Five Tips for Finding the Perfect Caribbean Resort Vacation

by Brian Major
Last updated: 6:00 AM ET, Wed April 16, 2014

Are you looking to create the perfect Caribbean resort vacation experience? Traveling to the home of beautiful blue waters, palm-fringed beaches and easygoing beach bars may be all about sun and fun, but it takes a complete review of what's available out there to create the perfect vacation in paradise. There are several strategies savvy travelers can employ to ensure they experience the best resort experience the Caribbean has to offer. Here we present five of the best:

Explore resorts in promoted destinations: Caribbean destinations that frequently turn up as part of television, digital and broadcast promotions are almost always part of larger campaigns that provide travelers with incentives for vacationers. "We find that big tourism campaigns with Incentives from different islands have really resonated with our clients," said Jennifer Doncsecz, president of VIP Vacations in Whitehall, Pa. "The Bahamas has been running an 'airfare' credit which has been wonderful."

In recent months, Barbados, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia and the U.S. Virgin Islands have each launched promotional packages featuring discounted rates at resorts and off-site restaurants and attractions. Travelers should take care to carefully investigate offers from Caribbean destinations they find are heavily promoted in their markets or regions, and also look for new properties in the region.

"New resorts also bring attention to different islands. Grenada has big the buzz since Sandals Resorts announced their new property there," said Doncsecz.

Work with professionals: When it comes to finding the Caribbean resort that is will offer you the perfect vacation experience, it pays to work with professionals, specifically travel agencies and tour operators who specialize in Caribbean resort vacations. While consumers will find a wealth of information on Caribbean resort options online, there are so many options and choices available that it becomes nearly impossible to interpret all of the data.

Smart consumers rely on the expertise of professional travel sellers and tour operators who can craft packages that include all of the elements of a great Caribbean vacation, from resorts to airfare to off-site excursions.

Tom Carr, owner of Lexington, Ky.-based All Inclusive Outlet, advises consumers to "Shop online and offline. Call a professional that specializes in the Caribbean."

Carr adds that it's important to distinguish a travel consultant who is genuinely knowledgeable about the region from someone who may have plenty of information about one or two Caribbean destinations, but is clueless about the Caribbean's 30 island destinations. "Many people claim to know the Caribbean," said Carr. "Consult with a pro that's been around the entire region to islands big and small."

Access information: Almost every tourism-oriented Caribbean destination maintains a tourism authority or agency website that features comprehensive information on island resorts, attractions, restaurants, services and transportation. Many of the sites feature vacation planning tools that allow users to navigate around the island and chart a comprehensive vacation plan.

The Jamaica Tourist Board website, for example, features a "Where to Stay" tab with links to a comprehensive list of accommodations by category. The "Accommodation" section of the Belize Tourism Board site offers a trip planner tool and includes Trip Advisor traveler ratings and reviews. The Puerto Rico Tourism Board site features a link to the Puerto Rico Tourism Association vacation planning tool that allows travelers to identify activities and attractions in various regions of the country.

The Caribbeantravel.com website features information on accommodations, activities, events and special offers for every major Caribbean destination. The site also features social media links so users can survey other travelers' experiences in the region.

Seek out smaller islands: The Caribbean's smallest destinations generally lack the big all-inclusive resorts, large shopping districts and adventure theme parks found at the largest islands. But their intimacy, slow pace, friendly residents and outstanding natural environments offer everything that make Caribbean vacations so appealing in the first place.

"Go where the masses don't," says Carr of All Inclusive Vacations. "Some of my best experiences in the Caribbean have been on smaller islands where you get to know the locals."

Even better, small island resorts are currently offering a variety of value-oriented packages, as the transition to the summer family travel season begins.

Work the Off-Season: Just as in Europe, travelers often find the best time to visit the Caribbean is during the periods outside of the region's peak season. For the Caribbean, that means winter in the U.S., when rates are highest and travel to the region is most difficult, not to mention costly. Instead, consumers should consider traveling to the region during the spring, summer or fall. Carr of All Inclusive Outlet recommends that Caribbean vacationers "Be flexible and travel in the off-season. The deals are better. And the destination airports and beaches will be less crowded," he says.

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