What Are Some Of The Best Vacation Spots In The Caribbean?

There is no wrong time to visit Aruba. The weather is always as comfortable 82 degrees with no major rainy season. January through March is Carnival season, and therefore very popular for tourists, mid-April through September provides a more relaxed and less crowded environment, and October through January is the perfect time to get away from the winter elsewhere.

Pack informal casual clothing for your stay in Aruba. You will want to bring, and a scarf for lades because of the constant light wind. One or two casual-dressy outfits are probably more than you need. Only a few restaurants require jackets and ties. Bring bathing suits as well, but do not wear them away from the beach, as it is socially unacceptable.

Currency exchange rates are stable and generally about 1.77 to the U.S. dollar 1.34 to the Canadian dollar. U.S. and Canadian money is gladly accepted in Aruba. It may save you a few dollars, however, to exchange some of your money for when you are not looking to leave a tip. Use debit cards at ATM machines, preferably a temporary card not connected to your checking account (like the American Express traveler's card). You will, however need to call your bank before going to Aruba to be sure you PIN number is valid there.

Aruba is also a great place for a working vacation with cell phone capabilities and rentals (if your phone does not work there.) You will also have access to the Internet through complementary hotel services and WIFI hotspots all over the Island. Local access numbers for America On-Line, Prodigy, CompuServe, AT&T etc. are not available in Aruba and are all considered as long distance calls to the US.
You can drink the water. Aruba has a world's second largest saltwater purification plant. Medical care is ready and available to service your needs as well as and air ambulance service, so you can vacation free of worries.

"Jamaica is also a popular Caribbean spot that's known for its beautiful sunsets, tropical birds, fantastic beaches, natural waterfalls and reggae music", add Mrs. Toole with Quartus Global Travel.

Vacationing in Jamaica is essentially resort vacationing. While the resorts are lovely, do not be afraid to venture forth and mingle a bit with the locals. Yes, children will ask you for money, and vendors will spontaneously start haggling with you over an item you did not know you wanted, but could you really say you had been to Jamaica if you do not leave the resorts. Kingston, the capital of Jamaica is a great place to get out and mingle. Enjoy Jamaican cuisine and take a tour of Kingston's cultural and historic places.

To escape from reality, try one of the many resorts Jamaica has to offer. Montego Bay and more specifically, Montego Beach Resort attract swimsuit-clad families, singles and honeymooners. Negril is describes as being hedonistic (self-indulgent) resort where you can relax on the famous Seven Mile Beach. The resorts include Idle Awhile Resort, Fun Holiday Beach Resort, and Beaches Sandy Bay. Ocho Rios in the north is famous for the all inclusive Grand Sport Villa Golf Resort & Spa, which is a lush resort stands 45 acres of tropical gardens and a private beach. Port Antonio has the tropical resorts Chateau en Exotica and Whispering Bamboo Cove.

"The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 require that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States," according to the US Department of State. Therefore, you should have a passport and other important documents when you visit Aruba or Jamaica.