No matter how carefully you plan your vacation, Murphy’s Law sometimes strikes. It does rain in the tropics, after all, and your Caribbean vacation may have its share of wet days. Depending on where you are, you have a variety of options, such as the following: 1. Go to the movies or play a game Aside from a handful of very remote areas, most locations have movie theaters. Many add extra showings on rainy days to accommodate the increased clientele. If you’re not feeling a flick, crack out a deck of cards, visit your accommodation’s recreation area, or play a board game. 2. Go snorkeling or scuba diving You’re getting wet anyway, and the water will still be warm. A surprising number of people will go diving or snorkeling during rainy weather to take advantage of the dearth of people at the beach. Many people still enjoy the consistently warm water in these conditions and the added bonus of no sunburn! Be warned that this is not an option if there’s lightning or a lot of wind. Pick an indoor activity in that case. 3. Go to the spa If you’re staying at a resort, this will be a very easy option, for there will probably be a spa either on the premises or close by. Arrange for a day of being pampered and get a pedicure and/or massage. You’re a guy? No problem. Spas often offer “gentleman’s facials” and the like to their male clients. Nor do you have to be a woman to enjoy a good massage. Some spas also have Jacuzzis and saunas. Even if you’re not staying at a resort, there are often many options through Caribbean towns and cities. Just give the location a quick online search first! 4. Go shopping The Caribbean has its share of malls and shopping centers, especially in the downtown areas. For example, St. Martin has the Mall of the West Indies and the Blue Mall, while Grenada has the Spiceland Mall. There are bound to be souvenir or antique shops that strike your fancy. 5. Stay at the resort If it’s raining cats and dogs, and you really don’t feel like walking or driving to the nearest shopping center, you can always simply stay in and get caught up on your reading. Another possibility, particularly if you’re staying at one of the larger resorts, is to investigate their entertainment options. At least one resort in Grenada offers cooking classes to their guests, for example. The participants learn about traditional Grenadian cuisine and its health benefits. 6. Check out a museum Many Caribbean islands have art museums or science museums. For example, Grenada is home to several art galleries. The Susan Mains Art Gallery showcases local art and handmade jewelry. It’s also located in the Spiceland Mall, so you can kill two birds with one stone. Art Fabrik, also on Grenada, makes, displays and sells batik clothing. The Institute of Jamaica is a large organization that runs the country’s major museums, including the National Gallery of Jamaica, the National Museum, and the Natural History Museum. Its newest offering is the Jamaica Music Museum, which was launched in 2009 and concentrates on the evolution of Jamaican music including such genres as reggae and ska. 7. Investigate novel local attractions Every island has some quirky local attraction that you’re not likely to find elsewhere. Grenada, for example, is home to the House of Chocolate, where visitors can both learn about the history of chocolate on the island and buy their favorite decadent confection. It is also home to the Grenada Chocolate Festival, which is held every May. St. Thomas is home to Magic Ice, the world’s biggest ice gallery. It’s inspired by the various ice hotels in Scandinavia and features a number of ice sculptures. Tijon is a perfumery on St. Martin that offers classes on the fine art of making perfume. Participants get to visit the lab and try their hand at making their own perfume. The Pirates of Nassau, located in the Bahamas, is an interactive museum dedicated to the history of piracy in the Caribbean. The museum includes a replica of a pirate ship that guests may board and explore. The onsite restaurant and gift shop are respectively called Smugglers and Plunder. Harrison’s Cave is considered one of the great natural wonders on Barbados. It’s a crystallized limestone cave located in the center of the island, and it boasts deep pools and tall columns. Visitors may choose a walking tour or ride in a tram. As you can see, a rainy day during a tropical vacation doesn’t have to be a disaster. There are plenty of fun, engaging activities to do when the weather isn’t cooperating. Since you can’t always count on perfect weather, you should probably visit your island’s tourism website to investigate possible bad weather activities before leaving on your trip. You should also check to see what kinds of activities are offered at your resort. Each Caribbean locale is host to its own fascinating and finger-licking good variety of local cuisine. Rain never stopped anyone from enjoying a delectable experience!
Heather Lomax is a contributing writer and media relations specialist for Privilege Club. She is an avid traveler and thus no stranger to finding alternate plans for rainy days abroad.