 
Our Ambassadair travel experts give the lowdown on top island attractions What's so great about the Caribbean? If you're in any doubt at all, just wait till mid-January to ask a sun-deprived, snowbound Midwesterner, and you'll get an earful. You'll hear about islands washed by waters as blue-green as gemstones, and a charismatic sun that pulls you out of bed for early-morning beach walks and holds you captive at the end of the day, until the last bit of its red-gold energy sizzles behind the horizon.
But beyond this holy trinity of beach-vacation ingredients, no Caribbean destination is exactly like another. One island was conquered by the British military, another by Dutch merchants. One population communicates in Spanish, its neighbors speak French. One island is a wet, dense rainforest, another is dominated by an angry and active volcano, and the next is dry and cactus-riddled. Among the chain of glistening jewels that drape from the Atlantic Ocean to the fringes of South America are places where:
Of course, one single island couldn't offer all these experiences. Some travelers seek a Jimmy Buffet ambiance; others yearn for Robinson Crusoe solitude. But depending on your personal definition of "paradise," you can count on the fact that there's a Caribbean getaway for you. We asked our favorite travel experts—Ambassadair Tour Directors, Tour Coordinators, Travel Counselors, and others—to give us the lowdown on the best of the Caribbean. Here are their findings:
Best Beaches
Seems most of us are purists when it comes to beaches: We want them plain, white, empty, and unadorned with distractions. That's what Megan Briscoe, managing editor of Journey, loves most about Grace Bay on Providenciales, Turks & Caicos. "It's absolute tranquility. It's uncluttered, there's always a chair, and the crystal-clear water is so buoyant you don't need a raft. There aren't even any jet skis and water-ski boats whizzing by all day—they're banned to protect JoJo, the dolphin, who often swims into one feet of water to play with guests and dogs." For similar reasons, staffers voted for St. John's Trunk Bay and Anguilla. Margarete Ebel, Travel Counselor, is drawn to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. "The beach—palm-lined with clear blue water—seems endless." On the other hand, plenty of our respondents voted for beaches more lively—St. Martin's Orient Beach and Grand Cayman's Seven Mile Beach are strips of activity, with watersports and shopping opportunities sandwiching the strands of sand. Other hits include the pink-sand beaches of Bermuda, Playa Del Carmen on Mexico's Caribbean coast, Jamaica's Negril beaches, and Coki Beach on St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
Best "get-away-from-it-all" islands
Interesting that some of the same "best-beaches" islands pop up on this list. Says one respondent about Turks & Caicos, "There are no distractions like shopping malls or nightlife— you just have to relax." Of the St. John supporters, Joyce Duvall, manager of Groups & Incentives, swears by Maho Bay Campgrounds. "The small crescents of beach near the campground are not easily accessible to 'outsiders,' giving you an exclusive, private feel." Other favorites are Grenada, Jost Van Dyke, and Aruba, where Travel Counselor Cathy Robinson discovered isolated spots with desert vegetation on a Jeep excursion.
Best family experiences
The chart-topper was Nassau—and specifically the Atlantis resort, a veritable theme park of aquatic wonders with water slides, lazy lagoons, and meandering rivers that lead to shark tanks and waterscapes. Grand Cayman is another big hit with kids—how could they not love a place where they can feed stingrays, play with turtles, and have miles of sand for castle-building and scampering? Curaçao caters to families with its Seaquarium and the new, all-inclusive Breezes that offers sitters, nannies, and a full menu of kid-camp programs.
Divers and snorkelers appear to be a persnickety sort—with strong personal preferences. Jill Diaforli, Groups & Incentives coordinator, favors the waters surrounding Grand Cayman: "Just take your snorkel equipment and stop at little public beaches along the main road," she advises. For other easy snorkeling spots, our staff recommends the waters off Seven Mile Beach, Stingray City, and the Sand Bar. Sally Brown, Ambassadair director, also applauds Cayman, but claims she's left her diving heart in the reefs off Belize's Ambergris Caye. No Caribbean dive/snorkel list would be considered legit without Bonaire or Cozumel. "Most divers consider Bonaire one of the world's top destinations," says John Van Kirk, manager of product development. Other snorkeling preferences include: St. Croix's Cane Bay, Coral Gardens and Smith Reef in Turks & Caicos, and Baby Beach in Aruba.
