From the over-commercialized to the virtually undiscovered, to the accessible resorts to the most private islands youve never heard of. A new airport is currently under construction on the island to improve accessibility and encourage the stability of the tourism industry. Besides the Caribbean islands, there are some great spots on the Caribbean coast of Central America offering good value. "People didn't care about the garbage they throw around." Best for . Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 892,997 / Year 2020: 445,879 The beautiful island chain of The Bahamas is a haven for relaxation, and its sun-drenched beaches are among the worlds best. Thanks to an endless supply of bloggers and influencers flooding our social media feeds, practically anywhere in the world can look like the most luxurious place weve ever seen. The rough waves will also ruin your relaxing swim. It's 146 miles long and 51 miles wide. With summer approaching, many of us are dreaming of the soft sandy beaches and shining blue shallows promised by sunny Caribbean islands but for some lucky people, these exotic islands are home all ye. Ranked as the number one honeymoon destination by US News Travel, St. Lucia is a solo traveler or adventure seekers nightmare. From islands less than a hundred miles from the North American shoreline to those that feel smack dab in the middle of nowhere, theres no shortage of options when it comes time to pick our next destination. St. Kitts is the larger . Barbados: Beautiful white sand beach in Turks & Caicos. The island has also attracted foreign investment in petroleum storage and transshipment. An island of just 10 square . Jamaica has some of the best food in the Caribbeanjerk lobster costs less than US$10 and is one of the more expensive items on the menu. Shopping is also a major attraction of the USVI, thanks to a $1,600 duty-free allowance. The petroleum industry lies at the heart of Trinidad and Tobago's newly flourishing economy: oil and gas generate approximately 40% of GDP and 80% of exports. It offers a gorgeous array of mountains, hot springs, waterfalls and fresh water lakes which have earned it the enticing nickname of 'Nature Isle of the Caribbean'. Made up of over 700islands, reefs, islets and cays, the Caribbean promises a variety of treasures both on and off its shores. While that will entertain you for a few hours, this small island doesnt have much else to offer. It is known as being a haven for diving and snorkeling because of the reefs surrounding the island. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 1,664,866 / Year 2020: 678,854 Puerto Rico jumps to the second most popular destination in the Caribbean. Ursula Petula Barzey is an award-winning digital content creator and founder of Caribbean & Co. She is passionate about all things related to the Caribbean especially Montserrat from which her family hails! The Tobago Cays, which are protected as a marine park, offer some of the finest snorkeling in the Caribbean. The most manufactured products are pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles and petrochemicals. TheU.S. Department of State's crime warningswhich take into account the number of crimes and homicides reported to law enforcement agencies per 100,000 inhabitantsare a pretty reliable indication of which islands have lower rates of violent crime. This squid has a dull . Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 4,994,309 / Year 2020: 2,405,315 The Dominican Republic is the most visited island in the Caribbean. Part of the British Empire up until 1966, since gaining independence Barbadoshas transformed itself from a low-income economy highly dependent on sugar production, into a well developed economy built on tourism and the offshore sector. The name pretty much says it all: a beautiful beach where pigs swim around. One Trip Advisor user felt when they went to restaurants, the attitude was drop three or four hundred dollars or leave quietly. Yikes. Skip the masses and head to Bluefields on the south coast instead. With over 7,000 islands in the Caribbean Sea, the choice of where to vacation during the winter months is no small task . On top of that, several reviewers on TripAdvisor note how littered the beaches are. Best Caribbean Islands to Visit: Antigua and Barbuda Source: Sean Pavone/Unsplash Antigua and Barbuda are the islands you've been dreaming of. Travel Lemming describes it as one of the most overpriced, overcrowded and overrated travel destinations on the planet., It seems that most tourists feel the same way across the board, with one reviewer on TripAdvisor warning if you expect to see the most wonderful, spectacular, romantic place in the world then you will probably be very disappointed.. The towns along these coasts share the same