When some travelers are faced with the decision of how to spend their holidays, they often choose tropical vacations. The numerous lists of Islands that travelers can choose from may seem exciting at first, but it soon becomes a frustrating task in little time. At first, it might seem easy to blot out some options from the list, but then it becomes a tiring task when the list is left with two of the best Islands in the world – The Caribbean Islands and The Bahamas Islands. In this case, only some ideas and a little comparison are needed to make the Tropical Vacation decision-making process more manageable.
Updated by Gabriel Kirellos, December 3rd, 2021: Both the Caribbean and the Bahamas offer the perfect summer vacation, with each destination having its unique advantages and splendid points of interest. This article was updated to include information about some of the most beautiful beaches in both regions, such as Bathsheba, Seven Mile, Pink Sands, and others.
About The Caribbean Islands
The Caribbean Island is a large archipelago region situated in the premises of the Caribbean Ocean. It is located east of Central America, west of the Atlantic Ocean, and North of South America.
The Caribbean Island is also located southeast of the North American mainland and the Gulf of Mexico. The Caribbean Island contains up to 700 Islands that feature some of the best beaches in the world.
Reasons To Visit The Caribbean Island For A Tropical Vacation
There are many important reasons why travelers should pick this location for a tropical vacation. Some of these reasons include the following;
- The Caribbean features an all-year Warm Weather: The warm weather of the Caribbean makes the beach more appealing to people who simply want to cool off. This is especially advantageous and ideal for travelers who want to get away from the bone-piercing winter cold of their parts of the world.
- There are so many beaches in the Caribbean: Some of the best beaches globally, such as – Anguilla, Aruba, White Bay beach, and others, can be found in the Caribbean Islands. Travelers who explore this destination will enjoy the beach atmosphere designed with tall palm trees, soft powdery sands, serene waters, rich-green forests, and delightful cocktails. Moreover, Bathsheba Beach is a can't miss in the Caribbean and offers an adventure destination where people can see the Soup Bowl, which lures photographers worldwide. Moreover, Grace Bay Beach is considered one of the world's most spectacular beaches. It's located in the Turks and Caicos. Another great scene can be found in the Cayman Islands at Seven Mile Beach. People enjoy staying at the iconic all-inclusive resorts there and participating in the various fun activities.
- The Caribbean Islands Offers Rich Bio-diversity and Robust Eco life: Many plants and animals call the Caribbean Islands home. Examples of plants native to the Caribbean include the Papaya, Prickly pear, and the flaming sword plant. The Caribbean also contains many birds, reptiles, and flowers, such as the hibiscus, bougainvillea, and orchids.
According to Worldwildlife.org, The Jamaican Island alone features up to 20 endemic bird species, 27 endemic reptile species, and 21 endemic amphibian species making it one of the most diverse ecological regions globally.
- The Caribbean is Rich in Culture: The Caribbean is a place of a rich culture that has been preserved over the years. It is almost certain that travelers will get to witness a cultural event or carnival on their visit to the Caribbean.
- The Caribbean is Home To Good Music: One of the most popular music genres in the world originated from the third largest island in the Caribbean – Jamaica. Reggae is a style of music that relates to Jamaican culture. Today this style of music native to the Jamaican people is celebrated in all the corners of the earth.
Cuba, The most significant single Island in the Caribbean, is also a place of great music and dance styles. The popular Salsa dance is believed by many to originate from Cuba before it found its way into other parts of the world. Different similar types were developed as well.
Cons of A Tropical Vacation in the Caribbean Islands
- Crime rates
- Exposure to Mosquitoes
- Vulnerabilities to natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and hurricanes
About The Bahamas
The Bahamas is a large archipelago and Independent country situated on the northwestern side of the West Indies. This archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean features 700 islands that cover up its 180,000 square miles of ocean territory, according to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force.
Reasons To Visit The Bahamas
The Bahamas is a good destination which calls out vacationers to explore its shores, and these are the reasons why that decision might be the best for the vacationer.
- Attractive National Parks: The National parks in the Bahamas are strategically located in the best places to give travelers unforgettable experiences. There are up to 14 National parks in the Bahamas, which helps vacationers take closer looks at the diverse biodiversity of the Bahamas. These parks features - wildlife, bird species, marine species, and different plant species, all of which are within reach of the vacationers.
- The Beaches offer captivating views and absolute comfort: It really takes a few things to make a beach enjoyable; the soft sand, pureness of the water, and the atmosphere. The Bahamas Island offers just the perfect mix of all these characteristics in its beaches so the vacationer can lay back and enjoy their vacation to the fullest. In Harbour Island, people enjoy hitting the marvelous Pink Sands Beach, where the sands are really pink and gorgeous. People can relax under the sun or practice horseback riding on this beach. Nassau in the Bahamas is home to Cabbage Beach, which feels like a paradise island. Another must-see beach in the Bahamas is Treasure Cay Beach in North Abaco, where people can witness the diverse marine life. Moreover, Treasure Cay is not as crowded as other beaches in the region.
- Comfortable Weather/Climate: The Bahamas Island features a tropical Savannah climate. It is hot during the rainy season and cools during the dry season. The sea, however, is warm enough for vacationers to enjoy swimming all year round. During the hot weather, the winds help moderate and balance up the temperature.
- Thriving Marine Life: Aside from the pure waters of the beaches in the Bahamas Islands, different sea creatures live in its waters. Occasionally, dolphins inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean can be sighted by vacationers as they enjoy swimming in the warm water of the Bahamas Islands. Other sea creatures found in this water include – sea turtles, Spiny lobster, Blue Tang, and sharks.
Mouth-watering Delicacies: The influence of the Caribbean flavors made its way into the Bahamas to create unique local food dishes that are difficult to resist. Some of these dishes vacationers should try out on their next visit to this archipelago include - Rock Lobsters, Conch fritters Conch Salad, Bahamian stew fish, Johnnycakes, Boiled fish, Bahamian crayfish, souse, Lionfish, and Potato salad.
Cons of A Tropical Vacation In The Bahamas Islands
- Vulnerability to Natural disasters
- Exposure to Mosquitoes
- Cost may be high
The Caribbean and the Bahamas offer everything a vacationer might need to enjoy a tropical vacation. Hence it really depends on the vacationer's preference and intuition. The choice lies between an Island with so many cultures, beaches, and more exciting options to choose from or an Island with the same exciting features of an exciting Island but with fewer cultures and options to choose from.
It is worth noting that good music in the Caribbean Islands placed it above the Bahamas. In this case, a tropical vacation in the Caribbean will be the best choice for vacationers who love the added Caribbean advantage of listening to the Reggae style of music in Jamaica or the entertaining Salsa dance in Cuba.