The Caribbean is evolving, simply as its guests are evolving. For each customer seeking to savor the area’s pure magnificence, there’s one other looking for out genuine cultural experiences, musical odysseys or wellness journeys.
Then there are the lodges: the area’s lodging have by no means been higher or extra completely different, whether or not it’s the continued development of all-inclusive resorts or the welcome improvement of personality-rich, distinctive boutique lodges. After which there’s the meals — a reminder that that is additionally the world’s most various culinary vacation spot. However the scope of the Caribbean will also be intimidating. There are such a lot of locations to select from, so many lodges, so many cities, so many seashores, so many islands, so many potentialities.
The place to start out? We’ve been masking the area exhaustively and comprehensively for a decade and a half, and our editors have been touring to the Caribbean for a half century. Daily, we attempt to inform the story of that have, primarily based on year-round journeys to the Caribbean, on-the-ground resarch and resort stays throughout the islands. However if you need a spot to start out as you propose your 2025 journeys, that is it: our annual listing of the most effective islands to go to within the Caribbean contains our favourite hotspots and under-the-radar gems to take a look at as you search for journey inspiration. This 12 months, we’ve gone deeper, specializing in particular areas inside every vacation spot.
Listed below are our favourite locations to go proper now, together with, after all, some locations that aren’t really islands however merely can’t be missed. That is your Caribbean information for 2025.
Antigua and Barbuda What’s the Caribbean fantasy? For everybody, it’s completely different. However when you polled 100 folks, they’d most likely describe a spot like this: splendid white-sand seashores, toes-in-the-sand lodges, fun-loving seaside bars and plentiful, intoxicating pure magnificence. There’s a motive that Antigua and Barbuda has been the fastest-growing vacation spot within the Caribbean within the final decade — it’s simply that good, from its enviable assortment of genuine lodges and resorts (from Hammock Cove to Galley Bay to Keyonna to Jumby Bay) to its 365 seashores to the more and more fascinating vacation spot that’s Barbuda (Nobu, anybody?) to its buzzing meals scene (Sheer Rocks is within the pantheon of nice Caribbean eateries).
However there’s additionally a lot past the seaside: you possibly can journey by means of the centuries at Nelson’s Dockyard or take pleasure in one of many Caribbean’s best culinary festivals, discover the legendary rum assortment at Papa Zouk’s or strive some world-class snorkeling. It’s all right here, at your tempo, at your alternative.
However what’s so outstanding about this island is that regardless of its development and success, it stays blissfully, captivatingly uncrowded – you possibly can all the time discover your pristine nook of sand, your quiet slice of excellent. And that’s no small feat. It’s the Caribbean fantasy, but it surely’s your fantasy.
Exuma, The Bahamas It may need begun with the Swimming Pigs, however Exuma has skyrocketed to the highest of many vacationers’ radar for its indescribably stunning water, pristine seashores and unmatched boating. Numerous locations prefer to throw across the time period “bucket listing,” however Exuma may be very a lot a field to be ticked – you possibly can journey around the globe and again and by no means see water like this. Exuma can also be heating up in different methods, from new-look lodges (the historic Peace ’n Lots simply bought a facelift) to a brand new Seashores resort in improvement, and a brand-new airport on the best way. It’s an thrilling time to go to this Bahamian archipelago, from the charms of Nice Exuma to the south to the pilgrimage cease at Staniel Cay to the north.
San Ignacio, Belize Belize is its personal universe on the western fringe of the Caribbean, from offshore hotspots like Ambergris Caye to private-island retreats and blue holes. However within the lush, wealthy inside of the nation, you’ll discover manifold wonders, together with within the pristine Cayo district, a inexperienced, naturally magnificent space that features every thing from Maya archaeological websites to a 300,000-acre forest reserve. That makes it the proper place to seek out your fantasy eco lodges, from Francis Ford Coppola’s Blancaneaux Lodge to the decidedly beautiful Gaia Riverlodge.
Downtown Nassau, The Bahamas It’s one of many largest transformations within the area in recent times. It’s taken a few decade, however the downtown nook of the Bahamian capital of Nassau has been dramatically reimagined right into a walkable, thrilling, enjoyable neighborhood that’s arguably the highest downtown anyplace within the Caribbean. That ranges from the beautiful work the workforce at Graycliff have performed to create their Heritage Village to the inventive efforts of the Nationwide Artwork Gallery of The Bahamas and native artists like Antonius Roberts to The Pointe, the resort advanced that features the wonderful Margaritaville Seashore Resort, its One Specific Harbour residential-style sister resort. Then there’s the most recent addition: the marvelously restored, revamped British Colonial Nassau, town’s first resort that has been lovingly and exquisitely upgraded in a means that honors its historical past and exemplifies the brand new Nassau. Nassau is, plainly, higher than ever.
