The Caribbean is considered to be one of the most idyllic locations on the planet. Palm fringed, white sand beaches, charming colonial towns and crystal-clear turquoise sea await. This might be enough to win over most kids, but if the younger ones aren’t convinced then there’s always the promise of pirate stories and adventure. Here’s how you could get a taste of paradise and unleash your inner Jack Sparrow on holidays to the Caribbean.
Consider a cruise
If you want to see several of the Caribbean islands then a cruise can be a great option. Family ships provide all sorts of activities for kids, from fun clubs to adventure playgrounds and entertainers. Travelling by ship in the style of Captain Sparrow can be a great adventure in itself as you approach new islands over the Caribbean Sea. Family cruises present plenty of opportunity for parents to relax as kids enjoy the clubs and activities laid on for them.
Family-friendly resorts
If you’d rather stick to dry land then there are plenty of Caribbean resorts that cater for families. St Lucia, Barbados and the Dominican Republic are renowned for their family friendly offerings with large resorts catering for kids of all ages. You can get good deals by going for an all-inclusive package, and kids can even stay and eat for free at some resorts. Many hotels have their own kids’ clubs in which the pirate theme is brought to life through games, activities and entertainment. You may be able to save money by going for a self-catering villa or cottage, so shop around for the best deals.
My family and I took a trip to one of these resorts a few years back and were amazed at how much fun we had. I documented the trip in the below posts:
- http://dadofdivas.com/travel/franklin-desort-a-different-approach-to-all-inclusive
- http://dadofdivas.com/travel/franklin-desorts-making-friends
- http://dadofdivas.com/travel/franklin-desorts-the-food
- http://dadofdivas.com/travel/franklin-desorts-activities-for-adults
- http://dadofdivas.com/travel/franklin-desorts-activities-for-kids
- http://dadofdivas.com/travel/franklin-desorts-a-nanny-makes-it-different
Fun for teens
While kids’ clubs might work for younger kids, teens will be looking for something a little more adventurous. The Caribbean has loads to offer in the way of water sports, from snorkelling and diving to banana boating and paragliding. The Dominican Republic’s north coast is a reasonably priced yet adventure packed Caribbean destination with calm, shallow sea and water sports for people of all levels and ages. The Cayman Island reefs provide one of the best SCUBA diving experiences the Caribbean has to offer, with an array of corral, tropical fish and larger sea creatures such as turtles to spot.
On the same trip to Jamaica, I spent a ton of time underwater snorkeling, check it out:
Cutthroats and culture
When it’s time for a break from the beach there are plenty of Caribbean locations that bring the pirate story to life. The interactive pirate museum of the Bahamas is one of the best offerings, where actors dressed up in pirate garb take visitors around a replica of Black Beard’s ship and through the multimedia exhibitions that offer insight into pirate life. You can even get your own cutlass and hat in the gift shop.
From its beaches to its swashbuckling history, the Caribbean really does have something special to offer the whole family. While trips certainly aren’t cheap, you can get better deals by visiting either side of high season and shopping around for the most reasonably priced resorts.
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