The island has also attracted foreign investment in petroleum storage and transshipment. Though the historic section of Macao sits on a peninsula that is now connected to the Chinese mainland, the Macao island of Cotai is a huge tourist draw due to its grand casino complexes,. In total, the CDC moved 15 places . Tobago has one of the highest densities of bird species in the world, with more than 200 varieties. The local organic produce in Market Square is one of the redeeming qualities though (the cheapest in town). These are the best Caribbean islands for boating. Its blissful beaches, 23 golf courses, and captivating culture attract scores of visitors to Puerto Rico every year. Kingstown can get pretty busy all year round (being the main port and capital of St. Vincent) and can be a little overwhelming for people who are sensitive to crowds. It offers a gorgeous array of mountains, hot springs, waterfalls and fresh water lakes which have earned it the enticing nickname of 'Nature Isle of the Caribbean'. Beyond Che Guevara and Guantanamo Bay, there is a fledgling tourism industry in Cuba. With its seemingly endless white-sand beaches, the Dominican Republic is a popular getaway for tourists searching for an idyllic vacation, plenty of outdoor adventure, and a tinge of colonial history. The most manufactured products are pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles and petrochemicals. Windsurf and kayak through mangroves. Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in the US Virgin Islands | Tours in the US Virgin Islands. Sit seaside, nestled by rocks watching the sunset at the resorts Mango restaurant. It's time to plan your next tropical getaway. Location is everything. Bahamas: Exuma Swimming with Pigs. 1. Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in The Bahamas | Tours in The Bahamas. U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. West Indies, Spanish Indias Occidentales, French Indes Occidentales, Dutch West-Indi, crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles (3,200 km) long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north. Best for . Other sizable islands include Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago. Of course, the earthquakesand poor infrastructure aren't helping, either. One of the Dutch Caribbean islands, Bonaire boasts sparkling beauty. Larger than most Caribbean islands, both in terms of population and land mass, the Bahamas is reliant on tourism to drive its economy - with everything from budget-friendly hotels to luxe lodgings available. Nicknamed "The nature island of the Caribbean", the thrills are loggerhead turtles, whales, hot springs, boiling lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. From the Seychelles to Santorini and the Caribbean to Capri, find your very own Shangri-la in this list of the most beautiful islands in the world. Launched in 2014, Caribbean & Co. has won five travel media awards. What you will find plenty of on this 3.5-mile island inSt Vincent and the Grenadines, is boats, incredible ones at theSandy Lane Yacht Club. From the over-commercialized to the virtually undiscovered, to the accessible resorts to the most private islands youve never heard of. Many people will mention popular islands such as The Bahamas, Jamaica, The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, but there are others throughout the region that are just as beautiful and adventurous. The advantage though is you don't have to pay a fortune to live here. Though this boosts the island's GDP at the moment, reliance on this single crop makes the economy extremely vulnerable to external factors such as natural disasters and plant disease. Surprisingly, these Caribbean destinations fall short of expectations, as evidenced by real (disappointed) tourist photos. There is only so much snow shoveling you can do before you need a break. The exclusive enclaves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It enforces relatively strict gun laws, which make it especially safe for travelers. The sea isn't too crystal clear and istoo stony - the Caribbean seaweed infestation is a bummer. Second line parades are a key part of New Orleans' culture. Here are 10 underrated Caribbean islands that you need to visit. Puerto Rico: 16th-century citadel in San Juan named Castillo San Felipe del Morro. This suggests that despite its growing economy, marked internal inequalities have yet to be resolved. January 25, 2021, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) consist of Tortola (the largest and most inhabited island), Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, and more than 50 smaller islands and cays. Bruna Alves , Jun 21, 2022. These are the best. Antigua Best for beaches Boasting a beach for each day of the year, low-lying Antigua in the Leeward Islands delivers a multitude of postcard-perfect beaches, with coral reefs just a flipper-kick from shore. Explore the rich cultural diversity of the islands through mouthwatering local dishes and historical European architecture. Adventure seekers have abundant activities to choose from, including hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, diving, snorkeling, and kitesurfing. