2019 Travel Guide to the Caribbean

The Caribbean is typically the first region people think of when you mention the dream vacation. World-class beaches, crystal-clear waters, balmy temperatures, plentiful sunshine and luxe all-inclusive hotels and resorts? Yeah, the Caribbean has all of that and a whole lot more to explore, whether you're passionate about history, culture, cuisine or adventure. The following primer will ensure you get the most out of your trip to this coveted region in 2019.

The Cayman Islands, Aruba and Guadeloupe stand out as destinations travelers won't want to miss this year. The Cayman Islands smashed tourism records in 2018 and isn't expected to slow in 2019 as it gets set to host notable events such as the 11th annual Cayman Cookout and KAABOO Cayman.

Meanwhile, Aruba is another tropical paradise boasting remarkable beaches, tremendous shopping opportunities and buzzing nightlife. Plus, it's located outside of the hurricane belt so visiting during the summer and fall months carries less risk.

Add Guadeloupe to the list of islands you need to visit in 2019. You'll find a variety of landscapes here as well as discover rich culture and history. Luxe accommodations and the never-ending potential for an adventure set it apart from some other popular Caribbean destinations.

Stingray City in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands is among the region's most popular tourist attractions, allowing visitors to interact with friendly stingrays in a shallow sandbar. Wildlife enthusiasts should also check out the Bahamas' Pig Beach, an adorable attraction in The Exumas that's home to roughly 20 pigs and piglets living it up in paradise.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica's Dunn's River Falls is one of the world's most unique and famous waterfalls and receives thousands of visitors each year. Its one of the few travertine waterfalls in the world that empties directly into the sea.

As Cuba becomes more accessible to Americans, the capital city of Havana has become one of the Caribbean's emerging destinations, offering visitors unrivaled history and culture as well as some stunning architecture. Old San Juan, Puerto Rico is also a worthwhile stop in 2019 and best known for its centuries-old Spanish forts and colorful streets.

The Caribbean hosts some of the world's most anticipated carnival celebrations as well as a plethora of other coveted food, music and art festivals worth traveling for.

March's colorful Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is easily among the region's top events this year as is Barbados' Crop Over Festival kicking off June 1. The six-week celebration and 200-year-old tradition features parties, arts and crafts markets and delectable street fares.

Foodies will have plenty to celebrate in 2019 as well with the return of annual events such as Jamaica's Portland Jerk Festival and Turks and Caicos' Conch Festival. Bermuda's two-day Cup Match the first weekend of August is not to be missed either. The cricket showdown between two island rivals is complemented by lively concerts, beach parties and delicious food and drinks.

In early November, the Cayman Islands will host its annual Pirates Week Festival, a fun-filled tradition that even includes a mock-pirate invasion. The unique event is ideal for families visiting the Caribbean ahead of the holidays.

There's no shortage of family-friendly destinations throughout the Caribbean but a few stand out above the rest, including Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Paradise Island, Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. One-of-a-kind resorts like the Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Punta Cana and Atlantis Paradise Island make family travel both entertaining and affordable as each offers something for travelers of all ages.

Awesome beaches, spacious accommodations and family-friendly activities like snorkeling and kayaking also await visitors to Turks and Caicos, which is just a slightly longer flight from the U.S. than the Bahamas.

Couples simply can't go wrong in the Caribbean as few destinations are as capable of reigniting the spark or keeping the flame burning. Negril, Jamaica stands out for its intimate, adults-only resorts while St. Lucia's Marigot Bay is another romantic possibility.

Couples Resorts is a no-brainer for lovers as it boasts a pair of all-inclusive luxury properties in Negril, including Couples Swept Away, which is the brand's largest resort. Visitors to St. Lucia can also book a proposal, honeymoon or romance package at the five-star Marigot Bay Resort and Marina.

Nearby St. Vincent and the Grenadines is also a stellar honeymoon or romantic getaway destination. Travelers can enjoy an idyllic catamaran sailing, spend some quality time on a white-sand beach or indulge in a couples massage back at their resort.

