Best of the Caribbean
Caribbean Cruise

Cruise Season Begins in St. Maarten With Five-Ship Day

st maarten cruise season

The Caribbean cruise season is officially underway in St. Maarten. On Thursday, five cruise ships — Azamara Quest, Star Pride, Valiant Lady, Star of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas — docked at Port St. Maarten, bringing thousands of passengers and signaling the start of the 2025–2026 high season. “The port has done its […]

Best of the Caribbean

These Caribbean Islands Have the Best Snorkeling— Here’s Where to Go

caribbean island bonaire

There’s no better entry point to the Caribbean’s underwater world than snorkeling. You don’t need a certification. You don’t need a boat. All you need is a mask, a pair of fins, and a sense of wonder. Then you’re off—floating above coral gardens, chasing shafts of light, face to face with sea turtles and parrotfish. […]

Jamaica

The 10 Best Hotels in Montego Bay, Jamaica, From All-Inclusive Icons to Villa Hideaways

best hotels in montego bay

Montego Bay is one of the Caribbean’s great hotel destinations — a place where legendary resorts meet new expressions of luxury. It’s a city that merges vibrant culture with polished hospitality, where days are measured in ocean breezes, barefoot walks, and the clink of glasses at sunset. From timeless icons to adults-only escapes, these are […]

News

The 10 Best Hotels in Bonaire, From Beachfront All-Inclusives to Iconic Dive Resorts

best hotels in bonaire

The Caribbean island of Bonaire is one of the last places where a hotel stay still feels like discovery. It’s quiet, low-key, and spectacularly unscripted—more reef than resort, more adventure than agenda. There are no mega-hotels, no cruise crowds, no manufactured thrills. Just salt in the air, wind in the palms, and a kind of […]


The 10 Best Hotels in Montego Bay, Jamaica, From All-Inclusive Icons to Villa Hideaways

St Vincent and the Grenadines is one of the Caribbean’s most enchanting destinations—a collection of 32 islands and cays where luxury meets authenticity and natural beauty is everywhere you turn. From the secluded beaches of Canouan to the charming hillsides of Bequia, this is a place made for travelers who want more than just a […]

This May Be the Most Beautiful Beach in the US Virgin Islands

You hike down the hillside trail and catch your first glimpse. It’s not the photographs. It’s better than the photographs. The white sand arcs around a bay so blue it looks hand-painted. And just offshore, a tiny green cay rises like an emerald crown. This is Trunk Bay. You feel it before your feet touch […]

The 11 Best Hotels in Anguilla, From Iconic Luxury to Hidden Beachfront Gems

Anguilla doesn’t do big. It doesn’t do crowds. What this tiny Caribbean jewel does do—better than almost anywhere—is world-class beach luxury. Think long, empty stretches of sugar-white sand. Private plunge pools. Rum punch on arrival. Service that feels more like being welcomed home than checking in. This is an island that whispers instead of shouts. […]

The Caribbean’s Most Stunning Black Sand Beaches

You walk along one beach and feel like you’ve stumbled onto a movie set. On another, you sip ti’ punch in the shadow of a volcano. On another one, you’re surrounded by imposing cliffs.  No, these aren’t the beaches you first think of when you think of the Caribbean, where sugary, powdery coastlines are all […]

These Are the 10 Best Luxury Resorts in the Caribbean For Families

You know the feeling. The flight’s behind you. The ocean’s ahead. And for once, everyone’s smiling. No tantrums, no teen eye-rolls—just wide Caribbean skies, warm trade winds, and the sound of waves syncing with your own exhale. This is the family vacation you’ve been chasing. And these are the places that know how to deliver […]

6 Caribbean Islands Americans Can Visit Without a Passport

You don’t need to leave the country to find turquoise water, white sand, and that unmistakable Caribbean breeze. For U.S. citizens, several Caribbean destinations offer a full island experience—with no passport required. Whether you’re looking for a weekend escape or a longer tropical recharge, these places combine accessibility with island charm. Here are six Caribbean […]

Old San Juan to Condado: The 11 Best Hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan is where history, style, and the sea converge in one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant cities—and one of its best places to stay. From the iconic pastel buildings of Old San Juan to the golden beaches of Condado and Isla Verde, the Puerto Rican capital is packed with charm, culture, and energy. It’s more […]

These Are the Caribbean Resorts Where You Can Swim Right Out of Your Room

Swim-up. There’s nothing quite like it. You slide open the glass door, step out onto the terrace, and your feet are already in the water. The pool is right there—calm, warm, waiting. In the Caribbean, this is the closest thing to having the beach at your doorstep: the swim-up suite. Swim-up rooms are changing the […]
About Best of the Caribbean

Backed by years of on-the-ground reporting, deep local knowledge, and a passion for the region, Caribbean Journal’s “Best of the Caribbean” showcases the very best the islands have to offer. From top hotels and beaches to dining, culture, and hidden gems, every recommendation is rooted in firsthand experience—not algorithms. Our editors travel throughout the Caribbean year-round to bring you expert rankings and curated lists that go beyond the obvious. Whether you’re planning your next trip or just dreaming of island life, this is your trusted guide to the Caribbean’s finest.