Caribbean attractions

Set along Montego Bay’s famous Hip Strip stretch along Gloucester Avenue, Doctor’s Cave Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Jamaica’s west coast. A jumping-off point to the pristine 15-acre (6-hectare) Montego Bay Marine Park, the beach offers easy and direct access to fun water-based activities.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A visit to Nine Mile, a sleepy town high in the Jamaican mountains of St. Ann Parish, is a must for die-hard Bob Marley fans. Home to the birthplace, house, and mausoleum of the legendary king of reggae, Nine Mile offers visitors insight into Bob Marley’s everyday life and his music, and a deeper understanding of his roots.

Thanks to its curving arc of white sand and its bright blue water, Magens Bay is St. Thomas’ most popular beach. The area is surrounded by forests and palm trees, and the bay offers calm waves for swimming and kayaking. For stunning views of the bay’s unusual rectangular shape and mile of beach, head to the nearby Mountain Top lookout.

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.

San Juan Bay sits in the heart of the city of San Juan, with plenty of sites, neighborhoods, and attractions along its shores. The most iconic spots are the pair of fortresses that face each other at the bay’s mouth. On the eastern side sits El Morro, and across the way, the Islas de Cabras National Park boasts the San Juan de la Cruz Fort.

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.

The 44-acre (18-hectare) Pigeon Island is a nature reserve on St. Lucia's northern tip, where travelers can trace the island's colonial past, and sunbathe and swim on its beaches. Not only one of the most beautiful spots in St. Lucia, the park is also one of the most historic sites in the Caribbean, holding both national landmark and national park status.

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

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.

Hidden in a lush Dominican Republic jungle, Damajagua Falls (27 Charcos) contain a series of 27 cascading waterfalls that only became popular with visitors in the 1990s. Located in the midst of sugarcane fields in the Northern Corridor mountain range, today the falls provide a natural water park where you can slide, splash, and jump into natural pools.

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.

Sculpted in stone, the Mediterranean-inspired village of Altos de Chavón showcases how the Dominican Republic might have looked in the 16th century. Built in 1976 by a team of local artisans, the La Romana village houses restaurants, shops, an archaeology museum, and a 5,000-seat amphitheater.

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.

Located just outside the city walls south of Old San Juan, the Paseo de la Princesa is one of the most pleasant and popular walks in the city. Dating back to 1853, the lovely pedestrian promenade is lined with trees, antique street lamps, benches, gardens, sculptures, and fountains, and offers wonderful views of San Juan Bay.

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.

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.