Lifestyle and investment opportunities with up to 10 year rental guarantees on five star apart-hotels across the Caribbean

 

Think of the Caribbean and you imagine palm trees, white sands and turquoise seas. The reality is that this is exactly what you get.

The sun shines year round, and the lifestyle is unsurprisingly relaxed. Slowing down is a key part of a Caribbean holiday, and easy when your hosts are so hospitable. All of the islands in this part of the world are known for providing quality accommodation, and there is no shortage of things to see and do, whatever your tastes.

Barbados has long been a favoured destination for UK travellers. One of the eastern most islands it has the Atlantic Ocean on its east coast and the Caribbean sea on the west. Activities on offer include golf, tennis, scuba diving, helicopter rides and even cave exploration – you can take a tram ride through Harrison’s cave to see the spectacular stalagtites, stalagmites, waterfalls and pools.

Barbados also has many festivals throughout the year, and the longest, ‘Crop Over’, celebrating the end of the sugar season, lasts five weeks! But any festival is a great excuse to sample one of their exotic drinks and eat some fabulous local food. It’s also worth mentioning that there is fabulous duty free shopping to be had here too.

St Vincent & the Grenadines is a collection of 32 islands, of which St Vincent is the largest. Reached by a short flight from Barbados, this beautiful island has a character all of its own. Only 18 miles long, it is dominated by La Soufrière volcano, and treks through the forest for a close up view are a popular choice for visitors. Snorkelers and divers are in heaven with the coral of the Tobago Cays to explore, while on dry land you can visit the oldest Botanical Gardens in the Caribbean.

The tourism industry here is growing rapidly and should continue to do so, helped by exposure from the film The Pirates of the Caribbean, which showed off the island to a worldwide audience.

The Dominican Republic is one of the larger countries in the Caribbean, sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Home to the largest mountain in the region, the Dominican Republic has no fewer than 19 national parks, as well as over 1000 miles of coastline to explore. There are virgin beaches to enjoy, astounding coral reefs and waterfalls, jungle-based activities such as rafting and hiking, not to mention the 21 golf courses, giving the active visitor a wealth of choices.

The capital, Santo Domingo, is the New World’s oldest city, and it’s here that you can wander the streets and admire the Spanish colonial architecture. It has a great variety of restaurants and bars, and is a bustling city that never seems to sleep. Shoppers are well catered for, with great department stores, as well as a huge indoor craft market.

The outlook for property in the Caribbean is extremely good, since it thrives on the stable tourist industry. There is continued investment in new developments, and buyer confidence is strong, with the market looking like it has shrugged off any downturns elsewhere. With the pound at its current rate demand from UK investors is on the increase, and with direct flights from London (flight times 8-10hours) it’s not surprising that the Caribbean is such a popular choice.