Stargazing, Sunsets and Tree Frogs: How Marriott Is Cultivating the Caribbean’s Newest Travel Trend: Noctourism

It’s nighttime in a Puerto Rican forest, and the trees are alive with the a steady, rhythmic chirp. Anthropologist Camille Arroyo points her flashlight up into the trees and finds a coqui, the island’s famous, sonorous tree frog. But this isn’t a nature expedition. It’s just another evening at Dorado Beach, a Ritz, Carlton Reserve.

An extended day at the beach, it’s time for dinner and then back to the room. Or at least it used to be. The traditional schedule of a Caribbean travel day has been changing, as rising demand for experiences has created a new kind of travel concept: noctourism.

More and more, travelers are upending their evenings with new ways to enjoy the natural environment, from stargazing to nature tours to activities like Dorado Beach’s “Coqui Experience.”

At Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico, the demand for noctourism actually began with younger guests, according to Arroyo, the resort’s Environment Ambassador.

The luxe retreat has long offered a number of options for kids, something that began with its popular stargazing and “creatures of the night” programming.

“We started to see how much the adults would get excited about what the kids saw, what they learned,” she told Caribbean Journal. “They began to ask, ‘can I have this experience? Is it kids only?’”

“We began to have this request to have this type of experience as an adult activity, so they evolved into adult experiences.”

It’s not a surprise that was the source. These kinds of nature-focused, authentic activities tap into our own sense of wonder, something that’s easy to lose in the endless hustle and bustle of everyday life.

This sort of programing gives guests a chance to find something simpler, to enjoy the natural beauty that’s the reason we all love the Caribbean so much.

“I think people are seeking to have a more intimate experience, and an extrasensory type of connection with the environment, joined by their families or significant other,” she said.

Today, the resort  has a broad menu of nighttime programming. Guests might get a blanket, hot chocolate and mats to take in the constellations. Or they can enjoy the resort’s most popular option, the aforementioned “Coqui Experience,” where travelers walk through the forest surrounding the property search for the coqui, along with other native fauna.

But you’re not just heading into the forest with anyone. Arroyo herself is a trained anthropologist, someone who understands the creatures and their behavior.

“We can actually bring you closer to wildlife in a way that is respectful,” she said. “You can actually be a witness to this type of animal, one you might otherwise miss entirely”

But it’s not just in Puerto Rico.

At The Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas, for example, guests can take a sunset sail across the water to the neighboring island of St John and then have dinner at a local eatery. The ride back is a full-fledged starlit voyage back to the resort, including desserts, coffee or digestifs under the canopy of the stars.

At another Caribbean  retreat, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, you can enjoy the property’s Night Snorkel experience, where you’ll discover the marine world at night, encountering a variety of life different from the day. From hunting octopi to sleeping sea turtles, everything is unique.

There’s also the option of enjoying a private telescope stargazing, an amazing opportunity to see night sky filled with planets, stars, satellites and more. Whether it’s exploring the vibrant nightlife of the forest, sailing under the stars, or discovering the wonders of the marine world at night, each activity promises unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty of the Caribbean.