If you know anything about me, you know that my husband and I are huge travel buffs and the Caribbean is one of our favorite places on earth. After reading through this book, however, I have come to realize that we have so much more too see and do! We have barely scratched the surface of all the Caribbean has to offer.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, see disclosures for more detail.
About the Book:
Every vacation in the Caribbean is the trip of a lifetime, and 100 Things to Do in the Caribbean Before You Die is your guide to creating timeless memories wherever you are traveling in the islands. You’ll discover everything “irie” about the unique food, culture, music, and vibes of each destination in the Caribbean.
You’ll “lime” like a local in Barbados’ friendly rum shops, spice up your Jamaica trip at the island’s best jerk shacks, and follow Puerto Rico’s Ruta de Lechón to the most savory roast pork in the world. Get into vacation mode by joining a pirate invasion in the Cayman Islands, or baring it all on the most notorious party boat in the British Virgin Islands. Fill your “bucket list” with experiences like swimming with pigs in the Bahamas and whale sharks in Mexico, island-hopping on a charter yacht, exploring the haunting ruins of towns buried by volcanoes, and cruising the streets of Havana in a ’50s-vintage classic Chevy.
And of course you’ll meet the warm and welcoming people who bring the Caribbean to life: Carnival dancers in Trinidad, the Kuna tribe of the San Blas Islands of Panama, Anguilla singer and living legend Bankie Banx at his handmade Dune Preserve bar, and countless others.
Come along with local author and travel writer Robert Curley for an insider’s perspective on the many island experiences he’s enjoyed. From the pink sand beaches of Bermuda to the tops of the Piton mountains in St. Lucia, 100 Things to Do in the Caribbean Before You Die will take you to the very best of the islands, from the well-worn tourist path to unexpected and extraordinary, “only in the Caribbean” moments.
My Thoughts:
As I mentioned above, we have barely scratched the surface with our Caribbean travels. We have been to many places: Belize (the place we have visited more than any), Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, St. Thomas, St. John, St. Maarten, and Tortola. That seemed like a lot to me, but this book contains so many more fun ideas and options.
Of the things listed in this book, here are a few we have done and totally agree with the author:
#99 Get Spicy with Island Hot Sauces
Marie Sharp’s hot sauce is a staple of most Belizean meals. We have been to the factory and always come home from our trips with multiple bottles that we make last until our next trip.
#5 Down a Painkiller at the Soggy Bottom Bar in the BVI
Well, we didn’t go to the Soggy Bottom Bar, but we did go to the Pusser’s Road Town Pub in Tortola, where we got a very lovely Painkiller made with Pusser’s Rum. Highly recommended!
#65 “X-perience” Culture and Adventure in the Mexican Caribbean
#82 “Visit the Mayan Ruins of the Mexican Caribbean”
This refers to the multiple Mayan ruin sites in Mexico. We have visited and done many of the things described here while in Mexico AND in Belize. We have visited Chacchoben in Mexico and Xunantunich and Nim Li Punit in Belize. We took an ATV ride through the jungle in Mexico and swam (well some of us did!) in a Cenote. Amazing adventures!
#68 Dive Belize’s Great Blue Hole
Since we aren’t divers yet, we haven’t actually done this one. But what we have done is snorkeled on Belize’s barrier reef, which is the second largest in the world, as well as at Glover’s Reef in Belize It is absolutely incredible with so much fabulous sea life. Someday we will become dive certified so we can go see more.
#92 Grab Some Guavaberry in Saint Maarten
We definitely did this! It’s a delicious liqueur made from a native fruit. We wish we would have purchased more!
Obviously, these are just a few things listed in the book. I think it’s an excellent resource to use as a “jumping off” point to inspire you to either go to the Caribbean in the first place, or to give you ideas for excursions and activities once you are there.
This book obviously cannot list all of the amazing things to see, do, and experience, but it can give suggestions and recommendations for a place to start. If you don’t have a passport–go get one! If you’re in the US, the Caribbean is one of the closest places to explore and to get out of your comfort zone and encounter other cultures, food, and awesome people.
