If you like islands, traveling to three Caribbean islands would be the trip of a lifetime! While they are geographically so close to the United States, at the same time they are so far away in terms of their music, language, traditions, landscape and people. Let’s visit Puerto Rico first!

Spanish-speaking people call Puerto Rico “the island of enchantment.” It is an associated state of the United States. We share some laws butPuerto Ricans may not vote in the American presidential elections. Spanish and English are the two official languages spoken on the island. The capital, San Juan, was founded in 1508. Puerto Rico is three times the size of Rhode Island and is quite close to the very deepest point of the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby are Mona and Monito—two islands that are maintained as a natural reserve for endangered turtles, sea birds and other marine mammals.

The Dominican Republic is situated right in the middle of the hurricane belt, which means that the island has severe storms from June through October. It is an island called La Español, shared with the country of Haiti. The official language of the Domincan Republic is Spanish and the currency is the Dominican peso. The capital is Santo Domingo. Baseball is the Dominican passion! Sammy Sosa, Pedro Martínez, Alex Rodríguez, Manny Ramírez—all from the Dominican Republic—are some of the most important players in the American baseball league nowadays. And if you love nature, you can visit some of the sixty-seven protected nature reserves and enjoy the beauty of their beaches, caves, and forests.

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean. Though presently, because of political issues, no one is permitted to travel there directly from the United States. If you ever do have the chance to visit Cuba you must first go to La Habana, the capital city. There you will see the oldest cars in the world still being driven around and functioning just fine. The Cuban peso is the currency. Cuba enjoys a tropical climate that has created a wonderful forest. In the Cienfuegos province you may visit El Nicho, an area of waterfalls with small bathing pools and beautiful mountain views.

And if you like music and dancing, you will be able to take salsa and merengue lessons from the best dancers in the world in any one of these three islands and maybe become an excellent dancer yourself. Back home, whenever you go to a party everyone will want to dance with you!