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General Information
For information on a specific island nation in the Caribbean,
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2007 Travel Alert - Passports Needed for Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean. Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. Click here for the State Department Summary. And, if you need a passport in a hurry, because you forgot to apply months ago when you should have and your trip is almost upon you, click on Passports In A Hurry, or on Passport Visa Express!
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Wherever you go in the Caribbean, you are sure to feel the hard-earned independent spirit of the peoples that inhabit these islands. The islands are alive with the lasting African traditions that are evident in their artistic expressions of song and dance. In fact, the music of the Caribbean has influenced musical traditions all over the world. Although the area has a pretty unsettling and sometimes sordid past, the peaceful island nations today are one of the most popular tourist areas in the world. Some of the islands were captured and recaptured by various European groups more than twenty times during the Caribbean wars throughout their history. Today, the major invasion comes from the hordes of tourists that visit the area. Although the Caribbean's ever-expanding export base includes electronics, textiles, petroleum, and rum; the islands' most profitable industry is tourism, which saw its renaissance in the early 1990s. The tourism boom promoted growth in many other domestic industries such as construction and other tourism-related ventures. Click on the links below general information on the Caribbean. For information on a specific island nation in the Caribbean, click on Islands of the Caribbean.
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the list below, or on the map at the right for information about that specific island nation in
the Caribbean. Anguilla Antigua Aruba Bahamas Barbados Barbuda Bonaire British Virgin Islands Caicos Cayman Islands Cuba Curacao Dominica Dominican Republic Grenada Guadeloupe Haiti Jamaica Martinique Montserrat Netherlands Antilles Nevis Puerto Rico Saba Saint Kitts Saint Lucia Saint Maarten Saint Martin Saint Vincent and The Grenadines Trinidad Tobago Turks U.S. Virgin Islands
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Passports, Visas and
Other Travel Documents
Almost all visitors to the Caribbean should have a valid passport, and, in some
cases, from some countries, a visa. Wherever you travel in the world, a
valid passport is always the recommended and preferred form of identification
especially since international traveling involves numerous identification stops.
When you have a passport, you will find that it will most likely allow you
quick, hassle-free passage through customs and immigration checkpoints of most
Caribbean nations. Bear in mind the following passport and entry information:
►The passport application process takes a minimum of
three weeks, but you may be able to place a rush order on your passport for an
additional fee.
Passports In A Hurry! My recommendation is that you apply a couple
months in advance of your departure date.
►The application processing time greatly increases
during the spring months. The best time to renew or apply for a passport is
during the fall and winter months.
►Make two photocopies of your passport; give one copy to
someone in your native country and bring the other copy with you. Keep your
copy in your money belt, not in your suitcase or hotel room. Contact the
local authorities and your closest embassy in the Caribbean if your passport
is lost or stolen.
►To enter one of the Caribbean islands, you will need a
valid passport and a return or onward ticket unless you are a British,
Canadian, or United States citizen.
►If you are a British, Canadian or U.S. citizen, you
must only show proof of citizenship, preferably an authentic birth certificate
along with a government-issued photo ID, and a return or onward ticket.
►Certain islands may also require proof of funds
adequate to cover the duration of your stay. Be sure to check ahead first.
►Entry or re-entry into the United States now requires a
passport from any travelers (including U.S. citizens) returning from the
Caribbean. If your trip continues on to or ends in the U.S., be sure to bring
a valid passport. See
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
for additional information or visit the
Getting Away
Passports and Visa pages.
►Visas generally are not mandatory if you are an
Australian, British, Canadian, European Union, Japanese and U.S. citizen, unless
you are traveling to the Caribbean for business. Visa fees, allowances and
stipulations vary from island to island; contact an embassy or consulate for
further information.
►Each island in the Caribbean charges a departure tax. The
exact fee varies from island to island, but customs and immigration usually
accepts payment in cash only. Many airlines and cruise lines incorporate the
departure tax into the price of the air or cruise fare, but this courtesy does
not exist with all travel outlets. Check with your travel agent to determine whether or not you'll need to reserve cash for this
end-of-trip expense.
Additional information can be found at Embassies, Consulates, and Tourist Offices. Citizens of the United States who are in need of a passport in a hurry, should visit Passports In A Hurry!
Hotels, Resorts and Other Accommodations
You will find that most hotels
in the Caribbean add a government tax of approximately 7.5 percent in addition
to an average 10 to 15 percent service charge to the price of the room. You will
want to keep this in mind when you are planning. When you are quoted a price for
a room, be sure to ask if it is an all inclusive price that includes these
items. There
may be other charges for items not included with the room such as special
amenities or upgrades. High-end resorts or luxury hotels may charge surplus fees
up to or beyond 20 percent. Again, to be on the save side, ask ahead.