Grand Case, St Martin Do you want meals? That is for you. There’s merely nowhere in the complete Caribbean with a higher focus of world-class eating places than this beloved fishing city on the French facet of St Martin, the place you possibly can spend every week consuming out and simply scratch the floor of what’s right here. The culinary powerhouse is Le Pressoir, a daily on the high of the listing of greatest eating places within the Caribbean, and the native hotpot is the gathering of grill-stands known as the Lolos, however this can be a gastronomic tapestry that can wrap you up and redefine your urge for food. Even higher? The world’s greatest resort, the Grand Case Seashore Membership, is within the midst of a brand new improve that features a beautiful rooftop pool and bar.
Southeastern Peninsula, St Kitts The second you make the preliminary strategy in your automobile and drive as much as the lookout, you admire simply how spectacularly stunning a spot that is. The southeastern peninsula of St Kitts is the island’s occasion piece, a green-hilled surprise that begins with one of many Caribbean’s most scenic drives and takes you in all places from a real seaside bar capital to one in every of our favourite luxurious resorts: the Park Hyatt St Kitts. (There’s additionally a Ritz, Carlton on the best way).
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Actually since its inception as a tourism vacation spot, the epicenter of Provo has been Grace Bay Seashore. However whereas Grace Bay remains to be an undisputed anchor, lots of the latest joys on the island are to be discovered in numerous, burgeoning corners. That features every thing from Lengthy Bay, the deliciously shallow, satin-turquoise seaside that’s residence to world-class resorts just like the Shore Membership to the more and more sizzling Blue Mountain space. However our favourite discovery of the final 12 months was Kokomo, a wellness-focused botanical resort that could be a full-fledged oasis within the coronary heart of Provo, lushly landscaped, with sleekly-designed cottages and a number of the greatest meals on the entire island.
Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe We’ll get to the purpose: Guadeloupe is fabulous. It’s a vibrant, dynamic archipelago with one of the vital various, wealthy journey choices anyplace within the hemisphere, not to mention the Caribbean: from island hopping to mountain climbing to volcanoes to a outstanding rum trade to a number of the greatest meals within the area. But it surely’s by no means been straightforward to get to, it has only a few international-standard lodges (although it does have some beautiful villas). That ought to change with the launch this 12 months of Accor’s new Pullman Royal Key, a wellness resort that’s the first new-build resort within the French Caribbean division in years, set on the beachy, tourist-friendly island of Grande Terre. You may make it right here on American Airways and Air France, however simply be sure to take a look at the schedule, as a result of service isn’t frequent nor 12 months spherical.
Cape Santa Maria, Lengthy Island, The Bahamas The primary time we visited this seaside, one in every of our editors stated it is perhaps essentially the most stunning seaside he had ever seen. And when you come right here, you’ll discover it exhausting to disagree. It’s so stunning, so blue, so good that footage actually don’t do it justice. However once you get right here, you’ll discover it exhausting to depart. Lengthy Island is without doubt one of the nice undiscovered locations in The Bahamas, with only a handful of flights (together with only one, on the wonderful Makers Air, from the US) and exceedingly few vacationers. However that is the Grande Dame, residence to a lovable bungalow resort that’s designed for stepping proper out onto the sand and spending all day there. (The perfect half is the worth: you possibly can usually discover rooms right here for underneath $400 and generally $300 per night time).
Inexperienced Turtle Cay, Abaco, The Bahamas It’s lower than two sq. miles. However there’s one thing right here that may’t be measured. This little outpost within the electric-Blue Abaco chain of The Bahamas can have you immediately fall in love, whether or not you’re strolling by means of the streets of the previous city of New Plymouth or checking into one in every of its beloved little lodges just like the pleasant Inexperienced Turtle Membership or the enchanting Bluff Home. But it surely’s really quite straightforward to get right here: fly from Miami or Palm Seashore to Marsh Harbor, hop in a cab, then take a super-quick ferry from th mainland and also you’re instantly transported into a unique world.
