If you happen to’re attempting to determine between these two fabulous beach-oriented locations, you could be questioning, what’s the distinction between Caribbean and Mediterranean holidays?
We’re right here to assist with our detailed comparability of the Caribbean vs. Mediterranean that can assist you select.
Caribbean vs. Mediterranean Fast Take
There are many causes to go to each the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. It may be robust to decide on, however these two attractive areas have some fairly vital variations that may issue into your determination together with location, climate, and accessible actions.
Caribbean vs. Mediterranean Overview
The Caribbean is a well-liked tropical vacation spot with a range of islands that includes breathtaking seashores and jaw-dropping water. The islands within the Caribbean are fairly different, together with scrubby and desert-like landscapes, mountainous and volcanic landscapes, and luxurious tropical rainforest landscapes.
The Mediterranean Sea is surrounded by Europe, Asia, and Africa, so it provides largely mainland locations alongside the shoreline of European nations resembling France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey. There are additionally some islands within the Mediterranean together with Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica, Cyprus, Malta, and a few of the Greek islands like Crete.
Clearly, then one of many predominant variations between the Caribbean vs. Mediterranean is location. The Mediterranean is in Europe, so flights from the U.S. can take 7 hours or extra relying in your last locations. The Caribbean, then again, lies simply south of the U.S., and most islands are just one to 4 hours away by airplane.
One other main distinction is local weather, because the Caribbean is heat all yr spherical whereas Mediterranean locations get cooler within the winter.
Usually, the Mediterranean is cheaper than the Caribbean, as lodging and meals prices are typically considerably extra inexpensive—particularly in nations resembling Greece, Croatia, and Turkey. (Though you will have to pay much more for flights for those who’re coming from the U.S.) Nevertheless, the Caribbean can be inexpensive as well, particularly for those who journey in the course of the offseason.
Caribbean vs. Mediterranean Lodging
Each the Caribbean and Mediterranean provide a big selection of lodging to go well with all kinds of vacationers.
The Caribbean provides an enormous vary of lodging varieties, from cheap to super-swanky. There are hostels, accommodations, condos, resorts, and AirBnBs, so it may be good for a price range getaway, a mid-range trip, or a once-in-a-lifetime splurge like a honeymoon.
Within the Caribbean you’ll find affordable resorts, family resorts, adults-only resorts, all-inclusive resorts, luxury resorts, and even nude resorts. You too can discover resorts with overwater bungalows in the Caribbean.
The Mediterranean additionally provides a variety of locations to remain, together with guesthouses, boutique accommodations, and rental residences. You too can discover all-inclusive resorts within the Mediterranean, in addition to family-friendly resorts and adults-only accommodations. Costs vary from very cheap to fairly excessive, relying on the place you go, what stage of lodging you select, and what time you go to.
Caribbean vs. Mediterranean Issues to Do
The Caribbean is ideal for enjoyable on the seashore; watersports together with snorkeling, scuba diving, and crusing; outside actions of every kind together with mountaineering; and journey sports activities resembling ziplining and ATV excursions (on some islands). You too can discover a vary of historic websites and cultural actions, in addition to charming cities to discover (once more, relying on the island you go to). Completely different islands characteristic completely different actions, and there are many distinctive points of interest such because the world’s solely drive-through volcano (on St. Lucia) or an underwater sculpture park (in Grenada).
Each the Mediterranean and Caribbean provide an assortment of gorgeous seashores to chill out and play on. Along with the picture-perfect white sand beaches that the Caribbean is famous for, you can even discover golden, pink, and black sand seashores. Many seashores have very calm water that’s excellent for swimming, paddling, and snorkeling, however some Caribbean seashores have larger waves for surfing.
Mediterranean seashores differ fairly a bit relying on the place you go, however are typically rockier than Caribbean seashores. Nevertheless, you’ll find pretty delicate sand seashores within the Mediterranean as nicely, and there are some breathtaking choices. Many Mediterranean seashores are positioned in or very close to cities or cities, so might be considerably extra developed than Caribbean seashores.
The Caribbean is a high vacation spot for snorkeling and scuba diving, however you can even take pleasure in these actions within the Mediterranean. Whereas it doesn’t have the coral reefs you’ll find within the Caribbean, there’s a range of marine life in addition to attention-grabbing websites like shipwrecks and “blue holes” to discover.
Whilst you can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive in each, there are some particular variations once you evaluate the Caribbean sea vs the Mediterranean sea. The Caribbean is smaller than the Mediterranean, and it tends to have a hotter temperature year-round. The Mediterranean can get chilly within the winter. It additionally tends to be calmer than the Caribbean, as it’s largely surrounded by land.
If you happen to’re involved in nightlife, most Caribbean islands have bars, nightclubs, and dwell leisure within the evenings (though some are a lot livelier than others). You too can take pleasure in an enormous number of festivals in the Caribbean.
