12 Things Tourists Should Never Do When Visiting the Caribbean
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The Caribbean is one of the world’s most beautiful places to visit. It offers travelers an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life in a tropical paradise jam-packed with white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, coral reefs teeming with marine life, and authentic Caribbean towns bursting with culture. However, as remarkable as the Caribbean is, it takes careful planning to plan the perfect trip.
To start with, there are many things you should never do during your vacation. To learn more, here are 12 things tourists should never do when visiting the Caribbean. Avoid making these mistakes if you want to enjoy a relaxed, unforgettable, and trouble-free trip to the Caribbean.
Assume Every Island’s the Same
We’ll start with one of the biggest mistakes you can make during your trip to the Caribbean. When planning a trip to this beautiful part of the world, you should never assume all the islands are the same. While it can be tempting to lump every island into one destination, the truth couldn’t be any different.
There are approximately 700 islands in the Caribbean, almost all offering something unique. What you’ll experience in an expensive 5-star resort in Barbados is worlds apart from the vast rainforests you’ll encounter in Dominica. Discounting the islands’ distinctive aspects or assuming you’ve seen it all would be foolish because you’ll miss out on so much.
Read also: Must-Visit Beaches in the Caribbean
Never Leave the All-Inclusive Resort
Similarly, if you never leave your all-inclusive resort, you’ll miss out on rich cultures, unique traditions, fascinating attractions, and diverse people. The Caribbean has thousands of resorts that offer everything you need to enjoy a luxurious vacation in paradise. However, they can’t show you the authentic Caribbean. You have to find that yourself.
While sitting poolside every day can be the perfect way to relax and unwind, you should make a conscious effort to leave your resort and explore the nearby surroundings every time you travel to a new island. Walk through the neighborhood, discover local eateries, visit famous landmarks, and shop in authentic Caribbean markets to experience the real Caribbean.
Read also: Visa-Free Caribbean Destinations
Only Book All-Inclusive Resorts
The Caribbean is famed for its luxurious, all-inclusive resorts, which are generally the best and easiest accommodation option, particularly for families and large groups of friends. However, they aren’t always the best choice. Furthermore, staying somewhere different can provide you with more authentic travel memories.
If you’re a solo traveler, a family with older kids, or a couple, you could stay in smaller boutique hotels, Airbnbs, and guesthouses run by local families. By not staying in an all-inclusive resort, you can stay in the heart of a Caribbean community, try somewhere new to eat every night, and potentially find a more affordable deal. Of course, you’ll also be supporting the local community.
Read also: Top Luxuy Resorts in the Caribbean
Stick to One Island
Island hopping in the Caribbean is a great way to see and experience more. Better yet, you only need a day or two to do it. While the thought of island hopping sounds costly and time-consuming, you’ll be surprised by how quick, easy, and affordable it is. Often, you can catch a cheap ferry from one island to the next.
For example, a ferry service runs daily between St. Kitts and neighboring Nevis. That means you can easily experience what both islands offer in one vacation. Airport links also connect many islands in the Caribbean. Generally, flying is a more costly mode of transport, but it allows you to travel further quicker.
Read also: Untouched Caribbean Islands
Not Eat Local Food
We don’t know about you, but one of the things we love most about traveling is experiencing the unique tastes and flavors of the new countries we visit. However, if you stay in an all-inclusive resort, it’s all too easy not to try local cuisine in the Caribbean. After all, all the food you ever need is available at arm’s reach, and it’s included in the price of your stay.
Try to eat away from your hotel and somewhere local at least twice during your trip. The Caribbean offers a wide range of food unique to each island’s culture and history, so it would be a shame not to try it. Eating locally is also essential to the local communities that rely heavily on tourism.
Read also: Incredible Hidden Beaches in the Caribbean
Never Visiting Outside of the High Season
Just because the high season is the best time to visit the Caribbean doesn’t mean it’s the only time worth visiting. It also doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the most suitable time to visit. Yes, visiting the Caribbean in the high season (January to March) has its perks – the best weather, more flights, and more going on – but it’s also the most expensive.
Therefore, don’t be afraid to consider the off-season, too. Avoiding peak travel times and calendar holidays often means better flight and hotel deals and fewer crowds. Plus, the Caribbean’s weather is generally sunny and warm year-round, so you won’t miss the good weather.
Read also: Top Romantic Caribbean Island
Take Things Too Fast
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One of the most common mistakes first-time visitors to the Caribbean make is taking things too fast. Whether you like it or not, you’re on island time in the Caribbean. Life in the Caribbean moves much slower, so don’t expect to arrive and hurry around like you’re in New York because the islands won’t move with you.
