Cheap Caribbean Vacations - Ten Must Do Things

Cheap Caribbean vacations are not only possible. They can even be fun! Let me take off from this post, which I stumbled upon recently...

Beauties during a 2009 Caribbean Festival
Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterv/

10 things you must do to plan spectacular cheap caribbean vacations.

1. Start off with at least three destinations in mind
2. Check out any weather restrictions.
3. Discounts and Deals on lodging and airfare including cheap all inclusive resorts.
4. Island attractions/Special events during your intended time of travel including costs when its made available
5. Island Foods
6. What are the best Shopping experiences in terms of location, selection and prices.
7. Safety tips and emergency services located relative to where you are staying? i.e. hospital
8. Passport needs (if applicable)
9. Currency conversion
10. Where do the islanders hang out.

Source: Take Cheap Caribbean Vacations At Least Once A Year | 20funcheapvacations.com

Let me expound on two of those in pictures and videos: festivals and food.

Island Attractions / Special Events

Parade during a 2009 Caribbean Festival
Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterv/

Wherever you find a few people gathering together in the Caribbean, you have the makings of a party – and a party is always an excuse for a festival. Not that we need an excuse to enjoy ourselves. Carnival is in our smiles, in the way we move, in our collective soul. Anywhere you go in the Caribbean, you are likely to find yourself in the middle of a celebration. There is only one golden rule of etiquette – enjoy yourself.
Source: Caribbean Festivals & Events | caribbeantravel.com

Island Foods

Coconut Gizzada - Grate the coconut, mix with sugar, nutmeg and vanilla and
fill a shortcrust base and bake. Then eat the best Jamaican pastry/desert there is.
Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisugar/

Chicken curry at Island Style, a restaurant in the Caribbean.
Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuart_spivack/

Though the food on each island may vary greatly, the region's geography, as well as the natural resources available, dictates that the staples of the Caribbean diet are essentially the same. All forms of seafood are readily available, with fish, lobster, crab, shrimp, and other shellfish appearing most often; dishes like fried flying fish, the national dish of Barbados, are signatures of the area.
Source: Caribbean Cuisine | localwin.com