It’s one of the best times to visit the Caribbean: the so-called “shoulder season,” when the storms are typically behind us but the winter tourism season hasn’t yet begun.
That means you can find great value — and smaller crowds —in the Caribbean.
From adults-only retreats to good old-fashioned beach resorts, luxe stays to great-value options, we’ve curated 10 of our favorites to help you plan your imminent Caribbean vacation.
Some of them you may know, others may be far off your radar. Here 10 Caribbean beach resorts to visit right now.
Casa de Campo Resort and Villas, Dominican Republic It’s long been the premier place to stay in the Dominican Republic, a remarkable, vast luxury resort that’s one of the Caribbean’s true destination resorts. And while Casa de Campo has been one of the hottest places to stay anywhere the Caribbean since the onset of the pandemic, you can actually find a number of rooms available for stays over the next month at the La Romana property, many at great value, too. Casa de Campo has one of the most diverse product offerings in the region, from arguably the top golf experience in the Caribbean (anchored by Pete Dye’s Teeth of the Dog) to outstanding food to tennis to equestrian and the renowned Altos de Chavon village.
Galley Bay, Antigua There’s just something special about this resort, set between a tropical garden and one of the most beautiful beaches in a destination home to 365 of them. It’s romantic, it’s ethereal and it teems with Antigua’s vibrant flora and fauna, making it a profound nature destination in its own right. Whether you’re in the charming, plunge-pool Gauguin Suites or the toes-in-the-sand room it’s a full-fledged Caribbean beach fantasy. And did we mention it’s all-inclusive?
Delfins Beach Resort, Bonaire In just a few years, Delfins has become Bonaire’s full-fledged hotspot, with a buzzing, sophisticated beachfront vibe that just so happens to include the number one restaurant in all of the Caribbean, the Brass Boer. It’s a fun, breezy resort, with great snorkeling and diving options, a world-class beach bar and a magnesium pool that’s perfect for endless rum-punch afternoons.
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba This adults-only hotel is the top resort in Aruba, bar none, thanks to its meticulous service, magnificent management, wonderful food and, well, its greatest amenity: a privileged perch on the impossibly white, wide sands of Eagle Beach. And then there’s the hotel’s impressive devotion to sustainability, an ethos that manages to impact every facet of your stay — even the filtered air in your guest room.
Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios It’s one of those rarefied places that Jamaica lovers speak about in hushed tones, the way you talk about a place you don’t really want anyone else to know about. But that’s the charm of this timeless Ocho Rios retreat, set on a breathtaking private beach, with a mix of cottages, bungalows and suites, some with their own private plunge pools. It’s a It’s a quiet, serene, lovely place to stay, the kind of resort they simply don’t make anymore.
Abaco Beach Resort, The Bahamas It’s almost hard to believe how far Abaco has come since the storms of 2019, and the new-look Abaco Beach Resort is one of the centerpieces of that recovery. The legendary resort is still the ultimate jumping-off point for exploring this breathtaking archipelago in The Bahamas, and a family-friendly, fun-loving, classic beach resort. The upgraded rooms are crisp and sleek, the marina is in terrific shape and the seafood at the Pool Bar is as delicious as ever.
Tranquility Beach, Anguilla It’s still the best-kept secret in Anguilla, a modern, marvelously-appointed residential resort right on the sands of the island’s Meads Bay. Great for families or couples, it’s an outstanding way to experience Anguilla, whether you want to stay in and cook or enjoy the island’s endlessly diverse dining scene.
Rollezz Villas Beach Resort, Cat Island, The Bahamas There are beach resorts and there are beach resorts. This family-owned, boutique gem is set on Old Bight Beach, the sort of beach you dream about. And when you stay here, Old Bight is effectively your own private beach, with nary another person in sight, sometimes for days. If you love the sand, this is rather hard to beat.
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, St Thomas, USVI There’s St Thomas, and then there’s Bolongo, the beloved, family-run retreat tucked away on a lovely stretch of beach on the southern coast of the island. There’s a reason this place has such a loyal following: the legendary Iggie’s Bar, the excellent food, the great new all-inclusive option. But the soul of this place is the people, beginning with the Doumeng family that has expertly stewarded this place for decades and turned it into a bucket-list Caribbean destination.
Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, Grenada is best known for its luxury resorts: Spice Island, Laluna, Calabash and Sandals, to name a few. But this has always been a terrific, great-value option with a phenomenal location right on the island’s flagship Grand Anse Beach. It’s a tranquil, serene property, with a beautiful garden pool, several solid bars and, if you choose wisely, some ground-floor rooms that open up right to the sand.