It’s summertime! The weather’s heating up, work is slowing down, and it’s time for a vacation — to the Caribbean, of course. One of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean is that summer trade winds and island breezes can make for some very cool conditions by day and night. If you are by the beach or pool you won’t know if its March or July except there are less people and lower rates. So we’ve decided to put together a guide to some of the best options for taking time off to the West Indies — from perfect spot for a romantic getaway for two to the ideal resort for families with young children. Here are the 10 best Caribbean summer vacations for 2013.
Best Summer Sailing Vacation — The Moorings, British Virgin Islands
Whether you’re a crew of two or a family, there’s nothing like a private yacht charter to really escape the grind. British Virgin Islands-based The Moorings offers charters in seven Caribbean destinations, although we recommend a bareboat seven-day sailing vacation in BVI starting in Tortola, from Cooper Island to the Bight.
Best Romantic Summer Vacation – Strawberry Hill/Jamaica
Wherever you may be coming from, it’s very likely balmy and hot. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a cool spot in the Caribbean for a romantic getaway. The Strawberry Hill mountain resort is more than 3,000 feet above sea level in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. A perfect spot for a summer honeymoon, especially in one of Strawberry Hill’s cottages.
Best Summer Cruise – Windstar
The Caribbean is blessed with terrific cruise ships, large and small. For this summer, try one on the smaller side with Windstar — whose yachts typically have less than 300 guests. The company’s “Barbados to Barbados” cruise takes you from Bridgetown across the tiny gems of the Grenadines and Grenada and back again. (This cruise has at most 148 guests, in fact).
Best Summer Nature Vacation – Dominica/Rosalie Bay Resort
Dominica is called the Caribbean’s Nature Island for a reason — it’s untouched and it’s gorgeous. A verdant paradise, Dominica is full of opportunities for eco-tourism, including its 114-mile Waitukubuli National Trail. And the eco-friendly Rosalie Bay Resort typifies Dominica’s sustainability, with its own wind turbine and fresh meals that use produce from the resort’s own organic garden.
Best Summer Shopping Vacation – Old San Juan, Puerto Rico/El Convento Hotel
Old San Juan is many things to many people, but it’s also a shopping Mecca of the Caribbean. You can find pretty much everything here — high-end designer boutiques coexist with custom-made Panama hat shops (Ole on Calle Fortaleza is one of the city’s great shopping experiences). And when you’ve shopped enough to drop, relax in old-world luxury at the El Convento hotel.
Best Summer Snorkeling Vacation – Plaza Resort Bonaire
Bonaire is well known for it’s great diving but less known for some of the best snorkeling you can find on the planet. You can drive a car around the perimeter of island and find dozens of places to snorkel right off the beach. There are many professional tour operators who can show you the best spots. Bonaire is a leader in marine conservation and has one of the best marine park systems in the Caribbean. For a perfect summer snorkeling adventure we recommend the Plaza Resort in Bonaire. It has its own beach, marina, restaurants, and a great place to launch your marine exploration and expeditions.
Best Summer Culture Vacation – Colonial Santo Domingo/MGallery Hostal Nicolas de Ovando
Why not travel to the Caribbean by time machine this summer? The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo is one of the region’s great destinations for exploration —and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And you’ll be right at home staying at the MGallery Hostal Nicolas de Ovando, whose buildings date back to the beginning of the 16th century. (And for kicks, the hotel will even teach you how to roll your own cigar — although we recommend waiting less than 500 years to smoke it).
Best Place for a Summer Family Reunion – Royal Villas at Half Moon, Jamaica
Summer is a great time to get the whole family together — and Half Moon has villas with as many a seven bedrooms and seaside cottages that have housed the Queen, US Presidents and royalty from around the world. This truly amazing property has amenities to impress all ages and tastes. From white glove butler services and fully staffed villas to swimming with dolphins, an equestrian center and world class golf and spa. There’s even a shopping village and hospital adjoining the property.
Best Summer Resort For Families With Young Kids – Beaches Turks and Caicos
Above: Beaches Turks and Caicos (Image courtesy of Beaches)
The splendid Grace Bay and its beaches are attractions all by themselves but add Beaches Turks and Caicos and they transform into a theme park disguised as a world-class resort. The all-inclusive property, which just debuted its new Key West Luxury Village, has something for everyone, although your best bet might be at the Caribbean Village. There are activities and games for the kids (including a 45,000-square-foot waterpark), and luxurious amenities for the adults.
Best Summer Resort For Families With Teenagers — Atlantis, Paradise Island
The standard-bearer for the Caribbean family vacation, Atlantis is a great place for family vacations with teenagers. There is lots of ground to explore, age appropriate entertainment, safety, security and the environment of awe and wonder that will leave everyone impressed. 50,000 marine animals representing 250 marine species make Atlantis their home. And if the teenagers don’t behave there’s always the shark pool!