Caribbean

Travelling responsibly is easy in Belize, due to the country's goal to become a world leader in sustainable tourism. With eco-lodges scattered across the pristine rainforest and along the unspoilt Caribbean coast, the highest population of jaguars on the planet and a whopping 28% of territory set aside to ensure the preservation of the flora and fauna, you're in for a wild and responsible adventure. Here's how to best enjoy all that bountiful Belize has to offer.

'Pura Vida' can be heard echoing throughout Costa Rica. Translating to 'pure life', the term has been adopted unofficially as the country's national motto, symbolic of the Costa Rican mindset and indicative of the enriching experiences that await travellers.  With today's hectic lifestyle, it's never been more important to enjoy an occasional break from the daily grind, take a digital detox from our phones or simply make time to revel in the world around us. If you're looking to pair all this with an immersion into nature, then Costa Rica makes for a prime destination choice.

The island of Bermuda is a self-governing British Overseas Territory. Isolated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and some 900 miles north of the Caribbean (contrary to popular brief).  The island was once used as a base by pirates to loot foreign ships and the sea is still the focus of any holiday here.  However, Bermuda remains largely overlooked by some holiday makers, despite its year-round sunshine, daily direct flights from the UK and just a four-hour time difference.

Sandwiched between Guadeloupe and Martinique Dominica is the Nature Island of the Caribbean, which means exactly what you think it does: it's home to more flora and fauna than you can shake your binoculars at. Throw in plenty of soft adventure, thermal springs, an emerging culinary scene and a famously healthy local lifestyle, and it's no wonder Dominica is reputed to be one of the best destinations for wellness on the planet - the island has the highest number of centenarians per capita in the world.  Whether you're after long hikes, a diving paradise, jazz music or simply fancy yourself one of Captain Jack Sparrow's crew in Pirates of the Caribbean, Dominica has got you covered. Here are just a few of the activities you might get up to.

Are you a 'zip-lining through the rainforest' kind of traveller? Or do you prefer your explorations to move at a more sloth-like pace, with walks on hanging bridges in the treetops and dips in mineral-rich volcanic hot springs?

Either way, you can do it all in Costa Rica. The small, lush country is perfect for adventures, courtesy of its sultry rainforests and cool cloud forests, and shires lapped by both the glistening Caribbean Sea to the east and the surf-friendly waves of the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Whether you fancy deserted, wild shores or laid-back surfer vibes, with two picture-perfect coastlines - one Caribbean, one Pacific - Costa Rica has just the beach for you. We have put together some of the country's best beaches for the beach goers.

Columbia is a country of contrasts in many different aspects and Cartagena is one of these places that adds to it. Located on the Caribbean side of the country, it is classified as a port city, however, it is a popular beach destination. Places like Isla de Barú and Islas del Rosario – reachable by boat, are well known for their white-sand beaches, palm trees and coral reefs.  Look deeper though, and you will find a place rich in culture and a pleasure to explore.

With the night's getting longer and the weather becoming colder, now is the time to start thinking about escaping to a winter paradise in the sun. Barbados is a great antidote to the cold winter weather, with a combination of breathtakingly beautiful sandy beaches, lush, wild tropical vegetation, tantalising food and drink almost- guaranteed, year-round sunshine.

If you land during a local celebration of some sort you’ll find something very special about being greeted at Havana’s airport by a troupe of dancing girls, clad in sequins and feathers, moving rhythmically to the strains of salsa and handing out glasses of rum punch.

This jewel of an island offers something for everyone, from nature lovers and adrenaline junkies to sun-seeking families. Or you could just take it easy lying down on a beach bed.

Glance out of the aircraft window as you prepare to land at Saint Lucia’s main international airport and you will see for yourself just why this is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful of the Caribbean islands.