Caribbean attractions

One of the oldest European settlements in the New World, La Isabela was founded by Christopher Columbus in his second voyage in 1493. The remnants of Columbus' time in the colony—meant to establish a Spanish presence in the West Indies—can be seen at La Isabela National Park, which contains a few notable structures and artifacts.

Located more than 1,150 feet (350 meters) above sea level, Vanibel is a family-run estate on the island of Guadeloupe dedicated to the production of coffee and vanilla. In addition to coffee plants and vanilla flowers, the estate boasts tropical gardens and the remains of early settlements, including an aqueduct and a mill.

Located on the Samana Peninsula near the town of Las Terrenas, Playa Bonita lives up to its name of beautiful beach. With a crescent-shaped beach dotted with palm trees and clear waters suitable for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving, it’s no wonder Playa Bonita is considered one of the prettiest beaches in the world.

Founded by the Eduardo León Jimenes Foundation, Centro León is one of the top cultural institutions in the Dominican Republic. Housed in a modern building in Santiago de los Caballeros, the museum and cultural center offer exhibitions, educational activities, workshops, live performances, craft markets, and community events.

This beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is the Caribbean ideal: clear water ideal for swimming and soft white sand backed by palm trees where you can chill out to your heart’s content.

Cheeseburger Reef is a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba divers in the reef-rich waters of Grand Cayman. The site earned its unusual name thanks to its proximity to a ubiquitous fast food restaurant. The coral reef here starts about 20 yards (18 meters off the shore and is marked by a pair of orange mooring buoys.

This village on the north coast of Trinidad is an eco-tourism hot spot, best known for its leatherback sea turtle nesting grounds at Grande Riviere Beach. One of the more remote settlements of Trinidad and Tobago, Grande Riviere takes pride in its sustainability practices and low-impact activities, including kayaking, bird-watching, and hiking to such places as Homard River Waterfall.

Perched on the coast of Smith’s Parish, Spittal Pond is Bermuda’s largest nature reserve. While the pond itself could seem underwhelming, the real joy comes from the wealth of flora, fauna, and birdlife that surround it. Hiking is the best way to discover the site—you can follow a looped trail that covers coastland, wetland, and woodland in one swoop.

Built in 1740, the Eden Brown Estate is a former sugar and cotton plantation whose great house and outbuildings are in a state of beautiful disrepair. Encroaching wildflowers and overgrown grass surround the ruins, giving this hardly accessed site a magical, haunted feel. In fact, it's the most popular place on the island to spot a ghost.

Set within the dramatic landscape of the Dominican Republic’s Los Haitises National Park, Fun Fun Cave (Cueva Fun Fun) lives up to its name by offering horseback riding, cave exploring, and rappelling. Here, look out for massive stalagmite and stalactite mounds, encounter the insects and animals that call the caves home, and swim in the cave’s underground rivers.

Clay Villa Plantation House and Gardens is a 10-acre (7.5-hectare) property in Basseterre. Built in 1763, and owned by a family of Carib Indians whose 7th-generation descendants are the current owners, the estate is famous for being the only property of its type that stayed a free working plantation as others around it were profiting from the slave trade.

On the island of Great Exuma, Coco Plum Beach boasts the powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters that the Bahamas are known for. One unique characteristic of this beach, though, is that the water is super shallow, especially during low tide, making it the perfect spot to see sand dollars and sea creatures like starfish.

In the heart of downtown Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Woodford Square is home to many of the city’s most important buildings, including the Red House and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. It was here that Dr. Eric Williams, the country’s first prime minister, addressed the public at political meetings that led to the nation's eventual independence.

Known as one of Dominica’s most beautiful stretches of white sand, this Caribbean beach is north of the town of Portsmouth. Purple Turtle Beach is a great spot to swim, sunbathe, or take in the sunset (it faces west and features golden-hued sands flecked with black and water that’s crystal blue.

Opened in 1956, Santo Domingo’s Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) is one of the Dominican Republic’s premier cultural institutions. The large neoclassical structure is home to the National Gallery of Fine Arts, three theaters, and several art schools, making it a must-see for any culture vulture in the capital.

