Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are territories of the United States. They are located in the central Caribbean, just east of the island of Hispaniola. Because the island was once ruled by Spain, both English and Spanish are widely spoken in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has major 15th century forts, one of the largest underground cave systems in the world and the flavor and flair of Old San Juan. The U.S. Virgin Islands, with their deserted beaches and barefoot attitude, have a much more Caribbean feel. St. Thomas is the busiest island; many cruise ships dock there each day. St. Croix is more off-the-beaten path as far as tourism goes. St. John is environmentally focused, hosting the huge Virgin Islands National Park. All of the islands use the U.S. dollar as their monetary unit.
Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos are territories of Great Britain. Each island maintains a very distinct feel. Anguilla is less developed and slow-paced. The British Virgin Islands are home to several islands, including Tortola, whose motto is nature's best-kept secret. The Cayman Islands are a major diving destination and frequented by cruise ships. They are also famous for their offshore banking opportunities. Montserrat is nicknamed The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean because of its dramatic coastline and abundance of Irish descendants. Turks and Caicos are also a major diving destination, but have a much more kick-back feel than the Cayman Islands.
Anguilla and Montserrat use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, which trades at 1EC$=US$0.40 as of 2010.
The British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos use the U.S. dollar.
The Cayman Islands have their own currency, the Cayman Island Dollar, which trades 1CI$=US$1.25 as of 2010.
Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin are territories of France. With modern buildings, French culture and plenty of Caribbean fun, Guadeloupe is a wonderful mix of French and Caribbean. Even more French is the colorful island of Martinique, which is known as the Isle of Flowers. The fast pace and wild nightlife of Saint Barthelemy, better known as Saint Barts, have earned it quite a reputation among the jet set. Saint Martin is an island divided; half the island, named St. Maarten, is a Dutch territory. All of the islands use the Euro as their currency, which trades at EUR1=US$1.35 as of 2010.
Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten are territories of the Netherlands. Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire are located just above the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean. Aruba is the most visited and hosts casinos and nightlife. Curacao is home to amazing underwater scenery and focuses on nature. Bonaire's main attraction is the colonial town of Willemstad. Nature paradise Saba has a volcano surrounded by lush rain forest and an underwater scene to match. Sint Eustatius is about as off the grid as you can get in the Caribbean. Once home to the busiest port in the Caribbean, this sleepy island now welcomes mainly diving aficionados. Sint Maarten is the other half of the French island of Saint Martin. It has less infrastructure and a more laid-back, festive feel than its French neighbor.
Aruba uses the Aruban florin US$1=Afl1.80 as of 2010.
Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten use the Netherlands Antillean guilder, which trades at 1NLG=US$0.60 as of 2010.
Some of the larger independent island nations in the northern part of the Caribbean include Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica. The 600-plus islands in the Bahamas chain, most of which are uninhabited, are known for their beaches and sailing. Because of its travel ban from the U.S., Cuba is an unexplored paradise in the travel world. The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. While the Dominican Republic is known for its all-inclusive vacations, Haiti is now known for its earthquake. While Haiti slowly recovers, the Dominican Republic's beaches are still packed. Jamaica's yeah-mon attitude and reggae living have made it a popular tourist destination. St. Lucia's deep coves and lush vegetation host first-class resorts.
The islands of the Bahamas use the Bahamian dollar, which is tied to the U.S. dollar, and so trades evenly.
Cuba uses the Cuban peso, which trades about evenly with the dollar.
Dominican Republic uses the Dominican Republic peso, which trades at 1DOP=US$0.03 as of 2010.
Haiti uses the Haitian gourde, which trades at HTG100=US$2.62 as of 2010.
Jamaica uses the Jamaican dollar, which trades at 1JMD=US$0.01 as of 2010.
Some of the larger independent island nations in the eastern Caribbean include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago. The jet set is drawn to Antigua for its beaches, and Barbuda is made up entirely of one big beach. Barbados has a very English feel, hosting cricket matches and pubs. Dominica's towering peaks and lush jungle make it a popular place for nature lovers. Grenada is one of the less visited islands in the Caribbean, but has lush rain forests and deserted beaches. St. Kitts and Nevis are a popular cruise ship stop. If St. Vincent were a skipping rock, the Grenadines would be the places it plops along the water. These tiny islands are a sailors' paradise and ripe for exploring. Trinidad is known for its colorful carnival and Tobago for its colorful reef fish and locals.
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, which trades at 1EC$=US$0.40 as of 2010.
Barbados uses the Barbados Dollar, which trades at 1BD=US$0.50 as of 2010.
Trinidad and Tobago uses the Trinidad and Tobago dollar, which trades at 1TTD=US$0.16 as of 2010.
