Caribbean attractions

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.

Named Soggy Dollar from the wet bank notes used by its swim-in customers, this barefoot beach shack sits on a tucked-away cove on the island of Jost Van Dyke. Remote it may be, but its location has gifted it legendary status in the Virgin Islands, and it's popular with Tortola day-trippers who arrive by boat or yacht. Once there, kick back on White Bay beach, or indulge in the shack’s killer cocktails such as the signature rum-based Painkiller.

The island nation of Curacao has become synonymous with the liqueur it produces—as blue as the surrounding Caribbean waters—and the Curacao Liqueur Distillery is equally colorful. The distillery is housed within a 19th-century mansion named Landhuis Chobolobo, complete with bright yellow walls and green-trimmed shutters, where you can take guided tours to learn about the production of its famous Curacao liqueur.

Located between Puerto Plata’s resorts and the surf town of Cabarete in the Dominican Republic, Sosúa Beach (Playa Sosúa) 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.

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.

Once Bermuda’s naval base, the Royal Naval Dockyard’s modern day functions still revolve mainly around boats. While its principal activity is that of a cruise ship port, the huge 24-acre (nearly 10-hectare) historic area is so well developed that it’s unfair to call it a port alone. Today, “Dockyard” on Bermuda’s West End is home to a bustling waterfront development, complete with the Clocktower Mall, a craft market, Snorkel Park Beach, and the National Museum of Bermuda.

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 in the north of St. Lucia—it’s one of the largest and most popular beaches on the island. Here, you 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.

This waterfall site in Grenada has three separate falls to visit—from a 35-foot (10.6-meter) cascade near the entrance to two larger waterfalls that require a hike through a forest reserve. The first waterfall is accessible via a paved path with handrails. The natural pools make for a refreshing swim.

Located in the heart of Santo Domingo’s UNESCO–listed Colonial Zone, near the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, Columbus Park (Parque Colón) is one of the most popular squares in the city. Best known for its large central statue of Christopher Columbus, it offers a vibrant place to people-watch and enjoy a snack from a street vendor while you’re sightseeing.

Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum, and Mount Gay Distillery—founded in 1703—is the world’s oldest commercial rum distillery. Plan a visit to the Mount Gay Visitor Centre to go behind the scenes and learn about how rum is produced, and sample the drink that has shaped Barbados for more than three centuries. Cocktail workshops, tasting experiences, and lunch or dinner packages are all available.

Escape the bustle of Willemstad and head to one of Curacao’s prettiest stretches of coastline—with clear water, sandy shores, and a vibrant reef, it's the perfect place to while away the day. Kenepa Beach is composed of two beaches separated by a mile of rocky headland, which offers a great lookout spot. You can hop between the beaches or simply pick your favorite and settle down in the sun.

Bermuda boasts two lighthouses, but the one at Gibbs Hill is notable as the first of only a few in the world to be made from cast iron. Standing 354 feet (108 meters) above sea level on one of Bermuda’s highest hills, the sparkling white lighthouse was first lit in 1846 and automated in 1964, its light visible for miles out to sea.

Straddling the entire length of Philipsburg, Great Bay Beach is one of St. Maarten’s longest and widest beaches. Along its 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) stretch are lively beach bars, rum shacks, and street carts serving ice-cold beers and some of the capital’s best spots for dining and duty-free shopping.

One of the largest rivers in the Dominican Republic, the Chavón River (Rio Chavón) runs from the interior of the country to the Caribbean Sea near La Romana. The filming site of several famous movies—including Apocalypse Now, Rambo, and Jurassic Park—it’s a popular stop on tours or river cruises.

The 18th-century Morne Coubaril Estate in St. Lucia features the now restored original plantation house plus a replica of the worker’s village that showcases the plantation’s history of cotton, sugarcane, cocoa, and coffee production. Crops like coconuts, cassava, and manioc are still grown here via traditional methods and are used to make products. But the estate doesn’t just focus on history—it offers adventurous activities like ziplines and guided hikes.

In the middle of the Circus—a roundabout named after London’s Piccadilly Circus—in the center of Basseterre, the Berkeley Memorial is an ornate green tower built in 1883 in honor of Thomas Berkeley, a legislator and owner of several estates on St. Kitts. It has a drinking fountain at the bottom, and on the top is a clock with four faces.

