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Top 5 Caribbean Vacations That Are Not to Be Missed

Every year as the cool weather of winter starts rolling in, potential vacationers begin dreaming of the warm, clear ocean waters and sandy beaches of a tropical paradise. This year, quit dreaming and make your fantasy of a relaxing island getaway a reality with a luxurious Caribbean vacation.

Offering some of the world's most consistently beautiful weather, an amazing variety of tropical flora and fauna, fun filled island cultures and spectacular vistas, the islands of the Caribbean are an amazing place to vacation. Before you book the trip of your dreams, learn a little bit about what 5 of the most popular Caribbean destinations have to offer.

Puerto Rico

Known for its fun loving locals and incredible geographic diversity, Puerto Rico is one of the Caribbean's most accessible and exciting places to spend your vacation. With dozens of top of the line luxury hotels and resorts clustered near bustling San Juan, you'll have no trouble finding a spectacular place to stay—as long as you book early!

Excursions around the island abound in Puerto Rico, from back country guided tours of the tropical rainforest or unique mangroves to scuba diving through crystal clear waters with some of the most colorful and diverse underwater ecosystems in the world. Trips to San Juan offer up all night parties and dancing at popular clubs while protected sandy beaches provide a peaceful refuge during the day.

Aruba

Located just north of the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and maintains a distinct blend of European and native cultures. One of the southernmost islands in the Caribbean Sea, Aruba enjoys the same dry, warm climate as its neighbors but lies outside of the hurricane belt.

Home to plenty of its own world class resort villages, casinos and nightclubs, Aruba has a reputation for being a haven for fun loving vacationers. Because of its relatively dry climate, the island lacks the rainforests of its neighbors, but boasts some of the world's most beautiful white sand beaches. Many visitors spend their days lounging by the sea while taking advantage of a special blend of European and Latin American cuisine in the evening before partying the night away.

Jamaica

Well known for its laid back lifestyles and gorgeous palm lined beaches, Jamaica has plenty to offer eager travelers. Once the staging grounds for Spanish conquistadors, the haven of ruthless pirates and the workhorse of the British Empire, Jamaica's storied past has evolved into an interesting blend of cultures punctuated by reggae, Rastafarians and rum.

A beautiful place to spend a honeymoon or romantic getaway, Jamaica's mountainous interior provides a breathtaking backdrop as well as an exciting alternative to its quiet, pristine beaches. Visitors often get a closer look at the terrain with guided ATV or horseback tours. Other travelers spend lots of time at local shops and boutiques or trying their hand at a bit of scuba diving along the fauna-filled shoreline. A romantic tropical paradise, Jamaica may be the perfect place for your next vacation.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is located on the eastern half of the island of Hispanola, visited and named by Columbus during his first foray to the New World. Known for its fun loving, festive and hospitable inhabitants, the Dominican Republic enjoys the same perfect climate as its sister islands but boasts a truly dramatic and breathtaking geographic landscape.

Offering some of the most affordable accommodations in the Caribbean, many visitors pack their first rate resorts year round. While some resorts are situated atop rugged ocean side cliffs jutting out of the sea, virtually all of them offer private access to pristine white sand beaches.

Bahamas

Last but not least, the Bahamas, an island chain and nation located just east of Florida, is one of the most visitor friendly destinations in the Caribbean. English is the predominant language in the Bahamas, where its heritage as an English colony is still evident. This vibrant nation is a fun lover's dream come true and activities abound both on land and in the water.

Boating, sailing and otherwise, is a favorite national pastime in the Bahamas and there are plenty of island tours and dolphin sighting expeditions available daily. Many visitors try their hands and feet at scuba diving the warm waters while other prefer to enjoy the pristine natural environment on dry land.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a tried and true homebody, the Caribbean is a beautiful and exotic destination worth visiting at least once in your life. With each island's distinct culture, breathtaking scenery and warm ocean breezes, you'll swear you've landed in paradise itself. Take a few moments now to research and book the Caribbean vacation of your dreams so you're not left dreaming through the cold this winter.

About the Author

Lauren O'Leary is a freelance writer who writes about travel and leisure topics and options such as cruise vacations.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 5:19 am and is filed under bedding. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.