spectacular Caribbean backdrop for your photographs, and catering to suit any wedding party. Your travel agent will be able to recommend the best all inclusive resort for your needs.

If you are looking for a cheap Caribbean holiday, there are plenty of options for you as well. For the intrepid traveler, there are a variety of guesthouses, B&Bs and cheaper small hotels. These can offer exceptionally good deals during the off season as well, so if a budget needs to be adhered to, you may want to consider traveling during that period of time. Bear in mind that a lot of these types of accommodations will need to be booked directly by you rather than an agent, and this also results in a lower cost.

Accommodation options throughout the Caribbean include:
• Luxury Hotels
• All Inclusive Family Resorts
• All Inclusive Resorts
• Guest Houses
• B&Bs
• Villas
• 4-star Hotels
• 3-star Hotels
• 2-star Hotels
• Boutique Hotels

The cheapest and most popular destination in the Caribbean is Cancun. Although this is not an island destination, it does have a large amount of resort areas to choose from. Flights to and from Cancun from just about anywhere are generally very cheap. Therefore Cancun is a very popular place for those on a tight budget, including students who will often flock there during spring break. It really is a cheap trip for those who want a relaxing holiday at a reasonable cost.

Probably the most known destination is Barbados, which can still be a cheap holiday though not quite as cheap as Cancun. Barbados is world famous for the glorious white sand beaches and is a very tourist-oriented place. Accommodation can vary from the luxurious to the 3-star beach resorts. Because it has become more geared up for the tourist, it may not be a truly exotic place to stay as some of the more remote areas and islands. In saying that though, you would be hard pressed to find someone who did not enjoy his or her stay in fabulous Barbados.

If Jamaica is a place you’d love to visit, you should consider traveling to Negril, which is located about an hour and a half from Montego Bay Airport. Here you will find a wide variety of accommodation options, from the cheaper 2-star hotels to the all inclusive resorts and luxury hotels. There is something for everyone’s budget, which is why this is one of the most popular places in the Caribbean for holidaymakers.

St. Lucia is one of the more remote areas of the Caribbean, with lush rainforests and mountainous areas. It is often a regular stop for cruise holidays, and is it a very well priced destination for those who can attain reasonable airfares. It can often be strangely expensive to fly to St. Lucia, so many won’t travel here unless the airfares are on special. However, once you are there, you will not be disappointed with what St. Lucia has to offer.

When you first start planning your Caribbean holiday, make sure you search thoroughly for any deals that may be going at the time. Often there are good flight, accommodation or activity deals that can be found if you look. If you are booking through an agency, make sure they are instructed to watch for last minute deals as well, to ensure you have the best possible holiday experience at the best value. Be careful with last minute travel deals though. Sometimes these can be more expensive, especially if you have to book your holiday at short notice. Also, unless you are an experienced traveler, you may find it confusing and daunting to be traveling somewhere at the last minute without really knowing where you are going, where you are staying, and what you will be doing once you get there.