Here are the top places to visit in the Caribbean Islands when planning your dream getaway.
1. Bridgetown, Barbados
Barbados is an incredible island with sprawling gardens, old plantations, hidden caverns, and stunning beaches. Adventurous spirits won't want to miss The Animal Flower Cave, which is home to coral floors and live sea anemones. The cavern overlooks the northern coast, where humpback whales are said to frolic in the waves.
When deciding where to stay, choose a place near one of the incredible beaches that Barbados is famous for. Among the best things to do in Barbados, spend your afternoon snorkeling with sea turtles or aboard a catamaran sipping some locally made rum.
Barbados can boast of being one of the most emblematic and popular paradisiacal places in the world. Bathsheba is pretty unforgettable, as are places like Maxwell and Crane beaches. Crane Beach is one of the most famous and, in fact, is included in the list of the 10 best coastal areas in the world. Of course, before diving into this bay should prepare to withstand the strong waves that whip. Moreover, it is advisable not to go with children.
For its part, Brownes Beach is a large bay that starts from the nation's capital, Bridgetown. It is ideal to relax, take a dip and have a drink in one of the bars. Harrison's cave has become one of the greatest attractions of the Caribbean country. Inside, the Great Hall stands out, a huge room full of gigantic stalactites and stalagmites.
Another of its most emblematic rooms has been called The Village because of its extraordinary resemblance to a town that could be inhabited by fairies. If that is true, these same nymphs could bathe in the sparkling waters of the stream that irrigates this geological prodigy.
Rum had its origin in this small island. The locals learned to obtain it from the fermentation of sugarcane. There you can still visit the oldest traditional alembic on the planet. The distillery Mount Gay Distillery opened its doors in 1703, when this tasty elixir still lacked a name and was often referred to under the pseudonym of devil-killer.
2. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos is a beautiful little archipelago that's teeming with life. Kayak along the Chalk Sound lagoon and visit the Blue Hole for some diving. This natural phenomenon is 220 feet deep and is home to (harmless) lemon sharks, sea turtles, and scores of fish. As you paddle along, you'll be able to see an underwater plane wreck. Elsewhere along the shoreline, you can see the wreck of the La Famille Express.
When you're tired of adventuring, head to one of the world-famous beaches. Grace Bay Beach is conveniently located near many of the other attractions in the area, while Parrot Bay is more secluded and romantic.
3. Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and warm weather all year round are just some of the reasons why the United States Virgin Islands, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea, remain a popular holiday destination. Start your trip with a flight to Cyril E. King International Airport in Saint Thomas. Take a walk through the city of Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the Virgin Islands of the United States.
Saint Thomas of the US Virgin Islands is often referred to as the gateway to the Virgin Islands. It's an often overlooked destination in the Caribbean that both first-timers and annual visitors love. Spend your days snorkeling and kayaking in the beautiful lagoons, and your evenings on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
As St. Thomas is a great starting point for exploring the islands, you'll want to give yourself time to move around. Head to Blackbeard's Beach and walk where the infamous pirate once roamed. Visit the Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden and immerse yourself in the beautiful natural surroundings of the area.
Take a guided walk on Blackbeard's Castle, a National Historic Landmark. Originally known as Skytsborg Tower, it served the Danish soldiers for a view wide of the sea and watch the arrival of the boats. But no trip to St. Thomas is complete without a visit to Magens Bay.
As one of the best beach destinations in the world, it is characterized by its soft sand and crystal clear water. Among some of the top things to do in St Thomas, it is a favorite place to practice water sports such as snorkeling and paddle surfing.
4. Montserrat
Montserrat are not actually the islands but they fall under the name of Leeward islands. It is called the Emerald isle of the Caribbean. It has 40 km of coastline. The island suffered from major losses as a possibly dormant volcano became active destroying the major city of Plymouth.
5. Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands
From the airport, drive west on Highway 66 to Fort Frederik. Drive north on Centerline Road to Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve. On an island as green as Saint Croix, it is not surprising that the kitchen movement abounds from the farm to the table. The best place to experience it is Ridge to Reef Slow Down Dinner. It is a six-course dinner that educates guests about the importance of organic, locally grown food.
Arrive at Christiansted, one of the largest cities on the island of Saint Croix, on Highway 75.
6. Nevis
Nevis is the smaller island in the famous St. Kitts and Nevis duo. While most travelers gravitate toward St. Kitts, Nevis is a bit more relaxed and serene. You can take sailing tours and go for hikes, explore the historical architecture, and immerse yourself in the local culture.
The Nevis Peak hiking trail will give you a panoramic view of the surrounding islands while the quaint hot springs are a great place to soak your tired feet after a day of adventuring.
