The Facts
Currency: There are 13 different currencies across the Caribbean. The American Dollar is widely accepted, except in Cuba.
Time Zone: GMT - 4 to -5
Introduction
Its hard not linger over pristine powder soft beaches, arching palm trees and azure blue waters licked by the murmuring breeze of the trade winds. Sunshine and paradise aside there's even more to this archipelago region with 32 very different nations each swimming in this sea of bliss.
There's reggae and salsa, seafood and spicy stews, a history of piracy as well as colonial control and the darker legacy of the slave trade. It's full of colour and celebration where tropical flowers and birds burst onto the scene and residents know how to have a good time celebrating a host of annual festivals like Junkanoo. For the highs there are lows. Climb the verdant green Pico Duarte in the Dominican Republic, the highest mountain in the Caribbean at 3098m or explore those myriad turquoise depths by strapping on air tank and diving into them. There's nothing quite like being castaway in the Caribbean.
Where To Go:
The Caribbean is a region consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands and the surrounding coasts. The region is located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north of South America. This archipelago, 4,020 kilometres in length and up to 257 kilometres wide, contains more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays
What To Eat & Drink:
- The Caribbean is best known for its big, hearty stews and curries blended with spices, coconut milk and hot peppers.
- Jerk chicken is seasoned with spices and reminiscent of Louisiana Creole cuisine.
- Goat curry is tomato-based stew, made with goat meat, breadfruit, green pawpaw (papaya), and dumplings (also known as "droppers").
- Conch fritters are made by creating a batter of the chopped meat, seasonings and dough, and then deep-fried.
- A Cook-up, or Pelau, combines a variety of meats like chicken, beef, pig-tail, saltfish and or pigeon peas or vegetables with rice.
- Callaloo is a soup-like dish containing leafy vegetables and okra.
- Rum punch is a popular fruit drenched cocktail.
Unmissable Caribbean
5 things you really should do in the Caribbean
1.Take to the high seas
With over 32 different key island nations to explore cruising the azure waters that surround them means you can live like Captain Jack. Choose from a chartered yacht to a tall ship. The British Virgin Islands are often heralded as one of the finest and most protected regions.
www.synergyyachting.com
2.Go Below
Dazzling waters, an array of tropical fish as well as interesting wrecks make the Caribbean one of the best places in the world to dive.
http://www.regal-diving.co.uk
3. Marvel at the Carnival
Learn how to party Caribbean style. There are a host of colourful festivals to choose from like Nassau's music jumping Junkanoo and Dominica's colourful carnival.
http://www.dominicacarnival.com
www.junkanoo.com
4. Soak in a sunset
Kick back on an idyllic beach where turquoise waters stretch infinitely before you and watch the sun drop off the edge of the earth. A rum punch or a margarita can add to the Caribbean magic.
5. See green
Hunt out the surf and find some clean green waves. With warm waters and tropical sunshine wetsuits can be left behind. Barbados is one of the most popular islands open to the Atlantic swells but there are other breaks in the Caribbean chain. Favourable trade winds make windsurfing another ideal watersport to try.
www.caribbeansurfpr.com
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