Whatever your reason for a getaway, these tropical islands, coasts and resorts in and around the Caribbean are top picks
Why do you travel? What’s the one thing that puts spring in your step weeks before departure, keeps you up late planning and provides pure pleasure? Golfing impossibly green fairways? Gourmet meals served surfside? Or is it going far enough off the beaten track that you’re not quite sure how to get back? Whatever your fancy, the Caribbean serves up a full measure of pleasure of all types if you know where to look. We’ve sorted some of our favorite destinations based on different vacation expectations. Here’s the short list.
Sunsets, while romantic anywhere, are just that much better when framed against sailboats and palm trees such as these in St. Lucia’s Marigot Bay Photo: Stephanie Rousseau/Shutterstock
Romance
The verdant, mountainous terrain of St. Lucia is pockmarked with hideaway boutiques and resorts that deliver magnificent views and evocative surroundings that are guaranteed to start sparks flying. St. Barts has that sexy French flair and laid-back attitude appropriate to paradise, and Puerto Rico surprises in this category with the historic charm of a 500-year-old city that holds its secrets close, as well as miles of indolent surf-washed beaches just begging for a blanket and a bottle of wine. Read the full article here: Best Caribbean Islands for Romance
Adventure
Strap on a headlamp to explore one of the world’s longest underground rivers; rope into a jungle canyon; or take a midnight paddle in a mangrove lagoon where the water litterateur glows. These are just a few of the itineraries that make Puerto Rico a favorite with adventure seekers looking to go beyond the usual beachfront scene. In Dominica, a challenging six-hour hike takes you to a boiling lake, while more than 110 miles of additional backcountry trails give access to some of the most pristine ecosystems in the Caribbean. St. Lucia, usually reserved for romance, serves up a healthy dollop of strenuous surprises that includes canopy tours, waterfall hikes and mineral mud soaks. Read the full article here: Best Caribbean Islands for Adventure
Local Foods
Wonderful Continental, American and fusion restaurants are scattered throughout the Caribbean, but when it comes to roots cooking, indigenous dishes you won’t find anywhere else, Jamaica, Cuba and Trinidad should be on your boarding card. Jamaica gave the world the spicy flavors of jerked meats, but the vegetarian beliefs of the Rastafarian culture yield a plethora of savory vegetarian options. Cuban cuisine has invaded South Florida, but a trip back to the roots still provides the most authentic eats. Trinidad blends African traditions with spices from the east, tempered by hints of European, Lebanese and Chinese influences. Read the full article here: Best Caribbean Islands for Local Food
Originally developed as a method of preservation, the distinctive spices of Jamaican jerk cooking have migrated from open pits to restaurants across the island and beyond. Photo: iStock
Fine Dining
Who wouldn’t want to work in the Caribbean? It’s no wonder so many world-class chefs have ended up plying their trade here. The competition is stiff, both at the upscale resorts and at stand-alone eateries where proprietors pour heart and soul into their offerings. The best in class goes to Grand Cayman for its variety of international cuisines, St. Martin for the best French cooking in the hemisphere and Martinique for its spicy blend of Old World traditions and New World French and Creole. Read the full article here: Best Caribbean Islands for Fine Dining
Water Sports
Given that they are surrounded by water, it’s not surprising that the islands of the Caribbean offer a wealth of activities on or under the ocean. But where you go depends on whether you’re a diver, surfer or fisherman. Lightly traveled South Caicos is the place for scuba; with deference to longtime favorites like Cayman and Roatan, the walls are phenomenal and few people have seen it. Cozumel, an old favorite for divers, is still a worldwide top 10, and there’s good fishing inshore and offshore. The Dominican Republic will satisfy everyone with world-class windsurfing, kiteboarding, great surfing, offshore fishing and even some diving. Read the full article here: Best Caribbean Islands for Water Sports
Flying Solo
The Caribbean markets itself is a place for couples, but what if you’re not part of a couple? There are places in the sun for you as well. Nassau, which is just a short hop from South Florida, attracts flocks of singles to its beaches and clubs. St. Thomas benefits from the battalions of cruisers who stop off in Charlotte Amalie, and is a favorite with New Yorkers looking for a weekend break that blends beach and nightlife. But the king of singledom is definitely Cancun, consider it party central and home to some of the most extravagant nightclubs in the Caribbean. Read the full article here: Best Caribbean Islands for Singles
Cancun nightlife is the hottest thing south of the border. From high-profile franchises such as Hard Rock Cafe to high-energy dance clubs like Coco Bongo, the party often goes till dawn. Photo: iStock
Family Time
When shade and a sand shovel are all that’s needed to amuse, most any beach in the Caribbean will suffice. But some destinations are just better at catering to families than others, especially when it comes to more active adolescents. Grand Cayman is high on that list, providing a safe atmosphere and a wide range of age-appropriate water activities that leave an impression. Jamaica and Aruba are both capitals of the all- inclusive resort, offering everything from nanny care to kids clubs and teen lounges, with accommodations that offer far more than just a spare rollaway bed for the younger generation. Read the full article here: Best Caribbean Islands for families
Music
Where would we be without reggae, rock steady and salsa? With its collision of cultures, the Caribbean has been a hotbed of musical innovation for centuries. Jamaica is the easiest place to access the latest and hottest, with major music festivals such as the Rebel Salute and Reggae Sumfest taking center stage each year. But for the pure joy of expression, Cuba is the place to go. Home to mambo, rumba and salsa, it is an island that pulses to a Caribbean beat. If Latin dance is your thing, there’s no better place than San Juan, Puerto Rico, where dance clubs heat up the night in Condado and Old San Juan. Read the full article here: Best Caribbean Islands for Music
Golf and Tennis
When your greens back home are frozen, head south for the sea of endless summer. The Dominican Republic takes top honors both for numbers and notoriety of its courses, and also offers ample court time to tennis enthusiasts. Puerto Rico also has legendary greens, from cliff-side courses to tournament tracks laid over rolling hills along with the largest tennis center in the region. The Brits transplanted their favorite game to Jamaica and grew a crop of well-loved historic courses along the island’s northern coastline. Read the full article here: Best Caribbean Islands for Golf and Tennis
With eight holes that play along the ocean, Punta Espada is one of the most scenic golf courses in the Dominican Republic, and also one of the top ranked in the Caribbean. Photo: Punta Espada Golf Club
