The Caribbean is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the world, with its vibrant cultures, unspoiled natural beauty and of course, great weather. Each area of the Caribbean has its own history and influence, which can result in an incredible melting pot of traditional, cuisine, music and more.
We all know the most obvious regions of the Caribbean like Barbados and the Bahamas, but there’s so much more to this part of the world. Whether you’ve visited before or it’s on your bucket list, you’d be amazed at just how much of the Caribbean there is to discover.
With that in mind, let us take you on our very own tour of this beautiful area of the globe, not forgetting the chance to visit it thanks to our expansive choice of Caribbean cruise itineraries.
Where is the Caribbean Sea?
The Caribbean Sea is right next to the Atlantic Ocean, just southeast of the Gulf of Mexico. If that doesn’t mean much to you, let us explain. You’ll find the Caribbean Sea off the east coast of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and just north of Venezuela.
It’s not until you zoom closer into a map of the Caribbean Sea that you realise just how many islands it’s home to, which makes up a huge part of the magic of this region. The sea itself actually covers an area of over 1,000,000 square miles!
What Countries are in the Caribbean?
Since the Caribbean is rather widespread, it can sometimes be confusing to know just how many countries are classed as the Caribbean. However, it’s commonly thought that there are 26 countries in this part of the world. So, let’s have a look at where you’ll find them and how they are organised!
You’ll find the Caribbean is split into two larger regions, known as the Antilles. The term ‘Antilia’ referred to mythical lands found somewhere in the Atlantic, west of Europe. When Christopher Colombos landed in the Bahamas in 1492 and claimed it for the Spanish, the Spanish term ‘Antillas’ was attributed to these new lands.
The Greater Antilles
The Caribbean can be broken down into two subcategories of islands. The Greater Antilles refers to the larger islands in the Caribbean Sea. These include Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Haiti and Dominican Republic, two countries that share one island. Some sources also recognise the Cayman Islands as part of the Greater Antilles too.
Cuba: Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean Sea, and also has an incredibly complex history. Home to Havana rum, Cuban cigars and Ernest Hemmingway, it’s a place of rich culture and stunning scenery. As with most of Caribbean, it’s best visited between November and April, where there’s minimal rainfall and warmer temperatures.
Puerto Rico: Sandwiched between the Dominican Republic and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico is actually a territory of the United States. However, you’ll find a lot of the locals speak Spanish. Puerto Rico is home to almost 300 miles of beautiful coastline, and the El Yunque rainforest. Fun fact for you – the piña colada was invented right here!
Jamaica: Famed as the birthplace of reggae music, Jamaica is a bustling island with thrilling adventure, vibrant culture and lush landscapes. It’s known for its carnival atmosphere and laidback people – what more could you ask for?
Haiti and Dominican Republic: Both Haiti and Dominican Republic share the island Hispaniola, but they are two distinct countries. The Dominican Republic is home to an incredibly diverse landscape, not to mention its fascinating colonial history and white sand beaches.
The Lesser Antilles
With the above in mind then, the Lesser Antilles refers to the smaller islands in the Caribbean. This can be broken down even further to the Leeward Islands and Windward Islands. The Leeward Islands includes the northern territories, including Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.
The Windward Islands, on the other hand, includes the southern regions such as Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Antigua and Barbuda: A twin-island nation, Antigua and Barbuda are both known for reef-lined beaches, rainforests and even pink sand! With World Heritage-listed sites and national parks, there’s equal measure of relaxation and adventure to take advantage of.
St. Kitts and Nevis: Another dual-island nation, Saint Kitts and Nevis is home to true Caribbean laidback energy. Nicknamed Sugar City due to the sugar cane plants, you’ll find 18 miles of rainforests, mountains and beaches. St. Kitts is the smallest country in the Caribbean, but it more than makes up for it with its thriving cultural hubs.
Anguilla: Tucked away in the eastern region of the Caribbean, Anguilla isn’t the usual destination of choice for travellers but that really shouldn’t be the case. It’s known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, together with amazing hospitality and exciting festivals.
British Virgin Islands: There are a collection of around 60 islands in the British Virgin Islands, but the 4 largest ones are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. The British Virgin Islands are known as some of the world’s great sailing destinations, as well as having stunning coastlines. The British Virgin Islands is also private island territory – Richard Branson has a number of playgrounds here.
Dominica: Located just south of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica is known for its natural hot springs and tropical rainforests. It’s the most heavily forested island within the Lesser Antilles, giving you the chance to spot a huge array of wildlife. It’s the perfect island to reconnect with nature and spend some quality time in the great outdoors.
St. Lucia: Home to dramatic mountains, volcanic beaches and fishing villages, St. Lucia is an island of adventure and romance. It’s the only sovereign nation named for a woman, and here you can soak up the sun on white beaches, indulge in island cuisine or explore abandoned sugar plantations.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: With a rich history in sailing and even pirates, these days St. Vincent and the Grenadines offers a laidback and peaceful pace of life. You’ll find unique black sand beaches and an active volcano, giving you the chance to discover some of the world’s natural wonders.
All Caribbean Territories
If you’re blown away by the number of incredible destinations we’ve covered across the Caribbean, then you’ll be pleased to know that’s not all of them. Here we’ve listed all the countries in the Caribbean to give you a comprehensive insight… Where will you visit next?
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- The British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Netherlands Antilles
- Puerto Rico
- St Barts
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Martin
- St Vincent
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos
So, if you were considering a cruise around the Caribbean, we hope this has opened your eyes to the simply incredible choice of destinations. While the likes of Barbados, Jamaica and Antigua are usually the go-to holidays, there is so much more to discover and explore. Check out our very own cruise deals here and get ready for the holiday of a lifetime.