The Dreamiest Rainforest Resorts in the Caribbean, From Dominica to Belize

By: - July 2nd, 2025
rainforest resorts
1 of 10

The Caribbean is often imagined as a string of sun-drenched beaches — white sand, turquoise water, and endless horizon. And while that version of the Caribbean is very real, it’s only part of the story. Move beyond the shoreline, and the islands begin to change. The terrain rises, the air cools, and the landscape transforms into something wilder and more ancient: a thick, emerald-green rainforest pulsing with life. Towering palms, waterfalls hidden in the jungle, the call of tree frogs at dusk—this is the Caribbean few travelers ever really see.

From the volcanic peaks of St. Lucia to the deep valleys of Dominica, from the vast reserves of Belize to the rainforest-covered hills of Panama and Puerto Rico, a different kind of Caribbean vacation is waiting—one shaped not by beachfront views, but by immersion in nature. These are places where mornings begin with birdsong, where clouds cling to the canopy, and where luxury doesn’t mean marble floors but open-air villas surrounded by mist and leaves.

In these rainforest enclaves, time slows down. The air is heavier, the green more intense, the silence more complete. And tucked away in the heart of it all are a handful of extraordinary resorts—hideaways that let you live inside the rainforest, not just near it. Here’s where to find them.

caribbean hotels boutique luxury

Secret Bay, Dominica

Secret Bay isn’t just a rainforest resort—it’s one of the most exclusive retreats in the Caribbean, full stop. Tucked into a jungle-covered cliffside above a secluded beach in Dominica, this Relais & Châteaux hideaway offers a rare blend of intimacy and luxury, where every stay feels deeply personal. Each of the all-villa accommodations comes with its own plunge pool, sweeping ocean or rainforest views, and a dedicated host who tailors every detail of your experience.

Dining is a celebration of place, with sustainably sourced ingredients served either in your private villa or at the resort’s open-air Zing Zing restaurant, perched among the trees. The setting is pure magic—where lush rainforest meets quiet, crystalline shoreline—offering a sense of privacy and immersion that’s hard to match. Secret Bay isn’t just redefining luxury in the Caribbean; it’s setting a new global standard for what a resort can be


1 of 10
About the author

Guy Britton is the managing editor of Caribbean Journal. With more than four decades of experience traveling the Caribbean, he is one of the world's foremost experts covering the region.
News

St Maarten Is Getting a New Nonstop American Airlines Flight From Chicago 

st maarten american airlines

If you’ve ever been to St Maarten, you know it’s one of the most memorable landings anywhere in the Caribbean: your plane feels like it only just misses grazing the chain-link fence on sand at Maho Beach. It’s exhilarating – and when you arrive, you’re even more grateful to reach one of the most exciting […]

Flights

Delta Is Adding a New Caribbean Island With Waterfalls, Beach-Hopping and Luxury Hideaways

bequia delta caribbean island st vincent

Delta is launching new nonstop service from Atlanta to the island of Saint Vincent, opening up a fresh, seamless connection between the United States and one of the Caribbean’s most untouched destinations. The new flight, which begins in late December, will operate daily between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Saint Vincent’s Argyle International Airport, giving […]

News

The Best-Kept Secret in Punta Cana Is a Beach Restaurant Shaped Like a Jellyfish

punta cana jellyfish beach restaurant

You won’t see signs for it on the highway. There’s no velvet rope, no resort shuttle. But follow the curve of Punta Cana’s Bavaro Beach just past the last cluster of sun loungers, and something begins to shimmer in the distance. It rises from the sand like a mirage, at the end of a long […]


A New Residential Development Is Coming to the Dominican Republic: The Dom Dom

A new residential community is underway in the coastal town of Dominicus-Bayahibe in the Dominican Republic. The project, called The Don Dom, is being developed by BECCA, a real estate firm focused on sustainable and lifestyle-oriented development, in partnership with GRITT, its architecture and planning studio. The gated enclave will cover more than 1.3 million […]

Every Traveler to Jamaica Needs to Fill Out This Form Before Arrival

If you’re heading to Jamaica, you are required to complete this online step — here’s what to know. Even in 2025, there’s one thing every traveler headed to Jamaica needs to do before arriving: fill out the Enter Jamaica form. Whether you’re visiting for a beach escape in Negril, a music-filled weekend in Kingston, or an […]

How to Vote for The Bahamas Travel and Sustainability Awards 2025

A new residential community is underway in the coastal town of Dominicus-Bayahibe in the Dominican Republic. The project, called The Don Dom, is being developed by BECCA, a real estate firm focused on sustainable and lifestyle-oriented development, in partnership with GRITT, its architecture and planning studio. The gated enclave will cover more than 1.3 million […]

Aruba's Airport Just Named an Interim CEO

Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport is getting a familiar face at the helm. The Aruba Airport Authority has named James Fazio as interim CEO, with his appointment set to take effect on August 1, Caribbean Journal has confirmed. The move comes as the airport wraps up a year of leadership under an Interim Management Team, […]