Caribbean attractions

Atlantis Paradise Island is a vast, ocean-themed resort located in the Bahamas. The resort comprises five different hotels, more than 40 restaurants (including several run by Michelin-starred chefs), nightclubs, luxury shopping, and the Aquaventure water park. Even if you’re not a resort guest, you can still enjoy some of the resort’s amenities, such as Dolphin Cay, with a day pass.

Curacao’s Shete Boka National Park offers rocky coastal views and wind-lashed landscapes bordering Christoffel National Park. There are beaches tucked away on the limestone coast, where three species of sea turtles lay their eggs. Scenic hiking trails wind across the cliff tops, offering sweeping coastal views. Boka means inlet in Papiamento, with Shete Boka standing for “seven inlets.”

Dominican amber is considered to be some of the finest and clearest in the world. Housed in a Victorian-era mansion that once belonged to a wealthy local family, Puerto Plata’s Amber Museum (Museo Del Ámbar) has an extensive collection of the semi-precious gemstone.

Secluded Baie RougeBeach—set between two rocky bluffs in the lowlands along the west coast of St. Martin—is one of island’s most beautiful beaches. Its name hints at what makes it special: sparkling pink sands and red-hued rock formations, although the beach bar and a cave flooded with seawater, Devil’s Hole, also hold appeal.

UNESCO World Heritage-listed Morne Trois Pitons National Park surrounds Dominica’s second highest mountain, Morne Trois Pitons. The lush 16,936-acre (6,857-hectare) park protects six vegetation zones, from low-lying woodlands to mature rainforest, and is home to the giant guinea pig known as the agouti, along with bats, frogs, parrots and hummingbirds.

In the central highlands of Grenada, Grand Etang Lake was formed in the natural crater of one of the island’s extinct volcanoes. Multiple waterfalls and creeks flow into the 20-foot-deep (6-meter-deep) lake, now filled with bright blue water, creating a tropical landscape at the center of Grenada’s national park.

Charming George Town is the Caymans Islands’ capital, situated on Grand Cayman in the British West Indies. As well as being a major offshore banking hub, George Town is a popular port for cruise ships, thanks to its laid-back and colorful Caribbean vibe—and the some of the Cayman Islands’ most glorious beaches.

Located on the British Virgin Island of Virgin Gorda, The Baths is nature’s answer to a water park. Formed over millennia of geologic activity, this unique wonder comprises towering granite boulders that protect clear-blue pools and create tiny, private caves. The Baths is a popular spot for visitors looking to find respite from the hot tropical sun in shady caverns, wade through warm water, or bask on soft, white sand.

Also known as Ocho Rios Bay Beach, busy bayside Turtle Beach is just off Main Street, and is the main beach of Ocho Rios. Despite its proximity to the cruise ship port, the crescent-shaped sandy stretch is clean, and the crowd is mostly locals with a smattering of travelers who come for a release from the ship to kayak and jet-ski.

As you explore Willemstad, you’ll cross the Queen Emma Bridge, which connects the colorful neighborhoods of Punda and Otrobanda. It offers views of the candy-colored buildings lining the waterfront, where you can find quaint cafes with outdoor seating. Don’t forget to strike a pose—this pedestrian-only swing bridge is the perfect spot to capture memories.

Discover the Dominican Republic’s deep roots at the Museum of the Royal Houses (Museo de las Casas Reales) in Santo Domingo. These two 16th-century structures—the South and North buildings—were designed to house the Spanish-appointed governor’s royal court, offices for the justice tribunal and treasury, and living quarters for military captains.

Considered one of the finest outlooks in Barbados, Cherry Tree Hill is a viewpoint near the St. Nicholas Abbey estate in the island’s northern corner. From here, 850 feet (259 meters) above sea level, visitors gaze southward over Barbados’ Scotland District and eastern shores, admiring sandy beaches, mountains, and sugarcane fields.

The dormant La Soufrière volcano (also known as the Qualibou caldera), is described as “the world’s only drive-in volcano.” It’s home to Sulphur Springs Park, the most active geothermal area in the Lesser Antilles, where tourists and locals alike who come to bathe in natural hot springs and enjoy the health benefits of the mineral-rich volcanic mud.

Yachties, Caribbean sailors, and thirsty tourists are a regular fixture at the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost van Dyke, one of the British Virgin Islands. This legendary bar is reputed as the birthplace of the BVI’s signature cocktail, the Painkiller, a rum drink made with pineapple and orange juices. The bar’s name purportedly comes from the sailors who would swim to shore and purchase drinks with wet bills.

