Tropical Holidays : Caribbean or Maldives?

Which to choose, the Caribbean or the Maldives?

Caribbean or Maldives?

We are often asked to help clients choose between the Maldives or the Caribbean. This is a tough question, as they both provide a unique tropical environment and have an excellent range of accommodation. The best solution is to try both on consecutive holidays!

However in order to assist clients in reaching a decision, we’ve added some comments below, drawn from our extensive experience of visits to both destinations.

Maldives

A typical day might involve a leisurely breakfast, either served in your room or buffet style in the restaurant, many of which are open sided, thatched buildings with a sand floor, perhaps followed by a swim, snorkel or dive. Lunch can be by the pool or alfresco on the beach, or of course served in the restaurant, often followed by a nap in the shade!

After the hottest part of the day it’s probably time for another swim, dive or perhaps a game of waterpolo or volleyball. Then change into a fresh pair of shorts and tea shirt, followed by cocktails watching the sunset and dinner in the restaurant, or perhaps al fresco on the beach, or on a deserted sandbank under the stars!

There is no self catering accommodation and all meals need to be taken at the resort’s restaurants. All inclusive or full board options are therefore better value and recommended. Any additional meals or drinks purchased in resort will cost significantly more than booked as part of a package and will be subject to a 10% service charge.

The Maldives are easily accessible from Europe and Asia and many resorts have a very cosmopolitan environment and whilst British visitors account for the largest number of guests after Italians, the islands are also very popular as a holiday destination for German, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian holidaymakers.

In summary the Maldives are particularly good for:

A honeymoon or romantic break on a desert island
Sub aqua diving
No news no shoes doing nothing in unique luxury setting
Combining with a two centre holiday to Dubai or Sri Lanka
Watersports and diving
The amazing view of the coral atolls from the air
Water bungalows

Caribbean

You will still experience the same hot, tropical sun and fabulous palm fringed white sand, but there is a greater variety of accommodation on each island, ranging from self catering, through small inns and plantation houses through to luxury hotels and quality all inclusive resorts. There is a lot to see on each island, particularly those with a mountainous rainforest such as Tobago, St Lucia or Grenada. For those who venture outside the hotel, there is an amazing warm and friendly local character to experience, perhaps in a Big Momma’s kitchen eating freshly made roti’s (try Jemma’s tree house in Tobago) or a Friday Fish Fry (Oistins, Barbados). Then of course, there are the rum punches, pina colada’s or pain killers, plus the reggae music which is the very life blood of the Caribbean!

In summary the Caribbean is great for:

An excellent range of quality inns, resorts, luxury hotels and value for money self catering accommodation.
Reggae, calypso, steel bands and rhythm!
Great local colour and warm friendly people.
Exploring mountains and rainforests.
Weddings, honeymoons and romantic breaks.
Watersports and diving.

Still can't decide?

Please call us on 01548 831550 and we will be happy to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each destination!