August in the Caribbean means hot afternoons, evenings cooled by trade winds and, in many destinations, the feeling of having a bit more of the region to yourself.
But there’s just something about the feeling of wading into bathtub-warm water in the height of Caribbean summer that’s intoxicating.
But know this: in the summer, what you love about the Caribbean, the people, the food, the energy, it’s all here.
The latest edition of Places to Visit takes you to five destinations around the Caribbean from favored island getaways to secret foodie gems.
Where are you going next?
Simpson Bay Beach in St Maarten.
St Maarten St Maarten has long been a favorite of Caribbean aficionados, and it’s in the midst of a full-fledged renaissance. You can feel the energy the moment you make your landing over the blue of Maho Bay, and St Maarten’s breezy, adventurous attitude is in full force. From sparkling new destination beach bars like Roxxy to transformed hotels like the Ocean Point and Sonesta Maho and the reinvigorated Oyster Bay Beach Resort to a sizzling culinary scene at eateries like Emilio’s, the Dutch Caribbean hotspot is back — and ready for you.
Eleuthera, Bahamas This 110-mile corner of The Bahamas remains one of the country’s best-kept secrets, a world on an island, from its sparkling pink sand beaches to its pineapple plantations. It’s also home to an increasingly impressive collection of places to stay. That’s led, of course, by the ultra-luxe The Cove, Eleuthera, but there are so many wonderful boutique hotels to choose from in Eleuthera like Cape Eleuthera, French Leave and the historic Hut Pointe Inn, among others.
The Island Inn in Bridgetown.
Bridgetown, Barbados It’s not surprising that destinations like the St Lawrence Gap and the Platinum Coast get so much attention — they’re wonderful places for a vacation. But travelers are increasingly drawn to the historic charm (it’s home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after all) of the country’s capital, Bridgetown. The walkable downtown is filled with terrific fish stands and eateries, and it’s a great way to explore the broader joys of Barbados’ St Michael parish, including the beautiful Carlisle Bay (home to one of our favorite eateries in Barbados, Lobster Alive, still open through the last week of the month). Where to stay? It’s hard to beat the Island Inn, a charming all-inclusive boutique.
Tartane.
Tartane, Martinique The more you explore Martinique, the more you begin to realize that there is a world of sub-destinations in this French Caribbean department. You can spend weeks on end in a single corner of the island and not see everything. And tucked away on a peninsula on the Atlantic coast of Martinique is Tartane, an endlessly endearing beachfront fishing village. It is the epitome of the classic French Caribbean town, meaning you can spend your days with fish lunches and accras and ti’ punch and stops at the beloved old Hardy distillery — and it’s also one of the coolest surf towns in the Caribbean. While villas and rentals are great, Tartane is also home to one of Martinique’s best places to stay, the French Coco hotel.
Port of Spain.
Port of Spain, Trinidad More and more people are traveling just for food – and if you haven’t been to Trinidad yet, it’s time to make your visit. Port of Spain is one of the most fascinating culinary destinations in this hemisphere, with an unmatched street food culture and a dizzying array of flavors whether you’re at a doubles stand, sipping on nighttime corn soup in the Queen’s Park Savannah or indulging in a culinary journey at leading chef Khalid Mohammed’s Chaud, arguably Trinidad’s destination restaurant. Where to stay? The outstanding Hyatt Regency Trinidad is easily the best hotel in the city.