With 7,000 islands sprawling across the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, you could be forgiven for feeling spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding upon a destination for your Caribbean holiday.

In reality, whether you opt for a cruise or to spend your time in just one destination, with the number of Caribbean vacation packages on offer you’re guaranteed to witness a little bit of paradise.

And to help you make a more informed choice, here are GoTravelation’s top five Caribbean islands…

Cuba

The largest of the Caribbean islands – and, oddly, the one that’s probably the last to spring to mind when you mention a Caribbean vacation – Cuba is more likely to be known for its political disputes with the US rather than as an intriguining, idyllic island.

However, Cuba is an island of contradictions – its wealth of culture at odds with the poverty of its many of its inhabitants – and while its not the most romantic of the islands, its is simply one of the most fascinating places the world has to offer.

Cayman Islands

Situated on the deepest part of the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands are three, small British territories – though these days they seem to be a lot more Americanised than Anglicised and you’d think that US Dollars were the national currency.

Grand Cayman, the largest island is all hustle and bustle so try to get across to one of the smaller islands where the pace of life is slower – and although the islands haven’t the dramatic scenery or bustling nightlife of others they all have a quiet charm and disarming beauty.

British Virgin Islands

These picture perfect islands are a mainstay of celebrities and royalty thanks in no small part to the exclusivity of resorts like Richard Branson’s Necker Island.

Located in the northeast corner of the Caribbean Sea, these islands are thought by many to have the most beautiful and exotic beaches in the whole region – perfect for sunbathing, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Dominican Republic

If you think the Dominican Republic is nothing more than a way to do the Caribbean on the cheap then you’re doing this wonderful, historic island a massive disservice. The beautiful natural scenery includes over 1,000 miles of white beaches and offers some of the world’s best scuba diving.

St. Lucia

One of the smaller and more relaxed islands, St. Lucia has beautiful beaches of white sand that run into crystal clear, turquoise waters. A light breeze is an almost constant feature and the resorts offer great snorkelling, windsurfing, saliling and paragliding.

Of course, a great way to see more of the Caribbean Islands in one trip is to take a cruise, so check out a full range of Caribbean vacation packages before booking your trip.