Don’t just go on a great vacation to the Caribbean this year. Go on an interesting one. Explore the Caribbean in new ways — see parts of the region you may have never considered, or find new corners of the places you’ve already been to. While we know Caribbean Journal readers travel all over the Caribbean (and often), there are always new places to discover. And that’s where our Where to Travel list comes in. This year, we’ve offered a mix of well-known destinations and up-and-coming getaways, hip hideaways and must-visit hotels. These are our favorite destinations in the Caribbean for 2016. Happy exploring.
Saint Martin
When we say Saint Martin, we mean the French side. Because this half of the twin-country island is one of the greatest places to visit in the Caribbean — blessed with world-class food, marvelous beaches, friendly people and service that acknowledges the importance of tourism. If it’s the cool factor you’re after, look no further than Karibuni Lodge, the hillside hotel in Cul-de-Sac that has its own private shuttle to the unforgettable islet called Pinel Island. For a more full-service resort, try the CJ favorite Grand Case Beach Club (a short walk from the delicious row of restaurants in town), or if it’s luxe you’re after, head to Belmond La Samanna. And for an unforgettable meal, try Le Pressoir in Grand Case, the Caribbean’s culinary capital. In Saint Martin, it’s very hard to go wrong.
Grand Cayman
While there are superb beaches on just about every Caribbean island, few match the completeness of Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman. It’s got perfect white sand, crystal clear water and enough distance to get you the space you want. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s home to some very good hotels, from our Caribbean Hotel of the Year for 2015, the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, to the similarly beachfront Westin Grand Cayman. For a different side of Grand Cayman, try a villa rental in the hip enclave of Cayman Kai. And then there is Cayman’s excellent dining scene (for a great sample, try the dine-around dinner at the Camana Bay shopping complex).
Fort de France, Martinique
The Caribbean is more than just a beach. We’ve long urged readers to explore some of the Caribbean’s cities — and right now, it doesn’t get any more interesting than the unique capital of Fort de France, Martinique, a culturally rich, walkable seafront city that’s also a great jumping off point to explore the rest of one of the Caribbean’s most fascinating islands. Fort de France is also getting a big boost with the soon-to-debut Hotel Simon, a modern, world-class boutique downtown. If you want something more historic, there’s the charming Hotel L’Imperatrice, a taste of Old Martinique. And even if you visit no other bar in the city, you have to spend a Thursday night at Le Vieux Foyal. For a beach escape, travel across to the island’s Atlantic coast for a luxurious stay at Cap-Est. Oh, and it’s easier than ever to get here, with nonstop flights from Miami (on American Airlines) and northeastern cities like New York, Boston and Baltimore on Norwegian.
Antigua
If it’s a classic beach vacation you’re after, Antigua has you covered. With 365 beaches, the island is a sand-seeker’s delight (although we’re partial to Valley Church Beach, home to an intoxicating shade of blue). And Antigua is also home to some great all-inclusives — but not the kind you’re used to. Think smaller, boutique-y properties like Hermitage Bay where high-design meets high-convenience. Of course there are also elegant beachfront resorts like the classic Galley Bay and the venerable Curtain Bluff.
Dominica
Dominica is back and still the Caribbean’s reigning Nature Island. While Tropical Storm Erika hit the island hard, it hasn’t shaken the visitor experience much (save for some slightly longer drives) and that means you can still get your fill of waterfalls, hot springs, snorkeling and hiking. And it’s still home to one of the Caribbean’s preeminent hotels, Secret Bay, a hotel that’s not really like any other in the Caribbean. For a more affordable way to explore the island, try the historic Fort Young hotel, set in the capital, Roseau.
Nevis
There’s just something about Nevis. The people seem friendlier, the rum punch seems sweeter, the hills seem greener. Nevis is one of those places in the Caribbean that really tug at your heart, because they seem untouched by the kinds of things we travel to the Caribbean to escape. There are a lot of Caribbean islands that describe themselves this way, but Nevis actually delivers on the promise. And when you’re here, there’s really one place to stay: the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, the island’s most complete, luxurious property. For a boutique experience, try the Montpelier Plantation and Beach; for a luxury villa stay, head for Paradise Beach.
St John, US Virgin Islands
The gem of the US Virgin Islands, St John is a funky, beautiful, artful, spiritual and sometimes crazy place: and that’s what makes it a must-visit for Caribbean travelers. There’s a magnetism here beyond the beautiful beaches, the one that draws the collection of fascinating people who live here. And that’s why renting a villa can often be the best way to experience the island. For a great villa stay, try Kathy McLaughlin’s Island Getaways. If you’re seeking a traditional hotel stay, it’s got to be the luxurious Caneel Bay.
