Carribean

Best Time to Visit the Caribbean During Festivals and Cultural Activities

The Caribbean is a region in the Americas, centered around the Caribbean Sea in the North Atlantic Ocean, and mostly covering the West Indies. The Caribbean region is renowned for its diverse marine life, rich cultural mix, cobalt blue waters, and glorious beaches. The United States, part of this region, is home to some important coral reef ecosystems.

Visit the Caribbean During Festivals and Cultural Activities

Geographically, the Caribbean region is mainly a chain of islands surrounding the Caribbean Sea. To the north, the region is enclosed by the Gulf of Mexico. To the south lies the coastline of the mainland of South America. It is a culturally diverse area with a complex history shaped by imperialism, and the region’s identity is affected by things like language, economy, and geopolitics. If you’re wondering about the closest Caribbean island from the UK, this region offers several fascinating options to explore. Learn about Caribbean culture through festivals.

Caribbean culture is profoundly intertwined with its colourful festivals, particularly carnival, which provides a window into the region’s history, traditions, and identity. These celebrations offer a unique mixture of African, European, and domestic influences, reflected in music, dance, costumes, and food.

January – History and Music in Jamaica

Jamaica greets the start of the year with a music festival. Jamaican music history reflects the island’s complex cultural heritage. Especially in January, Jamaica is a vibrant mixture of history and music. The music scene is rich with festivals and events that celebrate the island’s musical heritage.

February – Carnival Magic Starts

February is carnival time. Many Caribbean islands celebrate carnivals in February. Famous locations are Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, and Martinique. These carnivals are often timed to coincide with the Catholic Lenten season. Music, costumes, and joy fill the streets. Most visitors arrive in the region on British Airways or connect from Asia on flights to Manila with Philippine Airlines.

March – Jazz and Seafood

In March, the Caribbean offers several options for experiencing jazz and seafood. Especially, the St Lucia Jazz and Art Festival is a prominent event. Shellfish, including mussels, oysters, langoustine, and lobster, are plentiful for your March platters.

April – Spring Carnivals Bloom

April is colour and culture. Many Caribbean islands host carnivals in April. Notable examples are the Jamaica Carnival, which usually falls in the week after Easter. And one of the main carnivals is St. Thomas Carnival of the U.S. Virgin Islands. These carnivals are known for colourful parades, parties, and celebrations of culture and music.

May – Crystal Clear Water

May is a magical time in the Caribbean. As the winter season winds down, islands begin to offer quieter, vibrant, and sunny weather. May is the time for a holiday in the Caribbean. The crystal clear blue waters are warm at this time of the year, perfect for snorkelling or swimming.

June – Hurricane Season

June in the Caribbean usually marks the start of the wet season and hurricane season, but with warm, sunny, and bright weather, often with occasional showers. June is also a low season travel time, with lower prices and fewer tourists.

July – Big Celebrations Arrive

July is a good and fun time to visit the Caribbean. Each year in July, the island of St Lucia turns into a massive celebration filled with elaborate costumes, spirited rhythms, parades, and pure Caribbean energy. Book early because British Airways and Philippine Airlines flights are popular.

August – The Festivals’ Peak

North America’s largest festival happens in August. August is party time. The Havana Carnival, a long-standing tradition, is held in August. From late July to early August, Antigua Carnival is an important cultural event.

September – A Quiet Cultural Escape

September is known for many festivals, including the Belize Carnival, which celebrates the mix of Mayan, African, and European roots with street theater, music, and costumes. In September you should be aware of potential weather conditions.

October – Music and Food

October in the Caribbean generally offers warm temperatures and fewer crowds, but also comes with the potential for increased rainfall and the tail end of the hurricane season. October is Creole Heritage Month in the Caribbean. This event is a celebration of the richness and diversity of St Lucia culture.

November – Reflection and Celebration Time

In the Caribbean, November is a month of various cultural celebrations. The second week of November marks the start of carnival celebrations in St Kitts known as Sugar Mas. November marks the end of hurricane season. It is a great time to find travel discounts. British Airways and Philippine Airlines offer discounts earlier in the year.

