Western Caribbean Islands
The other Caribbean West of Jamaica

Let us tour now the Western Caribbean Islands, those west of Jamaica and Cuba. These area of the Caribbean has been, for a long time, a magnet for travelers interested in a unique kind of tourism where you may blend sun and sea with the visit to ancient ruins of lost civilizations and above all lots of water sports.

For those looking for a Scuba Diving Adventure nothing compares to Belize Islands or a great Cayman Islands vacations.

The Mexican Caribbean is also part of this area featuring some of the most beautiful beaches in the Planet like Cancun Beaches, Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

Spectacular aerial view of Cancun in Mexico

We visited Cancun for the first time in 1978

I's a different world today....

Frequent stops on the Western Caribbean Islands Cruises

Many Cruise Lines departing from all ports of the USA from the Gulf of Mexico, Miami and Fort Lauderdale as well as from many cities in the Eastern Coast of the USA operate the Western Caribbean Cruises alternating among the islands. The white sandy beaches, the crystal turquoise waters make these islands an unforgettable Cruise Vacation.

The most common stops on the Western Caribbean Islands are Jamaica with it’s great stops at Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Cayman Islands, Roatan in Bay Islands Honduras, Belize and last but not least the Mexican Caribbean with spectacular sites like Cancun, Cozumel, Mayan Riviera, Playa del Carmen and Isla Mujeres.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival are the big players in this area, but the other cruise lines like Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America among others cover the area on a weekly basis.

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Cruise passengers visit the Dunn River Waterfalls in Ocho Rios Jamaica

Isla Roatan, Honduras is the Caribbean's Best kept Secret

Weather on the Western Caribbean Islands

The temperature is always warm any time of the year. Because of the latitude and the gulf currents, the temperature is never cold even when it is snowing up north. The is the most important reason whey so many continentals escape the cold weather in winter to relax and enjoy the great weather of the Western Caribbean Islands

Getting to the Western Caribbean Islands

As mentioned one of the most common way to visit the area is by Cruise. The convenience of visiting one island a day enjoying the comfort and luxury of the big ships make it by far the easiest way to visit the area.

But if you want to really know and enjoy island by island you will have to fly and stay in one of the hotels and resorts and then you will feel the meaning of the word Paradise.

Rendezvous Cay and Beach in one of the Belize Islands

Mexican Caribbean

This area is a concept for a separate website all by itself. Is is so vast, the places are so important from the tourism point of view, that it is difficult to try to cover all these places in a couple of pages. Let me mention a few of the most famous Mexican Caribbean spots and then go to each one’s page for more information

Costa Maya – Also known as the Mayan Riviera it covers the Yucatan Peninsula’s coast from Cancun in the north to the border with Belize on the south. The beaches are spectacular with white sand beaches. Inland you will find the famous Mayan sites of Chichen Itza, Tulum Ruins , and famous sites like Xel Ha and Xcaret Park

Progreso, Mexico - The Mayan city of Chichen Itza is a short two hours from Progreso. With its intricate temples, the famous pyramid of Kulkulcan, a sacred ball court and astronomical observatory, it is certainly worth the trip to one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Americas. A closer option (90 minutes away) is the Mayan site of Uxmal, which also offers an impressive array of pyramids and plazas.

Cancun - The resort town of Cancun, has become so famous, that it reminds me when we first went to Cancun in 1978 they had a couple of hotels and when we asked for some “tacos”, they told us that they couldn’t serve us because the “tortillas” didn’t arrive from Mexico City. Thirty years later Cancun is known internationally and tourists arrive there from all over Europe, North America and the rest of the world in all kind of charter flights and schedule airlines.

It features hundreds of hotels and a big downtown with all the amenities of any Mexican city.

Isla Mujeres Mexico - It is located a short distance off shore from Cancun. It has been developed in the last years to become a very important resort and beach place.

Playa del Carmen – A mere 10 years ago it was considered a sleeping village. Today Playa del Carmen, across the waterway from Cozumel, accessible by ferry, is a thriving community of resorts, restaurants, condominiums and enough clubs to keep you awake all night.

Cozumel , Mexico – This is a common stop on the Western Caribbean Islands cruises. Once there don’t miss a quick ferry trip to Playa del Carmen and a visit to Tulum

Chankanaab Natural Park in Cozumel Mexico

Isla Roatan, Honduras - It is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands. Almost 40 miles long and just 2.5 miles at its widest point, the remote island boasts white sand beaches, pristine bays and spectacular coral reefs. The island is a heaven for sea lovers, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Belize City, Belize - Belize's 185-mile barrier reef is the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and the scuba diving is world class. But, even if you're not a certified diver, you can simply swim, or try snorkeling.

George Town, Grand Cayman - Once your ship docks at Grand Cayman Island 's capital, George Town, it may be tempting to simply relax under the casuarina trees along the white sands of Seven Mile Beach. Maybe you’d like to enjoy some snorkeling and scuba diving in the great reefs surrounding the islands.

Swimming with the Dolphins in Isla Roatan Honduras

The ports of Jamaica are a must on the Western Caribbean Cruises

Montego Bay, Jamaica - Known as "MoBay" to the locals, Montego Bay is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, such as Doctor's Cave Beach.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica - Dunn's River Falls is the adventure in Ocho Rios. Hike 600 ft. surrounded by lush foliage as the falls come crashing down onto a sandy beach. The area features many luxury resorts.

There also a few more islands that are less know to the general public. The San Andres Islands across the coast of Nicaragua belong to Colombia and are becoming very popular for those seeking new adventures.

Bocas del Toro in Panama is a group of islands of the Panamanian Caribbean Coast. You may reach there flying to Panama City and then a local flight to the islands.

The Western Caribbean Islands are the other Caribbean. The beaches, the vegetation and the people are as good and charming as the Eastern Caribbean Islands.

Image Credits:
dunn river falls by poco a poco

All courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The resorts images are courtesy of the resorts mentioned.