The Caribbean
Green Travel
Guide
The Caribbean: An Overview
Ah, the Caribbean! My first home and the place that saw me born. Let this Caribbean green travel guide inspire you to visit this beautiful region of the world. Here, coconut trees dance in the sea breeze and the beach is always close to you, no matter where you find yourself.
It’s easy to think that all there is to the Caribbean are beaches. But if you take the time to explore the islands, you will find there is more to the Caribbean what is advertised. The region is full of a diverse number of ‘ecoregions’ that create the perfect setting for a nature lovers paradise. There are rainforests, deserts, mountains, mangroves and of course, the ‘rainforests of the sea’: coral reefs teeming with colourful life. All of these natural beauties are complemented by the warmth, joviality, and openness of the Caribbean people. I should know. I’m one of them!
Keep reading this Caribbean green travel guide for travel tips and inspiration to immerse yourself in this special part of the world.
EXPLORE
When to visit the Caribbean
With beautiful weather ranging between 24-30C all year round, the Caribbean is a destination open to visitors any time of the year. Although it can get hot in summer, it rarely gets too hot. Winters are very mild, especially compared to those in the USA and Europe. As a result, many tourists flock the Caribbean between December to April. At this time, the season brings slightly cooler weather and people are escaping the freezing winters of the north.
The wet season in the Caribbean ranges between May to November, with July and October being hurricane season. Despite this, visiting the Caribbean outside of peak season (Dec-April) will probably be your best option. Prices for flights and accommodation are lower and so are the crowds. However, you will also need to consider your interests, budget and your preferred island.
Whale season, migrating birds and nesting turtles all have their preferred time of the year. Keep reading our Caribbean green travel guide for what to expect when visiting the Caribbean, including highlights for each region within it.
What to expect when visiting the Caribbean
The Caribbean has a total of 20 countries. Each has a rich history and culture as well as wonderful natural areas to get lost in. Including everything in this Caribbean green travel guide would be a massive task. So, we’ve included some of the experiences and destinations that most captured our attention. Keep on reading our Caribbean green travel guide and find some inspiration to book that flight!
GREATER ANTILLES
The Greater Antilles make up nearly 90% of the total land area of the West Indies. They include the bigger islands in the Caribbean. They are the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Hispaniola (which include the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica and Puerto Rico. The map below shows where these islands are located relative to each other.
From these 5 major islands, you can expect to immerse yourself in various nature-based activities. They include world-class diving, canyoning in untouched jungles, hiking trails, trekking mountains, exploring caves, whale watching and of course, lots of relaxing in white sand beaches.
LESSER ANTILLES
Although the Lesser Antilles consists of three smaller island groups – the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands and the Leeward Antilles – for this Caribbean green travel guide, we have grouped them all. A total of 20 islands make up the entire Lesser Antilles.
They include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the US Virgin Islands.
We have pinpointed the islands in the map below.
It doesn’t matter which island you choose to visit. You’re bound to come across balmy tropical weather, stunning beaches and plenty of things to do all year-round. Combined, the Lesser Antilles offer a wide array of experiences for the nature lover and green traveller.
From bird watching, to wreck diving, to swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat, to hiking dormant volcanoes, to learning about turtle conservation, these islands are sure to supply you with unforgettable adventures in this beautiful part of the world.
LUCAYAN ARCHIPELAGO
Located in the north Caribbean, the Lucayan Archipelago includes The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Both destinations are touted for having some of the best underwater experiences in the world. The Bahamas, for example, offers unparalleled diving with sharks in their natural habitat. There are also wild pigs that swim in turquoise, clear waters.
Turks in Caicos, on the other hand, offers stretches of uncrowded beaches and vibrant coral reefs waiting to be explored. If you’re lucky, you can also encounter migrating Humpback whales.
BEYOND THE BLUE
10 green travel experiences in the Caribbean
For this Caribbean green travel guide, I’ve included some tips on what I consider to be some of the best experiences for the sustainable traveller on a visit to the Caribbean.
1. Go bird watching in Anguilla, where the island’s offshore cays are a haven for nesting seabirds.
2. Visit Wallings Nature Reserve, where you can hike in the first community-managed national park in Antigua and Barbuda.