Aruba wins most votes as heartiest party island. Tour Director Tammy Olmstead observes, "Lots of good clubs, casinos, and booze cruises." Laurie Martin, senior Tour Coordinator, points out that Oranjestad's downtown is easily walkable, with nice restaurants, casinos, discos, and bars—something for every night owl. Other party magnets: St. Martin and St. Thomas. What makes them so? In a word, according to Travel Counselor Jennifer Case, rum.
Best shopping destinations
Duty-free ports and international influence win acclaim for some islands; others draw favor with island crafts and funky art. Aruba, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas are popular cruise ports―with the requisite duty-free shopping streets that flood with cruise passengers when the ships drop anchor. This means that souvenir booty will most likely consist of liquor, watches, jewelry, and perfume. But on Sint Maarten and Aruba, look for buys that reflect Dutch heritage–large wheels of gouda cheese or blue and white porcelain.
Don't overlook St. Martin (the French side of the island)—particularly in the very "Parisian" town of Marigot—for high fashion and boutique finds. Geneva McGuire, Travel Counselor supervisor, frequently finds good buys on European clothing here. For those who make it to Cuba on a government-sanctioned humanitarian mission, the mystique of cigars and rum pulls strong. Visitors are limited, however, to no more than $100 in value of rum and cigars. (That's not very many Cohibas.) But art and crafts are not restricted to the same limit. Says Betsy Sheldon, editor of Journey, "There are great bargains in Cuban folk art. I bought dozens of colorful poinciana pod ladies for a pittance—and they are a one-of-a-kind souvenir."
Best dining
Hands down, St. Martin—the French side (but, of course!)—wins top honors for best dining. The best restaurants are concentrated in Grand Case, defined by Megan Briscoe as the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean. Specific recommendations vary: Jill Diaforli suggests La Vie en Rose, "a very romantic place even though I went with three of my closest girlfriends," and John Van Kirk insists that "the lolos, beach shacks serving up a range of grilled delicacies, represent the best of island cuisine." Sighs Laurie Martin, "So many choices, so little time."
Best knock-your-socks-off nature islands
For what it lacks in beach real estate, Dominica makes up for in sheer rainforest beauty. Sally Brown, who's hiked its inner depths, recounts, "We waded through streams, climbed ravines, swam near waterfalls. What a wonderful adventure in a very unique setting." For similar reasons, the other four islands are big hits with the staff. Each offers dense jungle foliage, a hilly—even mountainous—topography, and little in the way of manmade distractions. Tour Director Megan Sullivan would vote Ambergris Caye in Belize on the list. "The combination of incredible reefs for divers and snorkelers, plus gorgeous Central American rainforest (complete with howler monkeys and beautiful birds) and the mangroves (with manatees) offer something for everyone."
Best cultural destinations
Caribbean islands with Spanish influence rated highest for cultural identity. Says Geneva McGuire of her trip to Cuba,"We visited the Hemingway House, the town where the 'Old Man' lived, a cemetery with exquisite tombstones, and an old and very elegant hotel." The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico also offer Spanish history and culture, with coasts lined with forts, and cities abundant in Spanish-influenced dance, cuisine, and architecture. But English-rooted islands made the list, as well. St. Kitts captured Margarete Ebel, who watched workers at the Caribelle Batik Factory dye fabrics and create unique patterns. For Megan Briscoe, it was Jamaica: "Everyone recognizes the Banana Boat song and the red, green, and yellow Rasta hats." And Tammy Olmstead picked St. Lucia. "Every Friday there is a local jump-up in Rodney Bay. Great way to experience local culture and not put on just for tourists."
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