Caribbean attractions

Maho Bay, perched on St John’s northern shore, is named after the Maho tree, which you can identify by its heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers. The coconut palm-lined stretch of sand allures with its calm, shallow waters and a coral reef just offshore popular for snorkeling.

Trinidad and Tobago’s capital city boasts an immersive blend of history and culture, providing visitors with plenty of music, art, food, and tradition. Highlights of the town include the rolling 260 acres (105 hectares) of greenery and historic buildings found at Queen’s Park Savannah, as well as the city’s many artistic festivals and celebrations, including the world-famous Carnival.

One of the most biodiverse nature reserves in the Dominican Republic, Los Haitises National Park is home to endemic birdlife, unspoiled beaches, and mangrove forests. Visit to enjoy hiking and kayaking, as well as the chance to spot winged creatures such as pelicans and frigatebirds. The park also contains an extensive cave network, where you can see Taíno petroglyphs thought to be at least 500 years old.

Built in 1801 on an estate on top of Mount Fitzwilliam, Government House is often considered the best example of Georgian Colonial architecture in all of the West Indies. The mansion is painted a vibrant pink with a bright white trim (a nod to Nassau’s famous conch shells) and is the residence of the Governor-General of the Bahamas.

Located on the northwest shore of St. John and part of the Virgin Islands National Park, Honeymoon Beach is an idyllic tropical paradise of white sand, palm trees, and clear shallow waters. A concession offers cabana and chair rentals, amenities, and food and drinks, making for an easy and relaxing day on the beach.

Go deep into the wild nature of Jamaica with a drive through tropical Fern Gully. A towering tunnel of ferns and tropical overgrowth, this dense rain forest—full of spectacular falls, gorges, and plant life—is one of the most noteworthy attractions on the island.

Known for its rugged beauty, the uninhabited island of Tintamarre—part of the St. Martin Nature Reserve—is 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) off the northeast coast of St. Martin. A popular day trip, the island boasts historic ruins, large grassy fields of a former plantation, unspoiled beaches, and abundant wildlife.

Doctor’s Cave Beach is known for its postcard-perfect stretch of sand hugging the calm, turquoise waters of Montego Bay Marine Park. The beach’s history of tourism dates back to 1906, when it was founded as a private bathing club; then in the 1920s, it was made famous by a visiting English doctor who claimed the spring-fed waters had healing properties. Anchoring the lively Hip Strip, the beach draws swimmers, snorkelers, and sunseekers.

White sand and sparkling blue water make Flamenco Beach (Playa Flamenco) the perfect Caribbean snapshot. Tucked away on the island of Culebra, these soft sands and turquoise waters are perfect for both beach lounging and snorkeling adventures. Flamenco Beach is named for the flamingos that once roamed the island, although these days, you might not spot any of the pink-feathered fliers. But you can view a variety of marine life, including turtles, in Flamenco Beach's clear waters.

Named after Sir Francis Drake, who was said to have used the spot to look for enemy ships, Drake’s Seat was built in 1933 by Arthur Fairchild and offers one of the best views of St. Thomas. Located just minutes from Charlotte Amalie, it offers sweeping views of Magens Bay and the British Virgin Islands.

Once a sleepy fishing village, now a beach town, Bayahibe has maintained its laid-back vibe and distinctive Dominican flavor despite rapid development on other parts of the island. The walkable downtown area features a colorful collection of seafood restaurants and craft shops, while the beach is known for white sand and clear water.

Located on the eastern end of St. Thomas, Sapphire Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the island. Featuring stellar views and a long stretch of pretty white sand, it’s an ideal beach for relaxing and sunbathing, snorkeling, and a variety of water sports. Numerous amenities and rentals make for an easy and enjoyable day out.

The Chapel of Christ (Capilla del Cristo) is a small, 18th-century sanctuary tucked away at the end of a pedestrian street in a corner of the old walled city of San Juan. Built to commemorate what believers say was a miracle, the chapel has become a place to pray and leave offerings, which decorate the walls.

Located in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo, this 16th-century Spanish fortress is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. History buffs can explore Ozama Fort (Fortaleza Ozama)—which is the oldest European-style military building in the Americas—to learn about how the old-school castle once guarded the entrance to the Dominican Republic’s capital city.

Boca Catalina boasts unspoiled white sand beaches and calm, placid waters. The postcard-worthy scenery makes for pleasant sunbathing, while free public parasols offer some shade. Boca Catalina is also one of the best beaches for snorkeling. Here, you’ll see scores of fish, black coral structures, and more in the warm Caribbean.

