The Insider's Guide to the Top Caribbean Island Destinations

There's a Caribbean island for just about everyone. Here are a few of the most popular ones:

St. Thomas - The American Riviera

Although very popular and populated, St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands is must to visit at least once. Accommodations include inexpensive guest houses, mid range hotels to 4 and 5 star resorts and luxury condos. Magen's Bay with it's heart-shaped beach is rated one of the most beautiful and romantic. Coki Beach is the best for snorkeling. St Thomas has many fine restaurants and duty-free shopping.

St. John - An Underwater State Park

Pristine, undeveloped and laid-back, St John has America's only underwater state park and over 100 beautiful, uncrowded beaches. Trunk Bay has an underwater snorkel trail with signs indicating different coral and fish species. Accommodations range from campsites to guest houses to one or two luxury resorts. There's little or no night life and it's shopping can't compete with nearby St. Thomas. St. John is for relaxing and enjoying nature.

Paradise Island & Nassau - Where The Action Is

Beautiful white sandy beaches, large resorts like Atlantis, nightlife and gambling, plus family activities ... that's what Nassau and Paradise Island offer just 45 minutes off the coast of Florida. See your travel agent or the internet for great package deals.

Tortola, British and Very Laid Back

Tortola is the crown jewel of the British Virgin Islands. Known for it's beautiful beaches and British ambiance, it's the perfect island for a relaxing vacation in a nice guest house or hotel. Tortola is very conservative. Don't expect bikini-clad beauties and non-stop nightlife. If you like fine dining, afternoon tea, diving and watersports and relaxation, this is the island for you.

Jamaica, The Party Island

Fun for singles and families alike. Negril Beach offers a 7 mile strip of beautiful white sandy beaches with hotels, all-inclusive resorts, bars and restaurants in all price ranges. Montego Bay,aka MoBa, is where to stay for music and nightlife. The beaches are ok but not as beautiful as other areas. Ocho Rios has beautiful beaches, nice hotels and all-inclusive resorts. Kingston, the capital, is not for visitors.

Grand Cayman Island - Great For Families

Hotels in all price ranges line the beautiful, sandy 7 mile beach. There are lots of tourist attractions including Sting Ray City where you can feed and swim with giant sting rays.

Aruba - Where It Never Rains

Constant warm tropical winds keep the bugs and rain away. Beautiful beach several miles long is lined with fine hotels, casinos and condo-time shares. Great restaurants, nightlife and activities for families.

Barbados - Flying Fish, Calypso and Rum

Very British yet very Caribbean. The Caribbean coast has beautiful, calm sandy beaches and hotels ranging from guest houses to luxury resorts. Atlantic Coast has cliffs and strong surf with excellent wind surfing and surfing. Enjoy great dining and calypso music. Nightlife is hotel centered with the exception of clubs in St. Lawrence Gap. Definitely try a flying fish sandwich with Banks Beer or Mount Gay or Cockspur Rum.

St. Vincent - Black and White Sand Beaches, A Rain Forest and Volcano

St Vincent is lush and beautiful with mostly soft black volcanic sand beaches.offering great diving and snorkeling. Rain forest has beautiful waterfalls and eco-tourism opportunities. Hotels tend to be simple and family-oriented, except for Young Island, a luxury private resort just off the coast.

St Lucia - A Romantic South Seas Island In The Caribbean

It's twin Piton Peaks make St Lucia resemble Tahiti or Bora-Bora. With beautiful white sandy beaches, great snorkeling and diving, eco-tourism, fine dining, music festivals and world-class hotels, it's perfect for honeymooners, couples and families alike.

Bon Voyage.