The Best Quick Caribbean Getaways from New York
Sometimes the best kind of Caribbean escape is the kind you can pull off without thinking. Just book a flight, pack a carry-on, and head south before the city knows you’re gone. From New York, that’s not a dream — it’s a Friday morning reality.
There are islands you can reach in less than five hours, nonstop, with just enough time in the air to decompress before your toes hit sand. These are the getaways built for long weekends and spontaneous departures — but with the kind of places you’d fly ten hours to reach.
Here are our favorite fast Caribbean getaways from New York — and where to stay when you get there (we’ve also included Google Flights data on the cheapest fares from the New York area right now).
Nassau, Bahamas
Flight time: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes
Airlines: JetBlue, American, Delta, United
Nassau is the gateway — the closest major island to New York that still feels worlds away. You get turquoise shallows, big-resort buzz, boutique hotel cool, quiet corners, a world-class food scene and the freedom to do absolutely nothing or everything (it’s even home to the number one restaurant in the Caribbean, Graycliff). Nassau & Paradise Island has quietly become one of the top destinations in the region for experiential travelers – whether you want to find that great out-of-the-way conch stand or dive into history at the Queen’s Staircase. And did we mention the booming cocktail scene?
Where to Stay Right Now
Goldwynn Resort & Residences
Sleek, modern, and intimate, Goldwynn sits on a quiet curve of Cable Beach, far enough from the cruise crowds to feel like your own little pocket of paradise. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame out the water like art, the infinity pool hums with serenity, and the vibe is boutique in all the right ways. It’s a return to the jet-set days of Cable Beach. Rooms from $501 per night.
Atlantis Paradise Island
Atlantis is still the most iconic resort in The Bahamas — a place where families play, couples retreat, and no one is ever bored. It’s not just the water park and the lagoon and the casino. It’s the sense of scale, the energy, and the idea that you’re vacationing inside something legendary. Even better? Atlantis actually just added a New York fave: Claudio’s from Greenpoint.
Cheapest fare right now: $403 on United out of Newark.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Flight time: Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes
Airlines: JetBlue, Delta, United, American
Turks is clarity — of water, of space, of mind. You land, drive ten minutes, and you’re in the kind of setting that doesn’t need filters or explanation. Grace Bay is still the gold standard of Caribbean beaches.
Where to Stay
The Palms Turks and Caicos
Colonial elegance meets barefoot ease at The Palms. Suites are expansive, the spa is award-winning, and the beachfront is postcard material. You walk through a courtyard of fountains, follow the scent of frangipani, and arrive at Grace Bay like it was waiting just for you.
Kokomo Botanical Resort
Set back from the beach in a lush, private enclave, Kokomo feels more like staying at a garden estate than a hotel. Each cottage is its own hideaway. You get access to a beach club, a saltwater pool under palm trees, and a level of seclusion that’s hard to find on a resort-heavy island. This hotel is really a wellness getaway — you just feel different when you stay here. Better. You feel more like yourself.
Cheapest fare right now: $409 on JetBlue.
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Flight time: Approximately 4 hours
Airlines: JetBlue, Delta, United, American
No passport, no customs, no hassle. St. Thomas is the U.S. Virgin Islands’ gateway to serenity — and the perfect jumping-off point for a quick immersion in Caribbean sun, with ferries to St. John or the BVIs just a dock away. The beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean, the shopping is fantastic and the vibes are, well, unmatched.
Where to Stay in St Thomas
Pink Palm Hotel
High above the harbor in Charlotte Amalie, this boutique hotel delivers a full aesthetic experience — millennial pink meets island glam, with a boutique pool scene, handcrafted cocktails, and balcony views that stretch out across the bay like a painting. It’s cool, cultivated, and entirely original. $305.
Buoy Haus on the Beach
A short drive from the airport, this beachfront gem at Frenchman’s Reef delivers the barefoot-luxury aesthetic without trying too hard. Think modern coastal interiors, swim-up bar energy, and direct access to soft white sand. It’s part of Autograph Collection, but it feels entirely Caribbean. Rooms from $607, but, most notably, you can also book this with your Marriott Bonvoy points.
Cheapest fare right now from new York: $323 on American Airlines.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Flight time: Approximately 4 hours 10 minutes
Airlines: JetBlue, Delta, American, United
Punta Cana knows what it is — a refined destination of all-inclusive ease. The beach is wide and walkable. The resorts are modern and massive. And you can fly from JFK and be sipping something frozen before your friends finish their lunch in Midtown. We recommend a Brugal or Barcelo.
Where to Stay in Punta Cana
Lopesan Costa Bavaro Resort, Spa & Casino
This is the polished all-inclusive done at scale — sleek buildings, endless pools, and a beachfront that feels like it was built for drone footage. There’s a casino, a full spa, and a separate adults-only section that takes things up a notch. You won’t want for anything. Just $287, all-inclusive. A great value.
W Punta Cana
Bold, stylish, and new, W Punta Cana brings edge to the all-inclusive experience. Color, design, and attitude pulse through every corner — from the buzzy pool deck to the late-night lighting to the grown-up atmosphere that draws a crowd with taste. All-inclusive from $587 per night.
Cheapest fare right now: $333 on JetBlue from JFK.
Grand Cayman
Flight time: Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes
Airlines: JetBlue, American, Cayman Airways
It’s not the fastest flight, but it’s a smooth one — and what you get when you land is worth every minute. Grand Cayman is quiet luxury, crystalline water, and just enough infrastructure to make everything feel easy.
Where to Stay in Grand Cayman
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Still the top-tier address on the island, the Ritz is a full-service immersion in refinement. Seven Mile Beach is at your doorstep. Eric Ripert’s Blue is still a fine dining standout. And the service is so dialed in, you may forget you’re not a regular here. Rooms from $628.
Vida Cayman Islands
Vida is new, fresh, and designed for the traveler who wants something beyond the expected. It’s boutique, smart, and located where the island feels like itself. Think locally inspired dining, thoughtful architecture, and a genuine sense of place. Rates at $533 per night.
Cheapest fare right now: $419 on United out of Newark.