If your particular hotel does not add service charges to the final bill, tipping
is acceptable for employees such as bellhops and maids. Generally, Caribbean
bellhops expect $1(USD) to $2(USD) per bag as a flat rate, but this rate
increases as the class of the hotel does. A minimum tip for hotel maids is
typically $2(USD) per day, and, just as with bellhops, tipping standards may be
higher in more expensive hotels. Traveler's tip: Consider keeping smaller bills
in an easily accessible location for quick tipping.
Although tipping is pretty standard throughout the islands, many Caribbean all-inclusive hotels and resorts expressly discourage tipping. Your accommodation rate generally includes all tipping and service charges, although "all-inclusive" may mean different things at different hotels. The best bet is to consult with your travel agent, hotelier, or reservations clerk so you will understand just what is, and is not included in the price of your all-inclusive package.
For accommodations suggestions, including hotels, resorts, inns, bed and breakfast and camping, go to each of the country pages of Getting Away.
| Bahamas Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino Nassau Dominican Republic
Virgin Islands
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Getting Around
It is actually pretty easy to get around the various
islands of the Caribbean as there are numerous transportation options to suit
all tastes and budgets. Renting a car may offer the most freedom if you want to
get around the islands on your own. On many Caribbean islands, however, cars are
not recommended as your primary form of transportation due to road hazards or
local driving ordinances. Taxis or buses may be your best transportation bet if
you need a bit of help to get around. Buses are usually the most affordable type
of transportation on any island. However, as some cab drivers will provide
narrated tours for an additional fee, a taxi can also be a nice choice. Perhaps
one of the best, and surly the most interesting, is to do it on a bicycle,
scooter or motorbike. One them, not only can you do the city and town thing, but
you can try out the back roads. These are available to rent for a nominal fee.
To get from island to island, you have the basic choice of flying or taking a
ferry. Ferries are widely available and ideal for travelers who want to visit
multiple islands. Of course, if you have your own boat, getting to the different
islands is no trouble at all.
Getting
Around by Air
Ferries and
Boats
Getting
Around By Bus
Getting Around By Taxi
Driving Yourself
Getting
Around by Air
Once you’re in the Caribbean, the easiest and quickest way to get
around is to fly. To get around by air, you can choose from inter-island,
commuter, or charter planes.
Inter-island flights on major airlines will service many of the largest Caribbean islands, as well as connect travelers to other countries. This would be a good choice if you should decide to start your vacation in Puerto Rico, and later fly to Barbados or Aruba. Booking an inter-island flight is similar to booking a trip on any other international flight. You simply purchase a ticket on already scheduled flights.
Commuter flights are usually small, local airlines, or affiliates of one of the international airlines. Both types generally provide short, inexpensive service to nearby islands or towns. Commuter flights can often be somewhat more flexible than regularly scheduled inter-island carriers, but they also have established times and routes.
Charter flights allow you to completely customize your Caribbean itinerary. When you hire a local pilot, you can chart your own island-hopping vacation. Although these flights may be more expensive than other options, they give you more control over departure times, routes, and stops.
Travelers who want to see several islands should not overlook the great opportunities afforded by planes, as this is the quickest and easiest way to see the Caribbean. You can island hop by way of one of the many small Caribbean airlines. Below is a list of the airlines offering connections between major flights and local Caribbean service:
| Air Charter Bahamas |
| Air Culebra, Inc. |
| Air Guadeloupe |
| Air Jamaica |
| Air Martinique |
| Air Caraibes |
| Air St. Kitts/Nevis |
| Air St. Thomas |
| American Eagle |
| Bahamasair |
| BWIA West Indies Airways Ltd. |
| Carib Aviation Ltd. |
| Caribbean Star Airlines |
| Caribbean Wings-BVI Airlines |
| Cayman Airways |
| Cubana |
| Dominicana Airline |
| Fly BVI |
| Helicopters BVI |
| Inter Island Express |
| Island Air |
| Island Birds |
| Leeward Island Air Transportation (LIAT) |
| Mustique Airways |
| Nevis Express |
| Seaborne Airlines |
| Sky King |
| SVG Air |
| TIA 2000 |
| Turks & Caicos Islands Airlines |
| Windward Islands Airways (WINAIR) |
| Windward Express Airways |
Ferries and Boats
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting Away with all of the information. Mail To: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Getting
Around By Bus
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if
you have something you believe should be added to this section of Getting Away,
please contact Jim at Getting Away with all of the information. Mail To: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Getting Around By Taxi
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe
should be added to this section of Getting Away, please contact Jim at Getting
Away with all of the information. Mail To: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Driving Yourself
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if
you have something you believe should be added to this section of Getting Away,
please contact Jim at Getting Away with all of the information. Mail To: jimbruner@gettingaway.com
For accommodations in Martinique, click on Search by city for hotels and other accommodations in Martinique.