St. Maarten has plenty of upscale shops, but travelers itching for a more authentic experience head to this weekend market in the French capital of Marigot. Anguilla fishermen arrive early with their hauls in colorful boats, joined later by fruit and vegetable sellers as well as spice vendors, filling the air with tropical aromas.

Meads Bay is a strip of classic white Caribbean sand washed by bright turquoise water and lined with upscale resorts and restaurants.

Located in Westmoreland parish, Mayfield Falls is a series of 21 mostly small cascades and natural pools along the Mayfield River. Surrounded by lush jungle, the falls are an ideal outdoor water playground and include underwater caves, natural jacuzzis, and two waterfalls large enough for visitors to go behind.

Located between Puerto Plata’s resorts and the surf town of Cabarete in the Dominican Republic, Sosúa Beach(Playa Sosua) is a pristine stretch of sand famous for excellent diving and snorkeling. With white sand fringed with trees and calm waters ideal for swimming, it’s a relaxing spot popular with families and day-trippers.

Established in 1979, Bonaire National Marine Park displays the biodiversity of Caribbean coral reefs in all of their richness and vibrancy. The park offers 6,700 acres (2,700 hectares) of reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves and is home to rare species such as the green sea turtles and queen conch.

Famous for its golden sands, the Bahamas' Cable Beach is a popular water sports and lolling destination for visitors to New Providence Island. This 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) stretch of idyllic beach is home to several massive resorts—including the Atlantis on nearby Paradise Island—each with their own claim staked in the sand.

As Tobago's capital city and economic hub, Scarborough is home to just over 17,000 people—around one-third of the island's population. Europeans settled it in the middle of the 17th century, and many colonial relics, including Fort King George, one of the most popular tourist attractions in town, remain in Scarborough to this day.

Located on the north coast of Trinidad, Maracas Bay is an idyllic white sand beach, complete with rolling turquoise waves and swaying palm trees. After a scenic mountain drive through the rain forest, you’ll arrive at these sandy shores, which are protected by a deep bay, perfect for an afternoon lazing on the beach.

Considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the Dominican Republic, the National Palace was designed in the Neoclassical style. Built in the 1940s under the brutal reign of dictator Rafael Trujillo, the ornate and expansive building houses the offices of the President and Vice President and is a functioning seat of government.

Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum, and Mount Gay Distillery—founded in 1703—is the world’s oldest commercial rum distillery. For three centuries, residents and visiting sailors have sipped its sweet golden nectar. Learn how rum is made at Mount Gay Visitor Centre, and taste the drink that shaped Barbados.

Bioluminescent Bay (Mosquito Bay) is one of Puerto Rico’s three bioluminescent bays, but this bay shines by far the brightest—it’s even hailed as the best place to witness the phenomenon in the world. Located on the island of Vieques, the coastal spot is a popular destination for nighttime boat tours as the water is illuminated by microorganisms that glow when touched. You just have to dive in and watch the underwater light show unfold.

Located along the southeastern shore of St. Thomas, Secret Harbour Beach Resort is set in a secluded cove in Nazareth Bay. Featuring a pretty white sand beach and crystalline waters, it’s a popular spot for sunbathing, snorkeling, and other water sports, such as scuba diving, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

Cross jungle paths, orchid gardens, and wooden bridges to discover the Hoyo Azul (aka the Blue Hole), a cenote with crystal-clear turquoise waters in Cap Cana’s Scape Park. Jumping into the fresh waters of the natural lagoon is just one of the adventures you can have at this theme park, alongside exploring caves and waterfalls, ziplining, and enjoying all-terrain-vehicle rides.

Hidden among Aruba’s white sand beaches and tropical waters lies the Guadirikiri Cave network of underground tunnels, filled with centuries-old rock formations. Stalagmites and stalactites (along with plenty of fruit bats) sit quietly in two dark, damp, dome-shaped chambers. Light passes into the cave only through holes in the ceiling.

Home to thousands of native and migrant birds, the family-owned Rocklands Bird Sanctuary in the hills of Montego Bay is a haven for feathered friends and a memorable way to spend a few hours. Set within a garden paradise, the sanctuary is a peaceful setting where a spectacular array of birds allow visitors to feed them by hand.

Reduit Beach is an inviting stretch of sugar-soft sand along Rodney Bay, and it’s one of the largest and most popular beaches in St. Lucia. Visitors can sunbathe, swim, take part in watersports, and enjoy the convenience and amenities of the nearby town. Plus, catch views of the verdant peaks of Pigeon Island National Park from across the bay.