Christiansted, St Croix There’s simply one thing cool in regards to the historic streets of Christiansted. Lately, enterprising hoteliers and restaurateurs have helped flip what was as soon as a considerably sleepy downtown right into a enjoyable, scrumptious, walkable, colourful vacation spot, with every thing from a high-level waterfront tiki bar to a rising variety of modern, inventive boutique lodges just like the King Christian and the Firm Home, together with high eateries like Savant and Too Chez. Should you like meals, drink, historical past and sea, that is for you.
Anguilla Anguilla has all the time been superb at two issues: seashores and meals. The culinary tradition that its authentic resort, the Mallioiuhana, spawned, created one of many true restaurant capitals within the Caribbean, with an inconceivable surfeit of top-level eateries for such a tiny place. The island can also be residence to a number of the greatest seashores anyplace, from Shoal to Meads to Maundays. However very quietly one of many island’s lodges has been turning into one of many Caribbean’s new vacation spot resorts: Aurora Anguilla, which has including new facilities left and proper, from a shocking waterpark to a revamped Greg Norman golf course (and adjoining golf heart and academy) that simply may need the most effective views of any course within the area.
San Nicolas, Aruba It was the previous capital in Aruba, and in recent times the little city of San Nicolas has been discovering new life as an artwork vacation spot, with a number of the Caribbean’s most beautiful road artwork and a enjoyable, entrepreneurial vibe. However San Nicolas is about to get on the map in an entire new means with the approaching debut of the brand new, long-awaited Secrets and techniques Child Seashore, only a brief drive from the city and set on top-of-the-line seashores on an island well-known for its sand.
Roseau, Dominica We’ve written a lot in these pages in regards to the north of Dominica and its world-class luxurious lodges, led by Secret Bay and the InterContinental. However on the opposite facet of the island is Dominica’s fascinating historic capital, Roseau. And the crown jewel of town is the Fort Younger, the distinctive all-inclusive resort (it comes with complimentary excursions to a number of the island’s best pure sights) that simply accomplished a large renovation and re-imagining, mixing a centuries-old fort with a enjoyable, contemporary, culture-focused idea.
Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia Should you haven’t really been to Saint Lucia, you’ve most likely seen the Pitons, the rainforest, the legendary three-walled resorts like Jade Mountain (the island’s bucket-list adults-only resort). However it’s possible you’ll not learn about Rodney Bay, our favourite a part of the island, a enjoyable, always-bustling, culture-filled vacation spot that’s additionally residence to the beloved Bay Gardens resort assortment: an ever-expanding, locally-owned portfolio of lodges starting from luxe villas to basic, breezy toes-in-the-sand resorts. (And with one other one on the best way, too).
Portici Seashore, Grenada Grenada is splendidly exhausting to categorize. It’s cool, it’s stunning, it’s sustainable, it’s laid again, it’s foodie-friendly. However this beautiful little nook of seaside tells the story quite properly: on one facet, there’s Laluna, the Mediteranean-inspired boutique resort that’s a country, bohemian retreat excellent for serene seaside getaways. Proper subsequent door is Silversands Seashore Home, a hanging, fashionable boutique resort that’s the essence of contemporary Grenada: hip and enjoyable however nonetheless gloriously relaxed. They’re only a slice of the story on this magnificently stunning, lush Japanese Caribbean island, however they’re a beautiful place to start out.
La Romana, Dominican Republic There’s nonetheless one main motive to come back right here: Casa de Campo, the resort and villa resort that continues to be one of many legendary locations to remain in the entire of the Caribbean. There’s every thing right here: an unmatched golf providing, a brand new, state-of-the-art wellness heart, a glowing resort-within-a-resort idea known as Premier Membership; and an action-packed occasions calendar that features a number of the area’s new must-visit culinary festivals. Casa de Campo, which is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this 12 months, isn’t only a resort: it’s an entire vacation spot unto itself. However essentially the most notable improvement is the brand new American Airways flights from Miami to La Romana — which take you on to the grounds of the resort.
Willemstad, Curacao In some unspecified time in the future, you’ve gotten most likely seen the colourful buildings that dot the waterfront in Curacao’s chic capital of Willemstad. However when you haven’t really visited the capital, you’re actually lacking out. It’s a outstanding place: walkable, enjoyable, stuffed with bars, shops, eating places, artwork galleries, museums and extra (together with the most effective French Fries you’ll discover within the Caribbean) and a few terrific lodges, from larger choices just like the Renaissance to the great-value Brion Metropolis Lodge. And it’s not only a place for a day journey from another a part of the island – this can be a metropolis to be lived in, to be loved, to be savored, from night strolls within the Rif Fort to cocktails on the Saint Tropez.