The twin Trafalgar Falls—known as the Mother Falls (Mama) and Father Falls (Papa)—are a star attraction in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, an expansive and pristine UNESCO World Heritage Site on Dominica. Surrounded by thick rainforest vegetation, the falls cascade into pools at the base. Most visitors marvel at the falls from a viewing platform, which is easily accessible from the on-site visitor center. However, adventurous travellers may traverse a route of boulders to cool off in the pool at the base.

The biggest (and best) cruise port in St. Kitts and Nevis, Port Zante is both a world-class cruise port and a tourist attraction in its own right. Steps from the island nation’s historic capital, Basseterre, Port Zante is a shopping haven, a welcoming jumping-off point to explore the island, and a great spot to grab some food or a drink.

Often called Paradise Island, Cayo Paraiso is an uninhabited island off the Puerto Plata coast in the Dominican Republic. Dotted with rattan huts, this tiny stretch of sand on a coral reef is a popular stop on snorkeling and catamaran tours. Monte Cristi National Park is near Cayo Paraiso and is often included on island tours.

High above Charlotte Amalie is Skytsborg (“sky tower”), a round defensive tower built by the Danish in 1679 to watch for enemy ships which might attack Fort Christian and other harbor settlements. While there was a real pirate called Blackbeard (Edward Teach) who prowled nearby waters, his association with the site owes more to tradition than history. And anyway, who needs a history lesson when you have one of the great Caribbean views laid out before you. The visual feast encompasses dramatic green slopes, bobbing yachts, hulking cruise ships and outlying islands. Facilities at the site include a swimming pool and snack bar.

For a real taste of Bahamian culture, head to the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB) in Nassau. Housed in a classic 19th-century colonial-style building known as Villa Doyle in the center of town, the gallery displays paintings, sculptures, and other pieces by local artists from the 1850s to the present day.

The River Antoine Estate is home to the oldest rum distillery in Grenada, where the original owners began producing rum in 1785. Today's owners continue the tradition. Rum is a huge part of Grenadine culture and history and the distillery offers a glimpse (as well as a small taste into the production of one of the country’s most famous exports.

One of the top family-friendly attractions in the US Virgin Islands, Coral World Ocean Park features both indoor and outdoor observation areas showcasing the region’s diverse and abundant marine life—it’s essentially an aquarium, just a bit wilder. Highlights include sea lions and dolphins; a touch pool with hermit crabs, starfish, and sea cucumbers; and the 50,000-gallon (190,000-liter) Deep Reef Tank, home to moray eels, tarpon, and plenty of sharks.

With more than 3 miles (5 kilometers) of golden sand fringed with palm trees and clear turquoise waters, Pinney’s Beach is a stretch of classic Caribbean coastline just outside Charlestown on the island of Nevis. Visitors come to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and watch the world go by at one of the beach bars.

Looking out over Scarborough Bay in the southern part of Tobago, Fort King George is the city's most recognizable landmark. Built by the British in the 1770s, it fell into French hands towards the end of the 18th century. The British recaptured it in 1793, using it until the mid-1800s when a hurricane destroyed many of the fort’s 30 buildings. The fort has since been restored, and today offers insight into the island’s military history.

Spread out over 260 acres (110 hectares), Queen's Park Savannah is the largest green space in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Once part of a sugar estate, the park today is a popular spot for picnicking, hogging, and getting a bit of fresh air. Many annual Carnival events—including King and Queen shows—are also staged in the park.

Soaring over the mouth of St. Anna Bay, Curacao’s Queen Juliana Bridge offers unparalleled views of the colorful capital city of Willemstad and the blue Caribbean Sea. Opened in 1974, the bridge is known for its panoramic views of Willemstad’s historic neighborhoods and is a landmark of the island nation. You’ll see ships from around the world passing under the bridge.

Colorful Punda is in downtown Willemstad, where narrow colonial houses are painted in sweet candy shades. The historic district is an ideal spot to wander and see the sights and sounds of the island. From the street food vendors of the Old Market to the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas), the neighborhood is full of culture.

There’s a reason this pristine stretch of white sand has been rated one of the top beaches in the world. The scenic shores of Rincón Beach are some of the Dominican Republic’s most idyllic and captivating. And because of its limited accessibility, visitors say it’s not uncommon to have the crystal blue waters and open expanse of ocean all to yourself.