Tips and advice from M. Timothy O'Keefe,
author of Caribbean Hiking; contributor to National Geographic Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations and Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine.

Come on a journey with me, Tim O'Keefe, to discover what the real islands of the Caribbean taste like, what they sound like and how they feel, including their mud and their thorns.

Every island is distinctive, with its own attractions, its own culture. That's why I find the region so endlessly fascinating.

One of the best ways to experience any Caribbean island is to hike the countryside. That's where the real people--and the genuine culture--reside.

Let's get to the essentials:

1) When is the best time to visit the Caribbean? Depends on what you want to do, the weather and your wallet.

2) Where to stay Lots of options from world class luxury hotels to small guesthouses. In addition, Europeans will find a Caribbean vacation a bargain right now.

3) How friendly are the people? Attitude is everything. On one Caribbean island, it stinks. Why vacation there?

4) Aren't all Caribbean islands alike? Here's a Caribbean vacation sampler to illustrate how truly different the islands are.

5) Where are the Caribbean's best beaches? Excellent question. Some islands have almost none. A Caribbean vacation without a beach? Yes!

6) Where is the best Caribbean hiking? You can go Caribbean cloud walking or hike a hundred feet below sea level. (NOTE: I have the Web's most complete listing & description of Caribbean hikes and walks available anywhere. Click on the island of your choice to discover them. Or go to www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk for a softbound copy of my book, Caribbean Hiking.)

7) Where is the Caribbean's best shopping? Some islands have turned it into an art form. Don't overlook the spices & hot sauces.

8) Where is the best Caribbean scuba diving? Depends on your skill level and what you expect to see.

9) Who throws the Caribbean's biggest parties? They're called Carnivals. Everyone has one of these blowouts.

10) Where can you see animals in the Caribbean? Want to feed a shark? Pet a dolphin? Watch nesting sea turtles? Here's where to go, including birding and manatee viewing.

11) Best of the Caribbean: A short list of the absolute bests in the Caribbean.

NEW! Compare Caribbean cruise prices with the top online agencies. See which ships cruise the Caribbean and how much they cost.

New! Caribbean Restaurant Reviews Know before you order.

Caribbean Travel Details: Planning essentials, special interest vacations, getting along with the locals.

Caribbean Travel News: Bargains, resort news and hurricane recovery.

Caribbean Weather: Today's current temperatures for most islands. Satellite image of the entire region.

Caribbean Map: Overview of all the Caribbean islands.

Just for fun. Test your Caribbean IQ. Warning! This is irreverent.

More questions? Use the Site Index. Or this handy Google Search Box.

Web GuideToCaribbeanVacations.com

Old Caribbean Proverb:
"See me is one.
Come live with me is another."