Nightlife within the Mediterranean will differ broadly relying on the vacation spot you select. Some areas are often known as get together spots with dancing till daybreak, whereas others are sleepy villages the place all the pieces shuts down after darkish.
A major distinction between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean is that there are much more historic websites in Mediterranean locations, and people websites are fairly a bit older than any within the Caribbean. In actual fact, this area has a few of the most well-known historic websites on the planet. If you happen to’re an historical historical past buff, you’ll need to select the Mediterranean in your trip.
One other distinction is that you may go wine tasting in lots of Mediterranean locations, in addition to discover wonderful cities and cities which are culturally wealthy and full of retailers, cafes, bars, and attention-grabbing sights. You too can take trains to and from many Mediterranean locations.
If you happen to’re attempting to determine between a Caribbean vs Mediterranean cruise, you’ll find there are lots of variations. The climate within the Caribbean tends to be hotter (and heat year-round); the ambiance on Mediterranean cruises is usually extra upscale and passengers are from extra worldwide backgrounds; and Caribbean cruises are inclined to have extra itineraries and be cheaper.
Caribbean vs. Mediterranean Climate
The Caribbean is heat all yr spherical, but it surely has a dry season and a moist/storm season. Whereas particular dates differ relying on the Caribbean island you select, usually the moist season is in the course of the summer time. Hurricane season runs from June to November, and this impacts most Caribbean islands apart from Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and Trinidad & Tobago. Barbados, whereas nonetheless technically within the hurricane zone, not often sees storms,
The most effective time to go to the Caribbean for good climate is in the course of the winter months of December, January, and February. For pretty good climate and decrease costs, take a look at the spring.
The Mediterranean has a extra variable local weather with scorching and dry summers plus cooler and moist winters. Whereas July and August might be highly regarded and crowded, that can be peak season and costs might be greater. Dry season within the Mediterranean is April by September, whereas the wet season is October to March.
Though extreme storms are very uncommon on this area, tropical cyclones referred to as “Medicanes” can often happen from September by December. The most effective time to go to the Mediterranean for good climate is from Could to June, or September to October.
Is the Caribbean or Mediterranean hotter?
The Caribbean is a hotter local weather, with summer time temperatures reaching the 90s on most islands and winter temperatures probably not going under the 70s. The Mediterranean has a extra seasonal local weather, with the warmest climate from Could to September and colder winters.
Caribbean vs. Mediterranean Tradition and Ambiance
The Caribbean has quite a lot of islands, every with its personal distinctive tradition that mixes the indigenous inhabitants with the influences of European settlers and the African slave inhabitants. Since completely different nations colonized completely different islands, there’s fairly a variety of cultures all through the area. Nevertheless, islands are typically laidback and relaxed, no matter whether or not they’re roughly developed or have a extra lively nightlife.
You will discover European influences from Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, in addition to some influences from the USA in territories resembling Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Mediterranean provides a mixture of European, African, and Asian cultures in its large number of locations that includes historical ruins, medieval cities, and bustling cities. The ambiance ranges from the glamorous French Riviera to extra rustic and pristine areas just like the Croatian coast.
And whereas you’ll find individuals who converse English in a lot of the Mediterranean locations, it’s not as widespread as it’s all through the Caribbean.
Caribbean vs Mediterranean Meals
There are fairly a number of variations between Caribbean vs. Mediterranean meals, regardless of the prevalence of contemporary seafood in each.
Initially, completely different Caribbean islands will characteristic several types of dishes relying on their historical past and whether or not they had Spanish, British, French, Portuguese, or Dutch settlers. Every island has its personal particular tackle “Caribbean cuisine,” and contains contemporary vegatables and fruits which are grown on that island in addition to the varieties of seafood which are generally present in surrounding waters. For instance, the Bahamas is known for conch and lobster, whereas Jamaica is thought for its jerk rooster and ackee and salt fish.
And whereas the “Mediterranean food regimen” is known—consisting of contemporary greens and fruits, olive oil and herbs, complete grains, and seafood or lean meat—you’ll really discover an enormous number of meals all through the realm relying on the nation you go to. Clearly, the delicacies may be very completely different in France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Croatia. A few of the most well-known dishes within the Mediterranean are souvlaki, patatas bravas, panini, shawarma, and caponata.
Which is greater the Caribbean or the Mediterranean?
In case you are evaluating the Caribbean vs. Mediterranean sea, the Mediterranean is greater than the Caribbean.
Is the Caribbean a part of the Mediterranean?
As you’ve most likely found out by now for those who’ve learn this complete article, no, the Caribbean is just not a part of the Mediterranean. They’re positioned in very completely different elements of the world.
Now that you just’ve learn our comparability of the Caribbean vs. Mediterranean, what do you suppose? Which space will you select in your subsequent trip? No matter which one it’s, our expert travel agents can help you plan the perfect trip!
