I've been to 20 Caribbean islands. Here are 7 mistakes first-time visitors should avoid making.

03.06.2024 - 21:07 / insider.com / River Falls

The Caribbean is the perfect vacation destination for those looking for warm weather, endless beaches, and exciting activities on and off the water. From nightlife and water sports to great food and historical attractions, the Caribbean has something for everyone.

That's why it isn't surprising that travel to the Caribbean is so popular. In fact, tourism is off to a strong start in 2024, with many islands seeing an increase in visitors compared to 2023.

However, as someone who's been traveling to the Caribbean for the past two decades, I've observed some common mistakes first-time visitors make.

If you're planning a trip to the Caribbean and want to maximize your experience, here are some mistakes to avoid making while visiting.

The Caribbean is full of gorgeous resorts, but one of the biggest mistakes I see first-time visitors make is never leaving the property. Every time I travel to an island, I make a point to leave the resort and check out nearby attractions.

One of my favorite recent-travel experiences was a day trip in Jamaica, where I was able to float down the Martha Brae River and climb Dunn's River Falls.

If you're unsure of what activities are available, check out some reputable tours online or ask your hotel's concierge for recommendations. If you do plan to leave the resort, be sure to do your research and take standard safety precautions.

The Caribbean is known for its all-inclusive resorts, which are convenient for families with small children or large groups of friends.

But for solo travelers, couples, and families with older kids, I recommend checking out smaller boutique hotels. Some of my best travel memories have come from staying at smaller properties.

When I visited Puerto Rico for the first time, I stayed in a charming one-bedroom apartment in Old San Juan, which was just a short taxi ride to the beach. We spent our days exploring Old San Juan, and each night, we chose a new restaurant to visit, which we wouldn't have done if we stayed at a large, all-inclusive resort.

There's a common misconception that all islands in the Caribbean look the same. However, the geography varies from island to island.

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Volcanic islands like St. Lucia and Dominica boast black-sand beaches, Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas have relatively flat terrains and deep cave systems, and Antigua and St. Croix have rolling hills ideal for long hikes.

In Aruba, visitors can relax on white-sand beaches or explore the towering cactus plants, sand dunes, and rocky pools in Arikok National Park.

Each island offers something a little different, and you can maximize your stay by knowing how you want to spend your vacation.

While island hopping sounds costly, several islands have convenient and