Caribbean Tours & Excursions

When you have been at the resort for a few days, it's a good time to change your surroundings. We suggest taking a fun-filled excursion outside the resort. Most destinations have tours that are certain to entertain. However, it's not just about entertainment. Excursions are a good way to get to meet the locals, experience the culture, hear the history and witness the natural beauty of the destination.

Typically there are destination management companies that offer a collection of tours, operated by locals. Your vacation provider can prearrange your tours through their ground services operator or you can contact them after you arrive at the destination. However, booking your own excursions and tours may not only save you money but it will provide you with the option of choosing unique and diverse itineraries and allow you the opportunity to go explore on your own. You can do this by speaking with representatives from local tour companies that have a presence at most major resorts. You can browse their brochure and arrange tours in person.

Tours can consist of boat cruises, scuba/snorkeling adventures, hiking, nature walks, ATV/buggy tours, sightseeing/cultural tours or a variety of other unique activities.

Chukka Caribbean Adventures (www.chukkacaribbean.com) is one of our favorites and operates in Turks & Caicos, Belize and Jamaica. They operate their own equipment, employ their own guides and have their own facilities. Try the unique canopy tour, where you glide through the forest canopy on zip lines. If that's not your idea of fun, try the horseback ride where you can take a dip in the Caribbean with your horse. Visit the birthplace of the King of Reggae, Bob Marley on the Zion Bus Line. You may even want to try a dogsled tour. A dogsled tour...in Jamaica? Yes, you heard that right, a dogsled tour in Jamaica. This unique opportunity allows you to jump into a custom land sled pulled by dogs and directed by a musher.

Perhaps you are looking for more seaworthy adventures? There are many companies that offer PADI scuba certifications and snorkeling tours. Many resorts offer PADI scuba classes right in the pool and/or on the beach. You can also try a day, party or romantic dinner cruise on one of the many catamarans or yachts around the Caribbean. Aruba Adventures (www.arubaadventures.com) is a good choice as they offer a party cruise on the very popular "Tattoo", a 3-decked party cruiser complete with dance floor, water-slide and rope swing. They also have sailing and snorkeling tours on the 80-ft wooden ship dubbed "Mi Dushi" that provides an adventure just for you.

For those who want to be one with nature, there is plenty to do. You can swim with dolphins (www.dolphindiscovery.com), watch whales (www.turksandcaicoswhalewatching.com) or swim with stingrays at Sting Ray City in Grand Cayman (www.stingraycitytrips.com). For the more adventurous, you can hike the Waitukubuli National Trail to a volcanic hot spring in Dominica (www.khattstours.com).

For those that may be more trusting, you can find locals who will take you off the beaten tourist path for half the price. We don't recommend this to new tourists and of course, you must use your best judgment and discretion when considering this option. Remember that these are not tour companies that carry insurance in case something happens. If you are considering this option, ask the concierge at the hotel about some locals that they trust. Many of these locals will hang around outside the resort, waiting to offer their service.

Whatever your choice of adventure, the Caribbean provides a plethora of activities which allow you to get out and explore your destination. So get out there and go!