If you want to find the perfect casino in the Caribbean, you shouldn’t have to roll the dice.
While there are some great casinos scattered around the region, some islands have a far better offering than others.
That’s why we’ve collected the top five casino destinations in the Caribbean right now, with a focus on the quality and diversity of the gaming experience, along with other factors like food and beverage and hotel options.
The verdict? Right now, Nassau remains the king of the casino in the Caribbean, but there are some great options around the region worth checking out.
The casino at the Baha Mar is the biggest in the Caribbean.
Nassau Paradise Island The island of New Providence was long the gaming capital of the Caribbean thanks to its flagship Atlantis resort — but it just got even better. The debut of the Baha Mar, a place we’ve called the Las Vegas of the Caribbean, has made Nassau the center of the Caribbean casino world. And get this – the Baha Mar is even better. While Atlantis has a total of 64,814 square feet, the Baha Mar’s sparkling casino has 100,000 square feet of casino space (including a superb sports book), with a high-end, Vegas feel. This is a significant casino destination, not just for the Caribbean, but for the world.
The casino at the Ritz-Carlton, Aruba.
Aruba This Dutch Caribbean hotspot gets the nod for what is a remarkably broad gaming offering, with a different casino on just about every corner, from the boutique-y Casino at the Ritz-Carlton on Palm Beach to the Hyatt casino to the Renaissance in the heart of Oranjestad’s downtown. And because just about every casino is tied to a resort, it makes the gaming experience that much easier.
San Juan, Puerto Rico It’s always surprised us just how far under the radar San Juan flies as a gaming destination — because it’s terrific (of course, we’re still waiting for a major gaming player like MGM to enter the market). There are casino options all over the capital, from the excellent Stellaris Casino at the San Juan Marriott to the elegant, 24-7 casino at the La Concha in Condado. When it reopens, El San Juan should be on your list, too.
The casino at the Curacao Marriott.
Curaçao The Dutch Caribbean’s best-kept secret has a range of gaming offerings, concentrated in its fascinating capital of Willemstad. And while there are casinos all over the downtown area and beyond (including favorites like the Marriott), the center of gaming here remains the Renaissance’s Carnaval Casino, where you can play slots or table games until the wee hours of the morning and then shop to your heart’s content the next day with your winnings. (And with Wind Creek’s purchase of the property, it should be getting even better).
Why not combine some of the region’s best gastonomy with gaming?
Martinique Martinique? Yes, the center of the French Caribbean world has a pair of solid casinos, both in the tourist hub of Trois-Ilets and on the outskirts of the capital, Fort-de-France. This is the essence of French-style gaming, meaning you can also find great food and drink right inside the casino. (Indeed, one of the island’s best rum bars is inside the Casino Trois-Ilets.