You may think if you have been to one Caribbean island that you have been to them all. However, this is not true; each island has its own flare and flavor. If you prefer a Latin American or Spanish feel, consider staying at a resort on the Riviera Maya, in Belize or in the Dominican Republic. Reggae fans and those who want to be on a busy island should consider staying in Jamaica. Americans who do not want to obtain a passport will enjoy visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. For a European flair, head to French Martinique or St. Maarten.
The Caribbean is home to all-inclusive resorts for couples, families and singles. The FDR resort in Jamaica even has special weeks for single parents -- families who stay there are assigned their own nanny when they check in. Beaches Negril (beaches.com) is another family-friendly resort in Jamaica. If you are traveling as a couple, consider staying at a Sandals (sandals.com) resort, which caters to couples, in Jamaica, St. Lucia or Antigua. Although you can find single-friendly all-inclusive resorts throughout the Caribbean, the Hedonism resorts (hedonism.com) in Jamaica and the LaSource (lasource.com) resort in Grenada offer singles an adults-only atmosphere.
The Caribbean remains warm and inviting all year long, however you should be careful about booking a trip during hurricane season, which lasts from July to November. Choose to make last-minute plans if the weather looks stable or invest in trip insurance in the event that you must cancel. Singles and couples who want to enjoy a child-free vacation should stay at an adults-only resort during the holidays and spring break, which are peak travel times for families.
Whether you choose to stay at a budget or a luxury all-inclusive resort, you will find many satisfying amenities. All resorts have a main dining room and usually one or two other options. Dreams (dreamsresorts.com) resorts located on Riviera Maya offer at least six dining options, while Sandals offers up to 12 at some of their resorts. Most all-inclusive resorts offer fitness facilities, unlimited water sports on the beach, multiple pools with a swim-up bar or two and a hot tub.
