Photo Credit: Gary Felton via US Virgin Island Department of Tourism. On the surface, the private island of Mustique seems like a dream. There are new hot spots like theBLT Steakhouse at the Ritz-Carlton and the uber-luxeMRVL Spafor next-level pampering. Consider these eight intriguing destinations for couples, all over the US. Famous Maui Beach has also failed to live up to the hype, which has been described as boring and much smaller than expected (Trip Advisor). These 30 islands can help you get away from it all with picturesque beaches and lush green foliage plus the brilliantly blue Caribbean Sea serving as your backdrop. (The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are not in the Caribbean Sea, but rather in the open North Atlantic Ocean.) Thankfully, this the emergence of a prosperous tourism industry has bolstered the economy. As Caribbean destinations continue to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, the list of most popular Caribbean islands is ranked using 2021 data, and 2020 data is also provided to show the positive or negative changes in stay-over visitors. With more than 170 attractions spread over the island, theres something for people of all ages to enjoy. The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola withthe country of Haiti. Though this boosts the island's GDP at the moment, reliance on this single crop makes the economy extremely vulnerable to external factors such as natural disasters and plant disease. The Aruban people are known for having a natural sense of hospitality instilled in them. "It doesn't beat Florida in terms of cleanliness," one reviewer wrote on Trip Advisor. Backpackers will find plenty of things to do in Cuba. Planning tip: If after all that peace and solitude you want to liven things up a little, Negril is an hour away. Safest Caribbean Islands to Visit Aruba Turks & Caicos Cayman Islands St. Maarten Barbados St. Lucia Anguilla Martinique St. Barts Bonaire The Virgin Islands Grenada St. Kitts and Nevis Antigua and Barbuda The Bahamas Caribbean Packing Essentials FAQ: Safest Islands in the Caribbean Safest Caribbean Islands to Visit Aruba Cuba also has plenty of museums and art galleries that offer a window into the countrys rich history and culture. Bananas alone account for more than 60% of the work force, and 50% of merchandise exports. When youre tired of exploring, laze away at the beaches by day, and enjoy the spectacular bioluminescent bays at night. At only 76 square miles, it should come as no surprise that activities are rather limited here (Catalina Chamber). Get to Nassau, hop on a commuter flight, take a cab to the dock and board a water taxi that takes you to Kamalame Cay, a private island in Andros in the Bahamas. The Caribbean boasts about 700 Caribbean islands, but only 28 of them are deemed sovereign states and dependent territories. The rooms need updating, the food is expensive, and the attractions are only so-so.. Put simply, he is one cool son of a gun. What you will find plenty of on this 3.5-mile island inSt Vincent and the Grenadines, is boats, incredible ones at theSandy Lane Yacht Club. Also nearby in Belmont Falls in a small yard off the main road is the monument that pays tribute to reggae legend Peter Tosh who spent his early years there. Langkawi, an archipelago on Malaysias west coast, has gotten a lot of hype recently for turquoise waters, picturesque beaches and jungle-clad hills. The third largest Caribbean island, Jamaica is one of the most popular and well-known tourist destinations in the region. There are two beaches here with possible dolphin- and humpback whale-sightings. Visit Iguana Island and the aquarium, a protected reef ideal for snorkeling, and get a glimpse of local life in old town Cockburn. Although some of the GDP figures may seem low, they present promise for a region that has undergone huge development over the past two decades after a history of struggle. Not that anyone wants to socialize anyways, as most travelers are on their honeymoon. Here are eight of the best. After a short drive, make your way through the pine forest, get up your nerve and jump from the platform into the fresh water. One of the most popular is Captain Bills Blue Hole inBlue Holes National Park. Tourists are advised to take normal precautions, such as not walking alone, carrying valuable possessions, or leaving anything unattended at the beach. Dont miss the chance to swim at the captivating Grace Bay Beach and spend an evening dancing to ripsaw music. This squid has a dull . Adventure seekers have abundant activities to choose from, including hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, diving, snorkeling, and kitesurfing. Unlike most other Caribbean nations, its high-income economy is dependent, not on tourism, but on industry, with petrochemical and petrochemicals fueling a solid GDP growth. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. Take a thrilling bobsled ride through the forest and go swimming with dolphins in the resort town of Ocho Rios. The Caribbean's greatest known depth is Cayman Trench (Bartlett Deep) between Cuba and Jamaica, approximately 25,216 feet (7,686 metres) below sea level. The 10 Most Visited Caribbean Islands Aruba, Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Things To Do, Top 10, Turks & Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands Ursula Petula Barzey November 8, 2022 Holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb. The area has seen a rise in crime; "we were broken into twice a week," a tourist recounted on Trip Advisor. It seems that these islands are so relaxed their almost, The Tate Way: Here's How Internet Sensation Andrew Tate Earns And Spends His Fortune, 8 Outrageous Ways Joel Osteen Spends His Massive $100 Million Fortune, The Spielberg Way: 10 Ways Steven Spielberg Earns & Spends His Billions, Sylvester