Caribbean attractions

Swaying palm trees, gentle azure waves, and dazzling white sands make Negril’s Seven Mile Beach a postcard-pretty classic. With a nearly permanent spot on myriad “best beaches in the world” lists, you won’t be alone in paradise—but with miles of beach and nearly every water sport available, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Overlooking the Plaza de España and the Ozama River, the Alcázar de Colón (Columbus Palace) was built in the early 1500s as the governor’s residence for Diego Columbus, Christopher’s son. Today, it’s one of the Colonial Zone’s most popular museums, and houses period furniture, artworks, and artifacts from the 16th century.

Floating along the White River in an inflatable tube or kayak is one of the most relaxing adventures you can share with friends and family in Jamaica. Close to Ocho Rios, the tranquil and warm waters of this secluded river flow slowly enough for all ages to soak up the beautiful tropical atmosphere.

As one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods, the lively streets of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial are filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Latin America. This tiny enclave is known for its traditional European-style architecture, well-kept parks, and cobblestone streets, with artistic nods to figures of the past.

Just off the western coast of Aruba, De Palm Island attracts visitors from the main island looking for an all-inclusive beach day. Reachable only by boat, De Pam Island has white-sand beaches, wild flamingoes, and vibrant coral reefs right along the shore. Travelers will also find a beachside resort, a children’s water park, and plenty of fun water sports and activities.

Arashi Beach, one of Aruba’s northernmost beaches, is a secluded spot popular with diehard divers and serious sunbathers alike. Arashi’s clear water, soft sandy bottom, and generally calm surf make it ideal for swimmers and snorkelers as well.

In the Dominican Republic's easternmost province of La Altagracia lies the city of Higuey. A busy, bustling area that has rapidly grown over recent years, Higuey is also home to some must-see historical and religious sites like the Basilica of Altagracia. Though the city may not have the footprint of neighboring Punta Cana, visitors can explore its charming streets, restaurants, and markets.

YS Falls comprises seven waterfalls on the YS River, located in St. Elizabeth Parish on the lush south coast of Jamaica. Often overshadowed by Dunn’s River Falls, YS is worth a visit for its more secluded location and the promise of a less-crowded experience of Jamaica’s natural beauty.

Located in the San Souci district of eastern Santo Domingo, the Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colón) is a massive concrete memorial to the famous explorer. Built in the shape of a cross and capable of projecting a bright cross-shaped beam that can be seen for miles, it also houses a mausoleum and museum.

Located at the top of St. Peter Mountain is the oldest, highest, and one of the most popular attractions on St. Thomas, the aptly named Mountain Top. Mountain Top features a massive duty free shop, a bar known for its banana daiquiris, and an observation deck that offers sweeping views over Magens Bay from 1,500 feet (457 meters.

Hip Strip, the lively stretch of Gloucester Avenue in Montego Bay, is the city’s most famed oceanfront strip. Framed by ocean views, beaches, cafés, bars, boutique shops, and local craft stalls, it blends Jamaica’s signature laid-back beach culture with unmistakable Caribbean energy. By day, stroll the colorful promenade and browse for souvenirs; by night, the strip comes alive with a bustling energy, featuring music, dining, and nightlife that capture Jamaica’s vibrant spirit.

For many years, Aruba’s natural bridge was a top tourist attraction on the island. The bridge sadly collapsed due to erosion in 2005. However, its ruins still remain, along with a smaller natural span known as “baby bridge.” The surrounding landscape is wild and beautiful, and the smaller bridge still attracts large numbers of tourists.

The evening fish fry is a much-loved tradition across many Caribbean islands, and Arawak Cay in Nassau, Bahamas, brings the custom to life. Find colorful huts selling fresh fish dishes, such as conch salad and lobster, along with vendors making tropical cocktails, and there’s often live music, too.

Known locally as Iguana Island, Little Water Cay emerges from the crystal clear waters just outside Providenciales. The tiny islet is ringed by white sandy beaches—a tranquil habitat for the endangered Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana, a charismatic green lizard endemic to the islands.

Dubbed simply “town” by Bermudians, Hamilton is the island of Bermuda’s capital and urban hub. It’s home to shops, banking centers, and nightlife, and it’s where quaintness and glamour mix; the gleaming white yachts of Hamilton Harbour provide a fun contrast to the toy-town, pastel buildings of Front Street. For those seeking Bermuda’s eccentric side, Hamilton is where it’s at.

