Places to Visit is back with its second summer edition for the Caribbean in 2019, bringing you a selection of wonderful Caribbean destinations to check out in the next 30 days — or to start thinking about for your upcoming Caribbean getaway, whenever it comes (probably quite soon). They range from the Creole charm of a legendary Caribbean downtown to the sleek excellence of a booming Caribbean megaresort. All you have to do is choose and start planning your next Caribbean journey.
Sandy Lane.
Barbados Summer in Barbados means that magic blend of elegance, grace, luxury and charm, but with a slightly different pace than the height of the peak winter season. Barbados’ travel offering has never been buzzier, from the new Nikki Beach at Port Ferdinand (itself one of the newest luxe additions to Barbados) to the hot new Sandals Royal Barbados. This is still as diverse a destination as there is in the Caribbean, whether you’re catching waves on the East Coast or indulging in the ultra luxe at Sandy Lane and Royal Westmoreland. For a more boutique experience, you can try Cobblers Cove or the Atlantis Hotel. Even better? The new Brilliant Barbados program is making it even easier to plan your trip, however you want to experience Barbados.
Casa Coco by Coco B Isla in Isla Mujeres.
Cancun, Mexico Cancun is one of the most popular destinations in the hemisphere, and while it may seem like it’s just because of megaresorts and spring breakers, there is far more to the destination than that. When you visit, you realize just how impressive the tourism infrastructure is, how broad the resort offering is, and how terrific the service can be. Cancun is really a hub to explore some of the vibrant destinations just a short drive away, from the mangrove-filled beauty of Mayakoba to the fishing-village charm of Puerto Morelos. And if you don’t want to leave the city center, you can shack up in true luxury at hotspots like Le Blanc and the Ritz-Carlton, Cancun. Feeling more adventurous? Take the ferry to nearby Isla Mujeres and try some of its world-class boutique hotels like Casa Coco.
Anegada, BVI It’s no secret we love this tiny spot in the BVI, but when you travel the Caribbean as much as we do, you appreciate these far-off places that really manage to tug at your heartstrings. There is not much here but for spectacular beaches, overflowing lobster, sparkling water and nonstop cocktails. Oh that’s right – what else could you possibly need?
The SLS Baha Mar.
Cable Beach, Nassau, The Bahamas The Bahamas is hot right now, with surging tourist arrivals, a boom in new developments and a renewed momentum for the whole destination. But the centerpiece, and the biggest engine of all this motion, is undoubtedly the Baha Mar, the new megaresort on Cable Beach that has cultivated a new standard of hospitality (and gaming) for the Caribbean. It’s turned Cable Beach into a destination in its own right, a place that has something for every kind of travelers — and every member of your traveling party.
The Old Gin House.
St Eustatius Maybe you’re not just looking for a beach vacation. Maybe you’re not looking for adventure. Maybe you just want to get away, to find the sort of peace and quiet that doesn’t exist even in many of the most remote destinations. But it is here. This is St Eustatius, affectionately known as Statia, the tiny Dutch Caribbean destination a short flight or ferry ride from St Maarten that is all about serenity and calm. There’s a beautiful historic town, one major hiking spot (The Quill) and a pair of lovely little hotels: the eight-room Orange Bay and the Old Gin House.
Quarter Kitchen and Cocktail Lab.
Gustavia, St Barth In the wake of the 2017 storms, St Barth’s lovely little capital was thrust back into the spotlight, and it hasn’t looked back. There’s a new energy in what remains one of the most beautiful, authentic French Caribbean towns left in the region, with foodie hotspots like the Quarter Kitchen and Cocktail Lab, Bonito and Orega, along with all of the high-end shopping for which St Barth is famous. And there’s even a robust villa offering, meaning you can find a hip, modern villa or apartment within walking distance of all the action. Because not that you’d have to — but you could come for a week to Gustavia and never leave the city limits.