One of the best Caribbean islands for nature lovers, it boasts with eco-resorts and protected areas. 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. St. Barts, short for Saint Barthlemy, has been anoverseas collectivityof France since 2007. Nevis, in the Leeward Islands, is one of the Caribbeans best kept secrets. "Police won't do anything," a woman claimed on Trip Advisor as she was verbally assaulted on Magen's Bay beach. "I almost drowned there," a tourist recalled on Trip Advisor. Planning tip: Spend a day on the sister island of St Kitts where you can hike Mt Liamuiga Volcano and check outBrimstone Hill Fortress National Park. Wheel around in your golf cart on white sand roads and its mostly you and Mother Nature with just enough people to have a little atmosphere. For a unique golfing experience, play on Bonaires natural golf desert course (where wild goats and donkeys roam). Made up of over 700islands, reefs, islets and cays, the Caribbean promises a variety of treasures both on and off its shores. The U.S. Department of State warns against traveling to troubled spots like Spanish Town and parts of Montego Bay or Kingston, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Source: flickr. TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. The keys dont boast a ton of family-friendly options, nor does it offer a lively nightlife or culinary scene for singles. Surprisingly, these 15destinations fall short of expectations and are more commercialized than everyone might think. Get Updates And Stay Connected to the latest offers and news from the Caribbean. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 4,994,309 / Year 2020: 2,405,315 The Dominican Republic is the most visited island in the Caribbean. Tourists are advised to take normal precautions, such as not walking alone, carrying valuable possessions, or leaving anything unattended at the beach. This 300 acre private Caribbean island is located just off the coast of Antigua. #1 The Best Caribbean Island: Cuba Cubans love their cars. Also see: Best things to do in Cuba. Snorkeling in lagoons and hiking up Mt. Bahamas: Exuma Swimming with Pigs. Separated by a short gap of sky-blue Caribbean Sea in the midst of the Leeward Islands, the duo that makes up Antigua and Barbuda represent one of the region's most well-rounded tourist draws. 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. Tourists are more at risk of petty crimes and pickpocketing than anything. The bungalows, villas, cottages, and beach houses are spread out for miles. Activities include everything from deep-sea fishing and kayaking toplaying tennis and cycling. However, since achieving independence and/or autonomy, many Caribbean islands have managed to establish themselves competitively in the world economy. It's still producing rum and offers tours of the facility six days a week. 28, 2023, Holly Johnson and Ann HensonFeb. Traditionally, St Lucia gained most of its riches from banana cultivation. Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in Jamaica | Tours in Jamaica. One of the Dutch Caribbean islands, Bonaire boasts sparkling beauty. Located in the Grenadines, West Indies, the island has approximately 100 private villas and just two hotels. In 2009 the island's economy was hit hard by the economic recession which decreased the number of visitors to the island but in past years tourism has picked up again: in 2013, it accounted for approximately 60% of GDP and 40% of investments. The rooms need updating, the food is expensive, and the attractions are only so-so.. Even dining off the resort poses a problem, as most of the good restaurants have a strict reservation only policy. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. Maria is a French-British English literature graduate. Here are the most overrated islands and the ones we can only dream of visiting. For an authentic Jamaican experience, mix it up with locals at Bluefields Beach Parkwhere, at the weekends, families will be picnicking and the reggae music will be blasting. Theres fun to be had at Washington-Slagbaai National Park, be it hiking to the tallest peak at Mt Brandaris, cliff-jumping into turquoise waters at Boka Slagbaii or chilling in the tide pool at Boka Kokolishi. All rights reserved. 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. Over the past decade or so, the Bahamas has arguably become the least exciting country in the Caribbean. 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. Providencialesgets all the glory, but South Caicos is a Caribbean gem worth your time. The third largest Caribbean island, Jamaica is one of the most popular and well-known tourist destinations in the region. Prepare to be shocked as we debunk the picturesque, postcard-like portraits of the Caribbean islands. As you may expect on a private island, tourists have said they do not feel welcomed. 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. With its serene, laidback atmosphere, pristine waters, and rich, vibrant culture, the Bahamas is perfect for a quick weekend getaway or an extended tropical vacation. Tobagos Unesco World Heritage Site,Main Ridge Forest Reserve is the oldest protected forest in the western hemisphere, with nine trails to keep hikers happy. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) consist of Tortola (the largest and most inhabited island), Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, and more than 50 smaller islands and cays. For related lists, see below. With an estimated 5.7 million tourist arrivals in 2012, it is one of the most-visited Caribbean islands. An absolute bucket list experience has to be. Read our, Barbados & Eastern Caribbean 2020 Crime & Safety Report, Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean. There are 13 sovereign states and 17 dependent territories in the Caribbean, and the predominant languages are English, Spanish, French, Dutch and . Nicknamed "The nature island of the Caribbean", the thrills are loggerhead turtles, whales, hot springs, boiling lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. Note: Originally published on September 10th, 2014, this post was updated on November 8th, 2022. Dine at The Rocks that sits 300m (1000ft) above sea level on the grounds of theGolden Rock Inn, where you can enjoy magnificent sea views, cascading ponds, and lush gardens. The second Island, St. Thomas is one of best Caribbean spots to enjoy sightseeing, snorkeling, diving and shopping. Tobago has one of the highest densities of bird species in the world, with more than 200 varieties. Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is one of the most unique Caribbean islands. Trek the parks trails with views of mountains and the rainforest. Located in the Caribbean about 65 kilometers off the northern coast of Honduras, this small island rose in popularity for those trying to strike a balance between backpacking and beach lounging. Since, however, things have turned around for the island. 