Stallone And Jennifer Flavin Canceled Their Divorce And Reconcile Their Marriage, The 10 Most Expensive Superyachts In The World, As Of 2022, Emancipation Will Smiths Apple Thriller Get Its First Screening, She May Be Engaged! But divers know this part of the Dutch Caribbean is where the action is, with nearly 90 dive sites, coral reefs, and sea caves. The island whereThe Pirates of the Caribbeanwas filmed does not gather its riches from gold-filled treasure chests, but from agriculture. Check into theMandarin Oriental, Canouan and you may feel like youre in a private-island sanctuary, a secret escape, with just 26 suites and 13 villas on the 1200-acre estate thats on Godahl Beach. Though tourism brings wealth to the island, it's also threatening local produce meaning that the country will have to rely increasingly on imports from other countries. Ambergris Caye, Belize - US $319,900. From the over-commercialized to the virtually undiscovered, to the accessible resorts to the most private islands youve never heard of. The vendors are "a little too aggressive," and Sosua is very crowded during the weekends. Caribbean Travel Guide: Dominica. These 13 things to do in San Juan won't cost a thing. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, the lush tropical island paradise boasts nearly 250 miles (402 km) of the world's top beaches, and magnificent resorts and hotels. There are the islands weve all heard of, and there are the islands we never knew existed. Probably not. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. Jost van Dyke. 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). She is also the author of several books covering the capital and mid-Atlantic regions. MAUI THE WORSE, so freaking boring, no beaches, no fun, just drive and drive in the island full of curves for hours to get to Hana and then HANA is empty, no life in there, NO BEACHES, no nothing!!! The coastline offers abundant activities for the watersport enthusiast, including snorkeling, diving, and windsurfing. Culture, art and travel are crucial to her lifestyle and central to her writing. Youll have to check them out somewhere else, because Capri has none (Everywhereist). Aside from one incident in which two people were murdered within 24 hours in 2017, Bonaire doesn't have much major crime. As you may expect on a private island, tourists have said they do not feel welcomed. St. Martin. The Caribbean is a diverse region with significant economic potential and growth opportunities. Most most cruises barely show you the true beauty of the tropics and travel agencies will only indulge you in cheap but not-so-memorable thrills. Beyond their beautiful beaches, each of these most popular Caribbean islands has a wide range of top attractions, all just waiting to be explored! Moskito Island. Over-the-water bungalows in the Maldives. Some of the smaller islands are referred to as a rock or reef. In November of 2011, Trinidad and Tobago was removed from the OECD's list of developing countries. Tourism boosts the Bahamian economy massively, accounting for 60% of GDP and providing employment for over half of the island's population. The nightlife is fun, traffic is horrible and the high-rise buildings are the opposite of what makes the Caribbean, Caribbean. Kayak and snorkel inSoufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve. TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. A 2015 BBC report was widely criticized by St. Kitts and Nevis authorities for naming this Leeward Islands nation "the most violent place on earth." 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. Long Cay is also where youll find tons of Rock Iguanas. Just remember that KN (Saint Kitts and Nevis) is on the west side of AB (Antigua and Barbuda), and BB (Barbados) is on the east side of VI (Saint Vincent and the . She loves traveling the region in search of the best cultural and foodie adventures, places to stay and live/work opportunities. Dont look for bars and mega resorts, but wild donkeys and salt flats with pink flamingos. Stroll the beaches of Montego Bay by day and dance to the latest reggae music at one of the citys nightclubs. The sandy beaches are generally wide and flat with waves meant for jumping and body surfing. On top of that, several reviewers on TripAdvisor note how littered the beaches are. Rude people, trash on the beaches & in the water, no greenery at all, & high crime. Some things are worth waiting for. Ranked as the number one honeymoon destination by US News Travel, St. Lucia is a solo traveler or adventure seekers nightmare. The island is only accessible by boat from The Maldives airport, but in the opposite direction from the majority of the nations resorts, placing the island on a quieter and virtually undisturbed atoll. Other sizable islands include Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago. St. Lucia. Barbados: Beautiful white sand beach in Turks & Caicos. There are also many land-based options, such as horseback riding and hiking. Let nature soothe your soul. And if youre looking to take in local culture, explore the capital city of St. George, which US News named the most beautiful harbor town in the Caribbean (US News Travel). Although homicide rates are high on a few Caribbean islands, most are lower than the United States' (according to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2019 there were 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people in the U.S.). Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 500,000 (estimate) / Year 2020: ??? This 300 acre private Caribbean island is located just off the coast of Antigua. It enforces relatively strict gun laws, which make it especially safe for travelers. Additionally, the islands are British Overseas Territories. In total, the CDC moved 15 places . 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