7. Bahamas
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is an independent state formed by about 700 islands located in the Atlantic Ocean, north of Cuba, northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands and east of the Florida peninsula. The country enjoys a climate between tropical and subtropical, and like all the Caribbean, suffers the scourge of hurricanes from late summer until the end of autumn.
Its capital, Nassau, has a large shopping center where you can breathe its colonial heritage mixed with the island's own folklore. In the peripheral islands, handicrafts include basketry made of palm leaves that end up being the most popular tourist elements.
This destination combines the most precious ingredients for a relaxing holiday. While vacationing in the Bahamas you can enjoy the tranquility of the beaches and the deserted keys, an omnipresent sun, an underwater world to discover, and the fun of aquatic and terrestrial sports. Other things to do in Nassau is savor a good gastronomy based on seafood with a glass of rum and the kindness of its inhabitants.
8. Old Havana, Cuba
Cuba is magic and it is passion. Walking through the streets of Havana causes in the stomach those butterflies of your own when you are newly in love. When you walk through Old Havana, through Vedado or the Malecón, you cannot do anything but enjoy the surroundings and a wonderful town as you travel Cuba.
Some will say that it is to go back to the past, for its colonial buildings and its vintage cars, but in reality it is to move to a world of tenacity and character. A character that is printed on each of the things we can see here. There is passion in cigars, in rum, mojitos, daiquiris and food of Cuba.
9. Varadero, Cuba
There is talent in salsa and jazz, and there is a bit of paradise in each of the Keys and, of course, in Varadero. Among things to do in Cuba, laze around white sands, transparent water and a whole hotel floor designed for the enjoyment of tourists. In Cuba there is also history, such as the monument to Che in Santa Clara, the cities of Camagüey, Pinar del Río and Santiago de Cuba.
Most of the travelers visiting Cuba go to Havana, and forget the history, Fiesta del Fuego, carnival, and rum in Santiago de Cuba, and the tobacco culture in Pinar del Rio. All this and much more in a single island while you visit to Cuba and travel to Havana.
10. Trinidad, Cuba
Trinidad is the best preserved colonial city in Cuba. In addition, it has the famous Ancon beach of just 15 minutes away considered one of the best beaches in Cuba. Near Trinidad there is a huge natural reserve called Topes de Collantes.
You will be able to hike along its paths among incredible waterfalls. From Trinidad you can hire excursions in Cubatur or even with the locals of Trinidad to go to the park on horseback or even in 4 × 4 vehicles to see the best corners of the park and the best waterfalls.
One hour away from Trinidad you can find hundreds of waterfalls to explore. The Caburni waterfall of 75 meters of fall is the most famous and the typical to do in an excursion from Trinidad. But the most impressive is the El Nicho waterfall but its access is very complicated and tortuous, we recommend you use a 4x4 vehicle to reach the waterfall.
And the most photogenic and the one you usually see in photographs when you look for the waterfalls of Trinidad is the Vegas Grande Waterfall since it is easy to capture the entire fall of the waterfall.
11. Dominica
There are very few beaches. The island is a semi-dormant volcano so the coast drops away sharply. It is a haven for divers and whale watchers. It has the largest area of rain forest in the Caribbean, and so there are plenty of eco tours and trips. They boast that they have 365 rivers, though to be fair many of them are little more than streams. Its nickname is nature island.
With waterfalls, jungle, sulfurous springs, secret pools, rivers, reefs and coast, this untamed natural island promises unusual adventures. This volcanic island covered in virgin rainforest is a green backdrop for intense experiences, such as walking to a bubbling lake, relaxing in sulphurous hot springs, showering under a waterfall, diving or swimming in narrow gorges.
With its rugged coastline, dense jungle and hidden caves, Dominica was traditionally a haunt for pirates, so it is not surprising that it was chosen as the location for the Pirates of the Caribbean saga. The second and third films were filmed in Titou Gorge, Soufriere, the Indian River and Batibou Beach.
In many ways, Dominica is the anti-Caribbean island, having escaped mass tourism because it has very few sandy beaches, not a single ostentatious resort and no direct international flight. The Dominiqueses are so kind that they usually stop visitors to wish them a happy stay.
On the other side of the Trafalgar valley, linked by a road on the Blanc river, Wotten Waven is famous for its natural thermal springs. Dominica's trek par excellence, and one of the hardest, is the 6-hour round trip to the second largest boiling lake in the world (the first is in New Zealand). At the beginning of the path to Lake Boiling, an orifice gives access to the narrow Titou Gorge, which flows into a torrential waterfall.
Champagne reef is one of Dominica's most unique underwater landscapes with volcanic bubbles cross the seabed and emerge as drops of liquid crystal. The compact, noisy, chaotic but vibrant capital of Dominica is located between the coast and the Roseau River. Reggae music floods the alleyways that bustle with daytime animation.
