Tips for Travelers to the Caribbean

Foreword

Since colonial times, the Caribbean has been a favorite place for American visitors. In the past 50 years, tourism to the area has increased greatly, and today millions of U.S. citizens visit the islands every year. The majority of these visitors have a safe trip. To help you have a similar experience, the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs has prepared these tips for you.

Consular Affairs provides services to Americans who travel or reside abroad. If, in spite of your best precautions, you find yourself in difficulties abroad, please contact the U.S. consul at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. There is a list of U.S. embassies and consulates in the Caribbean at the end of this publication.

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable experience during your visit to the Caribbean!

Originally named the West Indies by explorers seeking a sea route to India, the Caribbean is the region of tropical islands in the Caribbean Sea situated between North and South America and east of Central America. The islands extend for nearly 1,700 miles from Cuba in the west to Barbados in the east.

Note: There are special conditions relating to travel to Cuba, including U.S. Treasury restrictions

Travel to Mexico and to Central and South America is covered in separate publications. To order them, see the inside back cover.

If you plan to visit the most popular islands during high tourist season (from mid-December to mid-April), confirm your hotel reservations two to three months in advance. There are, however, lesser-known islands where you may be able to book first class accommodations on short notice. In addition, you can usually book reservations with ease during the off-season, but be aware of hurricane season, which runs from June to November. During this period, travelers are wise to check weather reports before departure from the U.S., as well as periodically, during their stay.

Most of the islands in the Caribbean belong to one of 13 independent countries. In addition, several islands and groups of islands in the Caribbean are part of or dependent upon France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, or the United States. ...

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U.S. Department of State

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