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The Caribbean region has more than 7,000 islands.
It's one of the most sought-after vacation areas in the world.
But when planning your dream vacation, how do you narrow 7,000 islands to just one?
I'm Anthony, and I've lived in the Caribbean for several years and am here to help make
the decision easier for you.
The short answer is that choosing your vacation location depends entirely on your goals and
travel group.
Different islands suit each group's needs if you're a solo traveler, part of a couple,
or traveling with the whole family.
In today's video, I'll review which island makes for the best dream vacation for each
traveling group.
Let's start traveling!
The best island destination for solo travelers is Aruba.
Of course, an island featured in a Beach Boys song is worthy of making today's video.
When you think about the beaches in the Caribbean, you might assume they all look the same.
But in Aruba, iconic Divi Divi trees line some beaches instead of the expected palm
trees.
Eagle Beach, which lies to the northwest, is quiet enough that you can carve out some
space for yourself but busy enough to offer dive schools and beach bars.
To enjoy true solitude, check out Savaneta Beach along the southern coast.
Quaint pastel-colored houses stand in contrast to the crystalline waters and white beaches.
It has distinct Amsterdam vibes, an unexpected delight when visiting an island across the
Atlantic Ocean from the Netherlands.
This tropical Amsterdam is Aruba's capital city of Oranjestad, named after the Prince
of Orange.
Aruba's location near the northern coast of South America means it doesn't experience
the same weather patterns that many islands further out in the Caribbean Sea have.
It gets less rain, so the landscape is more arid, including stretches of desert-like land
filled with cactus forests.
Rocky outcroppings are typical around the island.
This varied landscape makes you appreciate the tropical beaches and allows you to keep
your vacation fresh and see unique sights instead of simply beach-hopping your way around
the island.
When traveling solo, you can spend as much or as little time as you'd like on activities
and locations.
Aruba has you covered if you're looking for activities on or in the water.
Sailing is a popular sport in the area, so there are plenty of options for sunset and
dinner cruises on anything from a private charter to large pirate ships.
Some cruises will offer diving time, but you don't have to go on a cruise to enjoy Aruba's
prolific diving.
The Antilla wreck is one of the most well-known: a scuttled German ship from World War II.
There are other wrecks to explore, including crashed airplanes.
While diving, you'll see plenty of wildlife, like yellowtail snappers, stingrays, and moray
eels.
And if you'd rather stay on dry land, Haystack Mountain in the middle of the island offers
360-degree vistas of the island.
On clear days you can even see the Venezuelan coast!
Haystack Mountain is only 500 feet tall but is well above the rest of the area.
You'll probably run into a handful of goats along the way, as they call this region home.
Renting an ATV is another popular activity in Aruba that can easily be enjoyed solo.
Let's be honest - you'd likely ditch your friend or significant other to go exploring
while off-roading, anyway.
It's a great way to explore more inaccessible beaches and jungles on the island, and you
can either opt for a guide or go out on your own.
When visiting a new place, it's always a good idea to absorb some of the history and culture
of the region.
Aruba is no exception, with its complicated history of colonial powers and ancient indigenous
life.
A residential home has been converted into an Archaeological Museum that displays artifacts
dating back to 2,500 BCE, as well as a short documentary film on the indigenous peoples
of Aruba.
The food is as varied as the influences on the island throughout history.
You'll find South American, Caribbean, and Dutch influences with a heavy emphasis on
seafood and fresh tropical fruits.
There are budget hotels, luxury hotels, and Airbnb options that range from private rooms
to entire homes and apartments.
Aruba is also consistently listed as one of the safest islands in the Caribbean.
You can feel safe traveling alone if you practice basic safety precautions that should be observed
worldwide.
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The best island destination for couples is the Dominican Republic.
I highly recommend the Dominican Republic if you want to get away with your sweetheart.
The glimmering beaches seem never to end, and there's adventure around every corner
and plenty of history to explore through archaeological sites.
As the second-largest and most diverse country in the Caribbean Sea, you can switch up your
activities and find things you both enjoy.