Harbour Island, Bahamas
This is the Bahamas’ “it” island, the place where the chic set comes not to be seen. So why not join them on the island’s famous pink sands? There are myriad choices here, all small, charming and luxurious: Pink Sands, The Dunmore and Rock House, to name a few.
Aruba
There’s a reason Aruba is so popular: its beaches are spectacular. Yes — when it comes to stretches of sand, Aruba is right at the top of the Caribbean, with a seemingly endless supply of classic white-sand beaches, from Eagle Beach to Baby Beach. And if you sneak off the sand for a bit, you can jump into the island’s rapidly-developing culinary scene, home to established eateries like Screaming Eagle (CJ’s Caribbean Restaurant of the Year in 2015) and upstarts like Wilhelmina in downtown Oranjestad. And if you’re looking for a place to stay, you can go small (at the wonderful Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, easily the island’s best hotel), or big, at the beautifully-redesigned Aruba Marriott.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
This is a city of surprises, whether you’re walking on a 500-year-old street or in a high-rise luxury shopping mall. Santo Domingo is an energetic, inspiring city, one that is quickly becoming cosmopolitan while remaining tied to its colonial past. The city’s Colonial Zone is a cultural treasure (full of terrific boutique hotels like the Billini), but the rest of the city is equally fascinating. If you’re staying outside of the Colonial Zone, make it the JW Marriott, a superb, modern hotel with a cleverly-designed transparent roof deck and pool.
Tortola
While the British Virgin Islands are a favorite for many a CJ reader, the archipelago is still largely undiscovered compared to its larger Caribbean brethren. And in the BVI, the joys of Tortola are a bit of a secret, too. This is an island full of excitement, from beaches like Long Bay and Cane Garden Bay (the latter a beach bar haven) to a very high-end dining scene with eateries like The Dove and the Sugar Mill. If you want to stay on the beach, try the Long Bay Beach Club or the Frenchmans boutique hotel.
Grande Terre, Guadeloupe
The launch of Norwegian flights to both Martinique and Guadeloupe has opened up an area of the region that’s in many ways been off-limits to US travelers. Now that’s changed, though, and the French-Caribbean riches of Guadeloupe are yours to explore. Grande Terre is the most tourist-friendly island in the archipelago, home to lovely hotels like Auberge de la Vieille Tour and the tony La Toubana. Just make sure you try some of the local rhum agricole and some bokit, a delicious street sandwich. (And make sure you visit Ilet du Gosier, the offshore islet that is the town of Gosier’s best-kept secret.)
Platinum Coast, Barbados
This is the traditional beach vacation, with added flair and style. Barbados’ Platinum Coast has long been the must-go destination for the British jet set, and that’s what makes it such a wonderful place to be — white sand beaches, old-school British elegance and the warmth of Bajan people that keeps everyone coming back. You can find it at boutiques like The House and Colony Club, or the all-inclusive Mango Bay. And wash it all down with rum from the island’s many distilleries, from Mount Gay to Cockspur to RL Seale. And getting here is a breeze, thanks to expanded JetBlue flights, some of which now offer Mint premium cabins.
Anguilla
It’s hard to make a list of where to go in the Caribbean without including Anguilla. It’s tiny, flat and dry, but it also boasts impossibly beautiful beaches and one of the region’s most robust dining scenes (right now, the best table is at De Cuisine, set in a tiny retail storefront), along luxurious hotels like the Viceroy Anguilla and Cap Juluca. If you really want to experience the island, though, you need to stay at Las EsQuinas, a bed and breakfast in Little Harbour that’s drop-dead beautiful and marvelously well run (above).
Little Cayman
Yes, the Cayman Islands has two islands on this list. The second one, Little Cayman, is a little hideaway with less than 200 people and a tiny airport so small the runway doubles as a main road in town. But it makes up for its oh-so-small size with abundant charm, making you feel like you’ve found your own private island. There are several great places to stay too, led by the Little Cayman Beach Resort, a dive resort where you don’t ever have to dive to fall in love with it, and the Southern Cross Club. Of course, if you do dive, this is as good as it gets in the Caribbean.
St Barth
If budget is no option, it’s hard to argue against the case for St Barth. This French Caribbean jewel near St Martin is hip, chic, tony and just about every other such adjective you can think of — because even though it gets a lot of hype for its celebrity guests and its wealth — the hype is deserved — because it’s an amazing place, full of superb restaurants, luxurious hotels (think Le Guanahani (above) and the recently-renovated Le Toiny), spectacular villas and gorgeous beaches. In the end, it doesn’t really need any adjectives. It’s just very St Barth.