Tourism remains the major source of income for most Caribbean destinations. Many are third-world countries, where locals rely on tourism for their livelihood; as a result, you may find arriving in port a little overwhelming. With so much competition, there can be a clamour for your business. This is not necessarily a bad thing, especially once you get used to the sometimes quite full-on nature of the sales techniques.
Bargain
Don’t be afraid to barter. Coming from a country in which bartering is not very common, it can be a hard skill to master. If someone says something is $20, it is almost second nature to accept it; however, there is usually a surprising amount of wriggle room for local prices. There is no doubt that some of the beautiful items on offer will have taken a lot of time and effort, in which case undercutting is not fair or appropriate; however, no one wants to pay through the nose. Regardless of worth, of course, how much you are willing to pay may also come down to the seller themselves. If they are of particularly pleasant demeanour, most of us are willing to pay a little more.
Keep the cash under wraps
Pulling out $20 and expecting change is rarely a good idea, as whatever the seller has on offer will invariably go up. Instead, keep a variety of smaller notes on you, such as $1, $5 and $10, and only pull out what you are willing to pay. It makes good sense not to take out a wad of cash, whether you are at home in your local supermarket or abroad.
Experience local culture
What are the best all inclusive Caribbean resorts to visit? There is lots of information available from resources such as http://lostwaldo.com/the-best-all-inclusive-caribbean-resorts/.
Local fare
The Caribbean boasts some exquisite local breweries offering delicious beers; for example, Carib is a light beer that is particularly popular.
Take a walk on the wild side
Although stunning throughout, the Caribbean’s true beauty can found slightly off the beaten path. Pictures in the brochures will probably not cover the local areas and you will be surprised how different these can look. It is also possible to book excursions and trips around the islands through a tour agency, with plenty of great adventures awaiting!