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Last Updated on November 5, 2023
The Caribbean is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world.
There are many islands that should be on your Caribbean Bucket List because they boast a variety of marine life, pristine beaches surrounded by bright swaying coral reefs, and rich flora and fauna. These are just some of the reasons why people who visit the Caribbean keep coming back for more.
While there are many must-visit tropical destinations throughout the region, here are the top choices for Caribbean destinations that you shouldn’t miss.
Click the Table of Contents to skip ahead to your favorite and explore all the best islands to visit in the Caribbean!
1
St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts Island is located in the Caribbean and is a popular beach and snorkeling destination. There are even a few popular St Kitts beaches near cruise port, making them popular shore excursions. However, the island is small and all the beautiful beaches in St Kitts are public and free…making each of them worth a visit!
St Kitts is only 5 miles from north to south and 18 miles wide. Even though the island is so small, the beaches are quite different, especially if you compare the northern versus the southern St Kitts beaches. The southern beaches face the calmer, warmer waters of the Caribbean Sea, while the northern St Kitts beaches face the colder, rougher waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Hiking in St Kitts is another one of the popular things to do when visiting the island. There are trails through the rainforest and even a hike up Mount Liamuiga Volcano. The variety of views on all the hikes on St Kitts and Nevis Islands makes it top of the list of best hiking trails in the Caribbean!
Popular Things to Do in St Kitts
2
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago are just a few miles off the Venezuelan coast in the Caribbean Sea. The twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago is one of the Caribbean’s most diverse, under-rated, and underexplored tropical travel destinations. This twin-island republic boasts beautiful rainforests, waterfalls, savannahs, and reefs.
The endless undeveloped beaches in Trinidad and Tobago are some of the prettiest in the region. It is also the home and heart of the West Indian Carnival and the place where calypso, soca, and steel pan music were invented.
Here is the Calendar for Carnival all over the Caribbean so that you can include this festive party on your next trip!
In addition to catching some sun, there are a lot of other things to do in Trinidad and Tobago like exploring culture and nature
Popular things to do in Trinidad.
3
Cayman Islands
There is a reason why just the mention of the Caribbean and the first thing that comes to many people’s mind is the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands are made up of three individual islands, located in the western Caribbean. They boast some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There are three notable beaches, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman. While Grand Cayman is the largest of all, each has something special and distinctive to its visitors.
Notable attractions around the Cayman Islands include the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, the Turtle Farm, and the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. The most popular and beautiful beach of the Cayman Islands is Seven Mile Beach, which among many other things, allows snorkeling lovers to do what they enjoy doing best. Scuba divers and even snorkelers may enjoy diving at the Kittiwake Shipwreck.
Popular Things to Do in Cayman Islands
4
Barbados
Barbados is another island that boasts the most beautiful and immaculate natural beauty. This is evident in the amazing caves and the scenic landscape that is rich in plants and animals covering the entire area. Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean. One thing you don’t want to miss is a visit to Harrison’s Cave, an underground cave that has deep pools, bubbling water streams, as well as rumbling waterfalls.
If you love windsurfing, then you have another reason to head to Barbados, which is one of the best windsurfing locations around the world. Silver Sands is a great location for beginners and seasoned windsurfers.
Popular Things to Do in Barbados
5
Havana, Cuba
Located on the northern coast of Cuba, Havana is yet another top tourist destination in the Caribbean, and there is a reason why. For one, this Cuba capital city is a year-round tourist destination meaning you can pop in anytime you feel like you deserve a getaway, making it one of the most fun Caribbean islands!
Havana boasts amazing and irresistible beaches, an animated nightlife, mouthwatering cuisines prepared by world-class chefs, and the most attractive and friendly atmosphere in all of the Caribbean.
A must-visit is the Habana Vieja (“Old Havana”), an old town rich in history, as is evident in the gothic structures and rich architecture. No wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
6
Puerto Rico
No Caribbean Bucket List is complete without including Puerto Rico!
El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico is a tiny but very beautiful and popular tourist hub for people visiting the Caribbean. So much can be said of this rainforest, but one thing it guarantees is breathtaking waterfalls, vibrant green ground cover, and amazing hiking trails.
Keep an eye out for a coqui, a tiny frog that is native to Puerto Rico.
As with any Caribbean locale, make sure to spend some time at the beautiful beaches. You can also enjoy some time in the quaint Old San Juan, where you can see attractions such as El Morro, a fortress started in 1539, and Castillo de San Cristobal, a fort that covers 27 acres. Here’s an example of a 3-day itinerary for Puerto Rico to help you plan an amazing vacation that includes El Yunque and more.
Need more info & things to do in Puerto Rico?
- Ultimate Guide to Puerto Rico: one week in Puerto Rico
- Guide to Puerto Rico: 3 days in Puerto Rico
- Guide to San Juan
- Where to stay in San Juan
- Guide to the Island of Culebra
- Guide to the Island of Vieques
- Guide to El Yunque National Forest
- Tours in El Yunque
- Finding the Las Paylas Natural Water Slide
- Pinones Kiosks
- Best Instagram Spots in Puerto Rico
- Adventure Guide to Puerto Rico
- Scuba Diving in Puerto Rico
Getting around Puerto Rico
7
Andros, The Bahamas
Last but not least, make sure you include the Bahamas on your Caribbean Bucket List. Andros is the largest of all islands in the Bahamas. It has three major islands, South and North Andros and Mangrove Cay. There is a barrier reef, the third largest worldwide, which is a must-see. This destination boasts over 2,300 flora and fauna, pure pink and gold irresistible sand lines on the eastern shore, and amazing marine wildlife.
Which Island will you put on your Caribbean Bucket List?
No matter where you vacation in the Caribbean, you’re sure to find fabulous weather and amazing food, and hopefully enjoy some of the local culture as well. If you choose any of these top Caribbean Bucket List Destinations, you will be sure to have a relaxing time and a wonderful vacation!
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Trinidad and Tobago is on top of my must visit list, but I want to visit all the islands. They all look so good.
I would have a world of trouble trying to decide where I’d wanna go first — they all look so beautiful!!
Your website has helped me find my way through the huge amount of information out there. I hope that your efforts continue to be successful and brilliant.