“Luck” is the French name of this hill and military heritage site south of Castries in northwest Saint Lucia. Visitors will find the historic ruins of a former French military outpost overlooking the bay and the harbor below it. They will also find French and British burial sites and memorials for soldiers who met their unlucky ends in battles during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Green Grotto Caves are a labyrinth of limestone caves located in Falmouth, between the resort towns of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Once used as shelter by the native Arawak Indians, the caves have since been employed as a hiding place for smugglers and runaway enslaved people, before serving as the site of a nightclub. Now, they're a Jamaican attraction you can tour in the company of a local guide.

Laguna Grande is one of only three places in Puerto Rico where bioluminescent plankton is consistently found. During the day, this mangrove-lined lagoon in Fajardo looks like others along the tropical Puerto Rican coastline. But come nightfall, the bioluminescent pool glows fluorescent thanks to pyrodinium bahamense, microscopic plankton that thrive in its shallow Caribbean waters and glow when disturbed.

Built in the early 16th century, the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor (Catedral Primada de América) is the oldest Catholic cathedral in the New World. Located in the Colonial Zone, the cathedral is one of Santo Domingo’s most famous religious sites, and contains a large collection of woodcarving and religious artifacts.

St. Maarten’s longest beach has all the ingredients of a perfect Caribbean paradise: soft white sand, clear and calm turquoise water, and gently waving palms. Though located just behind the Princess Juliana Airport, Simpson Bay is surprisingly quiet and unpopulated.

Carlisle Bay is the stuff of tropical postcards: A crescent-shaped natural harbor where six shipwrecks lie beneath crystal-clear water. Soft sand and a vibrant beach scene make this a popular hangout, but the real attraction lies a bit farther out. The shipwrecks serve as artificial reefs alive with sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish, making the bay one of the most accessible—and fascinating—places to dive or snorkel on the island of Barbados.

Largely regarded as one of Jamaica’s best rum distilleries, the Appleton Estate has been producing the liquor since 1749. With its sprawling sugarcane plantations and facilities, the estate covers an 11,000-acre (4,452-hectare) plot and makes about 10 million liters of rum per year.

Overlooking the city of Nassau from its vantage point atop Bennett’s Hill, Fort Fincastle was built in 1793 to protect the island of New Providence from outside invaders. Much of the imposing building remains intact today. Visitors come to explore the fortifications and enjoy the view from the highest point in Nassau.

American novelist James A. Michener called Marigot Bay “the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean” for its dream-like appeal. Even on an island full of world-class beaches, this St. Lucia bay is a postcard-worthy stretch that offers small sandy coves, swaying palms, turquoise waters, and verdant green hillsides. It’s exactly the kind of tropical paradise that the writer described, especially thanks to the addition of high-end hotels and luxury yachts.

One of the largest shipwrecks in the Caribbean, the Antilla is a 400-foot German freighter that was scuttled by its own crew off the coast of Aruba at the start of WW II. The ship now rests on its port side, about 60 feet (18 meters) deep, in clear waters near Malmok Beach. The wreck has become a living reef—home to coral, sponges, and tropical fish—and one of Aruba’s most popular dive and snorkel sites.

Among the most popular attractions in Jamaica, this former home and recording studio of musician Bob Marley is now a museum. Visitors can see Marley’s gold and platinum records, personal items such as articles of clothing, and his favorite guitar still resting beside his bed. The location offers a glimpse into Marley’s life, with many rooms much as the singer left them (including bullet holes in the wall from a failed 1976 assassination attempt).

One of the best historical sites on Antigua, Nelson's Dockyard National Park has been at the center of Antiguan activity since the first settlers arrived in 500 BC. Today, the centerpiece of the park is the actual dockyard itself, originally developed as a base for the British Navy in 1725. It is now home to old ships and numerous historical artifacts.

Tiny Catalina Island (Isla Catalina), just 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) off the Dominican Republic’s mainland, is an idyllic sandy speck in the turquoise Caribbean waters. Known for its well-populated coral reefs, Catalina, not to be confused with the Catalina off the coast of Dana Point in southern California, is a peaceful respite for those looking to escape bustling Punta Cana and La Romana.

Aruba’s Palm Beach hosts many of the Caribbean island’s luxe high-rise hotels, which is no surprise, as these lovely two miles (3.2 kilometers) of sand are prime real estate. The beach hosts sunbathing vacationers, refreshment stands, and water sports booths. Two piers lined with restaurants and shops offer entertainment and some much-needed shade.

High above the sun-drenched beaches and bustling fray of Ocho Rios, the lush Konoko Falls and Park are filled with innumerable species of tropical flora and birds, and streams that tumble into gentle waterfalls. The excellent on-site museum traces the history and culture of Jamaica’s original inhabitants, the Tainos and Arawaks.