The Eastern Caribbean is undoubtedly one of the best places for investors to purchase properties for both rental income and capital growth potential.

The fantastic climate with year-round sunshine and fabulous beaches creates a year-round demand for rental accommodation for tourists throughout the Leeward and Windward Islands.

The Caribbean is an extremely popular second home destination. The attractiveness of the Caribbean islands to property investors is simple. They are beautiful, popular places with significant demand from second home owners and the tourist industry and there is limited space to build as they are islands. These fundamentals have played an important part in driving up property values on the islands.

The comparatively small land masses of the islands results in a finite amount of land being available for building purposes creating the demand exceeding the supply with the potential of considerable future capital gains.

As English is the primary spoken language, and the laws follow those of the United Kingdom and the U.S.A., it is comparatively easy to understand documentation and to be secure from a legal aspect.

Many seek to escape winter weather with a holiday in the Caribbean. The islands are famous for their palm-lined beaches, turquoise water filled with coral and tropical fish, and agreeable climate.

Whether you long for tranquillity on endless stretches of pristine beach, yearn to explore some of nature's most incredible undersea wonders, or seek the adrenaline rush of adventures high in the mountains, the Caribbean makes your dreams come true with every activity imaginable. Each island has truly amazing wildlife, fish, and exotic flowers and is often likened to a tropical paradise. And despite the consistent presence of these beautiful surroundings, the islands of the Caribbean are diverse and individually distinctive with its own charm and appeal. In terms of investment and personal preference, there is an island to suit everyone.

Little explanation is, indeed needed to explain the 'pull' of the Caribbean. The region has long been a favoured destination for North American and European visitors, although the popularity of different islands has changed over time. Islands such as Barbados and the Bahamas have been subject to annual tourist invasions for three decades. Islands such as Grenada and Antigua are yet to experience such levels of influx.

With property too, the Caribbean remains a firm favourite on the second home market. Many developments on the most popular islands cater for the wealthy, with properties selling for anything up to $10m. Such prices are not universal though, and bargain properties can still be found. Prices do range significantly from island to island and often on an island, and this diversity has obvious appeal for many people considering property purchase in the Caribbean.

The islands in the Caribbean region are undeniably beautiful, popular places with significant demand from second home owners and the tourist industry and there is limited space to build - they are islands after all. These fundamentals have played a significant part in driving property values on the more developed islands to the levels we see today. Of course, these same fundamentals continue to apply to the less expensive islands, creating an interesting opportunity for property investors.

Location

The Caribbean region encompasses three main island chains that stretch from the Eastern tip of Mexico and South Eastern Florida to the Venezuelan coast in South America.

The Bahama Islands are situated in the north, and form a south-easterly line. Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico are known as the Greater Antilles lie along the centre of the region. The Lesser Antilles (compromising of the Leeward Islands & Windward Islands) fall to the south east and down to the west, from Puerto Rico to along the Venezuelan coast.

Population

The total population of the Caribbean is estimated at 39 million.

Economy

Tourism is the core economic activity of the region, boasting thousands of visitors mostly from North America and Europe. Petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, sugar, coffee, and bananas are the main local products traded on the sea.

The economy of the region has traditionally relied on the growing of sugarcane and the production and export of refined sugar, molasses, and rum. However, tourist facilities have been increasingly developed over the recent years, and since the late 1960s tourism has earned more foreign revenue than sugar products. Economically, the region is dependent on U.S. and European patronage and of course, the large tourism industry.

Government

Politically the Caribbean region comprises 13 independent nations and a number of colonial dependencies, territories, and possessions. The Republic of Cuba, consisting of the island of Cuba and several off-lying islands, is the largest nation of the region. Haiti and the Dominican Republic, two other independent nations, occupy Hispaniola, the second-largest of the archipelago. Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Antigua and Barbuda are the other sovereign nations.

