Attributable to its unimaginable ease of entry from most main cities in america, the Caribbean is a regularly visited space. I’ve visited many instances myself and in case you are somebody in want of sand and solar or simply searching for a getaway from work, I’ve received an inventory of the very best locations to go to within the Caribbean so that you can try.
The Caribbean is a basic journey vacation spot for anybody searching for solar, sea, and sand, and it’s one of the vital in style components of the world for trip goers.
There’s a lot to love in regards to the Caribbean, from the white sand seashores and opulent resorts to the various native tradition and historic cities.
There’s a lot to see and to do and selecting the very best locations to go to within the Caribbean is all the time a problem, given a lot of islands and the big extent of shoreline that fringes the Caribbean Sea.
From seashores to rainforests, to colonial cities and underwater journey. There may be an island for you. I would like to check out a few of your choices as you intend your subsequent go to to the Caribbean Islands and present you what you possibly can count on from these distinctive islands. Word: These are in no explicit order.
Don’t depart residence with out: DK Eyewitness Caribbean (Journey Information)
Finest Locations to Go to within the Caribbean
1. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is perhaps a territory of the USA, however its lengthy Spanish historical past previous to this makes the island one of the vital intriguing and numerous locations within the Caribbean.
It’s not all seashores in Puerto Rico, and though you could find some fairly nice ones, there are such a lot of different attracts to this United States Territory.
In San Juan, you possibly can unearth the island’s colonial previous, as you stroll via the streets of one of many first cities to be based by the Spanish within the Americas.
Your time spent will possible be entertained by quite a lot of native distributors and road music when you spend your days visiting every for and strolling the cobblestone streets that make up the realm of Previous City.
When you’ve had your fill of the town, head out to america solely registered Nationwide Rain Forest, El Yunque. Spend your day mountaineering to waterfalls, viewing the native flora, and swimming within the freshwater swimming pools.
There are white sand seashores, spectacular bioluminescence is discovered within the waters, and there’s all the time a full of life fiesta happening someplace.
Take a look at our good Puerto Rico itinerary earlier than planning your journey. The most effective half is that in case you are a US citizen, you aren’t required to have a passport to go to this tropical island.
2. St Thomas
St Thomas is the primary island inside the US Virgin Islands, and it’s among the best locations to go to within the Caribbean.
Initially a Danish colony, this is likely one of the most original territories of the USA, and also you’ll be capable of delve into the fascinating colonial previous in the primary metropolis of Charlotte Amalie, which is even named for a Danish Queen.
Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the island, is busy and trendy however in an space with surroundings so lovely it makes forgetting the bustle fairly simple.
Historical past apart although, St Thomas is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot as a result of it is a basic Caribbean territory, the place you could find lovely white sand seashores and wonderful, sheltered bays which might be good for swimming.
We suggest taking the gondola to Paradise Level for a view that’s unmatched within the Caribbean. The distinctive panorama of islands jutting up via the water that surrounds St Thomas makes it a deal with.
In case you’re searching for a giant, lovely, good Caribbean seashore then head straight for Magens Bay.
This seashore is situated on the Northside of the island and is assured to give you a basic Caribbean seashore expertise with glowing turquoise water and white sand seashores.
Don’t depart residence with out: Fodor’s U.S. & British Virgin Islands (Full-color Journey Information)
3. St John
Trunk Bay is likely one of the most lovely seashores within the Caribbean
Caribbean paradise to me is St John. The second-largest island within the US Virgin Islands, a lot of the island is a Nationwide Park. It’s, for essentially the most half, serene and unspoiled.
You come right here for the seashores and pure tropical magnificence. Getting right here is easy, from Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas take an area bus to the Pink Hook ferry station on the East facet of the island.
For a small value, it’ll take you straight to Cruz Bay on St John. There’s a small number of non-commercial lodging on St John if you wish to keep just a few days, however on a day journey from St Thomas, hop on a bus and head straight for Trunk Bay. I’ve but to discover a seashore as lovely as this one.
It’s a part of a protected park, so you’ll have to pay admission to get to it, however you can be rewarded with a pure, peaceable seashore. You will notice no distributors or seashore chairs. Simply uncooked pure magnificence.
Don’t depart residence with out: DK Eyewitness Prime 10 US and British Virgin Islands (Pocket Journey Information)
4. Cozumel
Cozumel is a haven for divers, snorkelers and seashore lovers
The island of Cozumel is situated simply off the coast of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, and it makes for a unbelievable various to the busier seashores of Playa Del Carmen and Cancun that are each only a ferry experience away.
