People go to the Caribbean for all kinds of reasons — many of which we’ve written about. But there is another kind of traveler — the one who seeks adventure not just on the beach or in the water, but in galleries, museums and the like. The Caribbean is full of wonderful art destinations, and these are our 10 favourites for 2013 (in no particular order). (Note: we’re restricting our definition of art not to include music — which will be the subject of its own city ranking to come).
Nassau, Bahamas
One of the best things about the art scene in Nassau is its concentration. Within just a few blocks of the main thoroughfare of West Bay Street are a number of high-quality art destinations, from local studios to the Bahamas’ relatively new national gallery.
Jacmel, Haiti
Haiti is a feast for the senses, and Jacmel has long been the country’s cultural capital. Its architecture alone is worthy of marvel, but the thriving local art scene is not to be missed.
Ponce, Puerto Rico
We’ve covered museums in the past, including a suggestion of museums to visit in the region. One we didn’t mention was the Museo de Arte de Ponce, which has one of the greatest collections in the entire Caribbean. It alone is worthy of a visit to this city on Puerto Rico’s southern coast — but there’s far, far more to be explored.
Kingston, Jamaica
While there’s certainly debate about just where the cultural capital of the Caribbean is, Kingston is inarguably a contender or the title. Kingston has a wave of new, young talent, and a host of small, high-quality galleries.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Another city whose architecture is a work of art in its own right, San Juan has scores of galleries, particularly in Old San Juan — and all in one of the most walkable areas of the entire Caribbean.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo is a city with a soul, and the Dominican Republic’s capital lives and breathes culture. Centuries of history have made it not just one of the most metropolitan cities in the Caribbean, but also one of its most artistic.
Fort de France, Martinique
There are times walking through Martinique’s capital when you’ll swear you’re in some corner of Nice or Cannes. There are others when you’ll feel that you’re somewhere that is utterly unique. That’s the beauty of Martinique, whose art culture is strong, developed and diverse.
Havana, Cuba
It’s hard to ignore the power and influence of Cuban art and culture, and Havana has a seemingly infinite number of galleries. While travel to Cuba is still limited for our American readers, some licensed trips can provide a sampling of the city’s art culture.
Gustavia, St Barth
The smallest city (if you can call it that) on this list, St Barth’s capital is not just a luxurious escape for the rich and famous, it’s also a wonderful place to experience what is a surprisingly deep arts movement.
Point a Pitre, Guadeloupe
One of the Caribbean’s more fascinating cities, Guadeloupe’s most populous municipality has developed a wonderful mix of French and Creole styles, and has become a home for art of all kinds — with some great museums to boot.