Caribbean attractions

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.

Built in 1660, the beautifully restored St. Nicholas Abbey, with its distinctive Dutch gables and red roof, is one of only three authentic Jacobean buildings in the western hemisphere. On this old sugarcane estate, you’ll find a working rum distillery and a museum depicting 18th-century plantation life on the island.

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.

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.

Deep in a sheltered gorge at the foot of the Pitons, the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens is part of the Soufriere Estate, one of the oldest and best-preserved estates on St. Lucia. The gardens sit at the edge of Sulphur Springs Park, and the rich volcanic soil nourishes an incredible collection of tropical plants and flowers.

Open exclusively to guests of the El Conquistador Resort, Palomino Island (also known as Isla Palominos) is a small island off of Puerto Rico’s eastern coast owned by the luxury property. Characterized by crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches outfitted with cabanas, water sports, and a bar and grill, the pristine private island offers guests a high-end beach experience.

Sitting in the middle of a coral reef encircled by sand and the waters of Leinster Bay, the tiny island of Waterlemon Cay off of St. John is a favorite among snorkelers. It’s home to a wealth of coral and marine life, which is why it ranks so high with travelers. From the Leinster Bay Trail on the north side of St. John, visitors can catch a view of Waterlemon Cay.

International travelers flying out of Montego Bay can enhance their airport experience with Club Mobay, a collection of VIP lounges designed to make travel smoother and more comfortable. Located inside Sangster International Airport, the lounges offer a calm alternative to crowded terminals, with fast-track services and ample seating. It’s the preferred choice for travelers who want to relax, refresh, and avoid long lines before a flight.

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.

Once a slave-holding sugar plantation, the 17th-century Romney Manor has been given new life as one of the island’s most beloved local crafts boutiques, Caribelle Batik. While here, make time to explore the grounds featuring gorgeous tropical botanical gardens and a host of ancient Carib petroglyphs on lava rocks.

Calle Las Damas is one of the most picturesque destinations in Santo Domingo’s historic neighborhood, known as the Colonial Zone. The cobblestone street—said to be the first ever in the New World—is lined with classic Spanish-style houses and beautiful European churches that are a nod to the city’s ancient past. It’s named for the ladies—including local dignitaries—who took evening strolls along the street each night.

Towering on the eastern edge of Old San Juan, Castillo San Cristobal is the largest fortification the Spanish ever built in the Americas. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is worth a half day on any Puerto Rico itinerary. Travelers come for the sweeping views of the Atlantic, the time-worn tunnels and dungeons, and to learn about the hundreds of years of Caribbean military history.

Coki Beach is considered St. Thomas’ party beach and is always full of families, revelers, and vendors. Snorkelers and scuba divers love the clear water and sea creatures here, while beach-goers enjoy the white sands, sunshine, and wandering vendors who offer drinks and snacks, souvenirs, sunscreen, and hair braiding.

The 19th-century Devon House is a Georgian-style home once owned by George Stiebel, Jamaica’s first black millionaire. Rooms furnished with Caribbean antiques still retain original features; highlights include an English chandelier in the ballroom. Located in Kingston, the 11-acre (4-hectare) estate now has shops, art boutiques, and cafés.

With panoramic views of the small island and the vast Caribbean, Shirley Heights is Antigua’s most popular lookout point. Visitors often go up for views of the sunset and stay for live music and drinks at the on-site bar and restaurant.

If you're looking for a quintessential Caribbean beach experience near San Juan, Piñones may be just the ticket. Here you'll find lovely beaches, a boardwalk, and bike rentals, plus plenty of vendors selling tasty local food.

Happy Bay Beach is a beautiful, small, and secluded stretch of sand on St. Martin’s northwest coast. Since it requires a short hike to reach the beach, crowds tend to go elsewhere. The secluded nature of the beach makes it popular with clothing-optional sunbathers.

Saint Martin / Sint Maarten is the smallest territory in the world to be peacefully divided by two distant powers. The border between the French side and the Dutch side along the island’s east coast is simply demarcated by the clear, calm waters of Oyster Pond, a protected cove with a pretty marina and a dock for ferries to Saint Barthelemy.

Smaller than its sibling isle St. Kitts, sleepy Nevis has a decidedly more elegant and old-fashioned vibe than its big sister’s capital city, Basseterre. Set on the western shore of the island, Charlestown’s charming narrow streets are lined with colorfully-painted 18th- and 19th-century Victorian and Georgian-style buildings.

Water Island officially joined the US Virgin Islands in 1996. The fourth and smallest isle of the four, it is by no means boring. At roughly 490 acres (200 hectares) and home to about 175 residents, Water Island is a less touristed destination in the island chain, offering idyllic beaches and lazy-day vibes.

Peaceful Scharloo started life as one of the many plantations in Curacao, but today, the region is home to villas and vibrant street art. Wander the quiet streets and admire the elaborate, baroque-style mansions that have earned the neighborhood a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

One of Arecibo’s most popular destinations, Cueva del Indio draws travelers to its beautiful caves high above the Puerto Rican countryside. The hike there is rigorous and involves navigating rocky ledges, but the amazing views—along with the chance to see ancient pre-Columbian rock paintings and carvings—make the effort worthwhile.

Set atop a steep volcanic hill overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Brimstone Hill Fortress is a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site and feat of engineering. Designed by the British and built by African slaves, the fortress was finished in 1790 after 100 years of construction. Though fitted with powerful cannons, the fortress fell after a month-long siege by the French.

Located in one of the Caribbean’s most photogenic natural harbors, Columbus Park at Discovery Bay is said to be the place where Christopher Columbus first landed in Jamaica in 1494. Now a lovely open-air museum, the park commemorates the island’s history with well-preserved artifacts and a killer view of the island’s north coast.

Samana Bay is the largest bay in the country, located in the northeast Dominican Republic, with the Samana Peninsula to the north and Los Haitises National Park along its southern shores. Known for migrating humpback whales in the winter, Samana Bay provides access to pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and Taino archeological sites.

The Barbados Wildlife Reserve, located on the island’s northern coast, is a 4-acre (1.6-hectare) area of mahogany forest that is home to a variety of native species. Visit to see a wide variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles, including deer, armadillos, iguanas, flamingos, peacocks, green monkeys, and agouti.

Just off the western shore of Bonaire, tucked into the crook of the main island’s natural crescent shape, sits the islet of Klein Bonaire ("Little Bonaire"). The uninhabited, low-lying island is about 1,500 acres (607 hectares) in size and only rises about 6 feet (1.8 meters) out of the water. The shallow reefs around the island are lush and pristine.

Located just off of the west coast of St. Martin, Pinel Island is a haven of white sand and clear water perfect for kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders, snorkelers, and those who want a tranquil escape from the modern world.

Divi Little Bay BeachResort is a secluded beach just outside Philipsburg on the western peninsula of St. Martin’s Great Bay. Postcard-pretty with soft, white sand and tranquil, turquoise water, the beach is popular spot for snorkeling and other watersports such as jet skiing, paddle boats, and parasailing.

On the Caribbean island of Antigua, Betty’s Hope is a former sugar plantation established by Sir Christopher Codrington in the 1600s. Now a museum and historic landmark, the site is dedicated to the memory and lives of the slaves who endured inhumane hardships on the island.