12. Willemstad, Curaçao
When you post photos of your vacations online, you are in a certain way, taking your followers with you and you could even inspire friends and family to travel abroad on the island of Curaçao as well. The island of Curaçao is located 67 kilometres east of Aruba and with Bonaire they form the group of islands known as 'ABC'. Its capital Willemstad, popularly known as the Amsterdam of the Caribbean, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with many shops and cafes, especially on its waterfront.
We show you some of the best places to take photos of your vacation in Curacao and show them on Instagram.
Otrobanda, the name for the neighborhood across the famous Willemstad floating bridge, means "the other shore" in Papiamento. Many people cross to the other side of the bridge to take photos of the pastel-colored houses on Handelskade in Punda. And, in addition to these beautiful views, the other shore is full of restaurants, luxury hotels and great shopping centers.
Grote Knip beach is the most famous in Curaçao for photography and it really looks like a postcard . Grote Knip is popular on instagram mostly because of the fifty shades of blue. Mix a visit to Grote Knip with other nearby beautiful beaches in Westpunt, such as Kleine Knip, Playa Lagun, Playa Piskado (sea turtles and the Neptune statue) and Playa Kalki.
Porto Marie was always popular for its white sand beaches, double reef and crystal clear waters, but since there are highly domesticated and highly photogenic pigs it has really increased in popularity. Take a snapshot of these beauties and give them some love, in real life and online.
12. Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is a beautiful volcanic island that has lush rain-forests, undulating agricultural fields and completely unspoiled beaches. St. Lucia is also one of the windiest places in the world, since the trade winds blow from the sea to the southern coast. St. Lucia has spectacular islands, a beautiful mountainous landscape, Qualibou volcano and its sulfur gushes, orchids and exotic plants, and roads bordered by flowers on both sides.
Saint Lucia is very much a Caribbean destination, so if you like sea and sun, then it is an option. If you don’t, then it probably isn’t on your radar. As Caribbean destinations go it can be hard to tell them all apart sometimes, but two things that differentiate St Lucia are it tends to be at the cheaper end of the scale in terms of cost, and it has truly majestic landscapes - arguably the best in the Caribbean.
The Pitons are something to see. Castries itself is a bit of a rough town. So most of the tourist resorts tend to be out of town and in more private settings. If you like that thing, you’ll probably like it. If you don’t, you probably won’t.
13. Trinidad and Tobago
Tobago is one of the most naturally beautiful parts of the Caribbean - and the perfect holiday destination. If you're dreaming of escaping to the sunny Caribbean, the unspoilt island of Tobago has it all. Think secluded white sand beaches with friendly locals, delicious food, and breath-taking natural beauty.
From swimming and diving to hiking and mountain biking, there are plenty of ways to explore Tobago. Highlights include the awe-inspiring Argyle, Parlatuvier and Highlands waterfalls, and the UNESCO listed Main Ridge Forest Reserve, which is the oldest protected rainforest in the western hemisphere, covering the length of the island.
Tobago is also home to plenty of fascinating wildlife, including giant leatherback turtles and more than 260 bird species. You can see many native creatures, including small mammals such as the red-rumped agouti and reptiles like the mango snake, at the Corbin Local Wildlife Park, or even enjoy a night-time bioluminescence tour along the island's coastline to see glowing plankton light up the water.
Due to its colonial past, Tobago has a unique culture, and its food is influenced by African, Indian and European cuisines. Treat your taste buds to a variety of local street food favourites, including the island's national dish: hearty curried crab and dumplings.
To find out more about Tobago's rich heritage, you can also visit the beautifully preserved 18th-century Fort King George, complete with its original cannons, or the Tobago Cocoa Estate, where you can sample the island's divine chocolate.
You have to prepare for the calypso, the cricket and the carnival when you travel to these Caribbean islands better known for bird watching than for the beaches. Trinidad and Tobago are a beautiful contradiction. In Trinidad, virgin mangroves and rainforest-covered hillsides coexist with refineries and industrial estates.
Tobago has everything you would expect from a Caribbean island, like palm trees and white sand. Combined, the two islands that make up this republic offer unparalleled conditions for bird watching, diving, hiking in rain forests, swimming in waterfalls and cycling; and an electrifying nightlife, with a fabulous carnival that is the best and most colorful of the annual celebrations of the region.
The capital, Port of Spain, is an excellent place to socialize with Trinidadians, catch up with soca music and watch a cricket match, and only a short trip separates it from the beaches of Maracas Bay. The fishing village of Speyside, in Tobago, overlooks Tyrrel's Bay and attracts divers and birdwatchers, as well as being the starting point for excursions to uninhabited islands.
The village of Blanchisseuse, on the north coast of Trinidad, is a magnificent base for hiking, especially to Paria Bay. With its palm-fringed beaches and lush rainforests, it’s little wonder Tobago is an oasis for vibrant birdlife. Indeed, the island is home to an incredible 260 species – some of which you won’t even find in neighbouring Trinidad – making it one of the world’s most popular birdwatching destinations.