Sovereignty over nearly all the other islands of the region is distributed among the United States, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Puerto Rico, fourth-largest island of the archipelago, is a commonwealth of the United States; and several of the Virgin Islands make up the Virgin Islands of the United States. The French Antilles include Martinique, Guadeloupe, and a number of small island dependencies of Guadeloupe. The Dutch possessions consist of Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba, and smaller islands of the Netherlands Antilles. Venezuela holds about 70 Lesser Antilles islands. Dependencies of the United Kingdom are the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the British Virgin Islands.

Language

Officially English is the main language spoken in the majority of the islands but there is a great variation on they way it is spoken. Haitian Creole and French, Dutch & Spanish are widely spoken (depending of the sovereignty of the island).
Caribbean Spanish is the general name of the Spanish language dialects spoken in the Caribbean region.

Climate

Apart from the Bahamas, most of the other Caribbean countries are located in the tropical zone and usually experience warm, humid conditions. The region experiences the north easterly trade winds, which brings moisture from the Atlantic Ocean. The region often experiences hurricanes during the season between June & November; however, the number of hurricanes varies annually from as few as two to as many as twelve. Hurricane weather is usually variable ranging from very low to heavy rainfall.

Currency

The East Caribbean dollar (EC$) is the official currency of Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent & the Grenadines.

Although the US dollar is widely accepted throughout the Caribbean (US $ coins are not accepted as widely as notes), they do not expect the same level of conversion rate when you are spending in US dollars.

The South American territory of French Guyana, the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe and the French side of St Martin are all within the nation of France, and therefore the standard unit of currency is therefore the Euro.

Bonaire and Curacao, together with the Dutch side of St Martin and the neighbouring islands of Saba and St Eustatius make up the Netherlands Antilles. These islands are semi-autonomous regions within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and have their own currency, the Netherlands Antilles Guilder.

All other islands in the Caribbean use their own currency.

Religion

Christianity is the majority religion in the Caribbean region although different denominations are more popular on different islands. For example in Puerto Rico it is estimated that 85% of the population is Roman Catholic, whereas in Barbados it is predominantly protestant.

Local time

Obviously the local time in the Caribbean islands differs (from GMT-4 to GMT-6)
However, all of the Eastern Caribbean islands are fixed at GMT - 4.

Most Popular Islands

Barbados

Barbados remains one of the tourist's favourite destinations. Apart from the beautiful beaches, tropical flowers and exotic surroundings, Barbados boasts warm, friendly & hospitable 'locals' that are genuinely proud of their country and culture. Bridgetown is the capital, and has an English atmosphere which is the island's heritage, and afternoon tea is routinely served at 4.30 pm! The government is stable and they posses a sophisticated business community. Barbados has more than beach life. It is a prime destination for travellers interested in learning about West Indian culture, and it offers more sightseeing attractions than most Caribbean islands.

Nassau, Bahamas

The Bahamas are famous for their exquisite golden & pink sand beaches, tropical landscapes and all year round sunshine. Nassau (the islands capital) remains a favourite for tourists as the town has shops, nightclubs, 5* hotels and famous casinos. However, the town also offers historic colonial buildings which are a welcome respite from the busy commercial activity. The shopping is Nassau is first rate as fine goods are imported as well as locally crafted. Paradise Island is a strip of land off the north coast which boasts amazing beaches and casinos and has often been likened to a world class playground!

Grand Cayman

This island is the largest of the Cayman islands and has become a premier tourist destination in recent years. With more than 500 banks, its capital, George Town, is the offshore banking centre of the Caribbean. Many tourists are drawn to the peace and tranquillity of the island combined with the abundance of sea life and spectacular coral reefs encouraging many diving enthusiasts. The climate remains pleasant even in the rainy season (which only consists of brief showers) which is undeniably favourable! There are a number of nightclubs, shops and sightseeing opportunities which drawers in a healthy number of tourists every year.

Anguilla
Antigua
Bahamas
Barbados
British Virgin Islands
Dominica
Grenada
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines

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