The Caribbean islands have a reputation for their beaches, but there is lots more on offer, so if you are looking for more than just beaches for your vacation, there will be something here for you.

Firstly let us look at how the various islands are different

The weather can vary on different Caribbean Islands .
This is due to different things such as mountains, the trade winds, and even where the islands are located. If you take as an example the Caribbean island of Aruba , it has a desert climate where cacti and aloe grow more readily than fragrant hibiscus.On the other hand Puerto Rico is mountainous, so it would be perfect for the hiker, and of course it is much cooler at altitude.

There are cultural variations on different Caribbean Islands .
There are a lot of French influences in the French West Indies, especially Martinique . The Netherland Antilles is towards a Dutch Colonial style.On the other hand, the British West Indies still is terribly British! All of this is of course a result of these islands' colonial pasts. The language used can be a fascinating mixture.

Activities on offer
The Caribbean is beautiful both above and below the sea. Besides its legendary scenic beauty, remnants of its colonial history will fascinate you. The Caribbean has many Carnivals to attract visitors but you need to make the right choices based upon what you want to do.

Jamaica
Lots of visitors flock to Jamaica because of its beaches and resorts. Destinations like Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Kingston , are all part of Caribbean Vacation folklore. You might choose to explore the Blue Mountains , or play golf on a former plantation. The food is unique and delicious. However, scuba-lovers might want to consider Cancun instead of Jamaica .

Cancún
Cancun itself may not be the ideal Caribbean destination for travelers who want a quiet vacation, as it can be packed with people at certain times of the year. Cancún has lovely beaches and incredible nightlife.

The Bahamas
Now you may not like the Bahamas because of the number of Caribbean cruise ships that visit, bringing with it crowds of people, but on the other hand if busy ports and beaches are your thing, you'll love it.

What is suggested here is that you visit the Out Islands, or perhaps follow Ernest Hemingway's past escapes, or just sail around the islands, there will be somewhere in the Bahamas for you.

Puerto Rico
This Caribbean island has everything from mountains, to historic towns like Old San Juan to a bit of diving and snorkelling. You should visit Ponce on the southern coast for a touch of something a little different? And its rainforest, El Yunque, is the only rainforest in the U.S. National Parks system. San Juan has it all, from beaches to shopping, casinos, and nightlife, although that in itself will put off some readers.

Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are a sailor's paradise, whether you visit The British Virgin Islands or the U.S Virgin Islands .

Here you'll find beautiful crystal clear waters and plenty of places to see.

St. Thomas offers shopping.
St. Croix features historic Dutch buildings.
St. John is home to a wildlife reserve.
The U.S. Virgin Islands is a great place if you snorkel or scuba dive.

The British Virgin Islands are much more peaceful with island names from the era of pirates.
You could go to Barbados , another very British island, and perhaps watch cricket.

There is Bermuda, although strictly not a Caribbean island, people tend to include it, and it is yet another example of the former colony's history, with policemen, golf, and buildings.

The sister islands of Antigua and Barbuda are also known for beautiful beaches and rich British history, as well as incredible sailing.

Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, known as the ABC Islands , are three of the Netherlands Antilles located just north of Venezuela 's coast. With the added distinction of being outside the Caribbean 's ?Hurricane Belt,? this trio of islands offers some unusual desert climates, but fascinating history, and nature unlike what you'll find in the rest of the Caribbean .

Other Caribbean Islands
The Dominican Republic , St. Lucia , Saba , Belize , and Dominica are known for their natural beauty. With mountains, rivers, tropical forests, and reefs to explore.

Each of these has different reasons to visit, whether you're curious about The Dominican Republic's popular surfing beaches, or St. Lucia 's famous volcanic peaks, there's sure to be something that is perfect for island explorers.

In conclusion, while it may be easy to visualize what some would consider to be typically Caribbean, it may take a little more effort to really pick an island that is perfect for your stay.Every traveler has his or her own idea of what makes up a great vacation, and a vacation to the Caribbean that fufils your dreams is not difficult to organise.