Not only are the birds here wonderfully unique, but some of its winged wonders are also surprisingly easy to spot, so make sure you’ve always got your camera at the ready! White-tailed sabrewing are one of the island’s most beautiful creatures. These large hummingbirds bear a vibrant green and blue plumage and are among the most unique species in the world. In fact, they’re so rare that they can only be found in Tobago or the forests of Venezuela.
Despite the name, Trinidad motmot is most abundant in Tobago’s, not Trinidad’s, rainforests. Along with a distinctive long, racket-tipped tail, it has a kaleidoscopic coat made up of orange, green and blue tones and is dubbed the ‘King of the Rainforest’ due to its lack of natural predators.
Also known as the cocrico, Rufous-vented chachalaca is the National Bird of Tobago and even represents the country on its coat-of-arms. It’s also the only variety of game bird you’ll find on the island. Identifiable by their huge feet and claws that help them to walk easily on floating vegetation, Wattled jacana are a sight to behold! Look out for them in aquatic regions that are rich with floating plants.
It’s no secret that Tobago boasts everything you’d expect from an idyllic Caribbean paradise, but delve beneath the surface of its azure waters and you’ll quickly realise that this remarkable island is unlike anywhere else on the planet. From night-diving sessions amongst intimate reef systems to awe-inspiring bioluminescence tours, discover the underwater treasures and natural phenomenons that await you in Tobago and set your inner-adventurer free.
You may have swum beneath the stars before, but have you ever swum amidst them? Well, on this unforgettable tour, that’s exactly how you’ll feel. You’ll be mesmerised by the glowing electric waters as you paddle or kayak through the lagoon at night, as your guide explains the incredible natural phenomenon that is bioluminescence.
Get ready to see the underwater world like never before with a night diving session at the Kariwak Reef. Replete with marine life, you’ll marvel at closely-huddled schooling fish and moray eels, lobsters and even sea horses, while some of the headline attractions include barracudas, turtles, nurse sharks and rays.
Kelleston Drain is famed for having what may be the world’s largest brain coral with a 130ft depth. As you explore this natural phenomenon, you’ll also find ocean triggerfish, stingrays, nurse and reef sharks, plus different species of parrotfish, patrolling the area.
14. Montserrat
The Caribbean islands have tens of millions of visitors each year. But hardly a fraction of those visitors makes it to Montserrat. The British overseas territory is only 102 sq km (39 sq mi) in area. Also, the Soufrière Hills volcano erupted. This left the southern half of the island basically unsafe. Today, an exclusion zone still exists.
Whatever the season, the island of Montserrat has the most amazing experiences for solo travellers, families or groups of friends. Montserrat in the Eastern Caribbean is well known for its outdoor adventure — hiking, scuba diving, kayaking and volcano tours are just a few of the many varied activities on offer.
The Centre Hills forest is a nature reserve that hosts a number of hiking trails ranging from moderate to extreme. Hikers with varying fitness levels can enjoy the incredible beauty along the trails or at the summit with elfin forests or the mystery of the petroglyphs. There are no two trails the same, which gives visitors the unique opportunity to view a wide variety of flora and fauna along the winding hills.
Be sure to have your camera handy to capture the spectacular scenes of the mountains, Caribbean Sea, jagged coastlines and the birds-eye view of the majestic Soufriere Hills Volcano. For a humbling experience, book a tour of the buried capital city of Plymouth. This once-in-a-lifetime excursion brings you up close and personal with a town literally frozen in time.
The Montserrat story is an adventure in itself, speak to the locals, learn about their hair-raising volcanic experiences or visit the Montserrat Volcano Observatory to view a short documentary about the volcano. Montserrat’s small size is part of its charm; the distinctive culture, friendly residents and no-hassle attitude make the island one of the safest places in the Caribbean to vacation.
During a stay on the island, it is hard to resist the sweet, mouthwatering aroma of the local cuisines. Pull up a chair at one of the beach bars and sample one of the bar’s signature cocktails or the infamous Montserrat Bush Rum.
15. Bonaire
Chances are you probably haven’t heard of this Caribbean island, unless you’re a diver or Dutch, as it’s not a popular port of call for cruise ships.
This Dutch municipality, which sits just a short distance from mainland South America, may not be your stereotypical Caribbean island, but if you’re an avid diver, spelunker, nature lover or are simply looking to get away from it all, Bonaire is great alternative to the more touristy and commercialized Caribbean islands. And if you’re coming from the States, you won’t need to exchange currency.
Where to Stay in the Caribbean
No matter where you go in the Caribbean, there's always an adventure to be had. You can't go wrong with any of the gorgeous beaches or beautiful settlements. Make your decision based on the activities you want to enjoy during your vacation.