The Black River is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica, flowing west for 33 miles (53 kilometers) until emptying into the Caribbean Sea near Negril. Travelers explore the river and its energetic YS Falls on inflatable tubes, canoes, or kayaks surrounded by lush green jungle and mangroves.

Powdery sand and swaying palm trees wrap a deep-blue cove at Magens Bay—and when cruise ships are in port, sunbathers fill the beautiful beach. But there’s more to the northside spot than its tropical scenery: Biodiverse mangrove swamps and networks of hiking trails lie just back from the sea, and active options for exploring the bay span swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking.

The tiny British Virgin Island of Jost Van Dyke is densely forested, with white-sand beaches tucked along the coastline. Private villas are scattered across the island, and the clear blue water is perfect for snorkeling, diving, or just floating. It’s become known as a bit of a party island, thanks to spots including Foxy's and the Soggy Dollar Bar, but there’s still plenty of peace and tranquility to be found.

For a gorgeous view of St. Kitts and neighboring island of Nevis, head up to the top of Timothy Hill, a popular lookout spot where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea at the island’s southeast peninsula. See Friar’s Bay and Frigate Bay below, alongside green gently sloping hills falling into the water below.

Grand Etang National Park preserves the nutmeg groves and tropical rain forest of Grenada’s central highland. At the park’s heart is the crater lake that gives the park its name, Grand Etang Lake. A network of walking trails meanders through the park, around the lake, and toward the coast—it’s Grenada’s most popular area for hiking and trekking.

Perched in the Jamaican mountains of St. Ann Parish, the birthplace of Bob Marley will be at the top of any fan’s bucket list. Also known as 9 Mile Reggae Land, Bob Marley's Nine Mile is the former home and final resting place of the singer. You can delve deeper into the life and legacy of the reggae icon on tours of the rural village.

Built under the orders of King Philip II of Spain, Fort San Felipe(Fortaleza San Felipe) has been guarding the waters off Puerto Plata for more than 450 years. It was designed to protect the town from pirates as well as European invaders and later served as a prison. Today visitors come to tour the ruins and to enjoy the sweeping sea views from its ramparts.

Reportedly the place where Christopher Columbus first set foot on Jamaican soil, Rio Bueno is a small village east of Montego Bay. People come to the area to take part in water sports on the river.

Named after the abolitionist hero who encouraged a nonviolent end to slavery, Sam Sharpe Square in downtown Montego Bay now serves as a point of interest to learn about Jamaica’s rich history, or simply to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere and some people-watching.

Despite its ominous name, Devil's Bridge National Park is a unique must-see, a natural arch carved by the sea out of the soft and hard limestone ledges of the cliffs along Antigua. As enormous breakers from the Atlantic repeatedly hit the rocks throughout the years, the ocean waters eventually eroded away a soft part of limestone to create a bridge-like arch.

According to legend, Bathsheba (wife of King David bathed in milk to keep her skin smooth and soft. Barbados locals say the white, frothy waters of Bathsheba Beach, named in her honor, have similar healing powers, making it a popular spot for tourists. The coast is also dotted with huge boulders broken off from the nearby coral reef.

Aloe is native to Aruba and thanks to its medicinal and restorative properties, aloe has become one of the leading exports of the island nation. Visit the Aruba Aloe Factory and Museum to learn about the history of the plant and its connection to Aruba, plus see facilities such as the cutting room, testing lab, and packaging of products.

The 44-acre (18-hectare) Pigeon Island is a nature reserve on St. Lucia's northern tip, where you can trace the island's colonial past, hike to Signal Peak for impressive views, or sunbathe on Pigeon Island Beach. As well as being one of the most beautiful spots in St. Lucia, the park is a historic site that holds both national landmark and national park status.

The white sands of Orient Bay Beach are no secret in St. Maarten. This clothing-optional spot is a top attraction in the area, and sun worshippers come for its views of the bay, clear water, snorkeling opportunities, and many beachside restaurants and bars.

Trunk Bay’s talc-soft sands, turquoise waters, and lush green backdrop make it one of the most photographed and most famous beaches on St. John Island. Just offshore of this earthly paradise, a marked-out underwater trail serves as a popular snorkeling spot, with information about coral formations and sea life. It’s a great activity for beginner snorkelers, kids, and older adults.