Sun, sand, and plenty of fun and adventure – there’s nothing quite like a Caribbean escape. Whether hitting some world-class golf courses, grabbing a rod and reel for some sport fishing, or simply knocking back a cocktail and hitting the beach, visiting one of these Caribbean Islands is the perfect way to relax.
Visit These Caribbean Islands Today!
While there are plenty of obvious choices – the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, and Dominican Republic, to name just a few – some bold travelers may want to get off the beaten path a bit. Here’s a look at a few Caribbean islands that may not be on the typical itinerary but will make for quite a memorable experience.
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Vieques
Puerto Rico has a lot going for it – friendly people, deep Spanish colonial history, exquisite beaches, a tropical rainforest, and much more. But head just seven miles off the coast to the east for a real treat on this island. At just 134 square miles, Vieques is much more quaint than the bustling mainland. The island has qualities that may seem mystical to some travelers, intoxicating them.
Grab a Medalla, Puerto Rico’s national beer, while chilling out at one of the island’s numerous white sand beaches. But for something even more unique, head to Playa Negra (Black Sand Beach) on the southern coast for a truly memorable experience. Some of the island’s mountains are volcanic, with black sand trickling down during heavy rains to make for some truly brilliant raven-colored beaches.
For more adventure, rent a set of wheels to tour through the jungle where you’ll find wild horses and eerie bomb shelters and bunkers. The island was once a military base, and there are still remnants scattered throughout the countryside that may make visitors feel like they’re in an episode of Lost. Another otherworldly treat? Take a night-time dip in Mosquito Bay’s bioluminescent waters to see the blue glow of a species of phytoplankton. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and brings to mind the real mysteries of nature.
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Guadeloupe
Since debuting in 2011, the BBC television show Death in Paradise has been a hit around the world, and this amazing island has played a big part in that success (the show runs during the cold winter months in the UK). The fish-out-of-water show features a British detective sent to work on the fictional island paradise of Saint Marie. The action is filmed on Guadeloupe, a French island located in the southern Caribbean.
It’s easy to see why the show’s producers would choose this as the perfect spot to film. The isle is a true paradise, with beautiful beaches, crystal-blue waters, a great diving scene, and so much more. Looking for adventure? Trek through the jungle to check out Amerindian petroglyphs from the pre-Columbian period or kayak through mangrove waters.
Putting in 18 holes in these amazing tropical surroundings is always an option as well. A big fan of Death in Paradise? Live like the inspector for a bit – without the murders – and check out some of the popular filming locations. End the day with a nice tropical drink and maybe a cigar, letting those everyday concerns melt away.
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Trinidad
Head to the far southern Caribbean just off the coast of Venezuela for this island that may not be on the radar of every American traveler. Visitors will find distinctive Creole traditions and food on an island that also boasts a solid economy driven by petroleum and petrochemicals, not just tourism, as seen on other islands.
That doesn’t mean Trinidad isn’t worth adding to the travel itinerary. Music lovers will want to book a trip during Carnival (held on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), when the island comes alive with colorful dancing, parades, and plenty of calypso and soca music. Along with being the birthplace of those two styles, Trinidad also gave the world steelpan music and the limbo. Get out of your comfort zone and jump in on the fun of the annual festival.
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Other options to complete the trip? Get a first-hand look at the island’s past at Fort King George or head out for some hiking and a dip in the lagoon located under the Avocat Waterfall. A tour of the 200-year-old Angostura rum factory is also worth the trip (don’t forget some sampling). Trinidad offers another unique beach and cuisine experience. Take the trip to Maracas Beach in the north for a laid-back day of sand and sea that also features a one-of-a-kind meal. The area is known for hosting numerous “bake and shark” stands. This is a traditional Trinidadian dish made of fried flatbread and shark meat. It’s delicious and well worth the trip. Andrew Zimmern even sampled some on the Travel Channel show Bizarre Foods – yum!
Bastimentos Island
This island, just off the east coast of Panama, is part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago and beckons visitors with pristine beaches and plenty of activities to put on the agenda. The island is about 24 square miles and populated by only about 2,000 people, making it a truly remote and relaxing getaway.
Red Frog Beach offers real seclusion when the need for sun and swimming arises. The white sands and turquoise waters are perfectly backdropped by a lush green jungle – a virtual Corona commercial in real life. The location is named after the strawberry poison-dart frogs that inhabit the nearby forest. Grab a cocktail at one of the beachside bars to make the experience even better.
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For even more aquatic wonders, take the short trip to Coral Cay for some of the best snorkeling in the region. You’ll experience a melange of colors and creatures – and hope that the trip could last a little longer.
Bonaire
Clear-blue waters, white sand, and a little of the Netherlands right in the southern Caribbean. That’s what visitors get on a trip to the “A-B-C islands” – Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. These Dutch islands offer year-round sunshine and plenty of fun. Bonaire is the least visited of these three Caribbean islands, as well as the smallest and least populated. That means some real escapism for those looking to get away from the crowds.
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But visitors certainly won’t be disappointed. You may find a more laid-back vibe than Bonaire’s sister islands. Nature lovers will particularly enjoy the trip – with coral reefs great for scuba diving and snorkeling, as the entire island is completely surrounded by a marine park. A great dive spot seems to be around every bend. Or hop on one of the island’s mangrove kayak tours where the crystal-clear waters allow paddlers to see right to the bottom. Other adventurous options include underwater cave tours, land-sailing excursions, saltwater fishing, kitesurfing lessons, and more.
For a more relaxing afternoon, book a catamaran trip and sip a glass of wine or an ice-cold beer. A nice walkabout allows visitors to check out some of the colorful Dutch architecture, set against world-class beaches. Something else worth checking out? The island is home to a large population of wild donkeys, which were first brought to Bonaire by the Spanish in the 16th century. They still stroll around the island, and the Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire currently cares for more than 800 that have been sick, injured, and orphaned. That’s certainly not your average Caribbean getaway experience.
