When looking for the cheapest airports in the Caribbean, fly into Santo Domingo via Las Amricas. West Indies, Spanish Indias Occidentales, French Indes Occidentales, Dutch West-Indi, crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles (3,200 km) long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north. Just remember that KN (Saint Kitts and Nevis) is on the west side of AB (Antigua and Barbuda), and BB (Barbados) is on the east side of VI (Saint Vincent and the . Bonairewhich forms the ABC Islands with Arubaand Curaaois a special municipality oftheNetherlands. It ranks the top ten richest Caribbean islands from lowest to highest. 5. Most hotels are not walking distance to the town center either, making getting around difficult. More than 50 countries across the world host Carnival, but it's in Latin America and the Caribbean that you will find its beating heart. The U.S. Department of State lists the dual-island country as a Level 1, meaning to exercise normal precautions. Here are the eight best places to visit in the Caribbean. Shopping is also a major attraction of the USVI, thanks to a $1,600 duty-free allowance. Thanks to an endless supply of bloggers and influencers flooding our social media feeds, practically anywhere in the world can look like the most luxurious place weve ever seen. Take an excursion to Long Cay, part of the Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park, a protected area full of ospreys, egrets, herons and more. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 356,470 / Year 2020: 1,085,920 Tourists from around the world are drawn to the mystique of Cuba, an island that boasts a pristine coastline, an abundance of parks, and several UNESCO natural reserves. The rough waves will also ruin your relaxing swim. According to the Security Advisory Council, do not travel to parts of Montego Bay and Kingston because there is a serious risk of crime. From the powdery white sand beaches to the radiant blue waters, youll marvel at the wonder of this magical archipelago. This British territory in the Leeward Islands is considered to be one of the safest Caribbean destinations, its biggest threat being the active Soufrire Hills volcano and hurricanes that roll in between June and November. TheBritish Virgin Islands(BVI) consist of Tortola (the largest and most inhabited island), Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, andmore than 50 smaller islands and cays. 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 year round. These 13 things to do in San Juan won't cost a thing. Located in the Caribbean about 65 kilometers off the northern coast of Honduras, this small island rose in popularity for those trying to strike a balance between backpacking and beach lounging. Morne Trois Pitons is an active volcano, one of nine in Dominica. One of the most popular is Captain Bills Blue Hole inBlue Holes National Park. With an estimated 5.7 million tourist arrivals in 2012, it is one of the most-visited Caribbean islands. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 824,461/ Year 2020: 415,749 Theres so much to do in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), from exhilarating adventures to tranquil relaxation and a host of activities in between. The Bahamas soars to the top of our list thanks to its prosperous tourism industry. These are the best Caribbean islands for boating. Exuma Island picked up some travel steam a few years ago thanks to its famous Pig Beach. Recently named the most incredible Italian island youve never heard of by National Geographic, Ischia may not be as popular as other Islands thanks to the lack of easy transport. But the lack of options on this small island doesnt seem to help with the crowd sizes, which are hefty year round. Dont look for bars and mega resorts, but wild donkeys and salt flats with pink flamingos. "Police won't do anything," a woman claimed on Trip Advisor as she was verbally assaulted on Magen's Bay beach. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 1,464,399 / Year 2020: 880,404 Jamaica remains the third most visited island in the Caribbean. No hurries, no worries, just relax its no wonder around 30 million people a year head to the Caribbean for a respite. EUGENIO CELEDON VIA FLICKR // CC BY-ND 2.0. The Caribbean Islands. Read on to find out why, and to learn more about this year's top 25 islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. And if youre looking to take in local culture, explore the capital city of St. George, which US News named the most beautiful harbor town in the Caribbean (US News Travel). 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. One Trip Advisor user felt when they went to restaurants, the attitude was drop three or four hundred dollars or leave quietly. Yikes. 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. In 2009 the island's economy was hit hard by the economic recession which decreased the number of visitors to the island but in past years tourism has picked up again: in 2013, it accounted for approximately 60% of GDP and 40% of investments. 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. Because of the multiple levels of altitude, the island also offers both skiing fields and beaches. The former French islands of Guadeloupe are a fascinating archipelago of 5 islands well known for their distinctive Creole culture, cuisine, and celebrations. Best Overall: Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth. This squid has a dull . The walks here aren't bad, you just have to remember that they drive on the left and to try to hug the shoulder. Planning tip: If after all that peace and solitude you want to liven things up a little, Negril is an hour away. