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How To Pick The Best Caribbean Island For You
With hundreds of islands to choose from, there's something for everyone.
Two wooden fishing boats on the crystal clear turquoise waters at Lagoon on Curacao.
Getty Images
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With hundreds of islands to choose from, the Caribbean — a vibrant, diverse region south and east of the United States — truly has something for everyone. In fact, after dozens of visits as a newspaper reporter and traveling Girlfriend, I’ve found that the biggest challenge is finding the vibe that’s right for you.
To start narrowing things down, consider these four important factors:
Terrain. Most Caribbean islands were either formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, or composed of coral and limestone. The first category, which includes the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and St. Lucia, among others, has rugged hills and lush foliage; the second, including Anguilla, the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao), The Bahamas, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos, boasts drier weather and powdery-soft sand beaches.
Climate. Although the entire region is considered tropical, volcanic islands tend to get more rain — that’s why they’re so green. In addition, most of the Caribbean is located in the so-called hurricane belt, with greater risk between June and November. An exception is the ABC islands, which lie out of the path of major storms. Generally speaking, the further south you go, the less likely you are to encounter a hurricane.
Convenience. If you only have a few days, choose islands with direct flights from major U.S. cities, such as Aruba, The Bahamas, Curacao, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin islands. (The last two don’t require passports for U.S. citizens, streamlining the process even further.)
Safety. The Department of State ranks every country according to its level of risk, from Level 1 (exercise normal caution) to Level 4 (do not travel). Most of the Caribbean is at Level 1, but check for updates at https://travel.state.gov before booking your trip.
Beyond these basics, here’s where to look for your perfect island getaway.
Beach Vibes
Pink Sands Beach
Shutterstock
Close your eyes and imagine the perfect escape: clear turquoise water, white sand, warm breezes rustling the palm trees. If this is your fantasy, check out Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos; Trunk Bay in St. John, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands; or the nearly 30 secluded beaches on the island of Anguilla. Stunning shorelines with a bit more buzz include Aruba’s Eagle Beach, Pink Sands Beach in The Bahamas, and the resorts of Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. Or try a whole new beach experience, like the black sands of St. Lucia or granite boulders framing the scenic grottoes of Virgin Gorda.
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Nature Lovers
St Lucia Beach
Getty Images
From rappelling down waterfalls to ziplining through the treetops — and of course, snorkeling or scuba diving in some of the world’s most scenic waters — lovers of the great outdoors will be spoiled for choice. On St. Lucia, you can explore the iconic pitons, two towering volcanic spires rising dramatically out of the sea, on foot or by boat. The British Virgin Islands offers guided tours by zipline or all-terrain vehicle, while Dominica has sulfur hot springs, hiking on the Waitukubli National Trail, and swimming with sperm whales.
For lovers of marine life, Dutch Caribbean specialist Sue Campbell recommends Bonaire for world class shore diving. The island’s pink salt lakes also attract thousands of flamingos during the breeding season, between January and June, and provide bird watchers with incredible photo opportunities all year long.
Culture and Nightlife
Morro Castle, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Getty Images
Campbell also gives high marks to the island of Curacao for its culture, history, and dining. “The Handelskade waterfront area, with its colorful 18th century buildings, is one of the Caribbean’s few UNESCO World Heritage Sites,” she says. “The island’s culinary scene borrows influences from Indonesian, Latin American, African, and Dutch cuisine. Try keshi yena, a casserole with spiced chicken or beef covered with Gouda or Edam cheese.”
Another culturally significant island is tiny Nevis, perhaps best known as the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton. There’s a small museum at the site of Hamilton’s home in downtown Charlestown, as well as walking tours that bring his childhood to life.
Finally, my personal favorite for Colonial architecture, world-class dining (including rooftop bars where you can sip craft cocktails while enjoying spectacular views), and friendly vibes is the city of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Feast on garlic-drenched seafood or pernil (roast pork), then dance the night away at La Factoria before hitting nearby Isla Verde Beach the next day. Best of all, you can grab a direct flight from more than 35 U.S. cities — no passport required.
What’s your favorite Caribbean getaway? Let us know in the comments below!
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