turquoise-blue waters and powder-white beaches as the likes of the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and every other island sitting in the Caribbean Sea. Despite a moderate beach-density score of 0.38, Aruba is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations, thanks to resorts that offer prime package deals and more than 350 different activities. The four main islands are Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. There are two beaches here with possible dolphin- and humpback whale-sightings. Bountiful palm trees complement the turquoise waters of popular Punta Cana to create the perfect postcard from this tropical destination. All of the island's beaches, including the popular Dickenson Bay, are open to the public and boast white sand and vibrant. Barbados. The bungalows, villas, cottages, and beach houses are spread out for miles. It is also the area of the world that gets hit by hurricanes more often than other areas. Then youll have an hour-long bus ride, driving through beautiful fishing villages, hill towns and vineyards (National Geographic). This is a list of islands in the Caribbean by area. And more importantly, which of these do you plan to visit next? At only 76 square miles, it should come as no surprise that activities are rather limited here (Catalina Chamber). Its blissful beaches, 23 golf courses, and captivating culture attract scores of visitors to Puerto Rico every year. Santa Catalina Island, typically referred to as simply Catalina, is a small island just off the coast of southern California. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. The following list has been drawn up according to data collected by the World Bank estimating the GDP per capita of each island between 2009 and 2013. June 16, 2020. It's no secret that the Caribbean has some of the most beautiful islands in the world. Bananas alone account for more than 60% of the work force, and 50% of merchandise exports. The Caribbean, long referred to as the West Indies, includes more than 7,000 islands; of those, 13 are independent island countries ( shown in red on the map ), and some are dependencies or overseas territories of other nations. However, in October of 2010, Hurricane Tomas battered many of St Lucia's banana crops which, once recovered, were then largely hit with black sigatokadisease. Grand Cayman. There's nothing special about Pigeon Point's beach, aside from the Carnival after-parties. Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is one of the most unique Caribbean islands. Revitalize yourself at the Bamboo Spa with the signature Jungle Bay Massage with coconut, castor and bay essential oils. With one of the most impressive capitals in the Caribbean, Grenada, also called the Spice Island, offers a myriad of possibilities when it comes to sustainable development. Though the historic section of Macao sits on a peninsula that is now connected to the Chinese mainland, the Macao island of Cotai is a huge tourist draw due to its grand casino complexes,. As you may expect on a private island, tourists have said they do not feel welcomed. Backpackers will find plenty of things to do in Cuba. Unlike most Caribbean islands, Bonaire is located outside of Hurricane Alley and years go by without a single homicide on the island. Because of the multiple levels of altitude, the island also offers both skiing fields and beaches. Dominica. Spend time on the 18-hole golf course or relaxing in the spa. Culture, art and travel are crucial to her lifestyle and central to her writing. The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean When flying into the Dominican Republic, there are three main airports: Punta Cana International (PUJ), Las Amricas International (SDQ), and Puerto Plata International (POP). Additionally, the islands are British Overseas Territories. The Aruban people are known for having a natural sense of hospitality instilled in them. This is your guide to exactly what they are, where they happen, and how you can join the party. Prices vary across the island, and are lower in non-tourist areas. 