Guide to exploring the Caribbean islands

When to visit the Caribbean

The Caribbean islands offer white-sand beaches, calm crystal waters, a laid-back atmosphere and year-round warm weather. Located close to the tropic of Cancer, the Caribbean islands are defined by two main seasons: Wet Season and Dry Season. 

Wet Season

May to November covers the wet season, with more rainfall and higher humidity. The tropical weather means tropical storms too: August, September and October are the highest risk months for storms and hurricanes. But the chances of a hurricane making landfall are low, with many islands set off the hurricane belt. 

Don’t let the potential of a storm put you off your trip, but it’s a good idea to be prepared if you’re visiting during the peak hurricane months. Weather conditions can affect flights at this time of year, so it’s a good idea to know your rights around dealing with flight disruption and delayed flight compensation. 

At Sainsbury’s Bank our Travel Insurance offers missed departure cover so you may be able to claim back if you miss a flight due to adverse weather. 

Dry Season

December to April defines the dry season – that’s the drier, cooler season. Of those, February stands out as a popular month for tourists, with tens of thousands of people escaping the worst of winter to bask in sun-touched spots in the Caribbean. Temperatures average 21°C in the Bahamas, 26°C in Cuba and up to 29°C in Barbados. 

While the pleasant weather of February is a major draw, April is the driest month with temperatures averaging 27°C in the Caribbean. It’s far enough from peak tourist season that you’ll get more room on the beach too – and the waters will be just right.

Which Caribbean islands to visit?

Barbados 

Barbados is a great choice for family holidays. With plenty to see and do across the island (and only 14 miles across) it’s easy to explore from coast to coast. Harrison's Cave is a must-see for families. This limestone cave features stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and crystal-clear underground streams. You can explore it by tram, which makes it easy and fun for children. Learn about the cave's geology and history on a guided tour.

Visit the Barbados Wildlife Reserve for a close encounter with local wildlife. Walk through the reserve and see animals like green monkeys, tortoises, peacocks, and tropical birds, making it an exciting stop for animal-loving kids.

If it’s beaches you’re after, Carlisle Bay is a family-friendly beach with calm, crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling. The beach also has several shipwrecks just offshore, which attract marine life, making it a fantastic spot to see tropical fish. 

Antigua 

Need a getaway, just the two of you? Set sail (or take to the skies) and get ready to explore Antigua. Hundreds of beaches and beachside restaurants, tropical vistas and unparalleled underwater experiences make this one of the best Caribbean islands for couples. Go sailing, swim with stingrays, visit microscopic islands, and see impossible waterfront cliff formations in Antigua.

St. Lucia

Are you a bit of an explorer? While there’s plenty of islands to plant your feet, St. Lucia is a dream for solo travellers looking for a unique experience. Whether you’re an avid explorer or enthusiastic first timer, St. Lucia is one of the best islands to visit for an action-packed holiday. This Eastern Caribbean island is known for its twin, tapered mountains, volcanic beaches, reef-diving locations and tropical forests.

The Bahamas

Why settle for one island? With 700 islands to experience, this archipelago is a solo adventurer’s dream. With so many islands, every day can hold something new. Start your adventure in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. 

From there you can set sail for Paradise Island and Blue Lagoon Island just across the water, or explore further afield on the Archipelago. Steer yourself in the right direction with a guided island-hopping tour across some of the inhabited land masses of the Bahamas. 

Puerto Rico

Known for its tropical rainforests, beautiful beaches, and colonial architecture, Puerto Rico offers diverse experiences from exploring Old San Juan to hiking El Yunque. It’s famous for salsa music, local cuisine, and welcoming hospitality. While Spanish is the spoken language, English is widely used.

Unforgettable experiences to have in the Caribbean

Swim with pigs in the Bahamas 

Trade the sty for sands on Big Major Cay – or, more affectionately, Pig Island – home of the original swimming pigs. Like puppies at playtime, these pigs are loveable, playful and ready for a dip and a pet. It may not be a farm as we know it, but these pigs look pretty comfortable in their new, beachside digs.

Visit Stingray City 

Set across a series of shallow sandbars in the North Sound of Grand Cayman, Stingray City lets you take a dip (or a dive) with these incredible sea creatures. An unforgettable experience for any marine enthusiast. 

Climb Gros Piton

Take your holiday to new heights in St. Lucia and climb Gros Piton – a 798.25-metre-high volcanic mountain. The challenging ascent through lush tropical forest is well worth it. You’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and surrounding islands as you ascend this volcanic spire.

The best way to get around the Caribbean islands

Struggling to choose between the Caribbean islands? Travel between the islands is easy. In fact, depending on the cluster of islands you’re situated near, it could be as simple as a short boat ride away.

There are four main ways of travelling between the islands:

• Ferry – the most cost-effective, practical and common way to travel between many of the Caribbean islands. Get beautiful views of the tropical waters along stunning routes. 
• Plane – there are several airlines that fly between the Caribbean islands, including Caribbean Airlines and Cayman Airways, as well as others. 
• Boat – travel in style with a private speedboat, available for hire to travel between islands.
• Sailing – this is an adventure in and of itself, but sailing between the islands is an option for those with sea legs.

Travel Insurance for your caribbean trip

Before you jet off it’s important to make sure you all have travel insurance in place to cover you against any mishaps that could happen along the way. At Sainsbury’s Bank we offer Travel Insurance with comprehensive cover to suit your needs and budget, underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Ltd.

With a range of policies including single, multi and extended trips and plenty of extras to bolster your cover, you’ll be covered for any adventure. Get 24/7 support in case of medical emergency and protection for a range of pre-existing medical conditions.

Currency for your trip to the Caribbean 

Get your travel money organised before your trip with Sainsbury’s Bank. Here is a list of the different currencies of the Caribbean:

• XCD East Caribbean dollar – Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• AWG Aruban florin – Aruba
• BSD Bahamian dollar – Bahamas
• BBD Barbadian dollar – Barbados
• USD United states dollar – Caribbean Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands
• KYD Cayman Islands dollar – Cayman Islands
• CUP Cuban peso – Cuba
• ANG Netherlands Antillean guilder – Sint Maarten, Curacao 
• DOP Dominican peso – Dominican Republic
• EUR Euro – Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, 
• HTG Haitian gourde – Haiti
• JMD Jamaican dollar – Jamaica
• TTD Trinidad and Tobago dollar – Trinidad and Tobago

Manage your money on the move with a travel money card – an easy way to keep track of your spending without the worry of additional charges. Pay contactless or with your PIN and withdraw at ATMs. Some ATMs may charge a withdrawal fee, so always double check.

In the Caribbean, smaller islands may not accept card payments. It’s worth carrying a mix of card and cash so you’re always prepared.

Please note we don't sell all of these Caribbean currencies.