December – Holiday Joy Caribbean Style

December is a festival of lights, starting with a lantern competition in the first week of December, leading up to a parade of lanterns on December 12, the evening of Saint Lucia Day, which is followed by a Christmas show. Many tourists come early to lock in good prices.

Planning a Trip for Culture

Double-check the dates before booking. Festival dates change each year. If you are travelling from Asia, Manila flights can take you to the Caribbean. Both Philippine Airlines and British Airways offer efficient service with easy transfers.

Feel the Heart of the Caribbean

To feel the heart of the Caribbean, one needs to experience its vibrant culture, natural beauty, and unique blend of influences. This can be done through exploring local markets and enjoying the music and dance – tasting the diverse cuisines and interacting with warm people.

Post courtesy of Luna Jack. Luna Jack is a passionate travel blogger who explores hidden gems and iconic destinations worldwide. Her blog shares travel tips, cultural insights, and captivating stories to inspire others to embark on their adventures. From bustling cities to tranquil escapes, Luna brings each journey to life with vibrant storytelling and practical advice.

Featured image courtesy of: Unsplash.

Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago

We had the chance to visit Trinidad & Tobago in December 2007. Trinidad is located right off the coast of Venezuela between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, and the island of Tobago is right north of Trinidad, only about a 20 minute flight. It is a sovereign nation, and oil production and refining are the main industries. It was a British colony for many years, and therefore driving is on the left.

View of Port of Spain from Hilton Hotel

We stayed at the Hilton Trinidad & Conference Center in Port of Spain. It is a good hotel that overlooks the city of Port of Spain (see pictures below), and has a great secluded pool area. We stayed here the entire time except for an overnight trip to Tobago. The hotel is close to the Botanical Gardens and Zoo.

North Coast of Trinidad

We arrived on Friday evening at the Trinidad airport from Houston, and arranged right then at the airport to get flights the next day to Tobago on Caribbean Airlines. We had decided to “wing it” on the flights. Not a good idea on weekends—the airline seat capacity was very limited. Getting two seats on the same flight the next day (Saturday) to Tobago was a bit of a challenge, and it was impossible on the flight back to Trinidad on Sunday, so we returned on different return flights although they were less than 2 hours apart.

The flights were inexpensive, less than $50 per person round trip, and the plane was a turbo prop. The airport in Tobago (“Crown Point International Airport”) is about the smallest I have ever seen. It is almost all outdoors due to the warm climate and the airline check-in is on the sidewalk. We asked for a taxi to our hotel (a Hilton property at the time) and a man took us to his old sedan in the gravel parking lot, which he could not get to start. After about 10 minutes, we thanked him for his effort and then found another taxi to our hotel, which was about 10-15 minutes away.

Tobago Beach-Hilton Hotel

Our hotel (formerly the Hilton Tobago Golf & Spa Resort, now up for sale) was on a beautiful stretch of beach.  (Take some insect repellent, however we noticed sand fleas). The hotel food and service was decent, and our room overlooked the beach, and the pool was right beside the beach. Although we were only there overnight, we really could tell that Tobago may be one of the last “undiscovered” islands of the Caribbean. There were very few tourists on our flight or on the island, and we found long stretches of deserted beaches. The island is less developed, and therefore one should keep expectations in check. Things work on “Caribbean time.”

If you want a Caribbean retreat away from the crowds, consider the island of Tobago. December was a great time of year to go.

Back on Trinidad, we had a little time on our last afternoon, and hired a car to take us up to Maracas Bay on the north coast of Trinidad.  What a beautiful spot. We also got to try a shark sandwich! It wasn’t bad—pieces of fried shark in a pocket bread, with lots of condiments to add if you wish.

Maracas Bay, Trinidad

Another View-Maracas Bay, Trinidad

We love Indian food, and we probably enjoyed the best Indian meal we’ve ever had in Port of Spain.  There are lots of Indian immigrants in Trinidad. While I cannot recall the name of the restaurant, it is in the same vicinity as Tony Roma’s. There are lots of restaurant choices, some of which are outdoors and very enjoyable.

Be aware that the crime rate in Trinidad is somewhat high. Take the usual precautions of keeping track of your personal items and being aware of your surroundings. My wife felt safe walking around during the day (while I was in business meetings), and with a small group you should have no problem, even in the evening.