The Caribbean has a colorful history as well as a fun and vibrant culture. The Caribbean is known for all types of music such as Soca, Calypso, and Reggae. There are also special dancing, festivals, and parades held each year on the Islands. Many beautiful sea creature live in these warm tropical waters and sandy beaches are plentiful. The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western Hemisphere. It is bounded by the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles starting with Cuba, to the east by the Lesser Antilles, and to the south by the north coast of South America. The entire area of the Caribbean Sea which is one of the largest seas in the world, the numerous islands of the West Indies, and adjacent coasts, are collectively known as ‘the Caribbean’. The name “Caribbean” derives from the Caribs, one of the dominant Native American groups in the region at the time of European contact during the late 15th century. Due to the abundance of sunshine, year-round tropical temperatures moderated by the almost constant trade winds, and the great variety of scenic destinations to visit, the Caribbean Sea is a popular tourist destination. As of 2015 the area is home to 22 island territories and borders 12 continental countries.
Some Facts about the Caribbean:
- The three largest Caribbean islands by land area are Cuba, Hispaniola and Jamaica. The three most populous Caribbean nation-states as of 2011 are Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
- Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean Sea. At 42,426 square miles, it is a bit smaller than the state of Pennsylvania.
- January through March is the best time to see humpback whales and their babies. The Caribbean Sea is the home of the second largest barrier reef in the world and there divers and nature lovers will find thousands of species like the blue tang, yellow damselfish, green moray eel and nurse shark.
- The Caribbean Sea is home to some of the world’s most endangered creatures can be found in the Caribbean. These include the frog called the Coqui llanero, the St. Croix ground lizard, the West Indian manatee and the Puerto Rican boa. There are currently four amphibians, 11 reptiles, nine birds and one mammal that are endangered and live in the area.
- There is a vast range of music that can be traced back to Caribbean cultures, from more traditional genres such as calypso, salsa, merengue, and Afro-Cuban.
- Four countries that possess islands located in the Caribbean Sea are the United States, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands.
- Today tourism is a large part of the economy in the Caribbean region.
Many of the people living on the Caribbean Islands love meeting new people and making friends. Many islands offer a complimentary People-To-People Experience, in which you’ll be paired with a local ambassador who will show you the island’s culture and way of life. Below is a sample of some of the islands individual programs. These programs offer visitors and new residents seeking local, authentic experiences to immerse themselves in the destination’s vibrant culture through meeting island ambassadors.
Learn About The Bahamian Ambassador Program
Join People-To-People Experience Now
This free program lets you experience Bahamian culture and cuisine as well as learn more about the history and develop long-lasting friendships with many of the Bahamian ambassadors.
To join, speak with the tour desk at your hotel, visit the nearest Bahamas Tourist Office or use the online registration forms below.
Become A Guest In Our People-To-People Experience
Let us know which island(s) you would like to visit and what your interests are. We will use this information to pair you with a Bahamian ambassador who will enhance your vacation experience by sharing our way of life with you.