Places
Explore key regions, cities, sites, and routes in Caribbean.
Why the Caribbean
Multi-island Caribbean journeys connect travelers to resilient communities, vibrant music, and rest-ready coastlines. Starting in hubs like San Juan or Nassau, groups engage hurricane recovery initiatives, agroforestry projects, and justice partners while experiencing Afro-Caribbean culture and coastal reflection. Smaller islands such as Vieques, Turks & Caicos, or the Bahamas offer retreat time, while the Dominican Republic or Jamaica add depth through education and economic development. With partners across the region and U.S. territory access, leaders can design modular itineraries focused on generosity and collaboration—supported by the travel commissions guide.
Top Highlights by Theme
- Old Caribbean Capitals: Old San Juan forts, Nassau historic districts, Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial, and Barbados Garrison heritage.
- Hurricane Recovery & Resilience: Puerto Rico mountain projects, Bahamas rebuilding on Abaco, Dominica agroforestry, and St. Vincent volcanic recovery partners.
- Music & Culture: Bomba and plena workshops in Puerto Rico, Junkanoo rhythms in the Bahamas, reggae showcases in Jamaica, and festivals in Turks & Caicos.
- Coastal Retreats: Bioluminescent bays in Vieques, Grace Bay downtime in Turks & Caicos, Exuma sandbar picnics, and reef-safe snorkeling briefings.
- Creation Care: Coral restoration in the Dominican Republic, mangrove protection in the Virgin Islands, and sustainable fisheries in Grenada.
Sub-Regions & Routes
Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands Hub
- Launch in San Juan for orientation and partner briefings; extend to Vieques/Culebra or the U.S. Virgin Islands for service and rest.
Bahamas & Turks & Caicos Recovery
- Continue to Nassau, Grand Bahama, or Abaco for hurricane recovery, then retreat to Exuma or Turks & Caicos for downtime and marine conservation.
Greater Antilles Collaborations
- Add Dominican Republic or Jamaica for education, music, and agribusiness partnerships, with time in coastal resorts for rest.
Eastern Caribbean Innovation
- Include Dominica, St. Lucia, or Grenada for agroforestry, eco-tourism learning, and boutique retreat spaces.
Trip Length & Pacing
6 Days
- San Juan service and cultural immersion, Vieques retreat, and return via Old San Juan donor dinner.
9 Days
-
Adds Bahamas recovery or Dominican Republic collaboration, plus downtime on Turks & Caicos.
-
Extends to multi-island loop (Puerto Rico → Dominican Republic → Turks & Caicos → Nassau) with resilience projects, reef conservation, and rest days.
-
Builds in weather buffer and flexible flight routing.
Best Time to Go
- January to April is peak dry season with calm seas; hurricane season (June–November) requires contingency plans and travel insurance.
- November to December offers festive energy and mild weather before peak crowds.
- We monitor NOAA updates and coordinate evacuation and shelter plans when needed.
Group Logistics
- Gateways: San Juan (SJU), Nassau (NAS), Punta Cana (PUJ), Montego Bay (MBJ), Providenciales (PLS), St. Thomas (STT).
- Transport: Inter-island flights (regional carriers), ferries, catamarans, and charter coaches on larger islands.
- Lodging: Boutique hotels in heritage districts, guesthouses, beach resorts, and eco-retreats with meeting space.
- Meetings & Venues: Community halls, cultural centers, fort courtyards, beach pavilions, and catamarans with AV support.
- Dining: Caribbean cuisine—plantains, seafood, mofongo, jerk chicken, conch, and tropical farm-to-table menus; we manage dietary needs.
- Accessibility: Variable; we provide mobility plans, accessible rooms, and alternative routes for steep forts or uneven beaches.
Extensions & Combos
- Blend with mainland hubs ([Florida] upcoming, [Georgia] soon) for donor summits before/after island segments.
- Partner with Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, or Bahamas for deeper focus.
- Add Costa Rica or Panama for Central American comparisons.
Safety & Stewardship Notes
The Caribbean’s resilience is inspiring, but hurricanes and tropical storms demand preparedness. We coordinate weather monitoring, local emergency plans, and cultural briefings so teams serve respectfully and sustainably.
FAQs
- Q: Do we need passports? A: U.S. citizens do not for Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands; all other islands require passports and sometimes ESTAs or visas. We manage documentation guidance.
- Q: How many islands can we include? A: Most programs cover 2–3 islands within 10 days to balance travel and depth. We tailor loops to goals and budgets.
- Q: What about hurricane season? A: We build flexible routing, recommend travel insurance, and keep alternative venues ready.
- Q: Can we arrange outdoor performances? A: Yes—with permits; plazas, beach stages, and heritage patios welcome ensembles.
- Q: How do we ensure donations stay local? A: We partner with vetted NGOs and community organizations, providing transparency and follow-up reports.
Plan your generosity journey with the travel commissions guide and reach out via the lead form to curate your Caribbean circuit.
Highlights
- San Juan & Old Caribbean Capitals: heritage walks, justice partners, and coastal gatherings
- Hurricane Recovery & Resilience: rebuilding projects, agroforestry, and community training
- Retreat Islands: Vieques, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, and boutique getaways
- Cross-Cultural Music: Afro-Caribbean rhythms, Bomba dance, and multilingual concerts
Fundraising for Churches
How Churches Use the Caribbean
- Launch in Puerto Rico or the Bahamas for heritage worship, justice briefings, and donor storytelling.
- Serve hurricane recovery or agroforestry partners on Puerto Rico, Dominica, or the Bahamas before retreating to sabbath islands.
- Host evening worship on beaches or catamarans, integrating Afro-Caribbean music and bilingual services.
- Close with sabbath and donor coaching at boutique resorts in Turks & Caicos, Exuma, or Vieques.
What Works Well
- 7–10 day itineraries covering two to three islands keep flights feasible while allowing depth.
- Group sizes of 16–24 provide agility for ferries, catamarans, and mission sites; larger groups can split into pods.
- Morning service, afternoon coastal or cultural experiences, and evening worship circles match tropical rhythms.
- Schedule during dry season when seas are calm; in hurricane months we build contingency days and alternate venues.
Sample Ministry Focus
- Day 1: Arrive San Juan, fort devotion, and justice partner roundtable.
- Day 2-3: Mountain service (coffee farms, rebuilding projects) with resilience workshops.
- Day 4: Ferry to Vieques or flight to Turks & Caicos for marine conservation, sabbath beach worship, and donor coaching.
- Day 5: Travel to Nassau or the Dominican Republic for cultural worship, Bomba/Junkanoo workshops, and generosity commitments.
What ETS Tours Provides Here
- Regional network of pastors, recovery NGOs, and marine conservation partners across Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and Turks & Caicos.
- Multi-island logistics: flights, ferries, catamarans, mission lodging, and resort negotiations with contingency plans.
- AV production for outdoor worship, translation support, and cultural sensitivity training.
- Compliance guidance for offerings, customs, and import of supplies or donations.
- Optional combos with Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, or Costa Rica for extended circuits.
Align your funding plan using fundraising models for church travel and connect via the lead form to start curating a Caribbean journey.