Whether it's ultra-blue water, sandy white beaches, the bright sun, or the beautiful islanders, the islands entice travelers from all over the world. Innumerable islands and the coasts of Venezuela and Mexico enjoy the Caribbean Sea's temperate climate. The scenery is undeniably beautiful, but the funky kaleidoscope of cultures in the Caribbean offers more than just sun and surf. Don't miss the celebrations that bring the islands to life, where you'll discover plenty of cultural influences, from pirates to African slaves.
Popular islands can be very touristy, with cheesy resorts and burned tourists crowding the beaches.
Celebrations are often homogenized for visitors, but even at these well-known festivals, cultural roots still play a large part. And in less-touristed places you'll find indigenous festivals untouched by outside influences. The Venezuelan Devil Dancers of Corpus Christi are certainly unique. Costumed dancers writhe to drums in an Afro-Catholic religious celebration. A few weeks later, Venezuelans honor St. John the Baptist in Los Tambores de San Juan , a funky drum festival involving effigies, entranced dancers, and partying all night long.