Which is the best Caribbean island?

Best for: Beach lovers and families.

If your perfect holiday activity is relaxing on the beach and completely switching off from the world, Aruba is the destination for you. It’s known as ‘One Happy Island’ by locals and holidaymakers alike, thanks to its chilled-out vibes, beautiful beaches, and year-round sunshine. In fact, Aruba gets on average just 18 inches of rain per year, and is known to be one of the sunniest of the Caribbean islands.

As a holiday hotspot, it's got plenty to show off about. Spots like Eagle Beach are award-winners, and regularly rated among the best in the world. Talcum-soft, powder-white sand comes as standard, and coastlines are dotted with picturesque Divi Divi trees. They're all public too, so no matter where you’ll stay, you’ll get access to the best swathes of sand.

Aruba is also a great pick for families. Head to Baby Beach and pitch up for the day next to the paddle-friendly lagoon with your little ones, visit the local Donkey Sanctuary or take a trip on the Jolly Roger pirate ship.

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Best for: Adventure seekers and honeymooners.

St Lucia’s tropical, mountainous terrain makes it the prime spot for outdoorsy, adventurous types. Hike up the soaring Piton Mountains, zip-line through a rainforest, and make your own chocolate bar at a cocoa plantation.

Water sports fans can take their pick of everything from kayaking and windsurfing to deep-sea fishing and jet-skiing. And if you're honeymooners seeking romance and relaxation, try the stunning Hideaway at Royalton St Lucia resort for the perfect secluded and luxurious retreat. After a spa break? Head to the award-winning BodyHoliday hotel, which boasts rejuvenating, cutting-edge spa treatments and specially-prepared health-conscious cuisine.

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Best for: Culture vultures, adventure seekers and foodies.

Bob Marley, Usain Bolt, and the 'Cool Runnings' bobsleigh team are just a few of Jamaica's famous exports. Pop culture-buffs have loads to explore on the island, including Bob Marley’s house and Usain Bolt’s memorabilia-packed restaurant – or why not spend your morning meeting locals?

The scenery doesn’t disappoint either, with everything from dense tropical rainforests and dramatic mountains to long sandy beaches and towering waterfalls. In Negril, you can watch cliff divers perform acrobatic leaps from Rick’s Café, and lounge on Jamaica’s best stretch of sand, Seven Mile Beach. Ocho Rios is where you’ll find the famous Dunn’s River Falls and Mystic Mountain’s zip-line and adventure course. Meanwhile, Montego Bay is the prime place for partygoers.

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Best for: Animal lovers, culture buffs and adventure seekers.

The Dominican Republic combines colonial towns and Hispanic culture with impressive scenery – forests, mountains, mangrove lagoons, and long, sandy beaches. Here you can switch between city sightseeing and activities like snorkelling, off-road safaris and even golf.

The capital, Santo Domingo is packed with UNESCO-listed sites, impressive cathedrals and street art murals. It's also home of the Americas’ first fortified Spanish palaces, Alcázar de Colón, and the Columbus Lighthouse, which is said to contain some of Christopher Columbus' remains. After you’ve ticked off the city, get out and explore the tropical landscape. Head to the Los Haitises National Park to look for exotic birds living in the rainforest, and see the region's swamps and sugar cane fields. Just an hour’s drive from La Romana in the Samana Peninsula you can see humpback whales in the wild, too. Huge colonies come here to breed in the warm waters – spot them on a boat trip out into the bay from mid-January to the end of March.

The island is also a golfer’s paradise – Punta Cana has 12 courses, while La Romana is home to the legendary ‘Teeth of the Dog’ links course.

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Best for: History buffs, beach lovers and city and beach stays.

There’s a huge white-sand coastline and private, secluded beaches in the resort of Varadero, so there’s plenty of space to relax and soak up the rays. The luxurious Royalton Hicacos offers up secluded beachfront spots and private adults’ only sections for a peaceful stay. You can then take a day trip or stay for a couple of nights in Havana to immerse yourself in the iconic city. It’s full of colourful, colonial-style buildings and 1950s Cadillacs. By day, explore the UNESCO-protected old town, Renaissance mansions and film set-style colonial architecture. By night, visit the bars where author Ernest Hemingway used to visit, and enjoy salsa rhythms, a lively atmosphere, and of course, mojitos.

Find out when’s the best time to visit Cuba