Caribbean Holidays

With a rich cultural tapestry spreading across the entire region, you'll never be far from the next exciting event taking place on your Caribbean holiday, it's not always about the beaches (even if we wish it was), so no matter the time of year, you can broaden your horizons, here are just a few recommendations:

• Carnival (February-March): Carnival is a huge celebration that happens across the Caribbean, if you're jollying in Trinidad and Tobago then you can expect a celebration complete with electrifying music, vibrant costumes, and non-stop partying.

• Crop Over Festival (March): Celebrate the end of the sugar cane harvest, party in the streets with the locals, enjoy cultural events, and when the celebrations reach their climax during March pop on a splash of colour for the Grand Kadooment Day parade.

• Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival (March): Calling all coffee lovers, this festival celebrates the famous Blue Mountain coffee with everything from tastings to workshops, to farm tours.

• Jazz Festivals (April-May): Head to Tobago for an enigmatic festival of jazz, reggae and soca music performed by local and international musicians, and if you're in St. Lucia in May, the jazz festival here is one of the tip-top music festivals throughout the Caribbean.

• Junkanoo Summer Festival (June-August): A lively celebration of Bahamian culture with colourful parades, dancing, local cuisine and a tonne of cultural exhibitions, the best way to get immersed in the traditions of your jolly destination.

• Reggae Sumfest (July): If you're in Jamaica and you're partial to a bit of Bob Marley, then you absolutely must head to this, the ultimate reggae festival with top-notch performances by world-renowned artists.

• Carifesta (August-September): An arts and culture festival that takes place every few years across the Caribbean, all you theatre nerds out there, this is your chance to glimpse culture and heritage through an artistic lens with performances, exhibitions and workshops.

• Jamaica Food & Drink Festival (October): Enjoy a celebration of the rich and vibrant food on offer in the Caribbean with tastings, cooking shows, pop-up dining and even food tours.

• Pirates Week Festival (November): If you find yourself in the Cayman Islands for a late year jolly, make sure you catch this annual celebration of the regions' pirate heritage, expect parades, street parties, live music and even mock pirate invasions - we see you Captain Jack Sparrow.

• Christmas Festivities (December): No matter where in the world you are, there's always time to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, expect festive decorations, Christmas markets, concerts and plenty of cultural traditions.

When the sun sets on your Caribbean holidays, the party vibes ignite like fireworks on a starry night! The nightlife scene here is a vibrant mix of laid-back beach bars, pulsating clubs, and live music joints that will keep you shakin', groovin' and movin' till the early hours. Grab a rum cocktail, feel the rhythm of the Caribbean beats, and dance the night away at some of these spots:

• Dune Preserve Beach Bar, Anguilla: Enjoy live music and delicious drinks at this unique beachfront hangout that embraces the shipwrecks surrounding it, only adding more to the vibe - talk about a unique selling point!

• Da Conch Shack, Turks and Caicos: You can feast on fresh seafood here, but we're all about the rum, and this place is packing a big, rum flavoured punch.

• La Placita, Puerto Rico: A two tier market square bursting with bars, stick around for the sun to set and party the night away in this must-see, must-drink, must-dance spot.

• Le Ti St. Barth, St Barthelemy: a legendary nightclub frequented by celebrities, if that wasn't pull enough then maybe the exciting theme nights, delicious drinks and extravagant decor will do it for you.

• Sky Beach Bar, Negril: you think we're joking when we say clifftop bar that offers stunning ocean views, live reggae music and tasty tipples, but we aren't lying, it exists and you have to go!

• Froggy Jacks, Cayman Islands: a beachfront grill and bar that takes casual atmosphere to new heights, think succulent seafood, delicious cocktails and sand between your toes - sounds like heaven right?

No holidays in the Caribbean are complete without indulging in the local cuisine. The kind of flavours that stick in your brain, but that you can never quite recreate when you get home. Prepare your taste buds for a mouth-watering experience with some of these dishes:

• Jerk chicken - Savour the spicy, smoky flavours of this traditional Jamaican dish, so good you'll never want chicken again unless it's been jerked.

• Conch fritters - Try these delicious deep-fried balls of conch meat, anything deep fried is a win in our books, there's no wonder this is popular throughout the entire Caribbean.

• Roti - Sink your teeth into the flaky, curry-filled goodness of this Trinidadian staple.

• Coconut shrimp - Enjoy the perfect combination of crispy shrimp and tropical flavour that's sure to send your tastebuds into a fantastic frenzy.

• Callaloo - Sample this rich and creamy spinach-like dish, often served with saltfish.

• Pelau - a hearty dish hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, bests our classic tomato soup with a blend of spices, choice of meat, pigeon peas, rice and coconut milk - delish.

• Plantains - a Caribbean staple, you can fry, boil or mash them and they can be served savoury or sweet, whoever said potatoes are the most versatile food had never heard of these bad boys.

Now we've spilled the deets on the dishes, so you're probably gonna wanna know where you can settle down and tuck into some bangin' food too, aren't you? So, keep reading for our fave restaurant hot spots throughout the Caribbean:

• The Kitchen Table by White – Nestled along Eagle Beach, this intimate dining experience blends Caribbean and Creole flavours with a splash of European flair. Think fresh, locally inspired ingredients turned into culinary masterpieces. Perfect for a swanky evening out on your Caribbean holidays.

• Champers Restaurant & Wine Bar – Sitting pretty on Skeetes Hill in Barbados, Champers pairs Caribbean charm with an international twist. Whether you’re diving into their signature seafood dishes or sipping on a glass from their stellar wine list, it’s a delish spot for sunset views and romantic vibes.

• Straw Hat Restaurant – Over in Meads Bay, Anguilla, Straw Hat is the ultimate chill spot for seafood lovers. This beachside beauty serves up eclectic Caribbean dishes with a side of live music and stunning ocean views. It’s proper good for a laid-back evening with top-tier vibes.

• Hemingway’s on the Beach – Dreaming of fresh fish tacos or juicy lobster by the ocean? Hemingway’s delivers on all fronts. With its breezy vibes and stunning waterfront location, it’s a scorchio spot for a relaxed meal any time of day – and bonus points for live tunes while you dine.

• La Plage – Over in St. Barths, La Plage mixes high-energy beach vibes with top-tier dining. Known for its Lobster Tuesdays and inventive twists like mini lobster spring rolls, this is the place to go when you want your meal served with a side of glamour and a beach party buzz.

• Sugar Mill Restaurant – Nestled within the Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, Sugar Mill is a top-tier dining destination that combines history with haute cuisine. Set in a 17th-century former sugar mill, this spot serves up refined Jamaican dishes with a modern twist. Think grilled lobster, tender oxtail, and delish sides like coconut callaloo.