The Caribbean is calling your name if you’re in the mood for tropical beaches, a relaxed island atmosphere, and blue waters. This tropical paradise is made up of more than 700 islands, making it difficult to choose the ideal place to visit. Do you prefer the vibrant nightlife and diverse culture of one island over the remote, unspoiled beauty of another?
We asked travel professionals to provide their thoughts on the best Caribbean islands so you can plan the perfect vacation. These seven locations offer an amazing getaway whether you’re searching for world-class snorkeling, opulent resorts, a lively local culture, or an obscure adventure.
1. Aruba
When you close your eyes and visualize yourself on a Caribbean island, you most likely picture kilometers of white sand beaches and calm seas that resemble a beautiful Paraiba tourmaline. The palm palms are gently swaying, nobody is rushing, and you might even see young sea turtles making their maiden foray into the ocean. This specific picture-perfect dream comes true in the Aruba beach resorts. It’s no surprise that so many return year after year.
Marriott International’s chief commercial officer, Louise Bang, claims that Aruba is most frequently praised for its immaculate beaches and reliably mild climate. “Eagle Beach and Palm Beach are especially renowned for their powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters,” she observes. But that’s just a small portion of what the island has to offer.
In Aruba’s harsh and cactus-filled desert landscape, adventurers can hike, windsurf, explore Arikok National Park, and swim in natural springs and caverns.
Additionally, wellness aficionados won’t be let down: this increasingly well-liked location offers everything from peaceful sound baths to SUP yoga and pilates courses.
Bucuiti & Tara is an adults-only resort that perfectly combines luxury and sustainability for those seeking a genuinely unique Aruba vacation. Despite being the most eco-certified hotel in the Caribbean, you won’t need anything there. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy during a holiday, but this is the ideal location for a romantic retreat or honeymoon.
Families will also feel completely at home at Manchebo ocean Resort & Spa, which provides a first-rate all-inclusive package, views of the ocean, and a wealth of services. Spa del Sol massages at Manchebo Aruba are yet another fantastic wellness delight.
2. Anguilla
The ideal location to relax, enjoy the sun, and take in the Caribbean’s natural splendor is Anguilla.
The founder of the travel website Jetsetter, Aaron Sutherland, says, “This British Overseas Territory is renowned for its world-class beaches, turquoise waters, and upscale resorts.” Expect “uncrowded shores, a sophisticated vibe, and a focus on culinary excellence,” he says.
There are also heart-pounding activities for thrill-seekers to satisfy their need for adventure. A fun funfair event in early August, the Anguilla Summer Festival is a great time to visit the island, go kitesurfing or take a speedboat tour.
Sutherland suggests discovering the underwater world at Shoal Bay, enjoying casual luxury at one of the island’s excellent lodgings, and indulging in fresh seafood at Blanchards.
For a more affordable vacation with lots of extras, try Carimar Beach Club; for ultra-luxury, aim for Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla.
3. Antigua
Antigua, dubbed the “Sailing Capital of the Caribbean,” is a destination for sailors seeking a marine adventure they won’t soon forget. Antigua offers ideal conditions for both experienced and inexperienced sailors due to its consistent trade winds, pristine waters, and more than 300 days of sunshine annually. Sailors from all over the world come to the island for the prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, a racing event that takes place every year.
Beyond the world-renowned sailing competitions, Antigua has a wealth of undiscovered coves, secret bays, and coral reefs that are just waiting to be discovered by catamaran or yacht. Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that emphasizes the island’s naval past, is one of the historical sites Bang suggests visiting while on land. Another option is to visit one of the 365 beaches on the island.
The Royalton Antigua, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort guarantees the most time on the water by providing Antigua’s exclusive overwater bungalow experience. LaDell Carter, the creator and chief travel designer at Royal Expression Travels, recommends Jumbo Bay Island as an alternative for an opulent, all-inclusive getaway.
Curaçao, number four
Another Caribbean island experiencing significant growth as a travel destination is Curaçao. In fact, compared to 2021, the island had a nearly 20 percent increase in tourists. It provides the “best of both worlds,” according to many, combining a bustling urban lifestyle with breathtaking natural beauty along the coast.
The island is “distinctive for its colorful Dutch colonial architecture in Willemstad, cultural diversity, and excellent diving and snorkeling spots,” according to Bang, who also claims that the water features “vibrant marine life and accessible coral reefs.”
With its African, Dutch, Latin American, and Caribbean roots, Willemstad is a cultural melting pot and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating past.
Stay at the Baoase Luxury Resort for a private luxury retreat, or the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort, which is well-known for its prime beachfront position, sizable pool, welcoming staff, and close proximity to Sint Anna Bay’s dining and drinking scenes.
5 | Cayman Island
Grand Cayman Island is well known for its excellent health and wellness programs, vibrant food scene, diving and snorkeling, and tourist attractions, such as the surreal rock formations in the Cayman Crystal Caves, the seemingly endless Seven Mile Beach, and Stingray City, one of the few locations where you can swim and dive with stingrays, according to Carter said.
The ease of selecting Grand Cayman for their vacations is adored by tourists. In addition to having direct flights from the East Coast that could get you to the pool in four hours, the island is small—just seven miles—and most of the attractions are easily accessible on foot once you arrive.
Carter suggests that you “indulge in luxury at Palm Heights, The Ritz-Carlton… or Kimpton Seafire Resort.” The Alexander Cayman Brac and Hampton by Hilton Seven Mile Beach are also good options for affordable, cozy lodging.
6. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a popular Caribbean travel destination this year because of its picturesque natural beauty, lively culture, pastel-colored houses, and cobblestone streets.
With attractions like the colonial charm of Old San Juan and the bioluminescent bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico offers a fusion of Caribbean culture and American convenience (no passport required), according to Bang. Its lively culture combines African, Spanish, and Taino traditions, which are all reflected in the local dancing, music, and food, she continues.
Bang advises budgeting enough time for a tour of Puerto Rico’s historic sites, particularly important forts like El Morro and La Fortaleza, in San Juan’s Old Town if you decide to take a vacation there.
According to Dreamport’s travel manager, Maya Kapoor-Miller, Puerto Rico is her top Caribbean pick for 2024: “There is something to enjoy for travelers of all tastes and ages, from bathing in natural pools beneath waterfalls to taking in the gorgeous scenery from its many hiking trails.”
Kapoor-Miller suggests visiting El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical forest in the U.S. National Forest System, if you love being in nature.
Nestled in the quiet Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, you can enjoy an unmatched level of luxury. Or, for a more intimate experience, stay at one of Old San Juan’s many boutique hotels.
7. Barts
St. Barts, sometimes referred to as Saint Barthélemy, St. Barths, or St-Barth, is one of the most popular vacation spots worldwide. Kapoor-Miller states, “This tropical paradise is renowned for its luxurious villas, upscale designer boutiques, gourmet restaurants, white sand beaches, and crystal-clear waters.”
The absence of direct flights from the United States makes St. Barts unique and ensures an extremely intimate and never crowded experience. Most guests arrive by yacht or private plane.
“With an amazing array of ultra-luxurious private villas and five-star resorts designed for affluent tourists, St. Barts boasts some of the most impressive real estate in the Caribbean,” says Kapoor-Miller. “The island also has an impressive number of world-class spas, and it truly comes to life at night with its beach parties and exclusive nightclubs welcoming A-list celebrities and some of the world’s wealthiest people looking for next-level experiences.”
The accommodations are obviously very expensive, but for those of us who are not celebrities, La Maison Fleur de Lune provides an unforgettable experience at a reasonable cost.