The holidays are the perfect time for a Caribbean escape. Here are the islands on our radar this December.
Winter is once again descending on North America and the forecast this year is particularly frigid. You might be dreading the thought of Jack Frost nipping at your toes for yet another holiday season. We suggest a trip to the Islands as the perfect antidote for the winter blues.
The nations of the Caribbean are one of the most popular destinations for GAC flyers. Requests for island charters start peaking in late February and early March. This is why December is an excellent alternative — smaller crowds with basically the same weather.
We think each of these four destinations offers a perfect blend of sun-soaked beaches, Caribbean charm, and seasonal festivities. Call our flight coordinators today to reserve your airframe and start a new holiday tradition.
St. Lucia
We can’t get enough of the scenery on St. Lucia. Everywhere you look there’s verdant rainforest, waterfalls, mineral springs, and the towering Pitons. St. Lucia starts the holiday party early, because December 13th is their National Day, the Feast of Saint Luce.
During the Festival of Light, you’ll see a parade of lanterns, Christmas plays, bright lights in the squares, and a fireworks display. You’ll likely see some beach bonfires and candlelight caroling closer to Christmas.
In the light of daytime, we recommend snorkeling in the Anse Chastanet Marine Reserve. For a hike with panoramic views of the island, the Tet Paul Nature Trail can’t be beat.
Antigua
Antigua is known as the land of 365 beaches — that’s one for every day of the year. But during Christmas, the party moves from the sand to the streets. Christmastime in Antigua is full of both lively street parties and local traditions. At the annual Carols by Candlelight event, you’ll sing songs surrounded by hundreds of votives in the lush setting of a botanical garden.
The festivities continue with steel drum music, parades, and dance-offs. Midnight mass on Christmas Eve at St. John’s Cathedral draws hundreds of locals and tourists alike. Christmas Eve is also the day for barbecues on the beach, featuring seafood, sweet potato dumplings, and rum-soaked fruitcake.
Your Caribbean Concierge
With the holidays being so busy, planning an island vacation might seem like just another chore. That’s why we recommend Exclusive Vacation Adventures to curate a Caribbean experience you’ll never forget. EVA can arrange private tours, nature excursions, reserve fine dining, or plan ground transportation. Whatever your needs and preferences, you’ll see the islands like never before.
Puerto Rico
We’ve long thought that Puerto Rico is perhaps the most underrated Caribbean destination. The island has many delights to discover – from the lively narrow streets of Old San Juan to the bioluminescent bay in La Parguera.
Puerto Rico celebrates one of the longest holiday seasons anywhere in the world. Festivities start in November and don’t stop until the SanSe Festival in January. With every municipality having their own celebration, you’ll find dozens of them across the island. We go for the parrandas – musical celebrations with maracas, drums, and guitars parading through the streets.
The Bahamas
Christmastime in the Bahamas can be summed up with one exuberant word — Junkanoo! As soon as midnight strikes and Christmas Day becomes Boxing Day, Bahamians are ready to party. There is a massive street parade with colorful costumes and elaborate dance performances. The sounds of drums, conch shells, horns, and cowbells ring throughout the cities.
It’s a party months in the making, as artists and dance troupes dream up their costumes and routines long in advance. There are legacy and bragging rights involved, so the locals really give this festival their all.
Christmas in the Islands
Even though the islands aren’t crowded during the holidays, demand for travel everywhere else is strong. If you plan to travel, no matter your destination, reserve your airframe for the holidays now!
