Tourists lucky enough to be searching for the best Caribbean vacation spots have a host of destinations from which to choose. With dozens of popular Caribbean destinations—all of which boast rich cultural and gastronomic experiences—you really can’t go wrong no matter where you vacation in the Caribbean.
Whether you’re searching for picture-perfect beaches, wellness retreats, or stunning natural landscapes, there’s a Caribbean island spot for you. To get you started, we’ve handpicked the following destinations—each of which offers something unique.
1. British Virgin Islands
Best for: Island Hopping
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) boast azure waters, lush green landscapes, and sumptuous cuisine across the four main islands—Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda—and all the other smaller islands, around 40 in total.
If you don’t want to commit to only one, take a public ferry or private catamaran to hop from island to island and appreciate the diverse cultures and paradise beaches on each one. This is also a wonderful way to explore the best hiking spots in BVI that encompass the rolling hills and tropical forests on the islands. A rum cocktail and some fish caught in the Caribbean Sea is the ideal way to round out the day after an invigorating and scenic hike.
Featured Hotel in the British Virgin Islands: The Aerial, BVI
The Aerial, BVI, our all-inclusive private island resort, offers transformative experiences for guests who are seeking a life-changing Caribbean getaway. The island lies just a short distance by boat from the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport and offers you the chance to combine your paradise Caribbean vacation with a healing and mindful experience.
All-Inclusive Stay
The island can be rented in its entirety for up to 34 guests, but individuals and couples are also welcomed with open arms if they want to come for an all-inclusive stay at The Aerial, BVI. Take part in activities like yoga, watersports, or cooking classes. Alternatively, start your healing journey with guided wellness activities like hippotherapy (a type of horse-assisted therapy), spa treatments, mindfulness, and beach workout sessions.
Reconnect with Nature
The feeling of well-being at The Aerial, BVI extends to the resort’s natural surroundings. Listen to the soft sound of the waves, enjoy locally sourced products, take part in activities that give back to the community, and feel the wellness that reconnecting with nature brings.
2. St. Lucia
Best for: Romance and Action
The Caribbean is a classic spot for newlyweds on their honeymoon, but St. Lucia could be the most romantic of all. Sunset cruises, private dining experiences, infinity pools, and picture-perfect cascading waterfalls set up the perfect romantic trip for couples. Many tours also accommodate unforgettable moments like proposals, weddings, and other special occasions.
For adventurous couples, families, and thrillseekers, St. Lucia offers the ideal backdrop for activities to get your adrenaline pumping. Experience the exhilarating zip lines that cross the island’s tropical rainforest, hike the Piton mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or experience the mud baths in Sulphur Springs within the island’s dormant Qualibou volcano.
St. Lucia earns its spot as one of the most well-known and celebrated of the Caribbean islands and offers a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience for couples and families alike.
3. Anguilla
Best for: Paradise Beaches
Giving the accolade of best beaches is a compliment indeed in a region so characterized by its beautiful beaches. With perfectly crystal-clear, blue waters and powdery white sands, Anguilla’s beaches are rarely overcrowded and there are an incredible 33 paradise beaches to choose from.
But Anguilla doesn’t only offer beaches. The vibrant culinary scene on the island makes Anguilla a unique and memorable gastronomic delight, with no chain restaurants on the whole island. Try the mouthwatering fish or seafood prepared in the small, family-run businesses scattering the island.
4. Dominica
Best for: Diving
Sea swimming and snorkeling were found to be significantly associated with better mental well-being in a 2023 study, concluding that interaction with blue spaces can benefit mental health. Luckily, the Caribbean offers the perfect backdrop for swimming, snorkeling, and diving both for beginners and professionals.
Diving enthusiasts will find a haven in Dominica, one of the very best diving spots in the world. Enjoy the rainbow-colored seascape at Champagne Reef, so named because of the bubbling waters created by the volcanic thermal springs on the ocean floor. This special reef also takes in cliffs, enormous volcanic formations, and even the remains of a Spanish shipwreck dating back to the 17th century.
You don’t need to be a professional or even a seasoned diver in Dominica. Its very gentle current is suited to all skill levels and divers can appreciate underwater marvels from just 20 feet below the surface right down to a whopping 1500-foot depth.
Not keen on going underwater with a tank of compressed air? Dominica is also a perfect spot for snorkeling.
5. Grenada
Best for: Stunning Natural Beauty
If the word “paradise” makes you think of graceful waterfalls, tropical rainforests, hot springs, and powder-sand beaches, then Grenada is your little slice of heaven. Grenada’s breathtaking beauty is spread across three main islands: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique. These hill islands boast magnificent land and seascapes as well as nine black-sand beaches!
Top-class diving and snorkeling can be found off Grenada’s turquoise shores. Nature and wildlife lovers will also be charmed by the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that extend across the islands and promote ethical ecotourism. Visit the world-famous Grand Anse Beach, take in the natural beauty with a relaxing hike, or explore the parks and reserves and try to spot some of the local wildlife.
6. Puerto Rico
Best for: History and culture
Puerto Rico offers an energetic and fascinating blend of Hispanic, Caribbean, African, and American culture and history. Start in the capital, the colonial San Juan, the second oldest European-founded city in the Americas. The old town is lined with cobblestone streets, colorful Spanish colonial-style buildings, trendy bars, boutique shipping, and an electric nightlife.
Puerto Rico’s eclectic history also leaves a mark on the vibrant culture you can experience now. Hundreds of thousands of Africans came to Puerto Rico through forced migration throughout the colonial era. Their contributions to the island’s pulsing culture, art, cuisine, and music are still apparent. Visit Loíza and enjoy the rich artwork, traditional music, and dance workshops.
The Best of the Rest
The Caribbean offers something for everyone, and with so many islands to choose from it can be difficult to know where to start. The good news is that the Caribbean is always waiting for you to come back!
In addition to our top seven featured destinations, these islands also offer an unforgettable Caribbean experience:
7. Antigua
Antigua and Barbuda, the Twin Islands, offer breathtaking tropical hillside vistas and perfect paradise beaches. While Half Moon Bay consistently receives accolades as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Antigua’s charm doesn’t end there. Well worth a visit.
8. Turks and Caicos
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a haven for watersports enthusiasts. Divers and snorkelers can see the gorgeous reefs and marine parks as well as turtles and nurse sharks. More experienced divers will relish the chance to see octopuses, eagle rays, and barrel sponges in the West Caicos Marine National Park.
9. Cayman Islands
While most tourists visit the Cayman Islands as a part of a cruise, the Cayman Islands also offer wonderful all-inclusive options if you want to stay. The world-famous Seven Mile Beach is a perfect backdrop to a destination that offers pure luxury.
10. ABC Islands
The ABC Islands include Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. You can choose just one to visit or island-hop between the three. You’ll find a well-established tourist circuit taking in the wonderful beaches in Aruba, whereas Bonaire offers an experience based around nature and its coral reefs. You’ll find a diverse blend of Dutch, Latin American, and Asian cultures in Curaçao.
Refresh Yourself With the Cultures and Beauty of the Caribbean
The Caribbean is unparalleled in its offer of idyllic seascapes, tropical weather, and delectable cuisine. With so many islands and island groups from which to choose, you’ll find that there’s a destination to match every vacationer’s goals and dreams.
For the most satisfying trip, decide on a goal for your Caribbean vacation before you go (wellness, adventure, romance, etc.) and look for a destination that has tailored packages to match. You are sure to leave the experience with a renewed sense of purpose and unforgettable memories to accompany you as you return, refreshed, to your everyday life.