For a first-time visitor, planning a Caribbean vacation can feel intimidating. With 31 countries and thousands of Caribbean islands to choose from, it’s hard to know what the best choice is. Usually, this means travelers turn to Google and end up stumbling upon forum sites like Reddit that declare their personal favorite spots to explore. This naturally leads to a bit of online debate, with people citing their favorite spots as the best. Users under the r/travel subreddit went back and forth sharing their takes, with one user recommending St. John for its beautiful beaches while another user claimed Aurba was the best spot for snorkeling. Seeing all of these conflicting takes certainly doesn’t make the decision easier.
However, Explore spoke with Laura Sangster, founder of Caribbean Journey and The Journey Group Travel, and as someone who advises travelers on Caribbean vacations daily, she has some thoughts that may be able to settle the debate. Sangster’s choice for the best first-time Caribbean visit is Turks and Caicos, because “most [first-time clients] do want the white sand beaches they’ve seen in movies,” and Turks and Caicos certainly delivers on that promise. A romantic luxury destination, the island is full of picture-perfect white sand Caribbean beaches that will make you feel like you’re in paradise.
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Other great Caribbean spots for first-timers
A beach with palm trees in Turks and Caicos – Robert Harding Video/Shutterstock
In addition to Turks and Caicos’ stunning white sand beaches, Sangster recommends the island specifically because, “It’s easy to reach from most major U.S. gateways. As a bonus, travelers can easily hop over to South Caicos for a few days to experience a quieter island that’s just beginning to shine as an emerging destination.” The ease of travel and kick-back-and-relax energy in Turks and Caicos is strong, making for a restful first-time trip to the Caribbean islands. However, these trips are not one-size-fits-all, as Sangster explains, “It’s always a challenge to recommend just one island, since every traveler’s ideal Caribbean experience looks a little different.”
So if you’re a bit more restless and are looking to get out and explore, Sangster suggests, “Some islands are best for soft eco-adventure with hiking and rainforest exploration — think St. Lucia or Dominica.” Both islands host fabulous hiking trails and are packed with unique activities you can only do in the Caribbean. Waterfalls, zipline tours, and volcanic mud baths are in abundance in these adventurous destinations. Ultimately, Sangster recommends doing some research (or consulting with her) to find out what destination works best for you and your group, but Turks and Caicos is sure to be a safe bet for first-timers.
What to consider when traveling to the Caribbean islands
A happy female tourist enjoying the view of a Caribbean island – Shansche/.
While there are lots to love about every Caribbean island, there are some things to look out for when planning your trip. Something Sangster considers when planning vacations for first-timers is the ease of travel associated with the destination. She says, “Some islands that require a longer travel day should be avoided on the first trip, as I don’t recommend arriving exhausted after such a journey.” This is why she recommends a trip to Turks and Caicos, because of its easy access for American travelers. She leans away from “Some of the smaller islands in the Grenadines, the British Virgin Islands, St. Barths, etc.,” because they “often require 1-2 flights and perhaps a boat transfer too, so they should be saved for a return visit.”
Sangster also recommends considering the tourism structure for your chosen destination. She explains, “It’s very important to our company that our clients interact with the locals and support the local economy.” This is important both economically and culturally, as “For most islands in the Caribbean, tourism drives the economy, and if you spend your entire time confined within the walls of a foreign-owned hotel, most of the trip investment cost goes offshore, and you also miss the chance to experience its genuine culture, people, and spirit.”
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Read the original article on Explore.