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. Bermuda doesnt have to an overrated experience, but it takes a little more work than other Caribbean Islands to get the most out of it. Bora Bora should officially change its name to Boring Boring. The nightlife is fun, traffic is horrible and the high-rise buildings are the opposite of what makes the Caribbean, Caribbean. In this article we will explore all the pros and cons of living in the British Virgin Islands. 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. January 25, 2021, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. "It doesn't beat Florida in terms of cleanliness," one reviewer wrote on Trip Advisor. The name pretty much says it all: a beautiful beach where pigs swim around. Food was good but everything else was bad. The Caribbean Islands. 10 of the top Caribbean islands 1 of 10 Lush peaks, deep valleys and 365 rivers cover the Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica. Cuba is the largest island country in the Caribbean . 15 Caribbean Destinations That Are Overrated (As Shown In These Real Tourist Photos), Basseterre, St. Kitts And Nevis:Crime-ridden Area, Maho Beach, Sint Maarten: Won't Blow You Away, Dickenson Bay, Antigua:A Small Strip Of Sand, South Martinique Islands:Boring In General, Kingstown, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines: A Simple FishingVillage, Tortola, British Virgin Islands: Hard To Enjoy, Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda: A Turn-off For Tourists, Magen's Bay, US Virgin Islands: Crowded Cruise Island, The Entire Island Of Puerto Rico:Too Commercialized, Sosua Beach, Dominican Republic: Badly Eroded, Montego Bay, Jamaica: Serious Risk OfRobbery, Affordable Southern Hospitality: 10 Budget-Friendly Hotels In Charleston, Bang For Your Buck: Top 10 Most Affordable Hotels In Chile, 10 Most Beautiful Beach Hotels In Clearwater, Florida, You Should Book, Mardi Gras To Magnolias: The Ultimate Guide To Mobile & Things To Do, A Southern Dream: The Ultimate Guide To Savannah & Things To Do, 10 Best Tropical Destinations Around The World You Should Visit, Sunshine State Savings: 10 Affordable Florida Hotels For Your Next Vacation, Upstate New York's Hidden Treasures: An Excursion To Explore Its Best Secret Caves, Gorges, & Canyons. 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). 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. There is only so much snow shoveling you can do before you need a break. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. Puerto Rico: 16th-century citadel in San Juan named Castillo San Felipe del Morro. From the iconic pitons of St. Lucia and tropical rainforest of Puerto. The Caribbean is a diverse region with significant economic potential and growth opportunities. The service industry currently accounts for an estimated 75% of GDP, highlighting how crucial the tourist industry has been to St Kitts and Nevis's economy. Take an adventurous climb up Mt Nevis or a less intense hike to rainforest waterfalls. Word is the pigs are pretty friendly too, as theyve gotten used to all the human attention. St. Martin. If youre looking to lounge on the beach, choose from one of Granadas soft sand beaches. Prices vary across the island, and are lower in non-tourist areas. Tortola is okay but not the best. Whether a family vacation or a romantic getaway, these mesmerizing islands provide many options to create perfect memories. Ocho Rios would be a safer choice (with its 180m tall waterfalls and lagoons) and is just an hour away from Montego Bay. Do they have shops and stuff, or do most people just stay at their resort on the beach or pool? Skip the masses and head to Bluefields on the south coast instead. 1. But not all islands are created equal. However, in response to a change in European Union banana trade preferences, Dominica has placed emphasis on the production of coffee, aloe vera, exotic fruits and manufactured soaps to remain competitive on the export market. If you want to enjoy a little privacy, why not try the nearby Cabarete beach instead, where you can enjoy windsurfing and stroll peacefully without vendors trying to harass you. From the over-commercialized to the virtually undiscovered, to the accessible resorts to the most private islands youve never heard of. Grenada has a small, open economy that's largely tourism-based. There are bars, vintage cars, and plenty of hole in the wall shops selling the eponymous Cuban cigars. The southern portion of Martinique has its pros and cons. Puerto Rico is a large island without a whole lot of public transportation. The former French islands of Guadeloupe are a fascinating archipelago of 5 islands well known for their distinctive Creole culture, cuisine, and celebrations. Belize is one of the most exciting up and coming investment locations in the region. One thing about the Caribbean islands isthe laid-back police force (there's a 99% chance you wouldn't get a stolen item back). 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. St Kitts. Drug trafficking is a major concern here. Barbados. 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. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 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. If you're planning a winter vacation, here are 13 lesser-known Caribbean islands to consider. The smallest of the US Virgin Islands, it lacks the same level of luxury hotels and resorts than its counterparts. Tuvalu: The Most Boring Country on Earth Europe North America Central America South America Australia/NZ Asia Africa Caribbean Indian Ocean Middle East Oceania Antarctica Lee Abbamonte Home About Lee Pictures Travel Blog Travel Tips List of all the Countries in the World 30 Best Press Contact The Most Boring Country on Earth The snorkeling was amazing. Culture, art and travel are crucial to her lifestyle and central to her writing. Grenada. At 28,000 square acres, El Yunque is the only year-round tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system and is the oldest forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere. Some things are worth waiting for. Quite a turn off for tourists but it's true, Jamaica's assessment concluded with a level 2 crime warning (travelers should exercise increased caution). The island is known for its beautiful beaches, stunning waterfalls, all-inclusive resorts, and rich array of culture, cuisine, British Colonial architecture, and music.. You're probably familiar with the Marley name, but there . Their popularity depends on whether people are visiting there on a cruise or to stay for multiple nights in a hotel or resort. Launched in 2014, Caribbean & Co. has won five travel media awards. Photo Credit: napa74 via 123RF.com. Dominica has many nooks and crannies you might not discover on your own. 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. It is also the area of the world that gets hit by hurricanes more often than other areas. 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