Summertime. Yes, the Caribbean is hot, but so is everywhere else. But what the Caribbean offers is a diverse, scintillating collection of islands where you can find your own cool, whether it’s windsurfing in Aruba or traversing a mountain jungle in Dominica. Here are 10 great summer vacations in the Caribbean this year — the places to stay cool.
Aruba
The Dutch Caribbean’s beach capital is always hip, always energetic and, perhaps most importantly, always outside of the Hurricane Belt, meaning you usually don’t have to worry about any canceled flights or trips during the summer. For a boutique stay, try Boardwalk or Bucuti Tara; for a larger resort, it’s the Aruba Marriott.
St Barth
Yes, it’s an expensive island — but St Barth is worth it. Thankfully, in the summer, the prices drop dramatically — meaning you can get all of the glitz and glamour for a fraction of the price. Our pick? Try a villa vacation with an expert like St Barth Properties’ Peg Walsh. When you’re not lazing at your own infinity pool, you can one of the best culinary scenes in the hemisphere.
Dominican Republic
Kitesurfing in Cabarete, hiking on Pico Duarte, art gallery hopping in Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic is full of places to stay cool this summer. While Punta Cana gets most of the play, the country is full of fresh, funky destinations that are all within easy reach of the US. If you head to Santo Domingo, try the fresh new JW Marriott (above) or the colonial-era Hostal Nicolas de Ovando in the city’s Colonial Zone.
Bonaire
It’s one of the best ways to stay cool in the Caribbean summer — by staying underwater. This is the great diving destination in the Caribbean, but you won’t lack for options when you climb back ashore — from a remarkably diverse culinary scene to great shopping in the capital, Kralendijk. For a luxury stay, it’s the Harbour Village; for an all-inclusive stay, try the Plaza resort; for budget-friendly option, go for the Caribbean Club.
Nassau
Planning a family getaway? Atlantis, Paradise Island may be celebrating its 21st anniversary, but it remains the region’s most famous family hotel — with a world-class waterpark that might be the best destination for kids in the region. If you ask them, anyway. If you want a more boutique, laid-back stay, try the wonderful Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant or the seafront Compass Point (above).
Dominica
Up in the mountains of the Caribbean’s Nature Island, it rarely feels hot. This is Dominica, home to the Caribbean’s longest hiking trail — all 114 miles of it — and the region’s unquestioned adventure leader. Use the Fort Young hotel downtown as a base camp or jump into nature at the eco-friendly Jungle Bay. For a remote getaway, go to the Rosalie Bay Resort (above)
Martinique
It’s the region’s up-and-coming destination. American Airlines has been steadily increasing its direct flights, and now the region’s Rum Capital is in easy reach for US travelers. You can try the Napa Valley of Rum or spend a week in Fort-de-France, one of the more interesting cities in the whole region. If you decide to stay in town, try the historic Imperatrice Hotel.
Cartagena, Colombia
It’s simple: The Old City in Cartagena de Indias is one of the most beautiful cities in the hemisphere. This jewel on the Caribbean Sea is full of restaurants, bars and cutting-edge small hotels, and it’s a refreshingly vibrant place. For the best bet, try the Tcherassi or Ananda boutique hotels.
Grand Cayman
Another terrific diving island, Cayman is also home to world-class beaches and a thriving restaurant scene that’s created a little slice of Miami in the Caribbean. Whether you shop then share a bite at Camana Bay, or swim with the rays at Stingray City, Cayman never fails to please in the summertime. You can’t go wrong at the Ritz-Carlton or the Westin on Seven Mile Beach, but for a more intimate stay try the Cotton Tree boutique.
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Island hopping is always cool, and this is one of the best places to do it in the Caribbean, whether you’re flying on SVG Air’s puddle-jumpers or taking ferries. The “main island” of St Vincent is a largely untouched, naturally beautiful destination, but the real fun begins on tiny islands like Bequia and Union Island. For romantic, island-hopping stays, try the Palm Island private island resort or the old-school Young Island off St Vincent.