Whether planning a honeymoon, wedding, anniversary, or a 'just because' trip, you can build the
perfect trip in the Dominican Republic for the two of you.
Relationships are stressful.
It's essential to get out of the daily grind once in a while, reacquaint yourselves with
each other and simply enjoy being together.
The Dominican Republic is the perfect place for this.
Peace and quiet are the norms, and stress is a taboo word, especially for those on vacation.
Recharge your batteries and fall in love all over again while you disconnect from life
back home and bask in the warm Caribbean sun.
While the stress melts away, you'll find yourselves living in the moment and genuinely enjoying
everything this magical place offers.
Check out Playas Bavaro, Juanillo, or Macao beach for epic views, swaying palm trees,
and the soothing sound of the waves rolling in.
Punta Cana offers several possibilities when it comes to accommodations, including several
adult-only resorts that are perfect for the ultimate romantic getaway.
If dancing is a favorite activity for the two of you, the Dominican Republic has you
covered.
Traditional dance styles such as merengue and bachata are even listed as points of cultural
heritage by UNESCO.
Enjoying the nightlife means spending the night swaying your hips to the sound of tamburas,
accordions, maracas, guitars, and melodic voices.
The types of activities you can enjoy are varied and seemingly endless.
Several adventure parks exist to help you tap into your thrill-seeking desires through
climbing, zip lining, and more.
A visit to Isla Saona is a must, a genuine Caribbean paradise that offers mangroves,
coral reefs, and palm-fringed beaches like Palmilla Beach.
For a truly unique experience, a Champagne Night Flight helicopter tour is only 15-minutes
but offers bubbles while you get an aerial view of a picture-perfect sunset.
It's sure to impress your significant other.
Eating your way through a new country is always a treat and much easier to enjoy with two.
There's double the opportunity to try and share new, exciting, or favorite foods!
The best island for family vacations is Barbados.
When it comes to family vacations, Barbados is the clear winner.
From its world-famous beaches to its array of kid-friendly activities, this island has
something for everyone.
So if you're looking for the perfect place to enjoy an unforgettable family vacation,
look no further than beautiful Barbados!
Crystal-clear waters and soft white sand make for enticing spots to plunk down the towels
and toys.
Some beaches offer horseback riding, fascinating topography, cruises, or diving opportunities.
And if you want to get up close and personal with the ocean's inhabitants, the Atlantis
Submarine experience is just what you're looking for.
You'll see what creatures lurk 150 feet below the water's surface.
As long as the kids are at least three feet tall, this is an award-winning activity for
the whole family.
Another watery landmark perfect for the whole family is the Animal Flower Cave in Conneltown.
This confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea is accessible via coral
stairs.
Once inside the cave, kids and adults will have fun counting the sea anemones that are
lovingly referred to as "animal flower" by locals.
The cave walls have rich hues of copper and green due to the copper and iron deposits
in the rocks.
Once you've had your adventure, you can get a bite to eat at the clifftop restaurant perched
above the cave.
If you're lucky, you might even see some whales moving through the area!
To keep the wildlife experience going, shift to dry land and enjoy the Barbados Wildlife
Reserve, where you'll see iguanas, tortoises, otters, peacocks, parrots, macaws, and more.
Only the creepy crawly and slithering residents, like snakes and bugs, are kept in cages, with
the remaining animals having free reign of the four-acre forest that makes up
the reserve.
And if you want to beat the heat and sunshine, head into Harrison's Cave at St. Thomas.
This underground world features emerald pools, stalactites, stalagmites, a tram ride tour
for a gentle approach, or a full-on eco-adventure requiring helmets, knee guards, and headlamps.
Of course, no family vacation would be complete without some time spent relaxing and enjoying
the local cuisine.
Barbados has a wide range of restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes, so you're sure
to find something everyone will enjoy.
And with its year-round warm weather, Barbados is the perfect place to enjoy an unforgettable
family vacation any time of year!
That does it for today's list.
Do you have an alternate dream island getaway for one of these groups?
Or a favorite activity that didn't get covered?
Sound off in the comments below!
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Thanks for watching!
Until next time...happy travels!