Cozumel is in some ways southern Mexico in a microcosm, and it’s very completely different out of your conventional Caribbean island locations on this respect.
You possibly can discover Mayan ruins which have been derelict for tons of of years, earlier than lounging on the lengthy and sandy seashores that fringe the island.
You’ll discover quiet resorts and loads of secluded areas to discover on Cozumel, and also you’ll discover that the snorkeling and diving alternatives are a few of the greatest which might be accessible in Mexico.
Our Prime Advisable Excursions:
- Mayan Highlights – 9 days
- Southern Mexico: See & Expertise it ALL – 7 Days
5. Cuba
Varadero, Cuba has insanely clear waters!
Cuba is slowly opening its gates to vacationers, and issues are altering quick throughout this Caribbean nation. Get in quick, earlier than the nostalgia disappears, as a result of Cuba is a rustic that gives the look that it’s caught in a time warp.
In Havana, you possibly can benefit from the charming colonial-era allure that the capital metropolis exudes on each road nook. Go to rum distilleries and cigar factories, immerse your self within the native revolutionary museums and luxuriate in driving vintage vehicles via the town.
Away from the capital, and you could find lovely seashores and low-cost resorts in Varadero, whereas inland the countryside is gorgeous and dotted with extra colonial-era cities like Trinidad that seemingly have lain unchanged for many years.
Our Prime Advisable Excursions:
- Cuba: Salsa & Snorkeling with G Adventures – 16 days
- Cuba Explorer with G Adventures – 9 days
- Cuba Libre & Crusing with G Adventures – 13 days
6. Dominica
Boats on Soufriere Bay in Dominica
I’ll begin by telling you that this isn’t an island recognized for its seashores. There are only a few on this island that’s value even a go to. You come right here for nature, mountaineering, and waterfalls.
Dominica is likely one of the most volcanic islands within the Caribbean, and due to this, it’s additionally one of the vital dramatic. The best level on the island rises to over 1500 meters in peak, and there are some nice mountaineering routes and viewpoints throughout Dominica.
There are additionally scorching springs and geysers, and the long-lasting Boiling Lake, a physique of water that’s heated by geothermal exercise under floor. Moreover, though it doesn’t boast seashores, it presents some actually nice diving and snorkeling websites simply off the shoreline. However the magic is in exploring the inland wonders.
Morne Trois Pitons Nationwide Park, UNESCO World Heritage Web site, is an effective place to begin with a go to to Trafalgar Falls, the Emerald Pool, and the pure scorching springs. The park has 5 volcanoes which produce many sulfur-smelling scorching springs all through the mountaineering trails.
The swimming pools are clear with transferring water, so take a second to calm down and soak. A dip within the Emerald Pool is claimed to take 10 years off your life for longer enjoyment of youth. Whether or not it’s true or not, properly that’s as much as you to determine. For me, I took the chilly dip, why likelihood it?
7. Barbados
Palms up in case you are in want of a seashore day, or possibly two or three.
Barbados is likely one of the greatest locations to go to within the Caribbean as a result of the island has quite a bit to supply, be it seashores and resorts or mountaineering or diving.
The truth is, Barbados might be the entire package deal in the case of Caribbean locations, however you’ll discover that in peak season it’s a busy place to be. One huge draw to Barbados is the seashores.
The island has many spectacular seashores to expertise, so by all means, spend a while there. Nonetheless, because of its location within the Caribbean and Atlantic, the waters may be tough.
Many of the seashores are usually not preferrred for swimming or snorkeling and you’ll count on excessive winds and robust currents. Though this could be a deterrent for some, it doesn’t take away from the attractive views, sand, and solar available on a lot of the island. And should you don’t thoughts the crowds, there are just a few seashores the place swimming is feasible.
Barbados has a few of the greatest seashores within the West Indies, and a few of the greatest resorts too, and you’ll laze away your days within the solar should you need. Away from the seashores, don’t miss a go to to the Barbados capital, Bridgetown.
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is vibrant in historical past with colonial structure and vibrant colours.
Set on the shoreline, the contrasts of colours with the ocean and tradition provide a vivid procuring and eating expertise. In case you’re up for some journey, many parasailing and boating excursions depart from Bridgetown.
Our Prime Advisable Tour: Discover Barbados – 6 days
8. Jamaica
Jamaica is likely one of the Caribbean’s hottest trip spots
Among the finest locations to go to within the Caribbean will all the time be Jamaica as a result of the island has a lot to supply vacationers and vacationers.