Groups will find plenty to do in Curacao as the destination offers not only beautiful beaches but a scenic national park and a gorgeous capital in Willemstad. Visitors to Curacao can even swim with dolphins.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is another fantastic spot for groups as it boasts many comfortable hotels resorts and rich history that you and your friends and family can experience in a variety of ways. Don't forget about the extraordinary rum and cigars.

Groups are also assured a phenomenal time in St. Martin, home to the famous Maho Beach where visitors gather to watch incoming planes. In addition to the beaches, travelers will enjoy activities such as scenic hikes, ziplining, snorkeling, shopping and much more.

If you plan to explore the Caribbean alone in 2019, there are plenty of places you'll want to conquer, including Martinique. The rugged island is not only safe but loaded with Instagram-worthy sites and eye-popping nature to keep you occupied from arrival through departure.

Bonaire is another excellent island for solo travel. The popular diving destination is perhaps best known for the beauty that lies below the sea surface so you won't need a partner to enjoy yourself.

The British Virgin Islands are back in business and offer plenty to do for solo travelers as well as a friendly vibe that'll allow you to fit right in. Head to Tortola and check out stunning beaches at Smuggler's Cove and Cane Garden Bay.

Dining in the Caribbean means plenty of spice and fresh seafood. Hungry travelers craving a memorable meal can't go wrong in off-the-beaten-path places like Anguilla, St. Barts or Trinidad and Tobago. Of course, the Cayman Islands is a foodie paradise as well, boasting renowned chefs and some of the region's most popular culinary festivals. Visitors might also want to cross authentic Jamaican jerk chicken and Cuban sandwiches off their bucket list.

The only limit to the adventures available in the Caribbean is your imagination. Breathtaking hiking and biking trails, coral reefs, volcanoes and dramatic mountain peaks are just a few of the many highlights here. If you're not sure where to start, consider destinations like Dominica, Grenada and Nevis.

Dominica is known as the "Nature Island of the Caribbean" and boasts hundreds of natural attractions including rivers, mountains, volcanoes, hot springs and more. What's more, Dominica's Boiling Lake is the second-largest hot lake in the world.

Scenic Grenada offers thrill seekers dozens of diving sites and hiking trails as well as water sports while Nevis features horseback tours, rainforest hikes, the 3,200-foot Nevis Peak and stellar snorkeling offering exciting close-up encounters with sea turtles and other wildlife.

Sports fans looking to ignite their passion in the Caribbean should consider destinations like Barbados, Nassau, Bahamas and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Sporting activities in Barbados are wide ranging with popular games including tennis, cricket, soccer, golf, basketball, polo and much more while Nassau is arguably the Caribbean sports capital, hosting a handful of marquee sporting events throughout the year, including college basketball tournaments, college football bowl games and marathons.

The U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Croix and St. John are home to some of the world's most competitive endurance events such as the Half Ironman 70.3 Triathlon and Coral Reef Swim while St. Thomas hosts tennis, basketball and fishing tournaments, among other popular sporting events.

A lot of things set the Caribbean apart from other regions around the world but perhaps the two most notable are its geography and climate. It's comprised of a whopping 7,000 individual islands across more than two dozen countries.

What's more, the region's tropical climate makes for gorgeous weather year-round. However, there is the potential for hurricanes June through November. Nonetheless, the plentiful beaches, sea and sunshine combined with its fascinating culture, history and remarkable people make it a vacation paradise unlike any other.

The Caribbean as a whole is safe to visit but like any region, there are places visitors should look to avoid. Venturing too far out of tourist areas in countries like Puerto Rico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic can potentially get you into trouble. A majority of crimes committed in Jamaica and most other popular places are linked to the drug trade while most crimes in and around some tourist destinations are non-violent petty crimes such as theft of personal items. Nonetheless, you should always use common sense and exercise caution when visiting new destinations. Travelers should also be mindful of the aforementioned threat of hurricanes June through November.