Here is a brief guide to electric systems used around the Caribbean. If you’re not familiar with the different plug types, you can see illustrations here.
Anguilla, 110V, 60Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
Antigua, 230V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
Aruba, 127V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15, European CEE7/7 Schuko
Bahamas, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
Barbados, 115V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
Belize, 110/220V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA 5-15, British BS-1363
Bermuda, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
Cayman Islands, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
Dominica, 230V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
Dominican Republic, 110V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15
Grenada, 230V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
Haiti, 110V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
Jamaica, 110V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
Netherlands Antilles, 127/220V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15, European CEE7/7 Schuko
Puerto Rico, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
St. Kitts and Nevis, 230V, 60 Hz, British BS-1363
St. Lucia, 240V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
St. Vincent, 230V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, British BS-1363
Trinidad & Tobago, 115V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
Virgin Islands (British and U.S.), 115V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
A number of languages are spoken in the Caribbean, most of a European origin. You can get by just about anywhere with English, but it’s fun to explore the islands and hear the local languages.
The large charter fleet of the British Virgin Islands offers a great opportunity to explore the islands. And don’t worry about being an experience sailor. Their are tours and boats for all experience levels.
Terry Cornelius of the The Arizona Republic took a recent tour around the British Virgin Islands and shares the adventure.
Our trip started in Road Town, the capital of the BVI (as this group of islands commonly is called), on the island of Tortola.
Six of us reserved our boat over the Internet through an outfit called Conch Charters, and thanks to an information packet and several toll-free calls, there were few surprises when we arrived at the marina. The staff ran us through our paperwork, suggested places to sail, and then checked us out on a 40-foot Beneteau sloop with the un-piratelike name of Happy Chance. The whole process took about two hours.
According to USA Today, high-end resorts in the Caribbean are beginning to sell out for the first time in many years. Except for Grenada and Grand Cayman, the islands have rebounded from last year’s rough hurricane season. There are also a number of new resorts opening this year. I’ve included the list below along with links to their web sites.