Travel by Stephanie

I am always Caribbean dreamin’! Here are some fun facts to acquaint you with the islands, all the way from A to Z:

A is for Antigua and Barbuda

• Antigua is known for its 365 beaches and has been recognized as the Caribbean’s most romantic destination by the World Travel Awards.
• The country is named Antigua and Barbuda, but it is actually comprised of three islands. (Redonda is the third and is uninhabited.)
• Sailing Week is a hot event on the island and is one of the world’s premier regattas.

B is for Blue Mountain Coffee

• Blue Mountain coffee is produced in Jamaica and is one of the most expensive coffees in the world.
• Why? It’s more difficult to grow, is picked and sorted by hand, and the demand for beans is high.

C is for Carnival

• Carnival celebrations are elaborate throughout the Caribbean, but the Trinidad festival features the largest parties.
• Preparations begin months in advance, with time devoted to the building of floats, the sewing of costumes, and a great deal of choreography practice.

D is for Dunn’s River Falls

• Climbing the falls is a very popular Jamaica tourist activity.
• The climb generally takes 60-90 minutes with brief stops for photo opportunities.

E is for Eleuthera

• Glass Window Bridge is a must-see while in Eleuthera. Viewing the contrast between the dark blue Atlantic and bright turquoise of the Caribbean provides one of the most beautiful and unique visuals in nature.
• The island grows a great deal of pineapple. Visitors can tour Lady Di’s Pineapple Farm or attend the annual Pineapple Festival.

F is for Fungee & Pepperpot

• Fungee and Pepperpot is the national dish of Antigua and Barbuda.
• Fungee is a cornmeal dish like polenta. It is served with Pepperpot, a stew of yam and salted meat.

G is for guava

• Guava is a tropical fruit that thrives across numerous islands in the Caribbean.
• It is used to make jam/jelly, juice, and is a common filling for pastries.

H is for hurricane season

• Hurricane season runs from June into November and can affect much of the Caribbean.
• The ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) are the most southern islands of the Caribbean and are outside the reaches of the forming storms.

I is for island-hopping

• St. Thomas and St. John in the US Virgin Islands are perfect for island hopping by ferry.
• From St. Maarten/St Martin you can also visit Anguilla, St. Bart’s, and Saba.
• St. Vincent and The Grenadines are also easily doable in one vacation.

J is for “Jump Up” Street Parties in St. Lucia

• On Friday evenings, the Gros Islet street party kicks off the weekend with icy beer, sizzling barbecues, thumping music, and a bevy of arts and crafts booths.
• This tradition started 50 years ago and takes place rain or shine. Good Friday is the only Friday where the Friday Night Jump Up takes a break.

K is for Kokomo, as performed by The Beach Boys

• This catchy tune debuted on November 1, 1988, and became The Beach Boys’ first number one hit since Good Vibrations in 1966.
• While Kokomo is a fictional destination, the song mentions several Caribbean islands in its chorus.

L is for liming (alternative versions: lyming, limin’)

• Liming is a Caribbean slang term that means to hang out, relax, and spend time laughing and talking with friends over food and drink.

M is for monkeys

• African Green Monkeys are found throughout many of the islands in the Caribbean.
• They are considered an invasive species, are detrimental to agricultural efforts, and have no natural predators.

N is for Nevis

• The national dish of Nevis is stewed salt fish with spicy plantains and coconut dumplings.
• The island crafts sugarcane liquor that is consumed neat or mixed with Ting, a grapefruit beverage.

O is for Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

• Construction on the fortress El Morro began in 1539, and it served as a military outpost. In 1983 it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Old San Juan is colorful and charming, full of friendly locals and delicious eateries.

P is for Pitons

• Gros Piton and Petit Piton are the iconic mountain landmarks of St. Lucia.
• Both mountains attract hikers, but Gros Piton offers easier paths.

Q is for Queen Conch

• Conch is an essential component of many Caribbean dishes, like salads, fritters, and chowder.
• It is pronounced konk, as the h is silent.

R is for rum

• Numerous rum distilleries dot the Caribbean, making them a popular tour option for visitors.
• Rum adds the flavors of caramel, molasses, and spices to many dishes, and Rum Cake is truly iconic.

S is for Spices

• Grenada is known as The Spice Island for its production of nutmeg, allspice, mace, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.
• Jerk seasoning, beloved in Jamaica, is a blend of allspice, cayenne, nutmeg, brown sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder. (Recipes can vary a bit.)

T is for Trunk Bay, St. John

• Trunk Bay is St. John’s most photographed beach.
• Beachgoers can explore the underwater snorkeling trail to spot fish and read the submerged signs to learn about what they see.

U is for US Virgin Islands

• The 3 primary islands are St. Thomas (home to capital Charlotte Amalie), St. John, and St. Croix.
• 5,500 acres of St. John forms Virgin Islands National Park, a beautiful preserve for flora and fauna.

V is for Virgin Gorda

• Virgin Gorda is considered the most picturesque of the British Virgin Islands.
• The Baths, a series of gigantic granite rocks forming scenic grottos, are a popular tourist destination.
• Virgin Gorda is the second largest and second most populated island of the BVI, behind Tortola.

W is for Watersports

• The ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) are known for their incredible snorkeling and diving.
• Kitesurfing shines at Boca Grandi Beach, Aruba, where strong winds equal challenging waves.
• Bathsheba, Barbados promises great surfing, as does the northwest coast of Puerto Rico.

X is for Xcaret

• Xcaret park boasts more than 50 natural and cultural attractions.
• Visitors can stroll an aviary, walk through a butterfly pavilion, and take in the underwater life of the aquarium, to name a few highlights.

Y is for yacht

• The islands of St. Martin, St. Barts, and Antigua are generally considered the yachting capitals of the Caribbean due to their infrastructure and high-end amenities.
• The mega yachts of the Caribbean can range from 200 feet to 590 feet in length.

Z is for ziplining

• Dragon’s Breath Flight Line in Labadee, Haiti is the world’s longest overwater zip line.
• The experience is more than 2,600 feet, and thrill seekers can choose to take it all in going feet first or belly down a lá Superman.

Work on your own travel alphabet and let’s plan your next visit to the Caribbean!