Island Selections - Travel Info

Below are some useful travel tips as you plan your journey:

You can help the economy by buying locally grown produce or local arts and crafts usually available at the local market place or arts and crafts stores. Staying in locally owned accommodation will also benefit families within the island. All listings on Island Selections, Inc. are locally owned.

Staying in private accommodation is usually cheaper as many do not have to pay hefty taxes and service charges which can run as high as 20.5%.

It would be useful to learn a few words of the local dialect. Some islands such as St. Lucia and Dominica speak a French-based Patois or Kwéyòl, a language in its own right.

Hurricane season from June to November, however the best deals are during this time from May until mid-December.

Purchase travel insurance before your trip in order to protect yourself against financial loss.

Do not go to the beach with any valuables. If you have to travel to the islands with valuables keep them in a safe at your hotel.

For some items it may be cheaper to buy outside of the Caribbean for example camera film, sunscreen, baby formula, etc.

Tipping for services such as room service or taxis is at your discretion. In restaurants a 10% service charge is usually added to the bill however tips can be left (usually between ten and fifteen percent of the bill)

Caribbean communities are generally conservative particularly in clothing etiquette. It is considered inappropriate in general to wear beach attire anywhere else but on the beach.

Though U.S. dollars are widely accepted when shopping in the Caribbean, it is more advantageous to change to the local currency before embarking on your trip.

Banks in the Caribbean are generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and up until 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. Few banks open on Saturdays. Those banks that do open on Saturdays may open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Most of the islands such as St. Lucia operate on a 220-volt current so European-made appliances should work in these islands. Other islands such as Barbados are primarily 110-volt. In some cases, particularly if staying in private accommodation, you may find dual outlets for 110-volt and 220-volt. If unsure, then bring a transformer and adaptor along with you especially if you will be travelling to different islands during your stay.

Stores are generally open between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and close between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Some supermarkets may stay open longer, and stores generally have extended hours in the week leading up to Christmas. Some islands also have duty free shopping areas, which in a few cases will operate based on the arrival and departure times of cruise ships.

Government offices and departments are typically open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. However you should be aware that in many cases those accepting payments for services for example driver’s licenses or passport services generally close one to two hours ahead of normal closing times.

Islands such as Barbados and Jamaica have a structured Public Transportation system where public buses facilitate transport to various parts of the island. Fares are typically about $1.00USD. In the majority of the islands, you will get around by taxis or minibuses. On some islands taxis operate on a meter system, however in other islands though rates are usually set by the local Government, a rate will be provided by the taxi driver. You should establish the fare with the taxi driver before getting into the taxi. Though minibuses have no set schedule, you can usually wait for one at a designated bus stop (some will stop for you at any point especially outside of the city limits). Usually minibuses are well marked showing for example the route number or route name. Most minibuses will operate late at night, but be careful when waiting for or travelling by a bus late at night.

Most Caribbean islands have very strict laws concerning the use, possession, or sale of narcotics. Travellers have been arrested and charged for carrying small amounts of cocaine, marijuana, or other illegal drugs, with hefty fines and typically extended imprisonment.

Visit the individual island pages in order to get specific island tips by selecting a link on the right.