The search for the Fountain of Youth, Adventure, Exploration, a desire to experience Caribbean Soul Food Cooking at its best or just escape from the cold are many of the motivations behind Caribbean travel. People have been taking Caribbean travel vacations since the colonial times. Today, millions of U.S., Canadians and European citizens, visit the islands each year to experience the tropical extravaganza that a Caribbean travel usually has in store for all its visitors.

Below are some Caribbean travel tips to help you get the most out of your tropical excursion:

Get an early start.

If there’s anything you absolutely must do when you go on a Caribbean vacation that is to start early. There are a lot of things you need to take care of. Trip planning can be a tough nut to crack. Early plane rides give you more time to recover and enjoy the rest of your Caribbean vacation. Passports are now required by all United States Citizens for entry into the country you are planning to travel. One Caribbean travel tip you ought to consider is to prepare all your travel documents as early as now.

Choose an island.

Culture shock. That is bound to happen if you don’t do your research beforehand. One thing you should remember about the Caribbean is that it has a culture that is as widely diverse as its people. Caribbean Travelers often say that islanders are very friendly and welcoming people, but remember they are human beings with fault factors like everyone else. So take this Caribbean travel tip: read up on the culture and people for the places you will travel.

Climate changes. In many destinations temperatures though warm to hot during the day may dip to a light sweater cool in the evenings and during certain times of the year, so be prepared.

Another thing, as you travel, keep abreast of local news coverage. If you are in an area experiencing civil unrest or a natural disaster, or if you are going to a place where communications is poor, register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for your own safety. Registration at the State Department’s TravelRegistration.state.gov website takes only a few minutes, and certainly invaluable in case of emergency. In addition, you can also get up to date Caribbean travel tips and information on any country in the world by obtaining the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet.

Food

As you do your research you will realize that the foods of the islands are to many strange and new, but in some instances they are similar to the soul food cooking we here about in the United States. Cornbread, fried chicken, stews and breads along with a large variety of vegetables, meats and how can we forget the seafood. Yet the is still something about the way those people put a pot together that makes even the best American Soul Food Cooks ask how they can get their hands on those Caribbean Soul Food recipes to take home. So to avoid robbing yourself of such a great experience be sure to pack a little adventure and if you must some antacids. The foods can be very spicy. But many of the natives adjust their preparations to accommodate the tourist. Try the Caribbean Soul Food its worth it!

Entry.

Every island in the Caribbean has its own entry requirements. That is why your first Caribbean travel tip is to prepare all your documents before you leave home. If you can show proof that you are a U.S. citizen and a return or onward ticket, most countries will allow you to visit for up to two or three months.

Take this as both a Caribbean travel tip and caution: There are countries in the Caribbean with areas infected with yellow fever. If you come from any of these areas, you may be required to have a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.

Also, some airports may require departure tax of up to $25.

Return.

There are some Caribbean countries that require only your birth certificate as an entry requirement. However, this should not be reason for you to slack off on your travel documents. Remember that U.S. Immigration requires that you document both your U.S. citizenship and identity. Take this Caribbean travel tip and make sure you can return to the United States with both these documents.

But what is the best document that can prove your U.S. citizenship? The best proof is a valid U.S. passport. Since the September 11^th incident many countries and especially the United States is requiring a valid passport for travel throughout the Caribbean. It would also be wise to find out what items you may purchase on your vacation are allowable for entry into the United States and through airport security; U.S. Customs Department can provide a list.

By Nicole Farrington