INTRODUCTION

Before we start examining the individual islands, let's look at the region as a whole. The Caribbean spans an area that stretches over 2,000 miles east to west and 1,000 miles north to south, starting just off the coast of Florida and reaching down to the coast of South America.

This part of the world is blessed with year-round sunshine, with water warmed by Caribbean currents and shores cooled by gentle trade winds. Winter and summer temperatures differ by only a few degrees.

Geography

The islands arch out like a cracking whip, with the largest islands to the west and the small islands to the east, curving on down to South America and ending with a "snap" back to the west at the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.

The whole formation of islands is referred to as the Antilles, usually divided into the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles. The Greater Antilles, as the name suggests, are the Caribbean's largest islands: Cuba, Hispaniola (an island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. The term Lesser Antilles encompasses the other islands.

Often, the area is just divided up into the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The Eastern islands are the same as the Lesser Antilles; the Western Caribbean is the Greater Antilles and the Cayman Islands.

The multiple names given to this region is your first hint at the diversity the Caribbean boasts. In researching and writing this book, we traveled to the Caribbean every few weeks and many friends asked us, "Are you getting bored visiting the same area again and again?" Besides the fact that it would be pretty tough to tire of perfect weather, postcard-pretty scenes, and a sea as clear as glass, the Caribbean holds an endless fascination for us, and hopefully for you, because it offers so many different types of experiences.

Although every one of these countries is an island surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, they differ in many ways. The political structures range from crown colonies to independent nations. Some islands span hundreds of square miles; others can be covered by bicycle in a single afternoon. Languages vary as well; English, Spanish, French, Dutch, and even a beautiful mélange of languages called Papiamento greet visitors, though you'll find that English is spoken in just about every resort area.

Although technically not part of the Caribbean, the Bahamas share its azure waters and perpetual summer. Bermuda is also beyond the Caribbean's reaches, though it, too, offers a romantic island atmosphere.

How Do You Say....

The Caribbean contains a few tongue twisters. So you can sound like a local, here's how to say some of the toughest:

Anguilla an-GWIL-a
Antigua an-TEE-ga
Barbuda bar-BOO-da
Nevis NEE-vis
Saba SAH-buh
Statia STAY-sha
St. Barths St. Barts
St. Croix St. Kroy
St. Lucia St. LOU-sha
Getting Started

Okay, it's time to make some decisions. Which island will you choose? It's a question that only the two of you can answer, based on your own personal tastes. Do you want high-rise luxury or Robinson Crusoe-type seclusion? Glitzy dinner shows or evening serenades from tiny tree frogs? Days spent shopping, snorkeling, scuba diving, or just sunning on a sandy beach?

When friends ask us for help in selecting a destination, we advise them to first identify their preferences. We sometimes like the bustling atmosphere of busy islands like Jamaica, St. Thomas, or Puerto Rico; other times we long for the serenity of St. Kitts, Nevis, or Virgin Gorda.

To help you make this major decision, begin by asking yourself these questions:

• Is our budget a major factor in our choice?
• Will this be a quick three- or four-day getaway or a leisurely vacation of a week or more?
• Do we enjoy casino gambling and shows?
• Are we looking for luxurious accommodations?
• Would we prefer the convenience of an all-inclusive resort?
• Do we want to rent a car and explore on our own?
• What activities are most important to us? Snorkeling? Scuba? Tennis? Windsurfing? Sailing? Hiking? Shopping?
• Do we want a lush, tropical environment?
• Do we want white sand beaches? Nude beaches?
• Do we want the simplicity of remaining on US turf or would we rather experience a different culture?
  

Sit down together and consider your answers. Then take a look at your choices.