4 Caribbean Islands not to Miss

Getting tired of winter and cold, grey, snowy or rainy weathers and are you starting to dream about a little paradise escape?
There are plenty of hidden pearls to pick from around the world. Plenty of beautifully unspoiled natural treasures around if you only know where to look. I've picked four of my favourite undervalued and untouristy ones that can give you all the beauty you want and a chance to get your photos and memories with out all the other tourists in the same spots.

Marcas beach, Trinidad

1. Isla de Vieques 

Puerto Rico is a beautiful country located in the Caribbean sea. It is technically an American State, but it has very little in common with the country up north. The culture of Puerto Rico is quite independent of the 50 states. One of my favorite islands in Puerto Rico is Vierques.

Since Puerto Rico is an archipelago, it is worth mentioning the differences between the islands.This little pearl consists of a national wildlife refuge with numerous beaches that are commonly listed among the top beaches in the Caribbean for their azure-colored waters and white powder sands. Isla de Vieques has two small cities, Isabel Segunda and the smaller Esperanza on the southern side. Staying there it is difficult not to have a full ocean view because the city is pretty much just one street running next to the beach. Besides relaxing and finding inner peace this island offers the opportunity for long walks on empty beaches, beautiful nights of stargazing without light pollution, and The Bioluminescent Bay. We went swimming in the bay – a bay where, as an old lady said to me, it looks like “the stars had fallen into the water”. 

The luminescence in the bay is actually caused by micro-organisms, which glow bays will glow when they dart away from movement whenever the water is disturbed, leaving a trail of neon blue. But when one is just looking at it it does look like small stars. If one is into diving, or just interested in what lies underwater, diving here is easy and nature is very unspoiled. Turtles, stingrays, barracudas and every size of fish are easily spotted and colorful corals in very shallow waters. During the evening this little village offers a few beach bars and the option to just lie in a hammock and enjoy the stars.

2. Isla Culebra 

Another little Puerto Rican pearl is Culebra, located just a boat trip from mainland Puerto Rico. Visiting Culebra feels like coming home. Even though you have never visited this island before, the people living here greet you, talk to you and help you around like you have been there for the whole of your life.

Getting around is easy by either a bike or taxi. Everything on this island is happening at a very slow and relaxed pace, so if you want dancing and energy this is not the place to go, but for a laid-back holiday with a good book, friendly locals and exotic food, Isla Culebra is a fantastic place. Furthermore, Isla Culebra is widely famous for its beaches and its Flamenco Beach is ranked as one of the most exotic beaches in the world. If you are a beach lover and snorkeling adorer, the beach is a must-visit place. The only thing I would say to foreigners coming to Culebra beach is “welcome to paradise”.

3. Tobago

If you want the lottery-beaches and laid back lifestyle with drinks on the beach, hammock, empty beaches, and paradise Tobago is the island to visit. You can chill out one of the various beaches around the coastline, go island hopping in a glass boat, where you can get a sneak peak of the coral life that is a part of the Caribbean Sea. If you are into Scuba Diving, Tobago is also a popular diving destination. If not there are plenty of spots for snorkeling and trying to explore life under the sea.

Nature is gorgeous and the island is much more based on tourism than Trinidad, though more on the south-western part. This is where most of the idyllic beaches are located. This part has fewer waves because it is protected from the Atlantic Ocean. 

Good to know:

Tobago lies outside the hurricane belt, which means that it has good weather roughly all year around.

4. Trinidad 

There are many reasons to visit this Caribbean Island. One good reason for wanting to go to Trinidad is their Carnival. Originally Carnival was created by the West African slaves mimicking their French owners, known for their balls. Though almost all the Caribbean Islands celebrates Carnival, Trinidad is special because Port of Spain is filled with students, and student know how to party and have never-ending energy. Outside of carnival season, it is worth to mention that Port of Spain has the crazy nightlife. Clubs give you a look into what Caribbean soca, reggaeton, chutney, limbo and calypso music are all about. To quote Dirty dancing, if it was dirtier They would be making babies on the dance floor. 

Most of the music originated from Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the other Caribbean Islands, have very sexual innuendo and the dances are very sexual.

Exploring the Island

There are not many good beaches located on the island of Trinidad since most of the coastline isn’t accessible for the common man, Most are military areas os cliffs. 

One very beautiful beach is Maracas beach, located on the other side of the island. While visiting this lovely beach, why don’t you swing by for a famous T & T special: Bake and Shark or Shark ‘n Bake? As the name shows this is pieces of shark, deep fried and served with fried bread and numerous of sauces.