DON’T JUST visit the Caribbean this year. Experience it. Go outside of your comfort zone and find something new. That’s the advice of our Where to Travel list for 2015, featuring some of our favourite places in the Caribbean: some are a bit off the beaten path, some a bit new, some a bit different. Some are more untouched, others are undiscovered parts of more established destinations. All are just begging to be explored. Here is our Where to Travel list for 2015.
Martinique
We’ve long been big fans of this French Caribbean island, blessed with lush scenery, magnificent food, one of the most vibrant cultures in the region and, of course, its 11 rum distilleries. It’s as diverse a tourism product as you’ll find. And now it’s easier to get to than ever before, with direct flights from Miami that will increase in frequency in 2015. Simply put, Martinique isn’t the Caribbean you know. It’s an exotic, foreign, beautiful island that will make you love traveling all over again. For luxe accommodations, try the Cap-Est Lagoon Resort; for a boutique gem, it’s the Hotel Plein Soleil, or for a more affordable stay try the Villa Saint-Pierre in the historic town of Saint-Pierre.
Dominica
Just a ferry ride away from Martinique (or by easy Seaborne flight out of San Juan), Dominica is known as the Caribbean’s Nature Island. And that’s for a reason — it’s perhaps the most naturally beautiful island in the Caribbean, filled with volcanoes, incredible hiking and miles and miles and miles of pure green. From the vast, untouched Kalinago Territory to spectacular diving, this was an easy inclusion on our Where to Travel list. For hyper-luxe, try the boutique Secret Bay, the very green Rosalie Bay Resort for a remote, relaxed getaway or the Fort Young hotel for a look at the classic city of Roseau.
Bathsheba, Barbados
You may have been to Barbados. You may spent leisure time on the beaches of the Platinum Coast, or partied on the St Lawrence Gap. Bathsheba is a different story. An emerging tourist corner of the island, Bathsheba is one of the surfing capitals of the Caribbean, a funky place with far-out rock formations side-by-side with historic buildings. It’s one of those places that’s just naturally cool. Stay at the Atlantis hotel for your best bet.
Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe
The rainforest-covered, mountainous island in the Guadeloupe archipelago, it’s the best of all worlds: delicious Creole cooking, tiny villages, beautiful beaches and even easy island-hopping to the islands of Les Saintes nearby. But you’ll be quite happy lounging on the beach at the Langley Fort Royal resort in Deshaies. For a more eco-focused trip, try the Tendacayou lodge.
Nevis
The untouched gem of the Eastern Caribbean, Nevis is the Caribbean as it once was. No traffic lights, no pretentiousness, just old-fashioned West Indian charm and refined luxury. Whether you’re at the Four Seasons Nevis or the boutique Montpelier Plantation (or the artsy Golden Rock Inn), you’re in good hands.
Anguilla
Great beaches and great food. That’s the easies way to describe Anguilla, a decidedly high-end island with a decidedly low-profile vibe. It’s a Caribbean vacation down to perfect component parts — afternoons at a lazy beach bar, evenings at a five-star restaurant. And that’s true of the hotels, too — go with sleek, upscale luxury at the Viceroy Anguilla or the more traditionally West Indian Cap Juluca, or hang your hat at Anguilla’s best value, the Las Esquinas bed and breakfast.
Rincon, Puerto Rico
Sensing a trend? Rincon isn’t the Puerto Rico many are used to. It’s the Biarritz of the Caribbean, a beach town with a surfing soul. So when you’re not hanging ten, you can begin that week-long quest for the perfect mofongo. Then retire at night to the Horned Dorset hotel.
Grand Case, St Martin
For a food-centric vacation, this is your place. The density of great restaurants is higher in this town than anywhere else in the Caribbean, and it’s blessed with some beautiful boutique properties nearby, perfect for all the restaurant-sampling you can think of, from home bases like the boutique L’Esplanade or the Grande Case Beach Club. It’s also home to our Caribbean Restaurant of the Year, Le Soleil.
The Exumas
Many travelers will tell you that the hue of the water in the Bahamas isn’t like anywhere else in the wider region. And that’s probably true. The islands of the Exumas are a turquoise-tinged paradise, with crystal-clear water and Bahamian friendliness. And the hotels are up to the standard, from the hyper-indulgent villa resort, Fowl Cay, to Sandals Great Exuma to the budget-friendly Staniel Cay Yacht Club.
Port Antonio, Jamaica
It’s far, far away from the Jamaica you’re familiar with. This is Port Antonio, the Old Jamaica, the one with tiny boutique hotels and river rafting and fishing villages (And some serious jerk, naturally). It’s also home to a burgeoning collection of the island’s best new hotels, from Geejam to Trident.
Anegada, British Virgin Islands
We’ve become rather fond of this far-off island in the British Virgin Islands. It’s not easy to get to (although there’s a thrice-weekly ferry from Tortola and regular small flights), but once you do, you’ll never want to leave: picture-perfect white-sand beaches, inviting beach bars and more lobster than you can count. As one of our readers recently commented, it’s an island “designed for me.” And that’s how you’ll feel, too. Here, it’s all about the easygoing life; try the Lo’Blolly Cottages or the Anegada Reef Hotel.
Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands
Your own private island. That’s what it will feel like, at least, on this largely undiscovered island in the Turks and Caicos, a short boat ride from Grand Turk, where it’s all about tranquility (and a world-class beach bar, Island Thyme.) There aren’t any big hotels on this island, just assorted villas and rental options like Castaway. In other words, you’ll have it all to yourself.