And of course, there is everything in between. If you are the kind of person who likes privacy, but also enjoys feeling like a part of the culture around you, then renting a villa may be your best option, comparable in price to a hotel room. Maid service, and sometimes even a car, may be included. A travel agent or guidebook can direct you to rental agencies that handle villas on the island you're interested in. In an all-inclusive resort, you don't need a car, but depending on the location of a hotel or villa, you may want one to be able to explore easily.
Cruises offer yet another way to visit the Caribbean.
Dozens of ships, carrying anywhere from a few dozen to thousands of passengers, make runs lasting from a few days to more than two weeks, dropping off boatlands of passengers for half-day forays into the islands they stop at. Many airlines offer special packages to the islands or simply flights you can choose for yourself. For an overview of the islands' layout, surf on over to this online map. You may order road and tourist maps from this site , as well as find more information about each island in the Caribbean group. The Windward islands have a rainy season in summer, but even then, showers are intermittent rather than steady.