Information on Martinique will soon be coming to Getting Away. In the meantime, visit the page for Martinique on Wikipedia. When you click on Martinique, you will be leaving Getting Away. Please remember to come back to Getting Away. Thanks, Jim.
| At InfoHub, we believe vacation travel should be much more than just flying you to a tropical beach. Since 1996, we at InfoHub have worked hard to bring you the largest specialty travel portal on the Internet. Today, you can find over 20,000 specialty trips on InfoHub.com, covering activities from Artist Workshops to Yoga Retreats. Whatever your special interest is, you will find it right here! Plus trips you never even knew existed! We continue to expand the exciting array of travel options available by adding hundreds of out-of-the-ordinary trips every week! Our goal is to make Infohub.com "The Ultimate Source of Inspiring Travel Ideas" for your next dream trip. | ||
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If you have information you believe should be put in this area of Getting Away, please send the information to Jim. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Information on Montserrat will soon be coming to Getting Away. In the meantime, visit the page for Montserrat on Wikipedia. When you click on Montserrat, you will be leaving Getting Away. Please remember to come back to Getting Away. Thanks, Jim.
If you have information you believe should be put in this area of Getting Away, please send the information to Jim. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
For accommodations in the Netherlands Antilles, click on Search by city for hotels and other accommodations in the Netherlands Antilles.
Information on the Netherlands Antilles will soon be coming to Getting Away. In the meantime, visit the page for the Netherlands Antilles on Wikipedia. When you click on The Netherlands Antilles, you will be leaving Getting Away. Please remember to come back to Getting Away. Thanks, Jim.
| At InfoHub, we believe vacation travel should be much more than just flying you to a tropical beach. Since 1996, we at InfoHub have worked hard to bring you the largest specialty travel portal on the Internet. Today, you can find over 20,000 specialty trips on InfoHub.com, covering activities from Artist Workshops to Yoga Retreats. Whatever your special interest is, you will find it right here! Plus trips you never even knew existed! We continue to expand the exciting array of travel options available by adding hundreds of out-of-the-ordinary trips every week! Our goal is to make Infohub.com "The Ultimate Source of Inspiring Travel Ideas" for your next dream trip. | ||
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If you have information you believe should be put in this area of Getting Away, please send the information to Jim. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Information on Saba will soon be coming to Getting Away. In the meantime, visit the page for Saba on Wikipedia. When you click on Saba, you will be leaving Getting Away. Please remember to come back to Getting Away. Thanks, Jim.
If you have information you believe should be put in this area of Getting Away, please send the information to Jim. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Books, Magazines and Other Information
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Caribbean Travel & Life - Escape to the Caribbean with Caribbean Travel & Life. Visit romantic hideaways and luxurious resorts and discover secluded beaches and teeming coral reefs. This magazine helps you find your own perfect place in the sun. For additional information, or to purchase a subscription, click on Caribbean Travel & Life. You can also click on Best Deal Magazines, Magazine Unlimited Magazine Subscription Superstore, or Low Priced Magazine Subscriptions for other great prices on magazines! |
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Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel
is a travel magazine for REAL people. This magazine is not just for those of
you on a budget - it's for everyone. Each issue comes packed with articles
on affordable and enjoyable vacations to just about everywhere.
For additional information, or to purchase a
subscription, click on
Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel.
You can also click on Best Deal Magazines, Magazine Unlimited Magazine Subscription Superstore, or Low Priced Magazine Subscriptions for other great prices on magazines! |
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| At InfoHub, we believe vacation travel should be much more than just flying you to a tropical beach. Since 1996, we at InfoHub have worked hard to bring you the largest specialty travel portal on the Internet. Today, you can find over 20,000 specialty trips on InfoHub.com, covering activities from Artist Workshops to Yoga Retreats. Whatever your special interest is, you will find it right here! Plus trips you never even knew existed! We continue to expand the exciting array of travel options available by adding hundreds of out-of-the-ordinary trips every week! Our goal is to make Infohub.com "The Ultimate Source of Inspiring Travel Ideas" for your next dream trip. | ||
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