The Caribbean and the Maldives are the heavy hitters of paradise getaways. They’re first on the mind when we’re told to think of a happy place. The see-through waters lap against limestone shores – and there’s always a cocktail in hand.
The issue is when we are faced with making our happy escape – the idea of being on a Caribbean beach – with reality. How do we go about booking a trip, and how can we make sure it lives up to expectations? The economics of the tropical getaway
The days of the dirt-cheap beach escapes are numbered, with a mixture of fuel market concerns, higher accommodation costs, and many islands being increasingly explored and developed for tourists. To ignore this could be dangerous, as you may end up somewhere unsafe. Instead, lean into it – accept you’re a tourist, a book accordingly.
Travel spending from those aged 65 and over grew by around 7% last year – more than other age groups. It’s a demographic that is behind a lot of the demand for island hospitality, which is good in many ways as it improves accessibility in otherwise less developed areas.
Travelers to the Caribbean look for certainty over low-cost gambles. These islands are mostly aimed at serving luxury travel with incredible hospitality – sometimes even all-inclusive. Because the base cost of your flight is quite high (espeically for Europeans), this is no time to gamble on accommodation.
Premium Caribbean all inclusive resorts can still be affordable, though, but it’s about finding value (price relative to the quality), not price alone. You want to be on the beach (preferably the resort has private access), with plenty of swimming areas to cool down from the heat. To avoid death by a thousand surcharges, look for reputable all-inclusive stays – especially if you like your food. Because options to walk to town for various restaurants are more sparse than with other holidays, you will make the most of the hotel food and drinks. After all, psychological studies prove that we prefer to pay once and then relax without worry. Tiers of service and space
The biggest consideration isn’t the food or the weather – these will be great, especially at a well reputable resort. Instead, it’s all about the battle for personal space and avoiding the infamous chair game that plagues many cramped Spanish resorts, where guests wake at 7:00 AM to claim a poolside lounger and leave their towel on it. It’s a big problem, so you want to find a resort with plenty of space. If possible, don’t go during peak season, and if you do, it’s still possible to find space but your choice of resort becomes more important.
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It feels like being back in the hot-desk office where a coffee mug appears, only for the worker to disappear for a few hours. The worst experience is when there are aggressive VIP upselling tactics disguised as concierge services.
This is where tiers come in. Many complexes now have a resort within a resort situation. You have the family-friendly zones – avoid these (unless you have children). There may be premium selection tiers and the ultra-exclusive adults-only enclaves, these may be worth the upgrade. Even if it doesn’t feel great, if you price it in ahead of time and accept it, you can squeeze out more value from your resort, especially if you’re uptight about these worries.
When mid-tier resorts prioritize volume to stay profitable, they must oversell shared spaces and hope not everybody will want to sit poolside that day. If you’re budget-conscious, consider opting for a higher-end resort or an upgraded tier/zone over an upgraded room – you will hardly spend time in your room, after all. Plus there can be some advantages to cheaper rooms, like being on the ground floor, nearer the bar and pool. This only changes if the upgraded room has a private pool and you value total privacy, then this might be the play. Geographical considerations
Nature is now a factor in beach holidays. There is a record-breaking sargassum seaweed influx impacting the Mexican Caribbean and the Antilles. In places like Tulum, collection teams removed over 200 tonnes of algae in just one week. It’s created some sargassum anxiety – not a big deal for those that sit poolside, but it could be worth checking this in the area you’re looking to book.
The Dominican Republic, and especially areas like Bayahibe, currently have calmer, clearer water compared to the wind-swept shores of the Riviera Maya. Mexico does compensate with a ton of infrastructure and inland attractions, though some prefer the remoteness of the islands.
A Caribbean holiday requires some thought. To get the most out of it, you really want to start with asking yourself what makes you happy. Is it total privacy? Is it unlimited food? Nearby restaurants? A vibrant atmosphere?
