5 Alluring Caribbean Getaways

Also known as the West Indies, the Caribbean consists of over 7,000 islands less than 2% of which are inhabited. For anyone looking to escape the daily grind there is almost no place better to go. With incredibly diverse cultures, picturesque scenery, and a perfect climate all year round, these are the 5 most breathtaking Caribbean getaways.

* Aruba

Lying outside of the Caribbean hurricane belt, Aruba makes for an excellent tourist destination. It is much flatter than most of its island counterparts and due to it geographical location managed to evade many of the effects of the slave trade. Because it is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the primary language on the island is Dutch.

* Grenada

Known as the “Island of Spice” due to its production of nutmeg and mace, Grenada has been known to dodge the annual Caribbean hurricanes due to its extremely southern location. It is a land of diversity, with beautiful beaches along the coasts and a mountainous interior laced with picturesque waterfalls.

* Martinique

As part of France, Martinique is also a part of the European Union. The island consists of several volcanos, one of which is currently active and as a result the geography is very mountainous. Although there is a significant amount of tourism to the island it has a varied economy that revolves around agriculture and services as well.

* Turks and Caicos

These former pirate hideouts and British Territories are a favorite getaway for tourists, particularly Canadians. In fact, there was even a debate at one point as to whether Canada should annex the islands.

* Bonaire

A part of the Netherlands, Bonaire is very small and only has two official towns. The island, however, is a nature lovers paradise and the economy is almost exclusively centered around diving and snorkeling. License plates on Bonaire even read Diver’s Paradise in English.