Are you thinking about going on vacation to the Caribbean (or maybe spending a longer time there!) and still can’t decide on the best destination? Here’s a list of the best Caribbean islands to visit, in this post co-written with several other travel bloggers, where we share, from our own experience, what makes each of these islands special and why we love them so much.
Because honestly, if you want to travel and disconnect, there’s nothing quite like the Caribbean: year-round sunshine, turquoise waters, friendly and cheerful people, color everywhere you look, and a variety of landscapes ranging from volcanoes, caves, and waterfalls to cenotes and natural pools.
Here’s my list of the best Caribbean islands to visit, which I’m sure you’ll love:
Curaçao
➡️Best Caribbean island for colorful charm + calm beaches 🌈
One of the most beautiful and best Caribbean islands to visit, and my favorite one, is without a doubt Curaçao, a territory that belongs to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as it was formerly a Dutch colony.
Because of this, the island is an interesting mix of Dutch and Creole cultures, something you can clearly see in the old buildings downtown, which feature classic Dutch architecture painted in bright, colorful Caribbean tones.
One of the best things to do in Curaçao is to explore its colorful historic center, admire its murals, and walk around the floating market with boats that arrive carrying goods from Venezuela (which is really close by).
Beyond its beautiful city center, there are also stunning beaches in Curaçao with coral reefs, offering great opportunities for snorkeling and diving. I’ve seen beautiful fish of all shapes, sea snakes, and even eels (and even dolphins from the shore!).
If you love nature, you can also spot flamingos on the island or visit beaches where you can see sea turtles. There are also national parks like Shete Boka National Park, where you can even see turtles nesting.
Curaçao also has excellent restaurants (it’s actually a great destination for foodies), both international and local, many of them with beautiful views over the cliffs (and often surrounded by iguanas too, unavoidable companions during beachside lunches!).
The island is very small (so small that you can see the entire island from the plane!), so if you’re visiting Curaçao on a cruise and only have one day to explore, don’t worry—you’ll still be able to make the most of it and see a little bit of everything.
By Sharon from The Roads Beyond – eg. me, from this blog 🙂
Dominican Republic
➡️Top Caribbean island for affordable all-inclusive hotels!
With affordable all inclusive stays, plentiful year-round direct flights from the United States, and no shortage of natural beauty and adventure, the Dominican Republic is easily one of the best Caribbean Islands and a top pick for a long weekend trip with a group of friends who want to experience a little bit of everything.
All-inclusive resorts may not be everyone’s cup of tea—you end up feeling like you have to stay at the hotel just to ‘get your money’s worth’—but with so many in Punta Cana, they end up being quite reasonable, making the Dominican Republic one of the more affordable Caribbean islands. This is the perfect chance to enjoy luxury without breaking the bank or feeling guilty!
After relaxing at your resort’s beach or poolside bar, it’s time to have some adventure and explore the island! Check out Scape Park which has a variety of activities from ziplining to horseback riding, and most famously is home to Hoyo Azul, a 50-foot deep fresh water cenote with stunning vibrant blue hues.
If you’re looking for something truly memorable and exciting, why not try checking out Bavaro Beach from 500 feet in the sky as you parasail over the coast? If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, or better yet, submerged in water, there are plenty of snorkeling tours, island day trips, and catamaran tours with stops at sandbars too.
The Dominican Republic is truly the perfect introduction to all that the Caribbean has to offer!
By Katherine from Priceless Passport
Antigua & Barbuda
➡️ Best Caribbean island for beaches, full stop 🏖️
If you are looking for a different beach every day, the island of Antigua will not disappoint. With 365 beaches, you can be there for a year and not visit the same beach twice.
When you get bored of the beach, take a tour around the island. By car you can visit Shirley Heights Lookout for iconic views over the bay, a great party place to hang out at night too.
A visit to Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO Heritage Site, will take you back to the Georgian era, when the British had some of their naval fleet based in Antigua.
Take to the sea for a boat trip around the island which will give you a different perspective of the island. You will pass the “Pillars of Hercules” which have been carved out of the rocks by the sea and wind. Go in and out of bays and coves, and stop for a spot of snorkelling.
Walking through downtown St Johns, you can peruse the markets and do some shopping. In the restaurants you can try some local delicacies like fungee, similar to polenta, served with a rich stew, seafood or vegetables.
A boat-ride away is Barbuda, Antigua’s little sister island. With a much quieter laid-back atmosphere, Barbuda is perfect for a day trip. Enjoy the pink sand beaches, a trip to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, kayaking around Codrington Bay or just chilling at Roddy’s Bar is a great way to spend your day.
Whether you just stay on Antigua, or visit Barbuda too, a holiday in Antigua and Barbuda offers beach, sun, landscapes, water sports and much more.
By Larch, from the Silver Nomad
Puerto Rico
➡️ Top Caribbean island for culture + city energy
One of the best Caribbean islands to visit is Puerto Rico. With its stunning beaches, lush rain forest, beautiful architecture, and interesting history, there’s something for most everyone to enjoy!