3. Scuba dive in Aruba’s SS Antilla Wreck.
4. Visit the Barbados Sea Turtle Project, between July and October to contribute to turtle conservation.
5. Support parrot conservation by visiting Echo Bonaire in Bonaire.
6. Explore the British Islands on a kayak.
7. Swim with dolphins in their natural habitat at Curaçao’s Dolphin Academy.
8. Go chasing waterfalls at Dominica, with the country’s 365 rivers.
9. Visit the Concord Falls in Saint Barthelemy.
10. Hike the highest peak in the Caribbean, the Pico Duarte, in the Dominican Republic.
DISCOVER
Caribbean green travel guide:
7 eco-friendly accommodation options
To finish this Caribbean green travel guide, here are some options for eco-friendly accommodations. I haven’t stayed at the below accommodations. But, I consider them some of the eco-friendliest ones I could find.
Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive! I’m sure there are other places that could be featured in this South America green travel guide. So, I invite you to do your own research to find a place that suits your needs.
✦ US Virgin Islands
1. Cinnamon Bay (St. John): Cinnamon Bay is a camping enthusiast’s dream! Even though the project is yet to be finished, Cinnamon Bay will create a unique camping experience within the Virgin Islands National Park. The rebuilding of the campground is prioritising sustainability and profits will go towards supporting the local economy.
✦ Dominica
2. Rosalie Forest (Rosalie, Dominica): This eco-lodge is located in the heart of Rosalie rainforest. The lodge has been developed considering harmony with nature and having as little impact as possible on the surrounding environment. The lodge uses renewable energy and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its ecological footprint. One of the most important aspects of the lodge is that it involves the local community. They are trained in sustainable living when they start working at the lodge.
✦ Saint Barthelemy
3. Fleur De Lune: (Grande Saline, Saint Barthelemy): An eco-lodge comprising 12 accommodation divided into villas, rooms and bungalows. Fleur de Line blends perfectly with its surrounding environment. The accommodation they offer is part of the Ecotourism movement. It applies several responsible tourism principles, including preserving local flora and fauna, giving priority to the local economy, limiting consumption of water and electricity and reducing the environmental impact of waste.
✦ St Vincent
4. Petite St Vincent (Petite St Vincent Island): Petit St Vincent has been recognised as a leader in sustainability. It was included in National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World report. The lodge has implemented a number of sustainability initiatives in its operations. They include a desalination plant, a solar array, a coral restoration project, an organic vegetable garden and recycling. The lodge has also set up a new scholarship fund to help finance the education of its employees’ children.
✦ Dominican Republic
5. Dominican Treehouse Village (El Valle, Dominican Republic): A beautiful project, nestled in the jungles of El Valle in Samaná. Staying here is living like Tarzan and Jane. The treehouses have been built in harmony with nature and with reduced environmental impact. The project is supporting the local economy by implementing low-impact tourism.
6. Paraíso Caño Hondo (Los Haitises, Dominican Republic): “Ecotourism at its finest”, is how this eco-lodge defines itself. Located in the gateway point of Los Haitises National Park, this eco-lodge offers an experience like no other. Some of the experiences you can enjoy while staying in Paraíso Caño Hondo include natural swimming pools, whale watching, kayaking, and exploring the caves of Los Haitises, where you will also learn about the local indigenous culture.
✦ Puerto Rico
7. Yuquiyú (Río Grande, Puerto Rico): Located within an area of north-eastern Puerto Rico called “The Portal to Nature”, this eco-lodge offers a unique opportunity to experience nature at its best in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. The accommodation consists of treehouses that allow you to take in the stunning views surrounding you. In the vicinity, you can enjoy a number of nature-based activities, including rainforests, sea turtle nesting sites, coral reefs, ancient petroglyphs and a bioluminescent lagoon.
✦ Tobago
7. Castara Retreats (Castara, Trinidad and Tobago): This eco-lodge has strived to set the example for sustainable tourism in the Caribbean. One of our favourite aspects of Castara Retreats is that they work as an intimate, family-run eco-resort that is managed by locals who have a stake in the business.