With that in mind, relax, take it easy, and be more flexible with your itinerary. Leave plenty of time between activities and meals to enjoy your surroundings and the laid-back lifestyle the Caribbean permits. To take things slower, we recommend planning one or two activities daily and setting the rest of the day aside to relax.
Read also: Spectacular Hiking Trails in the Caribbean
Expect a Strong Phone Signal
Generally speaking, most Caribbean islands are well-modernized and have strong cell signals. However, a strong signal isn’t guaranteed everywhere, so make sure you aren’t entirely reliant on it. To make matters worse, Wi-Fi can be hit or miss depending on where you’re visiting and staying.
If you need Wi-Fi or cell signal as much as possible, you should research the best place to stay first to avoid any disappointment. However, in our opinion, sometimes going without a cell signal and Wi-Fi is a positive because it forces you to unplug and enjoy your surroundings. So, switch off from your analog life, grab a cocktail at a beachfront bar, and relax.
Read also: Insta-Worthy Spots in the Caribbean
Drink Tap Water
Depending on where you travel, it’s safer to drink bottled water than straight from a tap. While the tap water in most Caribbean countries is deemed safe to drink, some have questionable water. For example, you should avoid drinking tap water in Mexico, Haiti, and remote areas of Jamaica.
If you drink too much tap water containing bacteria, you could ruin your vacation by contracting a nasty stomach bug. The easiest solution is to buy plastic water bottles, but you could also save plastic by carrying a reusable bottle that you can fill up at a designated water station.
Read also: Amazing Sunset Viewing Spots in the Caribbean
Not Using Sunscreen
It might sound super simple, but you’ll be surprised by the number of people who don’t wear sunscreen on vacation. This is a massive mistake in the Caribbean because you’ll quickly burn. In summer, temperatures across the Caribbean consistently reach 86°F
(30°C) and clear skies leave you exposed to the sun all day.
Therefore, applying sunscreen every few hours is crucial to avoid burning. You’ll even need sunscreen in the Caribbean in winter, as temperatures still hover above 68°F (20°C). However, it’s worth noting that you should use sunscreen that’s free from pollutants because many Caribbean islands have banned sunscreens containing certain ingredients to protect marine life. We recommend purchasing sunscreen free from oxybenzone, octocrylene, and octinoxate.
Read also: Family Vacation Destinations in the Caribbean
Assume Everywhere Is Safe
Because the Caribbean is widely considered a luxury vacation destination, it’s easy to forget that most islands have the same problems as anywhere else, if not worse. At the end of the day, the Caribbean, like anywhere else, has its problems, so don’t assume everywhere you visit is safe.
Instead, you should always remain vigilant when venturing to new places, especially at night. Always trust your gut instinct, don’t flash your valuables, and don’t walk in remote neighborhoods at night. Of course, some islands in the Caribbean don’t have any issues, but it’s always worth being careful. Some Caribbean countries with high crime rates include Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Haiti, and Belize.
Read also: Hidden Gems in the Caribbean
Swim With Captive Dolphins
The thought of swimming with dolphins and having a photograph taken with Splashy the dolphin is fun and memorable. However, you’ll think otherwise when you learn the truth behind swimming with dolphins in captivity. The Humane Society of the United States strongly condemns swimming with marine mammals in captivity because it can harm both mammals and people.
The Humane Society reports that while companies that offer such activities claim it’s perfectly safe for dolphins, the truth is very different. Dolphins’ very nature makes them unsuitable for confinement. In the wild, dolphins might swim for hundreds of miles without stopping. In captivity, they are restricted, controlled, and used for entertainment. Swimming with dolphins is very popular in Jamaica, so avoid it at all costs.
Read also: Budget-Friendly Caribbean Islands
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not cool to support swimming with captive dolphins. we gotta treat our ocean friends better than that. wish more people realized 🙁
is it really that bad if the places take care of the dolphins though?
it’s about freedom, dolphins shouldn’t be in pools to begin with.
Sticking to one island during your trip can indeed be a great experience.
Your information is not accurate……
The Bahamas 🇧🇸consists of 🇧🇸 700 Bahamian Islands and keys……. Make sure to RECOGNIZE THAT and stop ignoring that fact.
THE BAHAMAS 🇧🇸 CONSISTS OF 🇧🇸700 BAHAMIAN ISLANDS & KEYS.♥️🇧🇸
never thought to ask, but is drinking tap water really that bad on islands? i always figured it was clean everywhere lol
It really depends on the island. Some have clean tap water, but others, not so much. Always best to check local advisories!