**Visas & Entry**: Each Caribbean nation has its own entry rules. Most are visa-free for EU and US citizens for tourist stays (30-90 days). Cuba requires a Tourist Card. Haiti is generally visa-free. Some islands require return ticket and proof of accommodation. Always check current requirements before travel.\n\n**Currencies**: US Dollar widely accepted everywhere. Native currencies: Cuban Peso (CUP), Dominican Peso (DOP), Haitian Gourde (HTG), Jamaican Dollar (JMD), Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD), Barbados Dollar (BBD, pegged 2:1 to USD), Bahamian Dollar (BSD, 1:1 USD), Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD — Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent), Aruban Florin (AWG), Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG — Curaçao, Sint Maarten), Cayman Dollar (KYD).\n\n**Language**: English is the most common — official in 15+ territories. Spanish dominates Greater Antilles (Cuba, DR, PR). French in Haiti, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St-Martin, St-Barth. Dutch in Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten. Creole languages spoken alongside.\n\n**Time Zone**: Atlantic Standard Time (AST, UTC-4) for most islands. Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) for Cuba, Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman. No daylight saving time on most islands.\n\n**Climate**: Tropical year-round. Dry season December–April (best time to visit). Wet/hurricane season June–November, peak August–October. Average temperature 25-30°C (77-86°F).\n\n**Hurricanes**: The Caribbean hurricane belt runs from June 1 to November 30. Most islands are well-prepared with warning systems. Storm tracks vary year-by-year — Greater Antilles and northern Lesser Antilles most exposed; ABC Islands and Trinidad rarely affected.\n\n**Electricity**: Mixed. 110V/60Hz (US-style plugs) on Cuba, Puerto Rico, USVI, Bahamas, Cayman, Jamaica, Aruba. 220V/50Hz (European/UK plugs) on French and Dutch Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean (Barbados, Trinidad, etc.). Bring universal adapter.\n\n**Driving**: Left-hand drive on former British colonies — Jamaica, Bahamas, Cayman, Barbados, Trinidad, Eastern Caribbean (Antigua, Saint Lucia, etc.), BVI, USVI. Right-hand drive on Spanish, French, Dutch islands.\n\n**Tipping**: 10-15% in restaurants (check if service charge included). $1-2 per bag for porters. $5-10 per day for housekeeping. Tour guides 10-15%.\n\n**Health**: Tap water generally safe on more developed islands (Aruba, Cayman, Bahamas, USVI, Puerto Rico, French islands), bottled water elsewhere. Mosquito repellent recommended (dengue, chikungunya, zika present in some islands). No mandatory vaccinations.\n\n**Connectivity**: 4G/LTE widespread. Free Wi-Fi at most hotels and resorts. International roaming expensive — consider local SIM for stays >1 week.\n\n**Safety**: Most tourist areas safe. Use common sense — don't flash valuables, avoid isolated beaches at night, respect local culture and customs. Haiti current security situation requires careful planning.