No trip to Puerto Rico is complete without a visit to Old San Juan. Stroll through the cobbled streets and appreciate the colorful buildings that line the road. Be sure to stop by the San Cristóbal Castle, and Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Stop to appreciate the views of the ocean and Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery from the latter.
You must also explore outside of the city to get the full Puerto Rico experience! This island has no shortage of beautiful beaches to enjoy. If you’re looking to stay closer to San Juan, Isla Verde Beach is a great option. Flamenco Beach on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra is frequently ranked as one of the best in the world.
La Chiva on the island of Vieques has gorgeous blue water that’s perfect for activities. The island of Vieques is also home to the brightest bioluminescent bay, which shouldn’t be missed!
And last but not least, take time to properly visit El Yunque National (Rain) Forest. It’s gorgeous and you won’t regret it!
As you can see, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Puerto Rico and that’s why it’s one of the best Caribbean islands to visit. Enjoy your time there!
By Chelsea from Adventures of Chels.
Guadeloupe
➡️A Caribbean island with an authentic local feel
When you visit Guadeloupe, you quickly realize this is not a Caribbean island built around typical resorts and touristy experiences. This French overseas territory uses the euro, blends French and Creole culture, and feels refreshingly authentic from the moment you arrive.
Shaped like a butterfly, Guadeloupe is made up of two main islands connected by a bridge. The two sides feel completely different once you start exploring.
On Grande-Terre (East side), you’ll find calm clear water and white sand beaches. There’s also more night-life and a busier vibe on this flatter side of the island. The popular town of Pointe-a-Pitre has bustling markets filled with Creole spices and local products.
Cross to Basse-Terre (West side), and the landscape turns lush and tropical with golden and black sand beaches. In the rugged mountains nearby, there are rainforests and sugar-cane plantations, waterfalls, and the active La Soufrière volcano rising above the ocean.
The experience you’ll have on Guadeloupe is shaped by great food, local culture, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Looking for best place to stay? You’ll definitely want to check out ‘Deshaies’ on the Basse-Terre side of the island.
You might recognize it as the filming location of a popular British TV show: Death in Paradise. This certainly isn’t the only reason you should stay here.
In the Deshaies area, not only will you find gorgeous beaches that stretch for miles, but nearby waterfall hikes, turtles to snorkel with, botanical gardens, hot springs and more. It’s enough to keep you busy exploring for weeks, or wanting to revisit again and again.
If Deshaies sounds like your kind of place, this guide breaks down what it’s like to stay there and explore the area. If you enjoy travel that goes beyond the beach, Guadeloupe is easy to fall in love with.
By Tanya from The T World Travel
St. Kitts
➡️ Best Caribbean island to visit for dramatic scenery
St Kitts is a diverse Caribbean gem with beautiful beaches and scenic hiking trails, making it an unforgettable place to explore.
Located in the southern Caribbean, St Kitts offers the unique experience of coastlines that face both the calm Caribbean Sea and the rough Atlantic Ocean, giving travelers a variety of landscapes and activities in such a small island.
There is even one spot where travelers can see where the waves and waters collide and walk between them and stand with one foot in the Caribbean and the other foot in the Atlantic!
The island is volcanic, which creates excellent snorkeling conditions with reefs located close to shore. Beaches like South Friars Bay and Frigate Bay South are ideal for beginners thanks to their calm waters, easy shore access, and convenient beach shacks offering food, chairs, and snorkel rentals.
More experienced snorkelers will love Shitten Bay, where to a shipwreck is located right off the shore. It’s accessible by boat or via a scenic one-mile hike, but very hot, hike over a rocky path from Majors Bay and is a great snorkeling adventure.
St Kitts hiking trails are another great reason to travel to this Southern Caribbean island. Trails wind through rainforests, ravines, and coastal paths, with the most famous being the Mount Liamuiga Volcano hike.
This challenging six-hour trek rewards hikers with sweeping views ans huge crater at the end. The island also has shorter hiking trails like Bat Cave or the Radio Tower hikes that are just as beautiful.
St Kitts truly offers the best of adventure and tropical relaxation in one unforgettable island.
By Michelle from Moyer Memoirs
Aruba
➡️Best Caribbean island for guaranteed sunshine☀️ (reliable weather!)
Aruba is often called “One Happy Island” and it’s easy to see why! This sun-soaked Caribbean destination is home to picture-perfect beaches (the ones that will make your friends jealous), calm turquoise waters, and near-perfect weather year-round with a laid-back atmosphere.
Beaches like Eagle Beach and Palm Beach (award-winning) offer everything from swimming and sunset walks to water sports and beachfront dining, while the island’s wilder side surprises visitors.
Arikok National Park is home to desert landscapes, cacti, coastal trails, stunning caves, and natural pools — a stark contrast to the picture-perfect calm beaches. It’s highly recommended to book a jeep tour of this area!
