Best Caribbean Honeymoon Resorts of 2023. Soak up the sounds on a Sunday night at the legendary street party,Buccoo Sunday School in Buccoo. You'll have ample of beaches to explore with over 95 miles of coastline, stunning coral reefs and crystal blue waters. "It doesn't beat Florida in terms of cleanliness," one reviewer wrote on Trip Advisor. From Negrils Seven Mile Beach in the west to breathtaking waterfalls in the east, Jamaica is well known as the playground of the English-speaking Caribbean. So what boosts these island's economies? Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in Puerto Rico | Tours in Puerto Rico. And if youre not willing to put in a little effort, this is definitely not a vacation youll enjoy. 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. Accessible only by yacht, propeller plane, or ferry, this exclusive island is known for being a party destination for the rich and famous. Explore the rich cultural diversity of the islands through mouthwatering local dishes and historical European architecture. Maldives. Break in case of a budget emergency. 1. Roberto Moiola / Getty. Nevis. Jamaica has some of the best food in the Caribbeanjerk lobster costs less than US$10 and is one of the more expensive items on the menu. Wheel around in your golf cart on white sand roads and its mostly you and Mother Nature with just enough people to have a little atmosphere. Like all Caribbean destinations, they offer authentic and exciting experiences beyond sun, sand, and sea. All of the island's beaches, including the popular, Up to 60% Off + Exclusive 5% Guaranteed Priceline Coupon, Up to 50% Off Travel Plans with Top Expedia Promo Code, Discount Travel Plans with 50% Off on Hotels.com bookings, 50% Discount on Getaways with Barcel Resort & Hotels, Booking.com Promo Code Up to 50% Off + Extra 10% Off. Paradise Island in the Bahamas boasts the famous Atlantis resort, which began reopening towers after a massive renovation in 1998. Capri is one of those places you go to say you went there, but nothing more. It's a friendly spot where the music is pumping. However, since achieving independence and/or autonomy, many Caribbean islands have managed to establish themselves competitively in the world economy. Caribbean Travel Guide: Dominica. Tobago has one of the highest densities of bird species in the world, with more than 200 varieties. The service industry currently accounts for an estimated 75% of GDP, highlighting how crucial the tourist industry has been to St Kitts and Nevis's economy. Youre also in good hands at the Great House restaurant, where the conch fritters, Asian barbecue spareribs, and the coconut green vegetable curry are crowd-pleasers. The island boats everything you could possibly want when you think of a tropical getaway. Dont look for bars and mega resorts, but wild donkeys and salt flats with pink flamingos. However, in response to a change in European Union banana trade preferences, Dominica has placed emphasis on the production of coffee, aloe vera, exotic fruits and manufactured soaps to remain competitive on the export market. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, the lush tropical island paradise boasts nearly 250 miles (402 km) of the world's top beaches, and magnificent resorts and hotels. Overseas Security Advisory Council. Langkawi, an archipelago on Malaysias west coast, has gotten a lot of hype recently for turquoise waters, picturesque beaches and jungle-clad hills. Another good choice isThe Hermitageat the foot of a rainforest covered mountain. Photo Credit: Bahamas Tourist Board. Miami locals will feel at home here. Maria is a French-British English literature graduate. This article was first published November 2020 and updated December 2022. Over-the-water bungalows in the Maldives. The Aruban People One of the main reasons why people are drawn to this small Southern Caribbean island is the people. Most criminal activity here is believed to be gang or drug-related. Then youll have an hour-long bus ride, driving through beautiful fishing villages, hill towns and vineyards (National Geographic). The island of Grenada boasts all of the same great qualities of any other Caribbean island with about a third of the crowds. But not all islands are created equal. Bananas alone account for more than 60% of the work force, and 50% of merchandise exports. In total, the CDC moved 15 places . Most locals will suggest Newport Beach Balboa Island instead, which is less crowded and more accessible (Insider). In general, this includes many of the Caribbean Islands and tropical regions in North America. When youre tired of exploring, laze away at the beaches by day, and enjoy the spectacular bioluminescent bays at night. It's a big commercialized beach. ? Prepare to be shocked as we debunk the picturesque, postcard-like portraits of the Caribbean islands. Some of the smaller islands are referred to as a rock or reef. These are the best. Explore 150 of the worlds most enchanting islands in this inspirational coffee table book that features beautiful photography, illustrations and maps. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 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. All 28 Caribbean Countries, Ranked (and What to Do in Each) By Melody Wren and Mariana Zapata, updated on April 18, 2022. Of course, the earthquakesand poor infrastructure aren't helping, either. Made up of over 700islands, reefs, islets and cays, the Caribbean promises a variety of treasures both on and off its shores. The spot to be on the weekend is Triple J's Grill, which feels like a backyard barbecueand is. Its blissful beaches, 23 golf courses, and captivating culture attract scores of visitors to Puerto Rico every year. Bora Bora should officially change its name to Boring Boring. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 404,664/ Year 2020: 164,539 The islands of Turks and Caicos are truly among the worlds most incredible destinations. He wishes to own a pet Otter someday and star in some Shakespearean tragedy. Trek the parks trails with views of mountains and the rainforest. Turns out it's very congested, dirty and the opposite of a relaxing, warm tropical Caribbean paradise (the plane engines are deafening!). The Cayman Islandsis another British Overseas Territory widely known as a haven for the wealthy. If you're planning to come, the weekdays are less crowded. