AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
All Caribbean islands have their own departure tax which you have to pay locally in cash , usually the equivalent of about US $ 15 to 20 .
CAR HIRE
Car hire can be arranged locally on most of the islands . Approximate rental costs are provided on the island introduction pages in this holiday guide . You need to have your driving licence , passport and a credit card with you . The car hire companies will arrange a local driving permit for you and charge you for it ( usually separately from the hire costs ) - it ’ s usually about $ 20 . Most clients have their hire cars delivered to their hotel . If you want us to arrange a car in advance , please let us know . You usually have to be at least 25 years of age to hire a car in the Caribbean .
UK AIRPORT HOTELS AND UK AIRPORT PARKING
Details of hotels at Gatwick airport ( and other airports too ) are available from us on request as are details of car parking arrangements .
General
HEALTH
Vaccinations and boosters for Tetanus , Typhoid , Polio and Hepatitis A are all recommended but are not obligatory for the Caribbean islands featured in this brochure . Dengue Fever is known on the Caribbean islands and there have been outbreaks in Tobago . Dengue Fever and Malaria are endemic in low-lying rural areas of Mexico . We suggest that you consult your doctor about suitable anti-malarial medication and for up to date advice . If you are suffering from any disability or illness , this should be communicated to us at the time of booking . Please note that pregnant passengers are not accepted by airlines usually after about 28 weeks into the pregnancy . You should check this with us before you make a booking .
GOVERNMENT ADVICE
The UK government has an excellent website www . fco . gov . uk which you can access to obtain up-to-date information about worldwide destinations . This site gives details about trouble spots but also general advice about most countries . We advise most strongly that you visit the site to check notices about your intended destination before you book and travel .
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
A full British passport is required for travel to all countries in this brochure . Please bear in mind that it is your responsibility to ensure that your passport is valid and still has six months ' validity before you book your holiday , and it can take some time to obtain a new one . Please also check the regulations with the passport office for infants . If you are going to the United States you should check with the consulate about visa regulations at the time of booking as they are due to be linked to the type of passport you have .
INSURANCE
It is your own responsibility to ensure that you are adequately insured for your holiday . Insurance for the activities you choose to undertake during your holiday is also your own responsibility . Additional requirements are needed for scuba diving , such as a doctor ’ s certificate . will make themselves at home on walls , windows , patios etc and may enter your room at certain hotels . We cannot prevent these creatures from entering your room and if you are too worried about the possibility then perhaps a holiday to the Tropics is not for you . Care should be taken not to sit underneath the manchineel tree ( these are usually marked if they are near your hotel ). Sea-urchins can be extremely painful if you tread on them in the sea - seek immediate assistance from the hotel .
ON ARRIVAL IN THE CARIBBEAN
When you arrive in the Caribbean you will have to go through passport control ( landing cards to be handed in are given out on the flight for you to complete prior to arrival ) and also customs . Baggage is searched regularly on entry to the islands .
CURRENCY
Whilst all the islands accept US $, things are cheaper if you pay in local currency and you ’ re not likely to be shortchanged by local conversion . The currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso . Barbados , Jamaica , Cayman and Trinidad and Tobago have their own dollar whilst the other English-speaking islands share the Eastern Caribbean dollar ( EC $) or just use the US $ ( e . g . Virgin Islands and the Bahamas ). The French islands ( overseas districts of France ) use the Euro but will also accept the dollar . It is advisable to carry low denomination US dollar notes with you but also to change money to local currency when you arrive . Most of the hotels have a bureau de change facility .
WEATHER CONDITIONS
The temperature in the Caribbean averages about 27 degrees . The winter season is slightly cooler and drier and the summer , from May or June to October , depending on the island , is wetter and is the traditional hurricane season . But even when it rains , it tends to clear very quickly . However , the tropics would not have their lush vegetation without rainfall . The worst month for hurricanes in recent years has been September . However , the islands vary considerably in humidity and dryness with some being noticeably drier than others . Rainfall and humidity details can be obtained from the respective Tourist Offices or from us .
TEMPERATURE CHART
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Anguilla 24.5 24 24.5 26 26.5 27.5 27.5 28 28 28 26 26 Antigua 24.5 24 24.5 26.5 27 27.5 27.5 28 28 28 26.6 26.5 Bahamas 20 21 23 24 25 26 28 28 27 25 24 22 Barbados 29 30 30 30.6 30.6 30.6 31 31 31.7 31 30.6 29.5 Grenada 24 24 25 25 26 26.5 27 27 26.5 26.5 26 24.5 Jamaica 25.5 25.5 25.5 26.5 27 28 28 28 27.5 27.5 26.5 26 Nevis 24.5 24 24.5 26 26.5 27.5 27.5 28 28 28 26 26 St Lucia 26 26 27 28 29 29 28 29 29 28 27 26
St Vincent & the Grenadines 24 24 25 26.5 26.5 26.5 26.5 26.5 26.5 26 25.5 25
Tobago 26 25.5 26.5 26 27.5 27.5 26.5 26.5 27.5 27.5 27.5 26
MOSQUITOES ETC
Mosquitoes are a fact of life in the Caribbean . Many hotels provide antimosquito sprays , burning coils and repellents for your room . You can always take your own too ( with a UK , Continental or US adaptor ). It is advisable to take your own anti-mosquito creams and lotions with you . Other insects ( large beetles , cockroaches , sand flies etc ) and some rodents are also common . Lizards often no more than six or nine inches in length
Phone 01392 441210 to make a reservation or discuss your holiday plans , or visit www . caribbeanexpressions . co . uk
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