Belize’s Caribbean coast was my introduction to this English-speaking gem—and its mix of reef, islands, and coastal rainforest has kept me coming back. Stretching from sandy cayes to mangrove-fringed lagoons, it offers:

• Belize Barrier Reef: World’s second-largest coral barrier, with snorkeling and dive sites teeming with tropical fish and sea turtles.
• Great Blue Hole: Iconic marine sinkhole for certified divers seeking an underwater cavern of stalactites and reef sharks.
• Ambergris Caye & Caye Caulker: Laid-back island life—bike or golf-cart between beach bars, seafood shacks, and shallow-water snorkeling spots.
• Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley: Protected channels where you can swim alongside nurse sharks, stingrays, and vibrant coral gardens.
• Coastal Maya sites: Altun Ha and Lamanai sit just inland—explore temple ruins rising above jungle rivers.
• Garifuna communities: Drum-centered culture, cassava-bread baking, and fresh fish stews in villages like Punta Gorda.

In my Belize Caribbean-coast guides you’ll find up-to-date advice on the best travel season (dry months November–April), water-taxi schedules, top dive-shop and snorkel-guide recommendations, eco-lodge and beachfront-cabaña picks, plus Island-side customs and community etiquette—so you can explore Belize’s coast with confidence, respect, and genuine understanding.

Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast was my first introduction to the country’s Afro-Caribbean heritage—and its laid-back villages, wildlife-rich waterways, and palm-lined beaches have drawn me back time and again. Stretching from Puerto Viejo and Cahuita in Limón province up to the canals of Tortuguero, it offers:

• Tortuguero National Park: A network of boat-only canals where green and leatherback turtles nest, and you can spot caimans, sloths, and toucans.
• Cahuita & Gandoca-Manzanillo: Fringing coral reefs for snorkeling, mangrove trails, and small villages with calypso rhythms.
• Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: Surf breaks at Salsa Brava, bike rides between beaches, and vibrant Afro-Caribbean restaurants serving rice & beans and rondón.
• Limón town: Caribbean-style architecture, bustling markets, banana-port history, and weekly Afro-Caribbean music nights.
• Indigenous communities: Bribri and Cabécar villages offering guided hikes to waterfalls and cacao-making experiences.
• Rain-forest excursions: Sloth sanctuaries, chocolate tours through banana plantations, and kayak trips on the Río Tortuguero.

In my Costa Rica Caribbean-coast guides you’ll find up-to-date advice on the best travel windows (February–April and September–October), boat-launch schedules, bus and shuttle routes, eco-lodge and beachfront bungalow recommendations, plus essential local customs—so you can explore this side of Costa Rica with confidence, respect, and genuine understanding.

The Dominican Republic is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the Caribbean—and its blend of colonial history, mountain towns, and world-class beaches has kept me returning time and again.

Country highlights:

• Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone: Wander cobblestone streets past the first cathedral of the Americas, browse lively cafés and craft shops, and soak up centuries of history.
• Punta Cana & Bávaro: Stretch your legs on miles of white-sand beaches, try paddleboarding or snorkeling, or opt for zip-lining and eco-tours just inland.
• Cabarete: Known as the kite- and wind-surfing capital of the Caribbean, with laid-back beachfront bars and yoga studios.
• Samaná Peninsula: From January to March, watch humpback whales breach offshore; year-round you can trek to El Limón Waterfall or kayak quiet mangrove in Los Haitises.
• Jarabacoa & Constanza: “City of Everlasting Spring” invites rafters down the Río Yaque del Norte, while nearby Constanza boasts coffee farms and cool-climate hikes to Pico Duarte.
• Los Haitises National Park: Explore Taino cave art, coastal mangroves, and bird-watching trails by boat.
• Culture & cuisine: Tap your feet to merengue or bachata at local festivals, sample hearty sancocho stews, pastelitos, and sweet mamajuana, and join in Carnival celebrations each February.

In my Dominican Republic guides you’ll find up-to-date advice on the best travel windows (December–April for sun and surf; January–March for whale watching), transport options (public guaguas, shared taxis, ferries), eco-lodge and boutique-hotel recommendations, plus essential customs—from tipping etiquette to dance-floor do’s—so you can explore the Dominican Republic with confidence, respect, and genuine understanding.