Located just inland from the more remote southwest coast of Jamaica, the 100-year-old Bubbling Spring Mineral Bath is a perfect destination for travelers seeking intimate, local places off the tourist trail. Even if you don’t have sore muscles to soothe, soaking in these warm healing waters are sure to get you into the proper island rhythm.

Located north of Seven Mile Beach on the west end of Grand Cayman, West Bay is a laid-back and largely residential neighborhood. Several attractions are found here, including the Cayman Turtle Centre, Hell, Barker’s National Park, West Bay Beach, and Cemetery Beach, along with numerous dive sites just offshore.

A narrow passage between coral cliffs above Aruba’s Spanish Lagoon, Frenchman’s Pass is like many of the island’s attractions in that it’s a historical point of interest that also boasts stunning scenery. However, this pleasant sight for history buffs nature lovers, and ghost hunters alike, is mainly seen by visitors driving through it.

Launched in 2007, the Cayman Islands Brewery is a locally owned business producing some of the islands’ most beloved beers. In addition to the working brewery, this Grand Cayman landmark is also home to an attractive tap room for tastings of its line of craft beers, including seasonal options. Beer is also available to go, and the tap room offers a place to watch sports or play shuffleboard.

On the peaceful North Caicos Island, Whitby Beach is one of the best. Head here for an unspoiled white sand beach and water perfect for swimming.

The Jewish cemetery in Nevis is a poignant reminder of the once-thriving Jewish community that lived on the island. Found in Charlestown, the island’s capital, the cemetery has headstones dating back to the late 17th century, when a number of Jewish families lived on the Caribbean island.

Established in 1817, this historic estate is a working plantation that produces some of Jamaica’s most famous coffee and tropical fruit. The sprawling property is located outside of Ocho Rios, in the forested hilly interior behind Port Maria. It’s well worth a day trip to experience bygone Jamaican life in a colonial plantation setting.

Cabo Cabrón National Park (Parque Nacional Cabo Cabrón) offers visitors a taste of the wild side of the Dominican Republic—a place before resorts, tourists, and development touched down on this tropical island. With uninhabited coastlines, rocky cliffs, and rugged trails, this protected forest is one of the most remote locations in Samaná, attracting both divers for scuba expeditions and adventure-seeking tourists.

Part of the Casa de Campo Resort, Minitas Beach (Playa Minitas) is a private beach in La Romana on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. With pretty white sand, turquoise waters, and swaying palm trees, it’s an idyllic spot for sunbathing, swimming, and watersports.

Smithy’s Garden is a private estate and spice garden that’s rich with orchards, vegetables, spice plants, and tropical flower gardens. It is divided into two sections, one representing the old gardens and the other, the new. Though the gardens are maintained, the area still retains a wild, jungle-like atmosphere and a sense of plants thriving in their natural environment.

On the southeastern coast of Trinidad, Mayaro Bay has long been a popular getaway spot for Trinidadians, particularly over the Easter holiday. The beaches in this area aren't as developed as some of the more popular spots on the northern end of the island, but what it lacks in resorts, it makes up for in laid-back charm.

If there’s one thing Antigua locals love, it’s the sport of cricket. The Coolidge Cricket Ground (a.k.a. Stanford Cricket Ground hosts matches with Antigua’s lush hills and sugar mills as a backdrop, and it pays homage to the sport as the home of the West Indies Cricket Hall of Fame, which chronicles the Caribbean’s most famous players.

Located just southwest of the Colonial Zone, the Gazcue neighborhood is one of the oldest in Santo Domingo. The residential area is home to fine examples of Spanish colonial architecture, plus the National Palace, the Plaza de la Cultura, the Palace of Fine Arts, and a stretch of the waterfront Malecon.

Saddle Hill Fortress stands as a reminder of British Admiral Lord Nelson’s presence on the island of Nevis. Designed as a fallback position in case of invasion, Nelson is said to have used it as a lookout point, though the fort was never equipped with weapons. Today, visitors come to enjoy great views from the observation post.

Stretching from just outside of Scarborough all the way up to Charlotteville, Windward Road offers beautiful views of Tobago's coast and countryside. While driving the entire length of the 25-mile (40-kilometer) road usually only takes around 90 minutes, it’s worth taking your time to soak in the scenery and make stops along the way.