Whereas the cities might need a foul repute in the case of gangs and crime, the touristy locations and resort areas are completely secure to go to.
Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, each alongside the north coast, are two of the preferred locations. You’ll discover resorts and seashores, in addition to loads of eating places, bars, and actions.
Jamaica additionally has a number of lovely nature inland too, and away from the coast, you could find crashing waterfalls and rainforests to discover.
Our Prime Advisable Excursions:
- Jamaica Encompassed with G Adventures – 8 days
- Better of Jamaica – 7 days
- Discover Jamaica – 11 days
9. St Lucia
Whether it is quite a lot of nature and sand you search, St Lucia is perhaps the proper match for you.
Whether it is quite a lot of nature and sand you search, St Lucia, which is discovered within the West Indies, is perhaps the proper match for you. It’s recognized for its lovely seashores, gorgeous pure landscapes, colourful snorkeling, and diving.
St Lucia is maybe essentially the most dramatic, and simply recognizable vacation spot within the Caribbean as a result of the island is likely one of the most mountainous within the area.
It’s the solely island with an lively drive-in volcano, La Soufriere, the place you possibly can rise up shut and private with the smelly lava and steam. Mix this with sleepy fishing villages alongside the coast and gorgeous coastlines and there isn’t a lot that you’d miss on a go to to St Lucia.
My private favourite is driving the bus to Anse La Raye then taking a ship to the seashore between the mighty Pitons. The icon of St Lucia and the mountains you will notice on each brochure that solicits the island. It isn’t simple to get entry to by land, so it isn’t crowded and is extraordinarily quiet.
The snorkeling off the seashore is unbelievable because the coral has grown up on the bottom of the pitons. There may be a number of sea life to view from snorkeling on this location.
Relatively than coming to St Lucia for a seashore vacation although, it is a nation the place you possibly can spend your trip mountaineering, climbing, snorkeling, and having fun with the attractive volcanic surroundings that’s so distinctive to the island.
Our Prime Advisable Tour: Crusing St Lucia & The Grenadines with G Adventures – 8 days
10. Antigua
You can be hard-pressed to not discover a good seashore on Antigua.
If it’s seashores you might be searching for although, then among the best locations to go to within the Caribbean is Antigua, an island that’s residence to a few of the greatest seashores within the area.
Antigua is known for its wonderful, sandy seashores, and the island is properly set as much as welcome vacationers and vacationers seeking to calm down and unwind. All 365 of them.
You can be hard-pressed to not discover a good seashore on this island with a few of the favorites being Turners, Pigeon Level, Half Moon Bay, Deep Bay, Dickenson Bay, Jabberwock, Jolly, Prickly Pear, and Lengthy Bay to call just a few.
Discovering a seashore resort is simple and you’ll spend your days sipping a fruity drink, listening to waves and watching the sundown. You’ll discover plenty of lengthy, sandy seashores and sheltered bays which might be nice for swimming.
The island is surrounded by coral reefs too, and it is a nice vacation spot for snorkeling and diving as a result of the waters are wealthy in marine life. When you have the urge to do greater than sit on the seashore, the second-best factor to do is go to English Harbor.
You get a spectacular view of the harbor and shoreline of Antigua from Shirley Heights. If you wish to rise up shut and private, pay a go to to Nelson’s Dockyard and be taught in regards to the wealthy English historical past that established Antigua within the 1700s.
Our Prime Advisable Tour: Discover Antigua and Barbuda – 6 days
11. St Kitts
Additionally situated within the West Indies, St Kitts is the bigger island that makes up the two-island nation that’s St Kitts and Nevis.
Nevis, the smaller island, is discovered simply 2 miles away from St Kitts throughout a dramatic stretch of water, and there are dramatic viewpoints that provide sweeping panoramas of each islands.
You’ll discover sandy white seashores across the island, and loads of resorts and resorts.
Brimstone Hill Fortress Nationwide Park, UNESCO World Heritage Web site, is the primary draw to this island. The fortress was first established in 1690 with canons and was accomplished over the next 100 years.
The fort noticed its greatest battle and takeover by the French in 1782 however was later retaken by the British after a treaty was signed.
The partitions had been refortified and the fort was by no means taken once more. It was deserted by the British in 1853 and after restoration efforts within the Nineteen Seventies was declared a UNESCO website in 1999.
A go to to the fort will present participating historic perception and breathtaking views of the encompassing space. The island is wealthy with tradition, so don’t miss a go to to the Caribelle Batik manufacturing facility earlier than heading out to take in some solar and sand on the seashore.