While the beautiful landscape attracts most visitors, the island has undergone a veggie makeover over the last decade, making it ideal for vegetarian and vegan travelers. For vegan-friendly hotels, check out Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba, known for its lush garden setting, and Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, an adults-only, eco-conscious resort.
Another great selling point — it’s also one of the best Caribbean islands to visit, thanks to its location outside the hurricane belt, making it a much safer choice year-round.
A helpful tip: rent a car to explore quieter beaches and natural areas, and pack reef-safe sunscreen (the sun is joking around here)!
By Rebecca from Veggies Abroad
Cuba
➡️Best island to visit for raw culture & nostalgia
Cuba is one of the most fascinating Caribbean islands to visit, with a unique history and culture.
While Cuba is often referred to as a country that is stuck in time due to the U.S. embargo and their political regime, there is so much more to visiting Cuba than that!
For city vibes with colonial houses and cobblestone streets, head to Cuba’s capital city, Havana, and explore its old quarter, Habana Vieja.
The old quarter in Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and should not be missed. But Havana also offers many other interesting neighbourhoods to explore, like Centro Habana, Vedado, and the iconic Malecón Sea Drive!
If you like colorful colonial towns, another popular place to visit in Cuba is Trinidad. Trinidad is a small town located on Cuba’s southern coast, surrounded by sugar plantations.
For more countryside vibes, head to Viñales and to go horseback riding through the tobacco fields of the Viñales Valley. Here you can also visit the local tobacco farmers and learn about Cuba’s renowned cigar-making tradition.
Throughout the island, you’ll find references to the Cuban Revolution, but one of the best places to learn about the Revolution is in Santa Clara. This small town in the center of Cuba is known as Che Guevara’s city, and houses a mausoleum with the remains of the revolutionary leader.
Cuba is a country with a lively music scene and plenty of opportunities to practice your salsa dance moves. But if you want to dig a bit deeper into the heart of Cuban culture, you should also familiarize yourself with Afro-Cuban culture, such as Yoruba religion and Santería.
When visiting Cuba, make sure to have enough time in your itinerary for delayed or cancelled buses and private transfers, especially if you’re travelling around on your own.
By Rebecca from Becci Abroad
Caye Caulker
➡️Best island to switch off
Located just off the coast of Belize, Caye Caulker is the kind of Caribbean island that immediately slows you down, but in the best possible way! From the moment you step foot off the ferry, the island’s famous motto, “Go Slow,” kicks in! There are no cars here, just sandy paths, bikes and the gentle sound of the sea, which makes it incredibly easy to switch off and settle into island life.
What makes Caye Caulker special is its laid-back atmosphere paired with surprisingly good access to incredible marine life. You’re right next to the Belize Barrier Reef (the world’s largest living coral reef), so snorkelling in Caye Caulker and diving are some of the best in the world (not just the Caribbean).
A trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve or Shark Ray Alley lets you swim alongside turtles, rays, and nurse sharks in clear, shallow water. Caye Caulker isn’t perhaps as good as other Caribbean islands for beaches, however The Split is the island’s social heart, where you can swim, sunbathe, and grab a drink while watching boats drift past.
In terms of food, there’s an array of fresh seafood available, including some of the cheapest lobster you’ll find anywhere) as well as casual beach BBQs for a small snack. Meanwhile, sunset drinks over the lagoon are a daily ritual.
Unlike larger Caribbean islands, this isn’t about big resorts or nightlife, it’s about simple pleasures, friendly locals and slowing down – which is exactly why it’s one of my favourite Caribbean islands and accessible for all budgets!
By Matt from Matt’s Next Steps
Grenada
➡️Best island for an unspoiled, low-key Caribbean feel
Picture this: Turquoise seas, white sand, postcard-worthy beaches, and the most picturesque views to die for! Grenada is known for some of the most luxurious beaches across the Caribbean.
This is the perfect destination for a luxury getaway as it’s still seen as a hidden gem. Grande Anse and BBC beach are among the traveller’s favourites, but if you want pure tranquility, Bathway beach steals the show.
What sets this beautiful island apart is that Grenada has the world’s first underwater sculpture park that was created by the artist Jason deCaires Taylor in 2006. People travel from across the world to see this.
Grenada had a friendly, lively, and upbeat vibe, but if you really want to see something spectacular be sure to visit in August to experience ‘Mas’ better known as Grenada’s Carnival. Covered in paint, you’ll party until the sun comes up!
And if you’re not afraid of luxury and don’t mind a bit of splurging – stay a few nights at the Silversands Hotel. If you want to immerse yourself in those turquoise waters, but you’re still not sold on this hidden gem, visit Pink Skies and Paradise who covers luxury travel on a budget for, even more recommendations.
By Siobhan from Pink Skies and Paradise
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best Caribbean islands to travel to if you’re looking to disconnect and have an amazing time. I’m sure that whichever one you choose, you’ll love it!
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