I know Christmas is fast approaching when I see Santi Man content pop up on my social media feeds.
Videos by TravelAwaits
Santi Man isn’t a typo—that’s what locals in Curaçao call Santa, derived from the Dutch translation of Santa Claus (Sinterklaus) and the English version.
Santi Man has style—no gut, no reindeer, no taste for milk. He’s dressed in a mishmash of papal-Santa-Claus garb and usually has a microphone in hand, livening up the Christmas party with dance moves and a few cheeky one-liners.
Keep in mind that Santi Man isn’t always partying. And he’s far from the only unique Christmas tradition found around the Caribbean.
Like every island has its own dialect, history, and identity, every Caribbean region has unique holiday celebrations.
In Trinidad & Tobago, you might hear parang—a unique Spanish-language form of Christmas caroling. In Jamaica, you might hear about locals preparing a type of rum-soaked treat called a Christmas Cake or a Fruit Cake. In St. Lucia, locals compete to make the loudest noise possible with bamboo-bursting festivities.
The list goes on and on.
The big question for Americans heading south in December is—which are the best islands for holiday travel? My picks are based on three factors: local festivities, affordability, and tourist infrastructure. (If you’re more interested in pure culture, start here.)
Best Caribbean islands for holiday travel
St. Lucia
St. Lucia is named after St. Lucy—a Catholic saint with ties to light, including candlelit wreaths and special celebrations around Christmastime.
In other words, Caribbean Christmas culture runs deep here—and it’s paragon is Lucia Day, which includes making cannons out of large bamboo (aka ‘bamboo bursting’), setting up gorgeous lights and lantern displays, and enjoying special rum-soaked treats and desserts like black cake.
On top of its big Christmas love, St. Lucia is a well-known and highly accessible Caribbean hotspot. Just beware: it’ll be pricey over the holidays—but well worth your time and money, in my opinion.
Want to celebrate Christmas in St. Lucia style?
- Best things to do over the holidays in St. Lucia
- Best holiday rentals in St. Lucia
- Best holiday hotels in St. Lucia
Jamaica
You might already know about two tenets of Christmastime in Jamaica: fruit cake (aka Christmas cake) and sorrel.
The former is a heavily spiced cake that’s soaked with rum and dark in color—yum. The latter is a drink made from the sorrel plant, which sometimes includes rum.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Jamaicans adore Christmas, which includes the big Grand Market day—aka Christmas Eve. Locals shop and catch up with one another before heading to church. Many hotels and resorts also include unique holiday packages for visitors so that they can sample Christmas in the local way.
Best of all, it’s the most affordable pick on this list, along with the US Virgin Islands. Haven’t explored the Caribbean yet? I say start in Jamaica.
Dreaming of Christmas in Jamaica?
- Best things to do over the holidays in Jamaica
- Best holiday rentals in Jamaica
- Best holiday hotels in Jamaica
Trinidad & Tobago
Just like Jamaica, locals in Trinidad & Tobago take their Christmas festivities very seriously. Parang is one of the most iconic signs of the holiday season. This musical tradition includes Spanish lyrics, calypso musical influences, and full-scale bands playing guitars, cuartos, violins, and more. Paranging, as its called, is caroling according to local musical customs.
Unlike Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago isn’t nearly as popular for American tourists. Its infrastructure is more limited, and its hotels are pricier. I suggest booking a trip to Trinidad & Tobago if you’re a little more focused on upscale beachy resorts versus Christmas-themed excursions. (But seriously—don’t miss the parang!)
Join the paranging:
- Best things to do over the holidays in Trinidad & Tobago
- Best holiday rentals in Trinidad & Tobago
- Best holiday hotels in Trinidad & Tobago
US Virgin Islands
I’m drifting away from Christmas culture with this suggestion. To put it simply, the only place easier and more affordable for Americans in the Caribbean is probably the Bahamas. (Or possibly Puerto Rico.)
Thanks to its long list of hotels and resorts that regularly cater to Americans, you can find flights, rooms, and activities easily. But let’s not lose sight of Caribbean Christmas cheer—or ignore the many festivities that take place.
USVI is home to the Crucian Christmas Festival (on St. Croix), which includes live music, street parties, and more. On top of that, many hotels and resorts offer specialized Christmas packages, from themed meals to grand galas to Santa meet-and-greets.
Make this year a USVI Christmas:
