Which Caribbean islander are you? – Chicago Tribune

Beach snob

Turks and Caicos: Providenciales, more commonly known as Provo, is the most populated of this nation’s eight inhabited islands. Provo is home to Grace Bay Beach, a long stretch of powder-soft sand and clear turquoise waters protected by an offshore coral reef. For families with small children, the island’s south coast offers well-protected beaches, including Taylor Bay Beach and Sapodilla Bay Beach. The island of Grand Turk offers the similarly lovely Governor’s Beach, popular with cruise ship passengers.

Anguilla: With no cruise ships, casinos or high-rise hotels, this bohemian-upscale island sports some of the region’s most pristine beaches. Rendezvous Bay, with its calm waters and walkable shoreline, is also known for being home to Dune Preserve, a live music spot owned by reggae artist and native son Bankie Banx. Shoal Bay East is one of the island’s most heavily visited beaches, attracting day trippers from St. Martin. Meads Beach, on the west end, is not as crowded and offers bigger waves.

Aruba: Known for their wide, white sands and blue waters, the beaches of Aruba come in many flavors. The two-mile Palm Beach, in front of a string of high-end resorts, casinos and clubs, offers calm waters for swimming and snorkeling. The quieter Eagle Beach, just south of Palm Beach, is popular with watersports enthusiasts; come in June to view sea turtle hatchlings. On the more remote Arashi Beach, which is away from hotels, there are free thatched huts to sit under. For crashing waves, rent a 4-by-4 and head to Andicuri Beach.

All in for all-inclusives

Dominican Republic: This eastern portion of the island of Hispaniola, shared with Haiti, is home to more than 100 all-inclusive resorts. The tourist-visited areas of La Romana, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and Samana all offer all-inclusives, with prices ranging from as little as $350 per person per week to nearly $3,000. Many major chains, including Zoetry, Paradisus, Dreams, Riu and Secrets, are represented.

Jamaica: Most of the island’s all-inclusive resorts are concentrated in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, with several also located in Negril. Although there are plenty of family-friendly resorts, Jamaica also offers a wide variety of adults-only all-inclusives, including four Couples resorts, four Sandals and the clothing-optional Hedonism II. Prices are generally middle-of-the-road.

Riviera Maya, Mexico: This stretch of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, from Tulum to Puerto Morelos, boasts more than 75 all-inclusives. Covering affordable (Bel Air Collection Resort Spa), high-end (Grand Velas Riviera Maya), nature-oriented (Viceroy Riviera Maya), activity-laden (Iberostar Paraiso Maya), close-to-the-action (Viva Wyndham Maya) and far-flung (Dreams Tulum Resort Spa), resorts here fit just about everyone’s expectations.

Desperately seeking solitude

Saba: You won’t find any Marriotts or Starbucks storefronts on this five-square-mile island of fewer than 2,000 inhabitants. Saba, its geography dominated by the nearly 2,000-foot Mount Scenery, has several villages defined by quaint red-roofed cottages. All public transport comes via St. Martin, either by scheduled 15-minute flights aboard 19-passenger turboprops or a 90-minute ferry ride. Visitors are apt to come for ecotourism, hiking or diving rather than the nightlife: Many restaurants close by 9 p.m.

Eleuthera: Part of the Bahamas’ Out Islands, Eleuthera is a 110-mile-long island that has become increasingly popular but remains more laid-back than Bahamas’ better-known destinations of Freeport and Nassau. With flights into its three airports via Atlanta, it’s not difficult to get there. Beachcombing along the island’s long stretches of pink sand, diving, fishing and surfing are popular pastimes.

Vieques, Puerto Rico: Just 15 miles off the coast of mainland Puerto Rico, this island remains largely undeveloped because of the Navy’s 60-year history there. The former military land is now mostly wildlife refuge, and the island remains free of traffic lights, high-rise hotels and golf courses. Many come to experience the bioluminescent waters of Mosquito Bay.

Active vacationer

St. Maarten/St. Martin: With its busier Dutch side and more relaxed French side, the island has something for everyone. The Dutch Saint Maartin is the place to go for those who like a lively nightlife scene, bustling casinos and large resorts. The French side is more about shopping and fine dining. And if you get bored with both, there are day trips to the islands of Saba, St. Barts and Anguilla.

Bermuda: Located off the coast of North Carolina, this British territory gets cool in winter, with an average high temperature of 63. Known for its more formal demeanor (those Bermuda shorts are often paired with ties and suit jackets), the island offers the usual resorts with beaches and watersports, but it’s also popular for those who want to golf, play tennis, ride bikes and roam around on scooters. And for those who prefer sightseeing, Bermuda offers a good assortment of gardens and historical houses, churches and forts.

Cuba: Travel to Cuba has loosened in recent years, but it’s still not legal to just jump on a plane and hit the beach there. U.S. travelers need to qualify under one of 12 specific categories, such as “support for the Cuban people.” Independent travel is possible, but it’s easiest to sign up with a tour that will pack each day with “people-to-people” activities. For example, a tour with Cosmos includes a dance lesson, lunches at organic farms, a guided walk in Old Havana, a nature hike in Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve and a visit to Hemingway’s home.

High roller

St. Barts: This French-speaking island attracts the yachting crowd, hosting an annual invitational sailing regatta open only to 100-foot-plus vessels. Party at Nikki Beach, stay at Eden Rock Hotel, shop for an Hermès scarf in Gustavia, get a facial at Le Guanahani’s spa and keep an eye out for Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney, Ellen DeGeneres and a bevy of other celebrities known to visit the island.

Petit St. Vincent: You’ll need a reservation to visit this private island. The 115-acre enclave offers just 22 one-bedroom cottages and two-bedroom beach villas, and privacy is high on the list of attractions. Nightly rates start at $1,100 per couple during low season, which includes meals, but not alcohol. Or rent the entire island: $108,800 for a minimum of four nights and a maximum of 44 guests.