UNESCO has a big footprint in the Caribbean’s historical offering

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

In 1972, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) established the World Heritage Site program, which recognizes landmarks of natural and cultural significance and promotes their protection for the benefit of the entire world. There are now 19 of these must-see sites in the Caribbean, stretching from Cuba westward to Barbados and embracing everything from towering volcanoes to colonial neighborhoods and thriving barrier reefs. Here are 10 of our favorite reasons to rouse yourself from your beach chair and explore beyond the sand. How many Caribbean World Heritage Sites have you seen?

Colonial City of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Founded in 1498, this capital is where the Americas’ first cathedral, hospital and university were built, superimposed on a grid layout that became the model for several Caribbean cities.