Regions / Experiences - The Caribbean
Beaches
There are lots of beautiful beaches, but the right one for you will depend on your preferences. Long walks across an expansive stretch of sand you'll find the Bahamas, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, Barbados and Aruba to your liking. For pretty cove beaches, consider the Virgin Islands (US and British), St Barth, Antigua, St Vincent and the Grenadines. If you like a more wild, jungly beach environment, and some variation in your sand and its color, St. Lucia, Martinique, Grenada and the Dominican Republic all offer good options. Some islands, like Dominica and Guadeloupe, actually don't have many beaches, so be sure to do your homework on this point before selecting your destination.
Natural Environment
Not all islands are covered in dense jungle, jagged mountains and hidden waterfalls. If you desire that "exotic," tropical island feel, consider places like St. Lucia, St. John, Grenada, Guadeloupe, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
Local Culture
On most islands, the local culture developed over many years by mixing various cultures from elsewhere, including Africa, Europe and Latin America. Some, like St. Barts, St. Martin and Martinique have a strong European flavor, while Barbados is more British in character. The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico are tops for Latin culture. Prefer a festive "rum and reggae" environment? Consider Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago.
Activities
One thing that most Caribbean islands have in common is access to a great variety of water activities. Some locations, like the Caymans, St. Croix and Bonaire, are renowned for scuba diving. For championship golf, head to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico. These same islands are also good for sightseeing and in-land activities like hiking and biking, primarily because they are physically larger and more diverse than many of their neighbors. Feeling adventurous? Get outside and get dirty on Grenada, Guadeloupe, Tobago, Dominica or the Dominican Republic.
Nightlife
On some islands, "nightlife" simply consists of a quiet drink at the resort bar. On others it can entail clubbing, bar hopping or casino gambling. For those who like to roll the dice, consider Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Aruba and the Bahamas. For chic evenings, à la St. Tropez, St Barth is the place. For island-style partying, head to Barbados, Jamaica, or St. Thomas.
Privacy
On most islands, it's possible to find a quiet spot that offers relative seclusion. However, if you really want to "get away from it all," choose a less touristed location or even a private island. Great escapes: the Grenadines, St. Lucia, St. John, Nevis, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos, Guadeloupe, Petit St. Vincent, Vieques, and the out islands of the Bahamas.
Accommodations
For many honeymooners and other travelers, where they stay is more important than all other criteria combined. In the Caribbean, you will find a wide range of lodging options, including full-service resorts, plantation-style inns, all-inclusives and private villas. Some cater to adults while others tend to attract families. Not all islands offer all types. Islands with good all inclusive options, for example are Jamaica, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Antigua and Aruba. Inns are popular in St Kitts and Nevis, as well as in the Grenadines. Private villas are everywhere, although particularly well represented in St Barth, Anguilla and St Martin / St. Maarten. You'll find large full service resorts throughout the region.
There are other factors to take into consideration as well, including dining preferences, travel logistics, language and of course, costs. Ultimately, the right Caribbean honeymoon will come down to your personal priorities and budget.
