Welcome to the Islands of the Caribbean
The Caribbean Navigator
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Welcome to the Online Information Guide of Inter Caribbean Express Marketing. Think white sands, palm trees, rippling blue seas and hot sun - and you've got the Caribbean, more than 7,000 islands, reefs and coasts dotted around the Caribbean Sea. From gorgeous Barbados to funky Cuba, there's an ideal spot for everyone and it's affordable too. With hundreds of package deals to choose from: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico especially are accessible. Your best budget-wise month is May - as prices triple from mid-December to April.
Getting there, getting around the Caribbean
Most of the major airlines around the world have connecting flights that arrive at many Caribbean destinations including Antigua, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the Bahamas, Barbados and the Cayman Islands. Low-cost airlines such as Liat has flights that make connections between islands such as Barbados and Antigua. Once there you'll be able to use the buses or taxis, on the bigger islands anyway. They're frequent but erratic as drivers prefer to wait until the vehicle is full before leaving. It's easy to hire a car, just buy a temporary driving permit. The only negative is other drivers - be prepared for some bumpy rides. If you're looking to explore more than one island, there are lots of airlines operating island-hopping services.
Caribbean beaches
There are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for each day of the year. The great majority rest inside the calm, protected waters of the island's Caribbean side. All are open to the public, and so the challenge posed to a visitor is not how to gain access to the best of them but simply how to locate the beach that suits one's taste. Exploring on your own is the best way to do this, although it is wise to bring a companion along to particularly isolated locations. Antiguans are understandably reluctant to divulge their own favorites, so be sure to acquire specific directions before you go.
For a taster, there's Little Bay on Anguilla, with clear waters and powder sand beaches. Johnson's Point on Antigua has great views at sunset and the snorkeling's really good at Pigeon Point near Falmouth Harbour. Pink Sand Beach in the Bahamas is so-called because red plankton's mixed in with the sand. Crane Beach on Barbados has great swimming, clear water and superb white sands, Varadero on Cuba (on the Straits of Florida) has about 20km of clean beaches and clear waters and is near to lively Havana. There's Negril and Seven Mile beaches on Jamaica. Tulum (overlooked by Mayan ruins), Playa del Carmen and Cozumel in Mexico and bustling Accra Beach on the south coast of Barbados.
Caribbean sightseeing
Travel across the island of Antigua to the national park, in which lies the famous English Harbour and Nelson's Dockyard, named after Horatio Nelson who served in Antiqua in the 1700's. There will be time to wander around and view the Admiral's Inn, Copper and Lumber Store, Sailmakers's Loft, Mystery Pillars, Art Gallery and fabulous yachts moored to the old quay side. Visit the Blockhouse Ruins, overlooking the mighty Atlantic Ocean, Indian Creek, and on a clear day the island of Montserrat. Afterwards take a short visit to Shirley Heights for a bird's eye view over Nelson's Dockyard.
In Mexico, visit bustling Mexico City before heading for the Baja California coastline and Mayan ruins of Teotihuacan. The Dominican Republic's capital Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial district is fascinating and partying to merengue music is a must. Jamaica's the place to chill and enjoy a reggae beat. Visit the Bob Marley Museum in his former home in capital Kingston, the National Gallery and the bustling market. If you're into flowers - and hiking - head to the Blue Mountains from June to September? Cuba's capital Havana's a bustling city filled with colonial treasures - and nature lovers and families will enjoy the Gran Parque Nacional Sirra Maestra. On Barbados join a Barbados National Trust hike, hire a horse in Mullins Bay or head to capital Bridgetown for its nightlife. Head to Grenada and St Lucia for rainforest, to Tobago for diving and Antigua for superb beaches. Twitchers will love Trinidad and history buffs will be drawn to Antigua's many colonial forts.
Family attractions in the Caribbean
Everyone can experience the lifestyle of a sophisticated and charming Caribbean island by strolling around Antigua's capital city of St. John’s. Heritage Quay, set in the middle of downtown, is a modern complex of boulevards, duty free and chic luxury shops. Here you will also find street vendors selling the island’s bananas, mangos, guava, coconut, breadfruit, spices and vanilla beans. Historic buildings and traditional architecture further add delight to this urban gem. The neighboring Redcliffe Quay, a complex of beautifully restored warehouse buildings that now serve as boutiques and restaurants, is certainly worth a visit. Swimming, watersports and diving can all be enjoyed here and most big resorts and hotels will offer a creche or kids programme. There is also plenty of opportunity for nature treks and wildlife spotting. On Trinidad and Tobago, they'll love the glass-bottomed boat trip to Buccoo Reef, on St Lucia there's a kids summer programme and on Antigua they'll love the Jolly Roger Cruise.
