In an area with lots of tourists, youre sure to find just as many tourist traps. Whether youre looking for an operator to take you snorkeling or a vendor to sell you local spices or crafts, you want to be sure youre dealing with someone reliable, honest, and legitimate. The best way to find reputable agents for all of your island activities is to do your research in advance.
And, there are many sources of reliable information available to you both on and off the island. Richard Kahn, spokesperson for the Caribbean Tourism Organization, recommends utilizing the service of the local tourist office. Tourist offices are the best reliable sources because they are there to protect the destination. Most have outlets in the U.S. as well as local information services on the islands." Tourism office staff will be sure to research their recommended operators carefully because they don want you to have a bad experience and then repeat your negative impression to other would-be travelers.
Guidebooks are another helpful resource because the authors only include legitimate operators in their books. Many guidebook publishers now post updates and corrections to guidebooks that arent updated every year, as well as host message boards on their websites where travelers will give you candid opinions about their trips, favorite operators, and worst experiences.
After youve gotten a sense of the island from a guidebook or tourism board brochure, you can get another perspective by posting specific questions and reading the responses of fellow travelers.
Doing your homework will also prevent you from overspending. When you book an excursion through a resort or cruise line, youre often paying inflated prices because the booking agent is taking a cut of the profit. If you can book directly with the tour or activity company, you can often find a better deal.