10 Kingstown, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines: A Simple Fishing Village Kingstown can get pretty busy all year round (being the main port and capital of St. Vincent) and can be a little overwhelming for people who are sensitive to crowds. Planning tip: The Mandarin has a six-seat resort jet that can be booked as a shared or private charter from Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Martinique, and St Vincent airports. Even though it isn't entirely crimeless, the U.S. Department of State deems Puerto Rico safe to visit. TheBritish Virgin Islands(BVI) consist of Tortola (the largest and most inhabited island), Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, andmore than 50 smaller islands and cays. As a result, the island has had to turn towards other industries. Another good choice isThe Hermitageat the foot of a rainforest covered mountain. Photo Credit: Puerto Rico Tourist Board. What to Know Before You Visit, Travel to the Caribbean: A Reopening Timeline, Country by Country, U.S. Best Overall: Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth. The popular resorts everyone wants to stay at sit on their own private islets, so theres no nightlife. Also see: Best things to do in Cuba. With an estimated 5.7 million tourist arrivals in 2012, it is one of the most-visited Caribbean islands. In order to get to this volcanic islands main village of SantAngelo, youll have to take an hour-long ferry from Naples through the Tyrrhenian Sea. Overseas Security Advisory Council. The fishing is good in these parts too, where barracuda, sailfish, and blue marlin are plentiful. Sosua Beach only looks good in postcards; it's actually overrun by tourist shops according to Trip Advisor. Take an excursion to Long Cay, part of the Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park, a protected area full of ospreys, egrets, herons and more. The Bahamas soars to the top of our list thanks to its prosperous tourism industry. Tortola is okay but not the best. !. According to the 2020 Crime and Safety Report for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, which covers Antigua and Barbuda, this region had 12 reported homicides and two kidnappings per 100,000 inhabitants. Best for a luxurious private island getaway. Miami locals will feel at home here. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. You'll have ample of beaches to explore with over 95 miles of coastline, stunning coral reefs and crystal blue waters. 22, 2023, The Caribbean has long been known for its azure waters, tropical beaches and incredibly slow pace that makes finding peace and relaxation a breeze. If youre into snorkeling, Grenada offers over 30 dive sites. Approximately 69% of the island's GDP emanates from the service industry. The BVI is 59.3 square miles and spread over 1,330 square miles. Those with a sweet tooth might want to book a tour of theTobago Cocoa Estate. Its exclusive west coast is where you'll find some of the best hotels, and best restaurants too - The Cliff and La Mer are both easily reached for a spot of lunch, although it's advisable to book in high season (February/March). From the Seychelles to Santorini and the Caribbean to Capri, find your very own Shangri-la in this list of the most beautiful islands in the world. What's more, since the Caribbean is such an immensely popular destination with cruise lines, you can find, Antigua offers peace, quiet and 365 gorgeous beaches to boot. So what is the best way to explore? Here you'll find hipster haunts likeRicks Caf where you can dance and watch folks jump from cliffs into the sea. These are the best Caribbean islands for boating. 9. COMO Cocoa Island is an intimate private resort island boasting just 33 suites sitting above turquoise waters. But divers know this part of the Dutch Caribbean is where the action is, with nearly 90 dive sites, coral reefs, and sea caves. Hawaii may be a dream vacation for some, but many of those who do get to visit are pretty disappointed when they get there. If you're planning to come, the weekdays are less crowded. 5. From luxury getaways to affordable adventure trips and festivals, each Caribbean destination offers travelers its unique culture and appeal. The British government states that "although most visits to the BVI are trouble-free, serious incidents, including armed robbery, do occur." Prepare to be shocked as we debunk the picturesque, postcard-like portraits of the Caribbean islands. The Caribbean Islands. The twin-island federation of St Kitts and Nevis prospers primarily thanks to tourism and export-oriented manufacturing, as well as agriculture, with approximately 39% of the islands' land reserved to crops (primarily devoted to sugarcane and peanuts). The local organic produce in Market Square is one of the redeeming qualities though (the cheapest in town). Parrot fish, brain coral, Sergent majors. 15 Overrated Islands Crowds Flock To (And 10 We'd Actually Recommend), Overrated: Mustique Island, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, in our dreams: Cocoa Island, The Maldives, overrated:Grand Cayman, the Cayman Islands, Overrated: Santa Catalina Island, California. Aside from the hut-style suites, the resort also provides its wealthy guests with crystal-clear sand beaches, five-star dining and some of the best diving locations in the world (COMO Hotels). Plenty of things to do in Cuba, St. Lucia is a list of islands in the Caribbean Sea the! 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