VHR, WORLDWIDE

About The CARIBBEAN

     The Caribbean is a region populated by separate island nations that form an arc along Cuba's and Hispanola's (Haiti + Dominican Republic) south coast, the eastern shores of Mexico and Latin America, and the northern countries of South America, in a body of water known as the Caribbean Sea.  Within this collection of diverse countries, each one has its own rhythm, ambiance, style.  Some are fast-paced while others are laid back.  Some have majestic mountains, rain forests and waterfalls; others are impressive sandbars ringed by spectacular sugary-sand beaches.  Regardless of their topography, these islands offer a host of activity, history, music and often a distinctive cuisine. Their exotic appeal on land is matched only by the fascinating underwater scenery found just offshore.

     There's no such thing as a 'typical' Caribbean island.  Each has its own personality, language, lineage.  Even among multi-island countries (e.g. Antigua & Barbuda, the BVIs, the Cayman Islands, St. Kitts + Nevis, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, the USVIs), you will find some of them to be surprisingly urban and others mostly undeveloped.  Certain islands (e.g. Jamaica, St. Martin/Sint Maarten) have distinctly different sections.  The first step of planning what will be a flawless Caribbean trip - leisure or business - is to communicate with a VHR, WORLDWIDE Villa Specialist who will successfully match your expectations with the idyllic atmosphere for you. 

     To help you choose the Caribbean destination that provides the ideal atmosphere for what you seek, we've made a list of the key attractions (islands are listed in alphabetical order).  Please be reminded that The Bahamas is NOT part of the Caribbean (neither are the Turk & Caicos, geographically, but they are included here to simplify matters) and have their own section on the website.  If beaches, boatin, and fishing are your 'thing', then check out The Bahamas as these islands excel in those categories.  Here goes: 

Best Swimming Beaches:  There are so many beautiful beaches in the Caribbean that it is challenging to note just a few favorites.  Here are our top picks for the 'true' beach person:  Anguilla (Meads Bay, Maundays Bay, and Shoal Bay East), Barbados (Accra/Rockley, Bath, Dover Beach, Gibbes, Mullins), Cayman Islands (Seven Mile Beach), Cuba (Cayo Coco, Playa Paraiso and Playa Sirena), Dominican Republic (Bavaro, Juanillo, Macao and Cayo Arena), Grenada (Grand Anse and Sandy Island), Turks and Caicos (Grace Bay), and U.S. Virgin Islands (Magens on St. Thomas).  

Best Surfing Beaches:  Barbados (Crane, Bathsheba's 'Soup Bowl', Silver Sands, Dominican Republic (Cabarete and Sosua)  

Best Duty-free Shopping:  Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, Sint Maarten, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Best Golf:  Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix & St. Thomas).

Best Gourmet Dining:  Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Puerto Rico, St. Barths, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, U.S. Virgin Islands.  

Best Nightlife:  Aruba, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Barths, Sint Maarten, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Best Scuba Diving:  British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire), St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos.

Best Snorkeling:  British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire), St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Turks & Caicos.

Caribbean Art and Handicrafts:  Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Martin, Trinidad & Tobago.

Casino Gambling:  Antigua, Aruba, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, Sint Maarten, U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix).

(Most) Celebrity Sightings:  Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, St. Barths, Turks & Caicos.

Culture and Style:  Barbados, Jamaica, St. Barths, St. Martin, Trinidad & Tobago.

Natural Beauty:  Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Martinique, St. Kitts, St. Vincent & The Grenadines.

Scenic Beauty:  British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, St. Barths, St. Lucia.

     Many of the Caribbean islands are close enough to each other that combining a visit to more than one during a week's vacation or longer is easily attained.  Some great "duos" are:

Puerto Rico and just about anywhere in the Caribbean 

Saint Martin/Sint Maarten and Anguilla

Saint Martin/Sint Maarten and St. Barths

Saint Martin/Sint Maarten and St. Kitts

St. Thomas and St. John (both USVIs)

St. Thomas and Tortola (BVIs)

Tortola and Virgin Gorda (both BVIs)

     San Juan (Puerto Rico), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), and Montego Bay (Jamaica) are major hubs in the Caribbean.  Your VHR, WORLDWIDE Villa Specialist can combine these destinations with others of your choice, effortlessly.

     Simply let us know what attributes make up the perfect vacation, destination wedding or business venue for you, and we will do the rest!  Or feel free to explore the destinations and properties we represent by clicking on the appropriate flag (to the right).  Please be aware that, currently, our website showcases only a small sample of the many beautiful accommodations in each destination that VHR, WORLDWIDE offers for rent.  We will be delighted to recommend other properties not featured yet when you share your requirements with us.