Day trips around the Caribbean
A catamaran day trip in Antigua is one of the most comfortable and inclusive ways to get off island and swim, shell and snorkel. Cruise along the glistening water while enjoying an open bar all day, excellent Caribbean buffet lunch and lively music. There are several knowledgeable, reliable and reasonably priced excursion operators from which to choose. The adventure seeker’s excursion of choice is definitely the eco-tour aboard a high-powered inflatable boat. On this unique trip, visitors observe Frigate birds, brown pelicans, egrets, herons, Hawksbill sea turtles, stingrays, sunfish and more while skimming over the turquoise waters at varying speeds. Another exciting eco-tour is the new Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour, which takes visitors through the treetops via a series of zip lines and suspension bridges. The tour culminates with an optional 60-foot controlled parachute descent. Guests can also choose to catch a bird’s eye view of the island from a helicopter. The topography of Antigua is certainly impressive from this vantage point. With many excursions to choose from, day trips are meant to show off the unspoiled beauty that Antigua boasts.
Head for Mount Coubrail Estate, a coconut and cocoa plantation on the mainland from St Lucia or nearby Pigeon Island. In Nassau go on a boat trip to the Exuma Cays or head to the Buccoo Reef from Tobago. If you're on St Kitts head for the volcanic peaks of Mt Liamuiga or head to the arid interior if you're on Aruba.
Eating out in the Caribbean
When looking to eat out in Antigua, you'll find menus and choices to suit all tastes and desires. You'll also find something to suit all budgets. Restaurants and eateries in Antigua offer a wide range of cuisine to suit most palates. Those located in tourist areas or hotels offer mainly European, American and fusion options, with a few local and traditional dishes thrown in for good measure. Dishes are made largely from local ingredients. As with all of the Caribbean islands, seafood choices are plentiful, with Antigua being renowned for its Red Snapper, Lobster and Mahi-Mahi.
Many hotels and resorts offer buffet meals and full English breakfasts etc. Fast food - including beef and veggie patties - are readily available. Look out for ackee, a yellow fruit, and salt fish in Jamaica. And of course there's Jerk chicken or pork, marinated in spices and peppers. In Trinidad try a doubles, made out of two rounds of fried dough, filled with curried chickpeas in a spicy sauce, and in Guyana try a Pepperpot - a pork, beef or lamb stew flavoured with peppers, thyme, chillies and cassareep (grated cassava, brown sugar and cinnamon). On Barbados there's flying fish filled with a paste of peppers, thyme and onions and then grilled or fried. Try it with a side dish of sweet potato or rice. In Mexico and Cuba look for dishes strongly influenced by chillies and peppers.
Nightlife in the Caribbean
Antigua has some of the best steel bands in the Caribbean. Most nightlife revolves around the hotels. If you want to roam Antigua at night looking for that hot local club, arrange to have a taxi pick you up, so you're not stranded in the wilds somewhere.
You'll find reggae, merengue, jazz and even rock music on offer. If you're after English-style pubs, Barbados is well supplied or you could enjoy a reggae and rum sunset cruise. Aruba's well-known for its nightlife, including Vegas-style big shows at its casinos and themed entertainment at its resorts. Partying is endemic on the Dominican Republic and Jamaica but research your night spot as some can get quite rough. In Havana it's all about salsa and tangos. Join the locals in an all-night party in Vedado or La Habana Vieja. Expect much of the same in Mexico, with jazz and mariachi music too.
Shopping in the Caribbean
Antigua offers some superb shopping opportunities. There are lots of high quality locally produced souvenirs, but additionally there are some excellent retailers of International repute on the island. The main shopping opportunities are in St. Johns’ particularly clustered around Redcliffe and Heritage Quays. There is the added advantage that many shops are able to offer their merchandise to visitors free of duty. With Antigua Village granting its guests the opportunity to self cater we must point out that there are many supermarkets in Antigua, the larger ones offering all of the products that you would find at larger similar establishments in North America or Europe. Be sure to check out our shopping link to find some of Antigua's best shopping values.
Mexico has superb clothing, jewelry and leather bags - head to the markets or smaller villages. In Cuba, it's Havana for its markets in La Habana Vieja and the Gran Teatro de la Habana, and St Martin and St Thomas are particularly good for duty-free shopping.
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