Autumn is a time of recharge in the Caribbean, a period when some destinations cool down, visitors thin and certain hotels close for their annual upgrades.
But the vast majority of destinations eagerly welcome visitors in September, when you can find some of the best room rates of the year, get the best tables for yourself and never have to wait on line for conch salad or that perfect rum punch.
And this latest edition of Places to Visit is led by Nassau, the heartbeat of The Bahamas, a destination that needs your return trip more than ever.
So where are you going this month?
The pool at Graycliff in Nassau.
Nassau, The Bahamas It’s no secret that Nassau has long been one of our favorite destinations in the wider region, a remarkably complete place to visit from its megaresorts like Atlantis and Baha Mar to luxury boutiques like Graycliff and the Island House — and one of the most enviable collections of great restaurants in the Caribbean. And, oh yeah, some great all-inclusive options, too, like the adults-only Warwick Paradise Island and the family-friendly Melia Nassau Beach. That’s along with a downtown area that has been undergoing a significant renaissance in recent years.
And yes – and we can’t stress this enough — Nassau is open for business, as is nearly the entirety of The Bahamas. Your visit to The Bahamas has never more important than right now, as Abaco and Grand Bahama begin their recoveries – and while you stop in Nassau, make sure you bring a donation (The Baha Mar has even set up its own Dorian relief foundation) and some relief supplies to make their way to the sister islands. Don’t forget that many hotel, restaurant and resort workers have been personally impacted by the storm (and many of them come from Abaco and Grand Bahama). Your trip will make an impact — and remind everyone that The Bahamas remains one of the most beautiful places on earth.
The Harbour Village resort in Bonaire.
Bonaire Years ago, Bonaire was a tiny getaway largely aimed at divers drawn to the island for its magnificent undersea environment. Now, though, Bonaire is becoming something more. To be sure, the diving and snorkeling remain among the Caribbean’s best — but it’s also developed an outstanding culinary scene, a lovely, walkable downtown in Kralendijk and a growing collection of hotels (led by its grande dame, the Harbour Village) that have turned Bonaire into one of the coolest, richest places to visit in the whole Caribbean.
Cruz Bay, St John.
St John Funky, eclectic and just plain gorgeous, St John is one of the most unique destinations in the region. More than half of the island is covered in a protected national park, and the rest is filled with great little galleries, beach bars, superb eateries and a community of people completely in love with their home. And after a few days at Estate Lindholm or a villa or the Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel, you’ll fall in love, too.
A view from the White Bay Villas in Jost Van Dyke.
The BVI Looking for privacy? How about a private-island retreat? Well, the BVI has you covered, with some of the Caribbean’s most celebrated private destinations, from Richard Branson’s Necker to the reimagined Scrub Island. And even if you don’t want to splurge, you can find all the privacy and serenity you want in a BVI vacation on the beachy, untouched paradise of Anegada. The BVI remains a wonderfully diverse place to visit, with something different on every corner, whether you’re in a villa in Tortola or a beach cottage in Jost Van Dyke.
Brunch at the Ocean Terrace Inn in St Kitts.
St Kitts No destination has seen its stock skyrocket more in recent years than St Kitts, long one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets and now a full-fledged hotspot. That’s in large part to the spectacular Park Hyatt St Kitts, but it’s also because more and more visitors are realizing what a warm, comfortable and sophisticated destination this has become, where upscale beach lounges abut classic beach shacks. But while St Kitts is getting to the spotlight, what it hasn’t lost its its inimitable charm.