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All About Island Life

About Us
Island Life Caribbean was created by a pair of seasoned travelers with a passion for the tropics and the goal of making your next Caribbean getaway the trip of a lifetime. We work with local communities and travelers alike to give you the inside scoop and take the guesswork out of your vacation. We highlight the best places to eat, things to do and the perfect accommodations to lay your head at night. From catamaran sails to scuba diving excursions, jungle adventures to sunset cocktails on the beach, we are passionate about helping you curate the tropical vacation of your dreams. We hope you enjoy!

The Team
Daniel Mode
Co-Founder / Writer / Editor
Daniel is a web creator, novelist, writer and editor who lives in the Caribbean and has visited over 45 countries across five continents throughout his life. Since becoming a full-time international traveler/resident in 2013, Daniel has lived in Asia, Central America and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Daniel previously worked creating content for the Discovery Chanel in the United States and then operating an adventure tour company in Taiwan. Daniel’s passion for travel and the “Island Life” led him and his wife Laura to found Island Life Guides in 2020.
Laura Schulthies
Co-Founder / Writer / Editor
Laura has over 15 years of experience in journalism, travel writing and travel content creation. Her passion for exploring the world came early in her life with her first visit to the Caribbean when she was 12. Laura has traveled to over 40 countries worldwide and studied in places such as Guatemala, Mexico, and Thailand, eventually settling in the Caribbean. She is always seeking to immerse herself in the local culture and seeks to experience the incredible people and places of the world while sharing those adventures with her readers and helping them curate their own unforgettable journeys.
Vanessa Howard
Writer/Editor
Vanessa Howard is a digital nomad and freelance writer with over 8 years of experience within the travel writing community. Some of her favorite international travel destinations include Costa Rica, Mexico, Iceland and Scotland. When she’s not freelance writing, Vanessa enjoys traveling the United States in her RV with her fiancé and their three crazy dogs. She is slightly obsessed with travel, National Parks and sunsets. Researching destinations, collaborating with local experts, and providing first-hand recommendations to help fellow travelers curate their dream trips are huge passions of hers.
Tim Rompfer
Fact Checker
Tim has been based in Cozumel, Mexico since 2011, having spent a lifetime exploring the Caribbean, North America and Europe extensively. As a well-traveled and seasoned divemaster, Tim has accrued thousands of dives throughout the world over the years. Embracing the digital nomad lifestyle, Tim has merged work and wanderlust, crafting a life of perpetual exploration. Tim’s attention to detail and fluency in Spanish and English ensures his accuracy as the fact checker for Island Life’s travel guides.
Teresa Tromp
Aruba Local Expert
Teresa is a proud Aruban with deep roots in the island’s rich culture. Teresa was born and raised in Aruba and knows every corner of the island, from its pristine beaches to its hidden gems known only to locals. With a passion for sharing the authentic Aruban experience, she offers local insights and advice on everything about Aruba. Teresa loves to guide guests on an unforgettable journey to her island home.
Mary Prattico
Jamaica Local Expert
Mary has lived in Jamaica for over a decade and loves sharing her island knowledge with visiting travelers. Originally specializing in scuba diving and watersports, she has expanded her travel planning services over the years to include a wide variety of local excursions and special experiences. With a background in travel writing and language translation, she is a great asset to the Island Life team.
Alberto Gabriel
Puerto Rico Local Expert
Alberto is a clinical psychology student with a profound connection to the beauty and culture of Puerto Rico. As a lover of his homeland and its stunning landscapes, he is dedicated to sharing the hidden gems and must-see destinations that make Puerto Rico a paradise. Traveling is a passion he shares with his wife, and together they document their adventures on YouTube exploring breathtaking experiences in Puerto Rico and around the globe. Their goal is to inspire others to discover the beauty and diversity of travel.
Allison Smith
St Lucia Local Expert
Allison was born and raised in St. Lucia, an island she considers central to her identity. Its natural beauty and cultural richness have always inspired her, and she’s proud to share that heritage through her writing and travel planning. As a dedicated Travel Itinerary Agent, Allison strives to help travelers experience this Caribbean gem like a native with her bespoke insider’s guidance. With her passion for St Lucia travel and cuisine, she loves sharing her local favorites to give visitors an unforgettable island adventure.
Jema MacGregor
Antigua Travel Expert
Jema has spent the last 15 years living and travelling around the world. Jema’s passion lies in helping others plan their perfect trip through her travel planning services. Always seeking to find hidden gems and immerse herself in local culture, Jema has extensive knowledge of many countries and cities including Antigua, and is dedicated to helping visitors have the vacation of a lifetime.
The Island Life Promise
Throughout Island Life Caribbean and our other online guides, you may find affiliate links to businesses where we collect a small commission if you click on them. This is how we keep the lights on but does not influence our recommendations in any way. We would never recommend something we don’t personally love and trust. If you ever find a recommendation in any of our guides that you think isn’t up to par, send us an email below and let us know. We’ll check it out, and if you are correct that something we recommended has indeed fallen from grace, we will swiftly take it down. A few dollars commission is not worth losing the trust of you, our website visitors. You are why we do this. That is the Island Life Promise.










