Cayman Islands Travel Tips

The charming Cayman Islands continue to be a coveted Caribbean getaway, providing for both adventurous and more immobile travelers. Gorgeous barrier reefs call to divers as the rum punch calls to the beach bums. Honeymooners hike through the 200-year-old Mastic Trail as parents take their children for interactive swims at Stingray City. Whichever way you choose to mellow out, the Cayman Islands can oblige. The Cayman Islands are an archipelago of three islands, lying 90 miles south of Cuba. The largest, Grand Cayman, is full of all-inclusive resorts, perfect for those who prefer pre-planned itineraries and don't mind cruise crowds. For freewheeling vacationers, the less-traveled Cayman Brac and Little Cayman offer some of the best diving in the Caribbean.

Why go: Grand Cayman of the Cayman Islands is perfect for young travelers who love animals. Some of the top activities include swimming with stingrays and playing with sea turtles in Boatswain's Beach. Slightly older travelers might enjoy snorkeling and diving to explore the underwater animals around Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Young ones can also play pretend on the Jolly Roger pirate ship or explore the ocean deep on the Atlantis submarine. Cayman Brac even hosts a Family Week with discounted flight and hotel fares and kid-friendly activities around the island and at participating hotels.

When to Visit Cayman Islands

The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between May and July, when the hotel rates drop. The Islands are warm year-round, with average highs holding steady in the 80s. January and February are the coolest months with lows averaging in the lower 70s. The rainy season is from May through about late October -- though showers usually only last for a couple hours at a time. The islands' location in the western part of the Caribbean shields them from being hit too hard by hurricanes.

Punta Cana Travel Tips

The sugary sand of a Punta Cana beach is so soft, so perfectly golden brown that you might think it was synthetic. And in fact, in this easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, it's possible. By definition, Punta Cana is a manufactured Caribbean getaway, completely catering to the needs of sun-seeking vacationers who like all-inclusive resorts but care little about venturing away from their hotel.But this area isn't popular for its abundant lodging and their comprehensive amenities. Rather, Punta Cana beckons because it provides so many options (more than 24,000 hotel rooms) for such affordable rates. Many travelers are able to book a weeklong trip that includes airfare, lodging, meals and some resort activities, for much less than $1,000 per person in the shoulder seasons.

Why go: The perks of an all-inclusive -- plenty of food, a beautiful setting and the convenience and safety of many vacation activities at your fingertips -- should come to your mind when you think of Punta Cana. This Dominican Republic town is completely manufactured for those who like a cruise-ship style vacation without the ports of call or seasickness. There aren't as many kid-focused activities at the resorts of the Bahamas, but all of them do still offer plenty of watersports and lots of beautiful sand stretches. Adults occupy their time with golf, surfing, horseback riding and more. But this destination's chief demerit is that it lacks authenticity; your kids will not receive a history or culture lesson here, that's for sure.

Best Times to Visit Punta Cana

The best time to visit Punta Cana is from March to May, when the peak season rush trickles out of the city. Luckily, the weather is warm year-round, with average highs around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The Dominican Republic experiences some of the effects of the Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from June to November. And Punta Cana in particular has been known to face severe tropical storms, seeing an average of about 40 inches of rainfall each year. Still, this area stays crowded no matter the season.