Never . ? And more importantly, which of these do you plan to visit next? Dont miss the chance to swim at the captivating Grace Bay Beach and spend an evening dancing to ripsaw music. For those who decide to take guided tours, most reviewers on TripAdvisor found them overpriced and cheesy (Trip Advisor). Aruba: Family At Butterfly Farm. But the island is only 8 kilometers across at its widest point, so the explorations are pretty limited and leave most visitors feeling underwhelmed. The rooms need updating, the food is expensive, and the attractions are only so-so.. It is also the area of the world that gets hit by hurricanes more often than other areas. Planning tip: The Mandarin has a six-seat resort jet that can be booked as a shared or private charter from Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Martinique, and St Vincent airports. Nonetheless, a 2012 studywith the Caribbean Development Bankrevealed that 20% of Bajans live in poverty, and nearly 10% cannot meet basic daily food needs. Safest Caribbean Islands to Visit Aruba Turks & Caicos Cayman Islands St. Maarten Barbados St. Lucia Anguilla Martinique St. Barts Bonaire The Virgin Islands Grenada St. Kitts and Nevis Antigua and Barbuda The Bahamas Caribbean Packing Essentials FAQ: Safest Islands in the Caribbean Safest Caribbean Islands to Visit Aruba The twin-island federation of St Kitts and Nevis prospers primarily thanks to tourism and export-oriented manufacturing, as well as agriculture, with approximately 39% of the islands' land reserved to crops (primarily devoted to sugarcane and peanuts). The Bahamas soars to the top of our list thanks to its prosperous tourism industry. 10 Kingstown, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines: A Simple Fishing Village Kingstown can get pretty busy all year round (being the main port and capital of St. Vincent) and can be a little overwhelming for people who are sensitive to crowds. Tourism boosts the Bahamian economy massively, accounting for 60% of GDP and providing employment for over half of the island's population. It's still producing rum and offers tours of the facility six days a week. Not everyone is going to like it, as it is too "desert-like," according to one disgruntled reviewer. Photo Credit: Gary Felton via US Virgin Island Department of Tourism. Panoramic landscape view of Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe, Les Saintes, Caribbean Sea. The Caribbean Islands. Bonaire, one of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaao), doesnt get the buzz of the other two. The second Island, St. Thomas is one of best Caribbean spots to enjoy sightseeing, snorkeling, diving and shopping. From the iconic pitons of St. Lucia and tropical rainforest of Puerto. Here are the eight best places to visit in the Caribbean. 2. Stroll the beaches of Montego Bay by day and dance to the latest reggae music at one of the citys nightclubs. A black sand beach on St Kitts (Getty Images) 1. The third largest Caribbean island, Jamaica is one of the most popular and well-known tourist destinations in the region. When in The Bahamas, try the famous conch salad and craft beer from the Pirate Republic Brewery. "I've spent the past 6 months telling everyone not to go here," an angry tourist wrote on Trip Advisor. Grand Cayman Tourism Grand Cayman Hotels 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. . The bluest of blues and turquoise waters make for some of the worlds best beaches. These 13 things to do in San Juan won't cost a thing. If youre in chill mode, watch a movie at the alfresco cinema, climb in a hammock along the beach or head to the Bahamas only overwater spa. This is a list of islands in the Caribbean by area. If you enjoy paddle boarding in calm waters and snorkeling in clear waters, youre in luck, because thats literally all there is to do here (New York Post). Learn more about this architectural marvel on a guided tour. One of the Dutch Caribbean islands, Bonaire boasts sparkling beauty. Even dining off the resort poses a problem, as most of the good restaurants have a strict reservation only policy. According to the 2020 Crime and Safety Report for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, which covers Antigua and Barbuda, this region had 12 reported homicides and two kidnappings per 100,000 inhabitants. Cuba also has plenty of museums and art galleries that offer a window into the countrys rich history and culture. Agriculture - particularly banana crops - are central to this regained prosperity. "Assault or Homicide." Also not open year round: the famous Blue Grotto, which closes when theres too many clouds (without sunlight, it is simply a dark cave). It's no secret that the Caribbean has some of the most beautiful islands in the world. With an estimated 5.7 million tourist arrivals in 2012, it is one of the most-visited Caribbean islands. And with a limited amount of easily accessible coastline (about 13 kilometers), the crowds at up quickly. You'll have ample of beaches to explore with over 95 miles of coastline, stunning coral reefs and crystal blue waters. U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. With more than 170 attractions spread over the island, theres something for people of all ages to enjoy. There are 13 sovereign states and 17 dependent territories in the Caribbean, and the predominant languages are English, Spanish, French, Dutch and . The sea looks nice but is not made for a good swim (rough waves). Varadero pales in comparison to the other Caribbean beaches (see Punta Cana), and the recent travel ban will surely hurt tourism in all of Cuba. Experience the best of Puerto Ricos vibrant capital, San Juan, with this guide to the top things to do. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. Consider these eight intriguing destinations for couples, all over the US. Try Guadeloupes delectable creole cuisine, which serves a mouthwatering blend of flavors in dishes like Fricasse de Lambi Queen Conch stew, and Calalou a spicy soup of spinach, pork, and land crab. Despite a moderate beach-density score of 0.38, Aruba is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations, thanks to resorts that offer prime package deals and more than 350 different activities. This less-traveled paradise is a must for bird-watchers. But divers know this part of the Dutch Caribbean is where the action is, with nearly 90 dive sites, coral reefs, and sea caves. