What makes a good airport? These days, air travel is rarely easy, so when we get to the airport there are few factors that really determine the quality of the experience. Most importantly, it needs to be clean, it needs to be comfortable, it needs good food and bar options, good shopping and, if possible, it needs to have a smooth, security and passport operation (although that’s hard to find anywhere in the world). The Caribbean has its share of good airports — modern, global-standard ones that make the experience of traveling a little bit easier. Here are our favourites for 2014.
Lynden Pindling International Airport — Nassau, Bahamas
Last year, the Bahamas’ flagship airport completed a more than $400 million renovation, and the results are fantastic. This is a spotless, modern, beautiful airport that compares favourably with its larger counterparts around the world. It sets the bar for what airports in the region can be, from a great Graycliff airport lounge in the US departures terminal to solid food options. And having US Customs pre-clearance means that American travelers don’t have to go through customs when they land.
Sangster International Airport — Montego Bay, Jamaica
Montego Bay’s air hub has a good selection of food and beverage options, attractive duty-free shopping and our pick for the Caribbean’s best airport lounge, Club Mobay, which, crucially, will not only offer you an elegant waiting experience but will personally ferret you through security, too. (Not to mention the presence of a Tastee patty shop just outside when you arrive.
Princess Juliana International Airport — St Maarten
SXM, as it’s known, is a modern, bright airport most famous for its interesting landings that hover right over the beach. It has a good selection of food options on its first floor, while its second floor and departures area is marked by one of the region’s best duty-free shopping experiences.
Aerupuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix — Aruba
Aruba’s airport has a very good selection of restaurants, cafes and bars, an array of duty-free shopping outposts and even its own meditation room. And, like the Bahamas, it offers US customs before you board the plane, crucial if you’re flying to the United States.
Norman Manley International Airport — Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica’s gateway airport has a wide selection of food outlets, very good shopping (both local and duty-free) and it also has the sister lounge of the aforementioned Club Mobay, Club Kingston. All in all, NMIA is a great Caribbean air hub.
Pointe-a-Pitre International Airport — Guadeloupe
PTP isn’t the largest airport in the Caribbean, but it is extremely clean, built to a modern design standard and as well-run as any airport you’ll find in mainland France. Its second-floor departures experience is notable for excellent duty-free shopping, including one of the best rum selections of any duty-free stores in the entire region. The airport is also expanding to become more of a regional aviation hub.
Punta Cana International Airport — Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic’s busiest airport, Punta Cana is notable for its Caribbean look, built with thatched-style roofs. It’s got excellent duty-free shopping and solid food options. While it is an open-air airport, which, as we’ve seen in other parts of the Caribbean, doesn’t always make for the most comfortable experience, at Punta Cana copious amounts of shade are a big help.
Aeroport International Aime Cesaire — Martinique
It isn’t as large as some of its counterparts, but it’s another great example of high-level, European-standard infrastructure in the French Caribbean. Bright and clean, it’s got excellent food and a high-level duty-free shopping experience (including a great rum shop for one of the Caribbean’s best souvenirs).
Aeropuerto Internacional Las Américas — Santo Domingo
The venerable Las Americas has one of the largest runways in the region, making it the second-busiest airport in the country. It’s got excellent good duty-free shopping and a solid food selection.
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport — San Juan, Puerto Rico
The Caribbean’s busiest airport by passenger numbers, one of the airport’s best assets is its distance from downtown San Juan. It’s just about 10 to 15 minutes, meaning when you land or when you leave, getting there is a breeze. It’s blessed with great duty-free shopping and one of our favourite airport lounges in the region.
Gustaf III Airport — St Barth
It’s tiny, yes, but it also has the most beautiful location of any Caribbean airport (and one of its most, let’s say, intriguing, landing experiences. There’s limited but robust shopping here, but it’s really worth it just for the celebrity-spotting you can do.