What is the best Caribbean island for families? When is the best time to travel to the Caribbean? The Caribbean's high season runs from mid-December to mid-April, with the winter holidays bringing the biggest crowds and the highest prices. The rainy and hurricane season runs from June through the end of November. You'll likely find more affordable flight and hotel prices during the shoulder season (May, June, and early December) which makes this time a particularly enticing one to travel to the Caribbean. What is the prettiest Caribbean island to go to? We don't like to pick favorites, especially when beauty is so abundant as it is in the Caribbean.
However, if we must, then we'd recommend St. Lucia as the prettiest island in the Caribbean. St Lucia is well known for its stunning Piton mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers some of the best views in the Caribbean. The island is green, lush, and blessed with incredible beaches.
Eight hundred kilometers of coral reefs encircle Turks & Caicos alone. Lucia's volcanic peaks soar 2,500 feet above untouched rainforest, while Dominica's boiling lake bubbles at temperatures hot enough to cook an egg. The Caribbean's diversity extends far beyond postcard-perfect beaches. Each island carries distinct geological formations, ecosystems, and centuries of cultural evolution that have shaped everything from their cuisine to their music.
These eight islands represent the region's most compelling confluences of natural wonder and cultural depth. Service standards and staff training Grace Bay Beach, consistently ranked among the world's finest, stretches for 12 miles of powdery perfection, while crystal-clear waters showcase every shade of blue imaginable. The beach's pristine condition is maintained through strict environmental regulations and daily grooming, ensuring visitors experience the same postcard-perfect views year-round. Fresh conch prepared in various styles Just-caught seafood at da Conch Shack Farm-to-table experiences at Coco Bistro St.
Lucia proves itself as the best Caribbean island for relaxing vacation with its natural spa experiences. Lucia's romantic settings make it one of the most sought-after caribbean islands for couples. The island stands as a testament to nature's grandeur, dominated by the UNESCO-listed Pitons – two volcanic spires rising dramatically from the Caribbean Sea. Barbados weaves a rich tapestry of British colonial heritage with vibrant Caribbean spirit.
The UNESCO-listed historic Bridgetown showcases centuries of architectural evolution, while the island's legendary rum heritage comes alive at Mount Gay Distillery, the world's oldest commercial rum distillery. Friday night fish fry at Oistins The Crop Over Festival, culminating in Grand Kadooment Day, transforms the island into a kaleidoscope of color and sound, celebrating a 200-year-old tradition. Nicholas Abbey, a preserved 17th-century plantation house, offers visitors a glimpse into the island's complex colonial past, complete with its own rum production facility. For those seeking the best Caribbean island for relaxing vacation, Aruba's consistent weather makes planning effortless.
Positioned outside the hurricane belt, Aruba boasts year-round perfect weather and some of the Caribbean's most reliable sunshine. Eagle Beach's wide stretches of sand contrast beautifully with the windswept divi-divi trees, while Baby Beach offers protected waters perfect for families. The island's rugged northeastern coast features natural pools carved from limestone, with Conchi Natural Pool being the most spectacular. San Nicolas Art District murals Alto Vista Chapel meditation gardens The Dominican Republic stands out as the best Caribbean island for relaxing vacation due to its all-inclusive options.
The area boasts some of the finest all-inclusive Caribbean resorts, each offering unique experiences. Puerto Plata's Victorian architecture and cable car rides to Mount Isabel provide cultural contrast to beach activities. The country's size allows for diverse experiences, from whale watching in Samaná to exploring the colonial architecture of Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial, the oldest European settlement in the Americas. Jamaica pulses with adventure at every turn, offering diverse experiences from mountains to coast.
The Cayman Islands are consistently ranked among the safest Caribbean islands, with excellent infrastructure and low crime rates. Visibility often exceeding 100 feet The walls of Grand Cayman's North Sound plunge dramatically to depths of 6,000 feet, while Stingray City offers unique shallow-water encounters with friendly southern stingrays. The USS Kittiwake wreck site provides both novice and experienced divers with an accessible artificial reef teeming with marine life. Barts exemplifies the best Caribbean island for relaxing vacation with its exclusive atmosphere.
Dominican Republic Merengue Festival (July) Royalcaribbean, ae is part of Royal Caribbean Arabia owned by Safeen Tourism LLC, the Sole Middle East Representative of Royal Caribbean International. Lucia consistently earn top spots on lists of the best Caribbean islands, and it’s easy to see why. These medium-sized gems offer the perfect blend of developed resorts and lively local culture. Lila Harron Battis is a writer and editor.
She was previously a senior editor at Travel + Leisure. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. Even within a single island, each reader seemed enamored by a different element of the experience though common themes emerged. Nature was a big draw across the board, be it the soft sands of Grand Anse Beach in Grenada or the magnificent toothlike pitons of St.
Three familiar spots re-entered the fray this year after dropping off the list Cuba (No. Croix or the midcentury events of the Cuban Revolution which still loom large on the island today. Read on for more on this year’s top pick, Dominica, plus the full list of the 25 Best Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. Saint Kitts and Nevis is the best Caribbean island (s) to visit if you are looking for a place that you won’t find on every list.
If designer boutiques and high-end dining aren’t at the top of your priority list, you may wish to experience a more ‘authentic’ Caribbean experience on one of the lesser developed, more low-key islands, such as Grenada or Tobago. When considering the best Caribbean island for relaxing vacation, timing can significantly impact your experience. The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean with three islands in total – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman – each with its own unique charm. Let us guide you through the Caribbean’s diverse destinations and help you discover the island that suits your every desire.
Ae is part of Royal Caribbean Arabia owned by Safeen Tourism LLC, the Sole Middle East Representative of Royal Caribbean International. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, the Caribbean has it all and because island hopping in the Caribbean is relatively easy, it makes the perfect choice for a multi-centre itinerary. Dutch influence permeates the colorful architecture of Oranjestad, where Caribbean vibrancy meets European precision in both design and cuisine. The Dominican Republic stands out as the best Caribbean island for relaxing vacation due to its all-inclusive options.
For a slightly more accessible slice of paradise, Turks & Caicos beckons with its breath-taking seclusion and some of the most coveted hotels in the Caribbean. Me and my fiancé (2 are planning a trip to the Caribbean for a week but are so overwhelmed with deciding between islands. Chain-style hotels provide both comfort and affordability, ensuring that you can enjoy your Caribbean holiday whilst looking after your wallet.
