Caribbean Vacation: Which Island Is Right for You

Some Caribbean islands entice travelers not only with dreamy beaches but also with unique features - from diving to traditions and from reggae to rum. We present to you the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean to help you find the best one for your vacation:

Bougainvillea, frangipani, orchids, hibiscus, and amaryllis: Everywhere you look, you'll find greenery and blooms on Martinique. This French overseas department is known as the Island of Flowers. The diversity of flora and fauna makes the island one of the 35 biodiversity hotspots in the world.

Many residents have tropical gardens, but visiting the Jardin de Balata roughly ten kilometers north of Fort-de-France, the island's capital, is particularly worthwhile. Here, more than 3,000 exotic plants grow. Landscape architect Jean-Philippe Thoze established the botanical garden in 1982 around the typical Creole house of his grandparents, which is open to visitors today. Another garden highlight: a suspension bridge between two giant mahogany trees.

The coral gardens off the coast of the Lesser Antilles island are also worth seeing and can be explored during dives. In southern Martinique, mangrove forests dominate the landscape and can be explored not only on foot but also by kayak or flatboat. The island's last active volcano, Montagne Pelée, shapes the north. The 1,397-meter-high volcano last erupted in 1929. Today, you can hike to the summit - as well as through the lush forests where mahogany and teak trees grow. Relaxation is also not left out: The seaside town of Sainte-Anne in the south of the island is known for its picturesque beaches, such as the postcard-beautiful Plage des Salines.

The tropical landscape of Martinique also inspired a world-renowned artist: Paul Gauguin lived in the small town of Le Carbet in the west of the island for several months in 1887. Today, the Paul Gauguin Interpretation Center, a museum dedicated to the artist, stands here.

Parrotfish and pufferfish, lobsters and octopuses, sea turtles, and even seahorses: The underwater world around Curaçao is so colorful and diverse that it's no wonder the island is known as the Blue Heart of the Caribbean. This 444-square-kilometer Dutch island, which, along with Aruba and Bonaire, forms the ABC Islands, lies only about 60 kilometers off the Venezuelan coast. It not only offers 38 breathtaking beaches, primarily located along the southwest coast. For divers, there are more than 60 diving spots, including one of the best-preserved coral reefs in the Caribbean. The water temperature fluctuates between 79°F and 82°F (26-28°C) year-round.

To discover the treasures below the sea surface, travelers don't even have to get wet: With the world's unique mini-submarine 'Curasub', which accommodates the driver and up to four people, they dive from the Substation Curaçao in Bapor Kibra to a depth of 305 meters. A one-hour dive to 137 meters is bookable from 350 Curaçao dollars. For a bit more action, head to Piscadera Bay, accessible within minutes from the island capital Willemstad. With small dive scooters, you can join the Aquafari, an underwater safari.

It's also worth taking a day trip for diving and snorkeling to Klein-Curaçao, the island's sister island located offshore. After a one-and-a-half-hour boat ride, you'll reach the secluded island. Those who enjoy relaxing can savor doing nothing on the northern coast and wait for the Caribbean barbecue at midday or stroll to the abandoned lighthouse in the island's center.

Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae music - and its cultural heritage is still the main reason many travelers visit the third-largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean. Many come to follow in Bob Marley's footsteps. The capital Kingston is the best destination for this.

The musician's former home is now the Bob Marley Museum (56 Hope Road). Marley purchased the building and property in 1975 and lived there until his death in 1981. His wife, Rita Marley, turned it into a museum six years later. Visitors can explore original rooms and see numerous personal belongings of the musician. On the grounds, besides a photo gallery, there's also a record shop and the One Love Café, inspired by the Marley family's Rastafari lifestyle. Fans also head to Kingston's famous Tuff Gong recording studio (220 Marcus Garvey Drive).

The musician also left traces in Trenchtown, one of Kingston's poorest districts. It is said that reggae originated here in the late sixties. Visiting the Culture Yard (First Street 6/8) and taking a tour provides an interesting insight into life in the neighborhood and offers opportunities to interact with locals.

A hidden gem for reggae fans is the Kingston Dub Club in the city's hills (7b Skyline Drive). Every Wednesday and Sunday evening, visitors from around the world gather here to celebrate, enjoy rum cocktails, and soak in the ambiance.

For those seeking relaxation in nature, the Blue Mountains are the best place to go. Enjoy the stunning views during a hike on the Peak Trail. The mountains are also home to one of the most sought-after coffee varieties in the world.

It is only a few inches in size, round, brown, and rather unassuming - yet the nutmeg has earned the small Caribbean state of Grenada the reputation as the Spice Island. The nutmeg, even depicted as a symbol on the national flag, is considered the island's most important export commodity. Grenada is the world's second-largest producer after Indonesia. Twenty percent of the world's nutmeg comes from this Lesser Antilles island. Thanks to the climate, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger also grow here. For example, in Laura's Herb & Spice Garden in the St. David district in the south, which can be explored through guided tours.

Many spices can be found at the large market in the island's capital, St. George's. It takes place daily at Market Square and is considered one of the most colorful in the Caribbean. A visit is especially worthwhile on Saturday mornings when the market is bustling. Here, you'll also find Bois Bande, a tree bark rumored to have aphrodisiac properties.

To learn more about the harvesting and exportation of nutmeg, visit the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Cooperative in the St. John district in the west of the island.

Just about an hour's drive from the capital, the Belmont Estate, a plantation from the 17th century, offers an impressive insight into its operations. Everything here revolves around cocoa - from cultivation to the production of fine organic chocolate.

Many nutmeg plants can be seen on a hike to another island attraction: the Seven Sisters in Grand Etang National Park. The waterfalls are situated in the dense rainforest in the center of the island. The hike can be strenuous, but the water provides a refreshing dip. Brave souls take the plunge from one or more of the waterfalls.

The past as a British colony has bestowed Barbados with a unique honor: Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a sign that a visit is particularly worthwhile. And in this case, it certainly is. The notable historical buildings include the Clock Tower from 1803 and the Mutual Building from 1895.

British influences also manifest in other ways: Cricket is the national sport on the island. Traditions such as English breakfast and teatime are held in high esteem. Elegant porcelain and fine tweed are easily found along the shopping streets of Broad Street. No wonder the island, part of the Lesser Antilles, is often referred to as Little England.

However, the landscape has nothing in common with the European country. Like everywhere in the Caribbean, there are stunning white sand beaches and turquoise seas. Occasionally, turtles swim in the waters of Carlisle Bay. Silver Sands Beach is particularly popular with surfers and wakeboarders.

The island is also known as the birthplace of rum. The Mount Gay Distillery in the St. Lucy district, founded in 1703, is considered the oldest still-existing distillery worldwide. A historical tour provides travelers with insight and tasting opportunities.

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