Lastly, preserve your eyes open for monkeys. There’s a inhabitants of Inexperienced Vervet Monkeys that had been launched through the African slave commerce. They are often seen on the edges of roads and within the bushes.
Don’t depart residence with out: Fodor’s Important Caribbean (Full-color Journey Information)
12. Grand Cayman
The Cayman Islands provide miles of white sand seashores
The Cayman Islands are maybe greatest recognized for offering monetary providers and offshore accounts, however in addition to being a rich British Abroad Territory, that is additionally among the best locations to go to within the Caribbean.
The biggest and hottest island to go to is Grand Cayman, however there are two smaller islands within the territory, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, that are additionally nice locations to discover and which are usually far much less crowded, though way more tough to journey to.
For a spot that has a metropolis named Hell, it have to be sunny and scorching, proper? Nicely, that is precisely true. The Cayman Islands give you a textbook tropical trip with turquoise water, white sand, palm bushes, and loads of solar.
What units it other than each different island? The underwater actions. The water right here is so clear you possibly can see every thing below the water, for miles. The island is surrounded by a sand bar and reef shelf offering actually nice snorkeling and diving for water lovers.
A go to wouldn’t be full with no journey to Stingray Metropolis, a big sand bar simply off the coast the place giant stingrays have gathered for years to feed on fisherman’s chum as they cleaned their fishing boats.
As of late, they’re accustomed to guests and are very pleasant. Excursions will take you proper out to them the place you may get within the water with them, feed them and even get a kiss for 7 years good luck.
Don’t depart residence with out: Fodor’s In Focus Cayman Islands (Full-color Journey Information)
13. Dominican Republic
This island is definitely often known as a scorching trip spot. Most individuals come right here for the gorgeous seashores of Punta Cana on the East facet of the intense blue waters of Puerta Plata on the Northside.
All-inclusive resorts line the shoreline and provide quite a lot of package deal offers to go well with each traveler. You possibly can participate in snorkeling, swimming, diving, and even some Latin dance classes.
Resorts are additionally supplied in locations like La Ramona for a extra native really feel. A not miss within the Dominican Republic is the bustling capital metropolis of Santo Domingo. Though not as generally visited because the seashore areas, this metropolis is wealthy in Spanish historical past and the touchdown spot of Christopher Columbus.
You possibly can tour his casa, go to the native botanical gardens, aquarium, and native parks on a go to to the town. The downtown historic district holds structure that rivals some locations in South America and Europe.
Don’t depart residence with out: Lonely Planet Dominican Republic (Journey Information)
14. Bahamas
The Bahamas is a basic Caribbean vacation spot as a result of this assortment of tons of of islands off the coast of Florida is thought for its seashores and clear water.
The islands that make up the Bahamas are the closest to america and include 700 islands and cays. They’re so shut you possibly can even take a day cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to the Grand Bahama island.
This alone makes them a preferred place to go to for a lot of guests. You possibly can’t actually go fallacious with a go to to the Bahamas, the sand is white and the water shallow.
It’s a basic seashore expertise and most of the locations you possibly can go to will bounce out at you as locations you could have seen many instances earlier than in films and magazines. You possibly can benefit from the typical actions within the Bahamas, snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, mountaineering, kayaking, parasailing, and the checklist goes on.
In addition to the marine life you may also meet essentially the most well-known residents of the Bahamas, the pigs that swim freely within the crystal clear water. My favourite exercise includes a Strawberry Daiquiri, sunscreen, and a lounger whereas visiting these islands.
Don’t depart residence with out: Lonely Planet The Bahamas (Journey Information)
15. Roatan, Honduras
Roatan is likely one of the most fascinating islands within the Caribbean as a result of this predominantly English-speaking island is definitely a part of Spanish-speaking Honduras.
It’s an uncommon arrange within the area, and whereas mainland Honduras has an notorious repute for gang crime and violence, Roatan is a veritable bastion of peace and security compared.
This is likely one of the greatest and least expensive diving locations within the Caribbean, and on the West Finish, you’ll discover loads of diving outfits heading out every day. There are reefs and wrecks, and they’re all situated proper off the coast of Roatan.
| Advisable Excursions | ||
| Crusing St. Lucia & The Grenadines 8 Days Small Group 8 Folks |
Better of Puerto Rico 7 Days Small Group 10-12 Folks |
Crusing the very best of the British Virgin Island 7 Days Small Group 8 Folks |
| Test Value | Test Value | Test Value |
