The Caribbean is even better in the summer, something frequent Caribbean travelers know well.
Sure, the thermometer is higher, but that also means the sea is warm and inviting; and at night, the palm trees shake with cooling ocean breezes.
And while summer is not quite the slow period it was before the onset of the pandemic, there’s still value to be found, with lower rates and lower crowds than you’ll see at the height of the tourist season.
So where to go in June?
The return of our Places to Go list takes you to five different destinations across the region, from French Caribbean gems to beach capitals.
Grand Cayman Yes, the Cayman Islands is open again, and that means the return of what has always been one of the Caribbean’s most prominent luxury destinations. Grand Cayman, know for its outstanding residential resorts (including the celebrated Kimpton Seafire and Ritz-Carlton), is as diverse and sophisticated a place as you’ll find in the Caribbean, with something for every kind of traveler, whether you’re a foodie, a beach lover, a diver or a golfer. (Here’s how to visit).
Antigua Antigua has been one of the biggest success stories of the pandemic, with travelers drawn to the islands built-in social distancing. No matter where you go in Antigua, you’ll find exactly the space you’re looking for, girded by the kind of elegant, breezy charm for which the island is famous. Whether you’re at a top-flight all-inclusive like Galley Bay or Hammock Cove or a historic boutique like the Admiral’s Inn, Antigua is a summer must. Here’s what to know about visiting.
Bonaire The tiny Dutch Caribbean island has always been known largely as a diving destination. And while it remains one of the world’s greatest places to dive, it’s quietly been developing as a culinary destination in recent years, with a slate of spectacular eateries both in Kralendijk and around the island — anchored by the Brass Boer, the first Caribbean outpost of three-Michelin-star Chefs Johnny and Therese Boer. June is an even better time to visit thanks to the debut of the first-ever Bonaire Rum Week, a weeklong celebration of premium rum set against the backdrop of the island’s natural beauty. (Bonaire has no entry travel requirements).
St Barth June just might be the best month to visit St Barth, when the crowds have slimmed and the prices have, too. But what you still get is the essence of St Barth: the glamour, the laid-back cool, the wondrous beaches and the best collection of villas anywhere in the Caribbean. So hop on a Tradewind plane from San Juan, find your WIMCO villa and start your temporary life as a professional bon vivant. Here’s how to visit.
St Croix The US Virgin Islands has been one of the region’s hottest hotspots since the pandemic, thanks to an expertly-managed entry policy and what has always been one of the most complete destinations in the region. Lately, though, it’s been St Croix that’s been in the midst of the biggest renaissance, buoyed by a buzzing culinary culture and major new energy in its two “big” cities: Frederiksted and Christiansted, from waterfront, mixology-focused tiki bars to stunning adults-only hotels like The Fred. The US Virgin Islands has no testing rules for Americans.