Most Caribbean hotels tend to sit on flat stretches of shoreline, but anyone who has spent time driving around the islands can tell you that most fall somewhere in the range of hilly to downright mountainous. Volcanic eruptions thrust many Caribbean islands up from the seabed not that long ago in geological terms, creating abrupt elevation rise and some spectacular views as you go up. Here are 10 of our favorite spots for panoramic Caribbean vistas you can dream about right now.
Shirley Heights, Antigua: The Shirley Heights Lookout was once a British gun emplacement guarding Antigua in general and the British Navy’s massive base at English Harbour in particular. These days, cocktails have replaced cannons at this 490-foot scenic overlook, which boasts views of English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour and a must-do sunset party on Sunday evenings.
Paradise Point, St. Thomas: One of the most touristy things to do in one of the Caribbean’s most touristy towns is to take the sky ride to the top of Paradise Point. Do it anyway. The gondola ride to the top of the 700-foot high point offers great views of Charlotte Amalie on the way up and down, the harbor filled with cruise ships and boats of every variety. And you can linger at the top as long as you like, sipping Bushwhacker cocktails made with Bailey’s Irish cream and drinking in the scenery.
Mountain Top, St. Thomas: Mountain Top is a popular cruise ship excursion where you get a bird’s eye view of your fellow passengers sunning themselves on the beach at Magan’s Bay, 2,100 feet below. Sedate, it’s not. But do push your way through the crowds to enjoy the view. The drink of the day here is a banana daiquiri made with local Cruzan rum; you can pick up a few bottles at the high-altitude duty-free shop while you visit.
Lover’s Leap, Jamaica: You can peer off the edge of the Santa Cruz Mountains at this scenic viewpoint, which offers dizzying views of Jamaica’s south coast (including Treasure Beach) from atop a 1,700-foot cliff. The spot gets its name from the legend of two runaway slaves and lovers who jumped from the precipice together rather than be recaptured. The high point is shared by a 300-year-old lighthouse and Jake’s restaurant, which has a verandah taking full advantage of the location. For the adventurous, there’s a Lover’s Leap trail leading from the cliff down to the beach.
Trunk Bay, St. John: You need but pull your rental Jeep off onto the shoulder of North Shore Road as you drive out of Cruz Bay to enjoy a stunning view of Trunk Bay, one of several unspoiled beaches that are part of St. John’s Virgin Islands National Park. The beach, just down the road from the overlook, is known for its underwater snorkeling trail, and the view includes a pale slash of beach backed by dense green rainforest, Trunk Cay, and the hills of St. Thomas in the distance.
Brimstone Hill Fortress, St. Kitts: British engineers chose this steeply sloped volcanic hill overlooking the Caribbean Sea as the perfect site to construct a massive fortress to protect St. Kitts from invasion by the French and its other 17th and 18th century rivals. Completed by 1780, the fort was dubbed the ‘Gibraltar of the Caribbean’ but fell to a siege by the French in 1782. The fortress remains largely intact, and visitors can peer over a line of cannons to enjoy the view of the Kittitian coastline, the Caribbean, and the island of St. Eustatius.
Citadelle Laferrière, Haiti: Built on a mountain 3,000 feet above sea level, the Citadelle Laferrière stands as a monument to the successful slave revolt that expelled the French from Haiti. The fort was built by revolt leader Henri Christophe in 1820 to protect the new nation, and the incredible views include the surrounding mountains on three sides and the city of Cap Haitien.
Hog Heaven, Virgin Gorda: This modest roadside restaurant on Nail Bay has a million-dollar view of the North Sound, including Leverick Bay, the Bitter End Yacht Club, the Saba Rock Resort, Necker Island, Prickly Pear Island, and Anegada off on the horizon. The restaurant serves cold beer, rum punch, and barbecued ribs: a railing lined with stools is the prime viewing, eating, and drinking spot.
Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico: Visitors to the world’s largest radio telescope can enjoy an unforgettable view of the 1,000-foot diameter radio mirror, a giant dish made from aluminum panels dug out of a mountainous sinkhole. The view from the observation deck also takes in the surrounding landscape of karst rock formations.
The Pitons, St. Lucia: The twin Piton mountains of St. Lucia can be seen from almost anywhere on the islands, providing an unforgettable backdrop at resorts like Ladera, Jade Mountain, Sugar Beach, and the Hotel Chocolat. But you need to earn the most spectacular view of all, from the top of the Gros Piton itself. Sturdy hikers will gain 2,200 vertical feet in 3.2 miles on the way to the summit of the taller of the two Pitons (the shorter Petit Piton is actually a tougher hike), and the prize for the four-hour scramble is a view that takes in its twin peak from close range as well as the towns of Soufriere and Vieux Fort, and St. Vincent and the Maria Islands.