Ambergris Cay, Turks and Caicos No, not the one you’re pondering of (that one is spelled Ambergris Caye and is in Belize, a beautiful vacation spot in its personal proper.) This one stays one thing of a scrumptious secret, a personal island only a brief hop of a flight from Providenciales and residential to one of many Caribbean’s most romantic, most stunning, most luxurious all-inclusive resorts: Ambergris Cay, with simply 17 bungalows, together with a handful of villas, and a brand new stage of all-inclusive consolation.
Seven Mile Seashore, Grand Cayman We love nearly each inch of Grand Cayman, from the Japanese Districts to West Bay to Cayman Kai. However when you’ve been following Seven Mile Seashore, you know the way one of many world’s greatest seashores is, properly, getting even higher. New eating places, new lodges (together with the stunning Lodge Indigo, which simply opened throughout the road from the sand) and new bars (the rooftop Pom Pom is the island’s new vacation spot watering gap) have helped flip the Seven Mile Seashore District into a fair deeper, extra layered place to go. The place to remain? We nonetheless love the Seafire for its distinctive take beachy luxurious, however we have been quite impressed with the Indigo after we checked in final 12 months – and it might be top-of-the-line values on the island.
Saint Pierre, Martinique Martinique isn’t for everybody. You need to be a complicated, intrepid traveler, one who has no qualms about renting a automobile and simply exploring; it’s a must to be somebody who loves journey and the artwork of journey. In different phrases, it’s a must to be a Caribbean Journal reader. Should you enterprise there, you’ll be rewarded with a really completely different, very genuine Caribbean vacation spot, a spot stuffed with historical past and tradition, with artwork and delicacies, with a palpable, dynamic identification. That’s nowhere extra true than within the little city of Saint Pierre, a spot that grew to become the Pompeii of the Caribbean when its Mont Peele volcano erupted greater than a century in the past and is now an enthralling, nearly impossibly stunning mixture of historic ruins, bakeries, waterfront cafes and seaside bars. (To not point out the Depaz rum distillery simply up the highway). The place to remain? A villa is your greatest guess, apart from the no-frills however endearing Villa Saint Pierre resort within the coronary heart of city.
Cape Eleuthera, The Bahamas Whereas North Eleuthera is essentially the gateway to Harbour Island, and central Eletuhera is more and more sizzling for the charms of Governor’s Harbour, we hold falling exhausting for the uncooked, beautiful pure great thing about the southwestern nook of Eleuthera, residence to the boutique Cape Eleuthera resort, the place you’ve gotten 4,500 acres all to your self, stuffed with journey and blissfully uncrowded. The resort itself has some beautiful toes-in-the-sand bungalows for the proper seaside fantasy.
Gustavia, St Barth You possibly can’t discuss nice locations to journey within the Caribbean and omit St Barth. It’s only a magical little island, with the most effective buying within the Caribbean, a few of its most spectacular seashores, eating places and lodges, and that glamorous, jet-set vibe that’s exhausting to copy anyplace else. But it surely additionally has Gustavia: the previous French Caribbean city has been present process a renaissance within the final decade, notably because the pandemic, with new eateries, new boutiques and new vitality on either side of the harbor. It’s helped flip the city right into a 24-7, full-time vacation spot, and never only a place to search for title manufacturers between seaside hops. The place to remain? Wimco has excellent villas throughout the rim of the city, together with some stunning luxurious residences alongside the harbor, too.
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands Now that luxurious airline Tradewind flies to the island, it’s simpler than ever to get there. And whereas it’s maybe most well-known for its Rosewood Little Dix Bay resort, we’re quite a fan of its stunning, various assortment of villas, greatest booked by means of high operator Virgin Gorda Villa Leases. Virgin Gorda has an nearly mystical high quality, one which begins with the otherworldly rock formation known as The Baths; there’s a palpable vitality right here, one which pervades each nook of the island, from the sought-after North Sound to the road meals in Spanish City.
Kingston, Jamaica A decade in the past, Jamaica’s capital by no means would have made this listing. However the metropolis has undergone a quite outstanding transformation and, whereas it’s nonetheless discovering its means as a full-fledged tourism vacation spot, it’s the proper place to carve out a novel city getaway, from new lodges just like the ROK and the AC Lodge (the latter a partnership between Marriott and Sandals) to a burgeoning road artwork scene. Even higher? Caribbean Airways simply introduced again its once-popular route from Fort Lauderdale top-of-the-line connections to the capital from the US.