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. It's a friendly spot where the music is pumping. These 30 islands can help you get away from it all with picturesque beaches and lush green foliage plus the brilliantly blue Caribbean Sea serving as your backdrop. Famous Maui Beach has also failed to live up to the hype, which has been described as boring and much smaller than expected (Trip Advisor). Even dining off the resort poses a problem, as most of the good restaurants have a strict reservation only policy. You'll have ample of beaches to explore with over 95 miles of coastline, stunning coral reefs and crystal blue waters. 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. 22, 2023, The Caribbean has long been known for its azure waters, tropical beaches and incredibly slow pace that makes finding peace and relaxation a breeze. However, visitors in recent years have complained of how overrated the small island has become. Soak up the sounds on a Sunday night at the legendary street party,Buccoo Sunday School in Buccoo. Larger than most Caribbean islands, both in terms of population and land mass, the Bahamas is reliant on tourism to drive its economy - with everything from budget-friendly hotels to luxe lodgings available. Grenada. Antigua. 28, 2023, Holly Johnson and Ann HensonFeb. 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. And if youre not willing to put in a little effort, this is definitely not a vacation youll enjoy. St Kitts. Almost all of the Caribbean islands are in the Caribbean Sea, with only a few in inland lakes. Currently, the island has the third largest stock exchange in the Caribbean region. Gross National Income (GNI) per capita varies from around US$800 to over US$30,000 and most countries rely primarily on tourism, while some on commodity exports. Compared to the island of St. John nearby, Tortola is peanuts. The island of Grenada boasts all of the same great qualities of any other Caribbean island with about a third of the crowds. However, in October of 2010, Hurricane Tomas battered many of St Lucia's banana crops which, once recovered, were then largely hit with black sigatokadisease. Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in Cuba | Tours in Cuba. If you do travel to the Dominican Republic, do not exhibit signs of wealth by wearing expensive jewelry. In this article we will explore all the pros and cons of living in the British Virgin Islands. Miami locals will feel at home here. With his expertise in the literary field and passion for the arts, he aims to give back to the community of like-minded individuals and introduce more people to the arts. Photo Credit: Martinique Tourism Board. But dont let filters and good angles fool you, many of these destinations may leave you underwhelmed. Roberto Moiola / Getty. 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 sandy beaches are generally wide and flat with waves meant for jumping and body surfing. 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. Stroll the beaches of Montego Bay by day and dance to the latest reggae music at one of the citys nightclubs. Photo Credit: Cuba Tourist Board. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. The snorkeling was amazing. Its exclusive west coast is where you'll find some of the best hotels, and best restaurants too - The Cliff and La Mer are both easily reached for a spot of lunch, although it's advisable to book in high season (February/March). Cuba offers an eclectic blend of old-world charm in its neoclassical and baroque architecture, mixed with post-modernist styles and natural landscapes. If you want to mix education and fun, St. Nicholas Abbey, one of the oldest distilleries in the Caribbean, is nearby. It ranked lowest among all Barbados nations in sexual assaults, shootings, and residential burglaries, too. Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is one of the most unique Caribbean islands. And if you need a break from all of that activity, the South Island hosts the countrys most significant wine-producing region (New Zealand Travel Insider). Surprisingly, these Caribbean destinations fall short of expectations, as evidenced by real (disappointed) tourist photos. Jumby Bay Island, Antigua and Barbuda. "Jamaica 2020 Crime & Safety Report." 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. For related lists, see below. What you will find plenty of on this 3.5-mile island inSt Vincent and the Grenadines, is boats, incredible ones at theSandy Lane Yacht Club. One of the Dutch Caribbean islands, Bonaire boasts sparkling beauty. Grenada has honed in on the rising demand for eco-tourism and provides a series of eco-friendly guesthouses. Sosua Beach only looks good in postcards; it's actually overrun by tourist shops according to Trip Advisor. Bonaire, one of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaao), doesnt get the buzz of the other two. Quite a turn off for tourists but it's true, Jamaica's assessment concluded with a level 2 crime warning (travelers should exercise increased caution). 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