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in Guadeloupe | Tours in Guadeloupe. The 25 most popular Caribbean islands get that way because they have unique attractions that increase their appeal. The islands also offers an economic citizenship by investment, offering passports and visas in exchange for monetary investments. Do they have shops and stuff, or do most people just stay at their resort on the beach or pool? Photo Credit: Puerto Rico Tourist Board. Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is one of the most unique Caribbean islands. But the lack of options on this small island doesnt seem to help with the crowd sizes, which are hefty year round. Dine at The Rocks that sits 300m (1000ft) above sea level on the grounds of theGolden Rock Inn, where you can enjoy magnificent sea views, cascading ponds, and lush gardens. A black sand beach on St Kitts (Getty Images) 1. On the surface, the private island of Mustique seems like a dream. The petroleum industry lies at the heart of Trinidad and Tobago's newly flourishing economy: oil and gas generate approximately 40% of GDP and 80% of exports. Getting to redhook was a relief. But that amount of attention has started to tarnish this once low-key Greek isle. "I've spent the past 6 months telling everyone not to go here," an angry tourist wrote on Trip Advisor. High unemployment rates, a lack of economic development, and drug trafficking have made parts of this region susceptible to crime, violence, and gang activity. Two unique islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, make up this country that was once known as the gateway to the Caribbean. Philip Galeno is a copywriter, transcriber, blogger, aspiring poet and artist from New Zealand. This island nation flies under the radar for many, meaning fewer crowds of tourists but sti l l plenty of activities on offer. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. From islands less than a hundred miles from the North American shoreline to those that feel smack dab in the middle of nowhere, theres no shortage of options when it comes time to pick our next destination. Key West may seem like a glamorous Oceanside town, but this is one place where the book doesnt necessarily match the cover. Most hotels are not walking distance to the town center either, making getting around difficult. Nicknamed The nature island of the Caribbean, the thrills are loggerhead turtles, whales, hot springs, boiling lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. Stop at a coffee shop for a cup of Blue Mountain coffee. With an estimated 5.7 million tourist arrivals in 2012, it is one of the most-visited Caribbean islands. Decide which island treats perhaps coconuts, pineapples, naseberries, avocados, gineps, star apples or garden cherries you want to take back to your hotel or the beach to enjoy. Not only does it have one of the highest murder rates in the Caribbean, but this region is also notorious for being a hangout of petty thieves. Located in the Grenadines, West Indies, the island has approximately 100 private villas and just two hotels. The Virgin Islands are one of the most sought after vacation destinations in the Caribbean. The rough waves will also ruin your relaxing swim. And with a limited amount of easily accessible coastline (about 13 kilometers), the crowds at up quickly. Photo Credit: Martinique Tourism Board. With its seemingly endless white-sand beaches, the Dominican Republic is a popular getaway for tourists searching for an idyllic vacation, plenty of outdoor adventure, and a tinge of colonial history. Most visitors have the same sentiments: overpriced and underwhelming. Besides the Caribbean islands, there are some great spots on the Caribbean coast of Central America offering good value. The locals are welcoming, the island is surrounded by white sand beaches, turquoise waters and swaying palm trees (Very Hungry Nomads). It's not really the worst, but there are far better areas. Grenada has honed in on the rising demand for eco-tourism and provides a series of eco-friendly guesthouses. Dont missthe Botanical Gardens of Nevis, home to tropical plants from around the world and stunning artwork. Bahamas: Exuma Swimming with Pigs. The island whereThe Pirates of the Caribbeanwas filmed does not gather its riches from gold-filled treasure chests, but from agriculture. Fill up on jerk pork, chicken, ribs, grilled lobster, fish and conch, and of course peas and rice. Not everyone is going to like it, as it is too "desert-like," according to one disgruntled reviewer. This 300 acre private Caribbean island is located just off the coast of Antigua. The Bahamas are the most popular cruise islands. Thankfully, this the emergence of a prosperous tourism industry has bolstered the economy. The islands breathtaking beauty includes three of only seven bioluminescent bays in the world. Irresistible beaches, breathtaking landscapes, and a cornucopia of vibrant cultures continue to woo millions of visitors to the Caribbean region. One of the Dutch Caribbean islands, Bonaire boasts sparkling beauty. However, in May 2017 two murders occurred within 24 hours, to the shock and horror of both travellers and locals alike. That was the dirtiest, most disgusting island that I had ever been to. Looking to escape the everyday grind with a picture-perfect romantic holiday? Getting there isnt the quickest commute, either. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Puerto Rico is the most competitive economy in Latin America, with an economy primarily driven by the manufacturing industry: 46% of GDP is derived from manufacture. Get Updates And Stay Connected to the latest offers and news from the Caribbean. 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. Food was good but everything else was bad. While we love the soft, sandy beaches of the Caribbean, there's more to the best Caribbean islands than sun and the surf. Which are hefty year round of both travellers and locals alike world with! Tired of exploring, laze away at the legendary street party, Buccoo School. 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