This is the year for making big travel plans and putting positive thoughts into the atmosphere. It’s a new year, and you should be well on your way with planning your vacations in the Caribbean.
Some people may be lucky enough to have countless days of unused vacation, but others (like me) are desperately rationing out the few days allocated, for a bit of rest and relaxation. Because these days are precious I’m going to suggest some creative ideas for vacations in the Caribbean, so that you can maximise your time in the sunshine.
Below you’ll find some amazing suggestions that you can use to plan creative niche vacations in the Caribbean that are based on doing something that you love. There are ideas for creating a few days of golfing, cycling, festivals, sailing, diving, bird watching, culinary events, fishing and sports events throughout the year.
Booking.comGolf Green Getaway – The Caribbean Golf Classic in the Dominican Republic
If you are researching golf vacations in the Caribbean, there is a golf event in the Dominican Republic in May 2019. The Caribbean Golf Classic will be held from May 7 – 9, 2019 at the Westin, Puntacana Resort & Club. This four day Caribbean Classic event compliments of the Caribbean Golf Association, consists of three rounds of competition.
Lodgings in the Dominican Republic
Packages for the Caribbean Golf Classic include airport transfers, concierge arrival service and accommodation in the traditional rooms at the Westin Puntacana Resort and Club. Breakfast, practice rounds of golf, dinner and room service are included.
Competitive Cycling Championship – Tour Cycliste International de la Guadeloupe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40HpslZ9k7s
Tour de Guadeloupe is an annual international cycling tour in Guadeloupe. The event is organised by the Regional Cycling Committee of Guadeloupe and will be held in August 2019. The multi stage cycling event covers the length and breadth of the island and as a result, participants and onlookers can indulge in the many sights and sounds of Guadeloupe.
Hotels in Guadeloupe
Accommodation in Guadeloupe is extensive and options can be found all over the island. Travel booking sites like Expedia and Booking have extensive lists of the major hotels on the island. To get started you can check out Club Med Caravalle, Hotel Amaudo, Le Jardin Malanga and LoBleu Hotel.
Famous Festival Fun – The Barbados Crop Over Festival
The Crop Over Festival is the premier heritage and cultural festival in Barbados that celebrates the end of the sugar cane crop season. Although the festival launch date is in May 2019, the stellar events of the festival will occur from the 02 – 05 August 2019. Top events on this weekend include the Pic o’ de Crop calypso competition, Foreday Morning and Grand Kadooment.
Hotels in Barbados
Most of the hotels in Barbados are located on the south coast and west coast of the island. Suggestions include the Hilton Barbados Resort, the Radission Aquatica Resort Barbados, Sugar Bay Barbados, Sandy Lane Hotel and Infinity on the Beach Hotel.
Smooth Sailing Situation – BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival 2019
The 48th Annual BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival comes off March 25 -31, 2019. It is a premium event that will attract up to 110 participating yachts. The festival consists of a number of events including the Spring Regatta; the Scrub Island Invitational; and the Round Tortola Race for Nanny Cay Cup.
Where to Stay in the British Virgin Islands
The BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival official website lists a number of accommodation partners. The list includes the Nanny Cay Marina Hotel and Resort, Fort Recovery Villas and a number of Air BnB suggestions.
Daring Deep-sea Diving – Bonaire Deepsea Challenge and Caribbean Mermaid Festival
The Bonaire Deepsea Challenge and Caribbean Mermaid Festival are still in the planning stages, but the dates for this event are October 1st – 6th, 2019. It is a thrill seeker’s dream that’s definitely not for the faint of heart. Free divers from many countries compete in four freediving disciplines – Static, Constand Weight, Constant No Fins and Free Immersion.
Places to Stay in Bonaire
Many of the hotels in Bonaire are located on the west coast of the island, so it’s very easy to get to the dive location. You can research hotel rates at the Courtyard by Marriott Bonaire; Divi Flamingo Beach Resort; Hotel Islander Bonaire; and Central Hotel Bonaire.
Bird Box Business – Birdwatching Magazine’s Cuba Bird Survey
Bird Watching Magazine, in collaboration with the Caribbean Conservation Trust are hosting a birding excursion to Cuba from March 2 -12, 2019. This bird watching excursion in Cuba will take you to the island’s top bird habitats, national parks and reserves, therefore, you will get up close with some of the Caribbean’s most loved birds.
Accommodation in Cuba
Accommodation for the bird survey, is available as a package deal. According to the excursion brochure, the accommodation includes hotels and private home lodgings.
Creative Culinary Celebration – The Nevis Mango and Food Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp5LeO-B2ZI
With a bit of culinary innovation and creativity, the Nevis Mango and Food Festival will be held from July 4 – 9 2019. The festival is a celebration of the island’s 44 varieties of mango and the talents of local and international chefs. The festival also consists of cooking master classes, celebrity chef dinners and a mango tasting session.
Where to Stay in Nevis
There are quite a few places where you can stay in Nevis. I would suggest taking advantage of the festival hotel packages that are available on the official Nevis Mango and Food Festival website.
Fine Fishing Fest – The Tobago International Game Fishing Tournament
The Tobago International Game Fishing Tournament will be held from the 14-18 May 2019 in Charlotteville, Tobago. The first event was in 1955 in Pigeon Point. It was relocated to the northern village of Charlotteville and as a result, it is now an international tournament that attracts big game fishermen from all over the world.
Staying in Tobago
To plan your Tobago getaway for the tournament, you will need to find somewhere to stay. There are several hotels that are located in Charlotteville or very close to the town. For example, you can research the Charlotte Villa, Blue Waters Inn, Grand View Guesthouse and Top Ranking Guesthouse.
Super Sports Special – Twenty 20 Cricket in St. Kitts
It’s a catch! Cricketing vacations in the Caribbean can be very exciting, with the perfect mix of sports and leisure. The English are in the Caribbean and the action for the Twenty 20 matches will be in St. Kitts! Book your tickets now for March 2019 matches. Match tickets are available through Zoonga.
Where to Stay in St. Kitts
Thankfully, St. Kitts has a wide selection of hotels that visitors can choose from. St. Kitts Marriott, Sugar Bay Club, Park Hyatt, Royal St. Kitts, Sea View Inn and Bird Rock Beach Hotel and located close to the Warner Sporting Complex. In addition, some hotels are offering special promotions through April 2019. Check this link to save on your stay.
Serious Surfing Session – The Aruba Hi-Winds Tournament
The Aruba Hi-Winds Tournament is one of Aruba’s longest running sporting events. Dates for the event are 3 – 9 July 2019. The venue is Fisherman’s Huts. This week long event features the popular surfing activities, kite surfing and windsurfing. However, if you want to make this a family outing, there are events for children as well.
Hotels in Aruba
For this event, you can stay at hotels that are close to the action. These include the Ritz-Carlton, the Boardwalk Small Hotel Aruba; Aruba Beach Villas and Aruba Sunset Beach.
Booking.comPlanning Creative Niche Vacations in the Caribbean
If you are not too comfortable with planning vacations in the Caribbean and you would like to get some assistance, you can contact Love Holidays, Expedia, Book It and Hot Wire. More details about these companies can be found on the Resources page.