Celebrity-filled food festivals, villa vacations and diverse spring breaks. It’s peak season in the Caribbean – but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a unique island vacation this March.
And our latest edition of Where to Go takes you across seven great island destinations around the Caribbean, from the buzzing Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman to a pair of under-the-radar gems in the Dutch Caribbean.
Where are you going this month? Tell us about your trip at digest@caribjournal.com.
Nassau Paradise Island, The Bahamas The Bahamas’ premier destination will play host to a major new food event this month, with the Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival Presented by Atlantis. Andrew Zimmern and Aaron Sanchez are among the celebrity chefs coming to the signature resort from March 15 to 19 for a full-fledged celebration of culinary excellence, from demos and wine tastings to a concert by Wyclef Jean. It’s a sign of Atlantis Paradise Island’s growing focus on food (Michelin-starred Michael White is opening the new Paranza at The Cove) and Nassau’s booming food scene.
Grand Cayman The Cayman Islands is in the midst of a tourism renaissance, with surging arrivals and renewed energy across the three-island destination. That includes Grand Cayman, which has never been better, from the island’s signature luxury resorts, the Kimpton Seafire and the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman to the glamorous new Palm Heights. And then there’s Grand Cayman’s celebrated culinary scene, which just got a boost from the return of Cayman Cookout and continues to lead the Caribbean with its dynamic, diverse gastronomic movement.
St Kitts Looking for a different kind of Spring Break? Head to St Kitts for its unrivaled blend of eco luxury, adventure and sustainability. Whether you’re staying at the fabulous new Sunset Reef or taking an organic retreat at Belle Mont Farm, this is the place for a serene, meaningful and locally-focused Caribbean vacation. Looking for another way to spice up the trip? Take a journey into the island’s rum culture.
Antigua No island does all-inclusive resorts better than Antigua. The island is home to an enviable collection of mostly boutique-style, beachfront all-inclusive resorts, where the focus is on an authentic Caribbean experience: think sought-after stays like Hammock Cove, Galley Bay, Curtain Bluff and Keyonna. And while the island is perfect for a couples-only Spring Break, you can also enjoy a very different kind of family vacation at the island’s wonderful Verandah resort.
St Barth Yes, even in the height of season, there are still a number of spectacular villas available on the Caribbean’s most glamorous island. St Barth’s top provider, WIMCO, has everything form pool villas in St Jean to ocean-view cliffside homes in Flamands. It’s the perfect way to experience the island’s unmatched blend of Riviera chic and French Caribbean cool. (Just make sure you book your flight on Tradewind).
Saba This tiny Dutch Caribbean island is a short plane (or ferry) from St Maarten, but it’s an entire universe from the Caribbean you’re used to. Hidden away among rocky cliffs and green peaks, this charming little island is a place for good old-fashioned tranquility, mixed in with a lovable, charming personality. Where to stay? We love the boutique Queen’s Hotel (home to the island’s top eatery) — or one of the island’s lovely villas like Haiku House.