Destination: Caribbean Islands

Relaxed, indulgent, tropical

Special because …
Warm, exotic island resorts
Pristine beaches and turquoise seas
Soothing spas and spicy nightlife

There is so much to choose from in the sunny Caribbean! If you’re passionate about tranquility and the sound of the sea gently lapping at the shore, head for the British Virgin Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Nevis, Anguilla, or the Turks & Caicos. For a fun-filled cultural immersion and unbelievable nightlife, set your sights on Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, or St. Thomas.

Scuba diving couples will fall for the Cayman Islands, St. Croix, and Bonaire. If you plan to hit the fairways after you say your vows, opt for the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, or Puerto Rico. And if you want a romantic island ceremony with a European twist, St. Barts, St. Martin, and Martinique are très magnifique! The best time to go to avoid rain and hurricanes is December through April.

Caribbean Dining
The tastes of Africa, Native America, Britain, Spain, France, Netherlands, India, and China all come together to create the unique cuisine of the Caribbean region. Specialties include fresh seafood, spicy stews, sweet cakes, luscious mangoes, spicy plantains, coconut dumplings, roasted breadfruit, fried jackfish, and Latin American dishes such as arroz con pollo and empanadas. Upscale resorts complement their authentic Caribbean fare with a range of international cuisine, including contemporary American, Italian, Japanese, and French.

For Culture Lovers
The music and dance of the Caribbean is a warm and wonderful blend of influences from Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Popular genres include: reggae, salsa, soca, and calypso. Hire a steel drum band for your reception and dance into the night to "One Love," "Stir It Up," and "Jammin’ " by Bob Marley & the Whalers; "Red, Red Wine" by UB40; "A Love I Can Feel" by John Holt; "Hold Me Tight" by Johnny Nash; and "Caribbean Queen" by Billy Ocean.

Sugar, nutmeg, tobacco, cocoa, and bananas are common crops. Architectural styles and customs from Spain, Britain, the Netherlands, United States, and France are evident in the former colonial towns. Languages include English, French, Spanish, and a variety of Creole dialects. The flora and fauna of the rainforests make for some amazing photos. Delightful creatures such as sea turtles, green velvet monkeys, brilliant tropical birds abound.

Activities Galore
Relax in a private cabana with fresh fruit and Champagne. Indulge in daily spa treatments such as body wraps, scrubs and couples massages. Swim in pristine pools with swim-up bars. Learn how to windsurf, kayak, or sail. Scuba dive and snorkel among teeming coral reefs and ship wrecks. Take private golf lessons. Practice yoga in a breathtaking environment.

You and your guests can bond on the beach with afternoon volleyball matches. Swim with dolphins. Explore the verdant rainforests, waterfalls, and hidden sulfur springs. Take amazing photos on a helicopter ride. Tour a sugar plantation. Drink rum punch toasts. After sundown, get dressed up and go dancing in chic beach clubs and open-air lounges.

Favorites Places
Lucayan Archipelago – Includes the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos, which are technically in the Atlantic but often considered a part of the Caribbean community.

Greater Antilles – The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Puerto Rico

Lesser Antilles – The U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, Water Island), The British Virgin Islands (Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke), Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis, Monserrat, and Guadeloupe

Windward Islands – Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago

Leeward Antilles – Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire

Who Got Married There?
Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner (Turk & Caicos), Jason Priestley & Naomi Lowde (Bahamas), Jewel & Ty Murray (Bahamas), Nick Cannon & Mariah Carey (Bahamas), Shania Twain & Frederic Thiebauld (Puerto Rico), NFL superstar Deion Sanders & Pilar Biggers (Bahamas)