The Caribbean is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. In fact, more than 30 million people travel to the Caribbean each year at its peak. People love the Caribbean for its tropical climate. They also enjoy the white sand beaches and the crystal clear water.
There are so many activities to do in the Caribbean. The Caribbean culture is also something that visitors enjoy. Read on to learn about the best places to travel in the Caribbean. Explore the top Caribbean islands to travel to so that you can have a memorable vacation.
U.S. Virgin Islands
Many travelers prefer the Virgin Islands of the United States. This is a U.S. territory so American travelers do not need an international passport.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are east of Puerto Rico. There are three islands including St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. The islands are smaller than other popular Caribbean destinations like the Dominican Republic or Jamaica. However, you can still find stellar resorts and enjoy the trademark white-sand beaches that make the Caribbean so popular.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is another U.S. territory in the Caribbean. It is much larger than the U.S. Virgin Islands. Americans do not need a passport to travel here and there are many direct flights to the mainland. Travelers enjoy Puerto Rico due to its incredible culture. Puerto Rican food is unique and some of the best in the world. You can enjoy incredible Puerto Rican cuisine in fancy restaurants or from a cheap street vendor. The island is known for pig roasts and rum production. There is a robust nightlife in Puerto Rico’s capital of San Juan. On top of the beaches, visitors also like to take in the rain forests and mountain views.
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos are consistently voted as one of the top places to travel in the Caribbean. It is conveniently located for American travelers. It is less than 600 miles off the Floridian coast and just south of the Bahamas. The archipelago is made up of 40 different islands. They are low-lying and do not feature the same mountainous terrain as other Caribbean islands like Jamaica. Turks and Caicos is a British territory. Visitors flock to resorts on Grand Bay Beach on the island of Providenciales. The island of Grand Turk, which is home to the capital city of Cockburn Town, is also popular.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic shares an island with Haiti, its neighbor to the west. The country is in a convenient location for travel as it is relatively close to southern Florida. The island which holds the Dominican Republic is east of Cuba and south of Turks and Caicos. Punta Cana is the most popular destination for those visiting the Dominican Republic. The city lies on the nation’s eastern shore and receives millions of visitors each year. These travel tips help tourists navigate the Caribbean nation and its 25 miles of beaches. Cheap Caribbean travel is possible in the Dominican Republic, and there are many amazing resorts to stay at on a budget.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. It is south of Cuba and west of Haiti. Physically speaking, it is the third-largest island in the Caribbean Sea. Jamaica is a popular Caribbean destination known for its beachfront resorts. It is a mountainous island, and its inhabitants are famously proud of their heritage. The nation is rich in its African culture, and the cuisine is distinct to the island. Like all the Caribbean islands, it has many outdoor activities to do including scuba diving and ziplining.
Cancun and Cozumel
The westernmost area of the Caribbean Sea takes us to the Mexican border. Here, you will find some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Two examples are the Mexican resort cities of Cancun and Cozumel. Mexico is one of the top choices for cheap Caribbean travel. Tourists benefit from the favorable exchange rate for the Peso.
The Central American country is known for its rich culture. There are also many activities for visitors, and the most well-known resort brands are all present in both Cancun and Cozumel.
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands is a small group of three islands in the western Caribbean. It is located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica. The Cayman Islands are another British territory. The three islands are called Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. Many tourists like to visit Grand Cayman. There is one main road that loops around the entire island. It is home to the award-winning Seven Mile Beach. There are hundreds of restaurants in Grand Cayman supporting the tourism industry. The Cayman Islands are not known for any distinct type of food. Instead, as a British island, they host foods of all different kinds such as French, Japanese, and more.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas is appealing to many travelers because of its proximity to the United States. It is east of the Florida Keys and north of Cuba. Few people know that the Bahamas is where Christopher Columbus made landfall in the new world. There are roughly 700 islands that make up the Bahamas, only 30 of which are occupied. The capital city Nassau is one of the most popular destinations for travelers. The city of Freeport on Grand Bahama Island is also popular. The Bahamas is home to some of the Caribbean’s luxurious resorts. The climate is incredible for most of the year, and visitors rave about the Bahamas’ white sand beaches.
Recapping the Best Places to Travel in the Caribbean
You are now ready to plan your dream vacation to the Caribbean. There are so many different islands and tropical paradises to visit. While every Caribbean destination has a perfect climate and white-sand beaches, they each have their own unique features that make them special. Whether it is the cuisine or culture, the Caribbean is rich.
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