Jamaica is my home away from home—and its laid-back rhythms, lush mountains, and sun-soaked shores keep calling me back.

Jamaica highlights:

Reggae & culture: Visit the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, catch live sound-system sessions in local dancehalls, and time your trip for Reggae Sumfest or Jamaica Carnival.

Blue Mountains: Hike to the sunrise at Blue Mountain Peak, tour coffee estates, and cycle winding mountain roads through misty forests.

Beaches & waterfalls: Climb Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios, unwind on Seven Mile Beach in Negril, or cool off under the cascades at YS Falls.

River adventures: Bamboo-raft down the Rio Grande, tube the Martha Brae, or explore Frenchman’s Cove’s hidden inlet.

Local cuisine: Sample authentic jerk chicken at roadside shacks in Portland, savor ackee and saltfish for breakfast, and hunt down patties and fresh tropical fruit at neighbourhood markets.

Eco-adventures & wildlife: Zip-line over Mystic Mountain, spot crocodiles on a Black River safari, and bird-watch in the Cockpit Country.

Community & customs: Learn a few Patois greetings, feel the famous “no problem” hospitality, and respect local rhythms by slowing down and sharing a cup of Blue Mountain coffee with friends.

In my Jamaica guides you’ll find up-to-date advice on the best travel windows (dry season December–April), transport tips—from route taxis to car rentals—eco-lodge and boutique-hotel recommendations, plus the local customs and practical tips you need to experience Jamaica with confidence, respect, and genuine understanding.

Saint Lucia is the only Caribbean island named after a woman—and its dramatic landscapes and rich culture have kept me returning time and again.

Saint Lucia highlights:

The Pitons: Gros Piton and Petit Piton rise sharply from the sea, with guided hikes offering panoramic views of rainforest-clad slopes and turquoise bays.

Sulphur Springs & Diamond Falls: Visit the world’s only drive-in volcano at Soufrière, then soak in mineral-rich baths amid lush tropical gardens.

Rainforest adventures: Zip-lining and canopy tours through the Edmund Forest Reserve, plus hidden waterfalls reachable via coastal driving routes.

Pigeon Island National Landmark: Explore sandy coves, vibrant coral reefs for snorkeling, and 18th-century fort ruins that host the annual Jazz & Arts Festival.

Beaches & bays: Anse Chastanet offers world-class snorkeling over coral gardens; Marigot Bay’s calm waters are perfect for kayaking or sunset cruises.

Creole culture & cuisine: Castries’ Central Market overflows with fresh fruit and spices; weekly fish fries in Anse La Raye unite locals and visitors over grilled seafood and rum punch.

In my Saint Lucia guides you’ll find up-to-date advice on the best travel windows (dry season December–May), transport options (self-drive vs. buses), eco-lodge and boutique-hotel recommendations, plus essential customs—from Creole greetings to festival dates—so you can explore Saint Lucia with confidence, respect, and genuine understanding.

Saint Lucia is the only Caribbean island named after a woman—and its dramatic landscapes and rich culture have kept me returning time and again.

Saint Lucia highlights:

• The Pitons: Gros Piton and Petit Piton rise sharply from the sea, with guided hikes offering panoramic views of rainforest-clad slopes and turquoise bays.
• Sulphur Springs & Diamond Falls: Visit the world’s only drive-in volcano at Soufrière, then soak in mineral-rich baths amid lush tropical gardens.
• Rainforest adventures: Zip-lining and canopy tours through the Edmund Forest Reserve, plus hidden waterfalls reachable via coastal driving routes.
• Pigeon Island National Landmark: Explore sandy coves, vibrant coral reefs for snorkeling, and 18th-century fort ruins that host the annual Jazz & Arts Festival.
• Beaches & bays: Anse Chastanet offers world-class snorkeling over coral gardens; Marigot Bay’s calm waters are perfect for kayaking or sunset cruises.
• Creole culture & cuisine: Castries’ Central Market overflows with fresh fruit and spices; weekly fish fries in Anse La Raye unite locals and visitors over grilled seafood and rum punch.

In my Saint Lucia guides you’ll find up-to-date advice on the best travel windows (dry season December–May), transport options (self-drive vs. buses), eco-lodge and boutique-hotel recommendations, plus essential customs—from Creole greetings to festival dates—so you can explore Saint Lucia with confidence, respect, and genuine understanding.