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 892,997 / Year 2020: 445,879 The beautiful island chain of The Bahamas is a haven for relaxation, and its sun-drenched beaches are among the worlds best. 1. millions of visitors to the Caribbean region, 26 Sandals Resorts International Properties For Your All-Inclusive Luxury Caribbean Vacation. Spend time on the 18-hole golf course or relaxing in the spa. These new condos for sale in Ambergris Caye are a prime example. Canouan has bragging rights for being surrounded by the Caribbeans largest living coral reef and theres good fly-fishing and kitesurfing here too. Cuba is the largest island country in the Caribbean . Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 291,011/ Year 2020: 312,298 The magic of Martinique can be found in its diverse creole cuisine, influenced by the countrys African, European, and Indian heritage. Shopping is also a major attraction of the USVI, thanks to a $1,600 duty-free allowance. Today, it is the third richest Caribbean island. "The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality," the U.S. Department of State says. Activities include everything from deep-sea fishing and kayaking toplaying tennis and cycling. The spot to be on the weekend is Triple J's Grill, which feels like a backyard barbecueand is. The Virgin Islands are one of the most sought after vacation destinations in the Caribbean. Tobagos Unesco World Heritage Site,Main Ridge Forest Reserve is the oldest protected forest in the western hemisphere, with nine trails to keep hikers happy. There are new hot spots like theBLT Steakhouse at the Ritz-Carlton and the uber-luxeMRVL Spafor next-level pampering. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Possibly one of the most well-known Caribbean islands among Brits, this "paradise island" is actually an archipelago of islands made from coral. Another good choice isThe Hermitageat the foot of a rainforest covered mountain. Though the historic section of Macao sits on a peninsula that is now connected to the Chinese mainland, the Macao island of Cotai is a huge tourist draw due to its grand casino complexes,. (The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are not in the Caribbean Sea, but rather in the open North Atlantic Ocean.) Providencialesgets all the glory, but South Caicos is a Caribbean gem worth your time. Second line parades are a key part of New Orleans' culture. Page 10. The idyllic island paradise makes the most of its natural splendour, attracting visitors from all around the world to its sandy shores. Exuma Island picked up some travel steam a few years ago thanks to its famous Pig Beach. Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in The Bahamas | Tours in The Bahamas. What could be more glamorous than a luxurious vacation in The Maldives? Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a national treasure with spots like Trafalgar Falls. The idyllic island paradise makes the most of its natural splendour, attracting visitors from all around the world to its sandy shores. Check into theMandarin Oriental, Canouan and you may feel like youre in a private-island sanctuary, a secret escape, with just 26 suites and 13 villas on the 1200-acre estate thats on Godahl Beach. At only 76 square miles, it should come as no surprise that activities are rather limited here (Catalina Chamber). If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 500,000 (estimate) / Year 2020: ??? Antigua and Barbuda. The Caribbean island of Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti towards its West and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region known for its lavish and stunning resorts, pristine and beautiful beaches, and amazing golfing premises. With one of the most impressive capitals in the Caribbean, Grenada, also called the Spice Island, offers a myriad of possibilities when it comes to sustainable development. Getting there isnt the quickest commute, either. Bruna Alves , Jun 21, 2022. Skip the masses and head to Bluefields on the south coast instead. The fishing is good in these parts too, where barracuda, sailfish, and blue marlin are plentiful. While the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas are hot spots, the Caribbean is also home to locales without hordes of tourists and some where there is more wildlife than people. Head over to Basse-Terre, home to the Guadeloupe National Park, where the La Soufrire volcano can be found. Nevis, in the Leeward Islands, is one of the Caribbeans best kept secrets. While most describe the beaches as clean and beautiful, they also describe them as very touristy. The island is also pretty spread out, so youll have to learn how to use the public transportation system to get from one side of the island to the other. The cruise port in the Charlotte Amelie, the capital city of St. Thomas is probably the most popular and busiest one in the Caribbean. St. Lucia. Those with a sweet tooth might want to book a tour of theTobago Cocoa Estate. With summer approaching, many of us are dreaming of the soft sandy beaches and shining blue shallows promised by sunny Caribbean islands but for some lucky people, these exotic islands are home all ye. It is one of the most boring animals in the ocean and the most uncool squid on the planet. It seems that these islands are so relaxed their almostcut off from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world. It is paradise. For an authentic Jamaican experience, mix it up with locals at Bluefields Beach Parkwhere, at the weekends, families will be picnicking and the reggae music will be blasting. There are also many land-based options, such as horseback riding and hiking. Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Mexico all offer islands off their Caribbean coastsislands that share the same turquoise-blue waters and powder-white beaches you expect when you hear. 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