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Am I right! It is known as being a haven for diving and snorkeling because of the reefs surrounding the island. From swimming with rays in Australia to spotting lionfish in Honduras, if you're going to snorkel anywhere, make it one of these seven special spots. Best Caribbean Islands to Visit: Antigua and Barbuda Source: Sean Pavone/Unsplash Antigua and Barbuda are the islands you've been dreaming of. Few places compare to the Caribbean when it comes to sun, sea, sand and surf. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Some of the smaller islands are referred to as a rock or reef. "It doesn't beat Florida in terms of cleanliness," one reviewer wrote on Trip Advisor. EUGENIO CELEDON VIA FLICKR // CC BY-ND 2.0. For this list, were exploring the best and the worst of island vacation destinations. But the lack of options on this small island doesnt seem to help with the crowd sizes, which are hefty year round. Bonaire, one of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaao), doesnt get the buzz of the other two. It ranks the top ten richest Caribbean islands from lowest to highest. The Caribbean boasts about 700 Caribbean islands, but only 28 of them are deemed sovereign states and dependent territories. Consider staying at theFour Seasons Resorton Pinneys Beach. 1. The New York Post named this uber popular destination one of the most overrated travel spots on the planet. Rank Island Area (km 2) Area (sq mi) Country or Countries . Its approximately an hour-long ferry ride, which will set you back $73.50. Tourists are advised to take normal precautions, such as not walking alone, carrying valuable possessions, or leaving anything unattended at the beach. 4. TheBritish Virgin Islands(BVI) consist of Tortola (the largest and most inhabited island), Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, andmore than 50 smaller islands and cays. Despite a moderate beach-density score of 0.38, Aruba is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations, thanks to resorts that offer prime package deals and more than 350 different activities. You can dive into the worlds third-largest barrier reef system in the Turks and Caicos and visit the worlds only Conch Farm. Montserrat is nicknamed the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean both for its terrain and the heritage of its inhabitants. Best Overall: Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth. Besides the occasional theft, which is a concern for any tourist-popular region, St. Barts doesn't have much crime. Basseterre's crime rate is still soaring to new heights (it was named the most violent city in 2011). The island is also pretty spread out, so youll have to learn how to use the public transportation system to get from one side of the island to the other. The Bahamas. The manufacturing industry also plays an important role in sustaining the economy, as well as the tourism industry (the latter less so than most Caribbean islands). The fishing is good in these parts too, where barracuda, sailfish, and blue marlin are plentiful. However, the archipelago also has a thriving services and tourist industry developed around the island's natural beauty. Here are the top 10 most visited Caribbean islands, which account for 85% of visitors to the Caribbean region. Take an adventurous climb up Mt Nevis or a less intense hike to rainforest waterfalls. Photo Credit: Puerto Rico Tourist Board. With summer approaching, many of us are dreaming of the soft sandy beaches and shining blue shallows promised by sunny Caribbean islands but for some lucky people, these exotic islands are home all ye. Wheel around in your golf cart on white sand roads and its mostly you and Mother Nature with just enough people to have a little atmosphere. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Part of the British Empire up until 1966, since gaining independence Barbadoshas transformed itself from a low-income economy highly dependent on sugar production, into a well developed economy built on tourism and the offshore sector. Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is one of the most unique Caribbean islands. The largest island is Cuba. The U.S. Department of State lists the dual-island country as a Level 1, meaning to exercise normal precautions. Belize is one of the most exciting up and coming investment locations in the region. It's 146 miles long and 51 miles wide. The bluest of blues and turquoise waters make for some of the worlds best beaches. "The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality," the U.S. Department of State says. She is also the author of several books covering the capital and mid-Atlantic regions. Here are 12 reasons why Aruba is the best destination for your next Caribbean vacation 1. One thing about the Caribbean islands isthe laid-back police force (there's a 99% chance you wouldn't get a stolen item back). Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 4,994,309 / Year 2020: 2,405,315 The Dominican Republic is the most visited island in the Caribbean. And if you need a break from all of that activity, the South Island hosts the countrys most significant wine-producing region (New Zealand Travel Insider). The 290-square-mile island is undergoing a luxury hotel. Also nearby in Belmont Falls in a small yard off the main road is the monument that pays tribute to reggae legend Peter Tosh who spent his early years there. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 356,470 / Year 2020: 1,085,920 Tourists from around the world are drawn to the mystique of Cuba, an island that boasts a pristine coastline, an abundance of parks, and several UNESCO natural reserves. Grenada has a small, open economy that's largely tourism-based. (Langkawi Info). The Maldives are home to some of the world's most ravishing islands, but it's the sea, which truly makes these islands shine. Puerto Rico is home to the El Yunque Rainforest, the only tropical rainforest in the United States, and Casa Bacardi, the worlds largest rum distillery where the pia colada was invented. The British government states that "although most visits to the BVI are trouble-free, serious incidents, including armed robbery, do occur." Maldives. Planning tip: Spend a day on the sister island of St Kitts where you can hike Mt Liamuiga Volcano and check outBrimstone Hill Fortress National Park. St. Barts. If you enjoy paddle boarding in calm waters and snorkeling in clear waters, youre in luck, because thats literally all there is to do here (New York Post). And even though the region is known for its nightlife, it still isn't advisable to venture out after dark, especially if you're bringing your family with you. Puerto Rico is a little more progressive and commercialized than most of the ads you see on TV. Keep your doors and windows locked, the U.S. Department of State advises, and worry more about the hurricanes that threaten this region during the summer. Bearing in mind a wet season, possible hurricanes and a stretch of super-humid weather, here's when to visit Everglades National Park. Puerto Rico is a large island without a whole lot of public transportation. Today, it is the third richest Caribbean island. So what is the best way to explore? The Caribbean has seen a few high-profile incidents in its day, prompting the U.S. State Department to tack travel advisories onto quite a few of its islands. Most visitors have the same sentiments: overpriced and underwhelming. Rachel Cooper is a travel writer who has lived in the Washington, D.C., area for more than 25 years. Located in the Grenadines, West Indies, the island has approximately 100 private villas and just two hotels. 5. Besides being insanely crowded most of the time, Horseshoe Bay Beach has dangerous riptides. This 300 acre private Caribbean island is located just off the coast of Antigua. Stop at a coffee shop for a cup of Blue Mountain coffee. Head over to Basse-Terre, home to the Guadeloupe National Park, where the La Soufrire volcano can be found. Dominica has many nooks and crannies you might not discover on your own. 9. It's not really the worst, but there are far better areas. Bermuda doesnt have to an overrated experience, but it takes a little more work than other Caribbean Islands to get the most out of it. Still, though, the tropical region generally remains safe to visit. Cuba is the largest island country in the Caribbean . Located in the Caribbean about 65 kilometers off the northern coast of Honduras, this small island rose in popularity for those trying to strike a balance between backpacking and beach lounging. Ranked as the number one honeymoon destination by US News Travel, St. Lucia is a solo traveler or adventure seekers nightmare. Puerto Rico is the most competitive economy in Latin America, with an economy primarily driven by the manufacturing industry: 46% of GDP is derived from manufacture. Is Belize Safe? However, in response to a change in European Union banana trade preferences, Dominica has placed emphasis on the production of coffee, aloe vera, exotic fruits and manufactured soaps to remain competitive on the export market. Located just off the coast of Antigua here are 12 reasons why Aruba is the island... Is known as being a haven for diving and snorkeling because of the,! Located just off the coast of Antigua which account for 85 % of visitors to the accessible resorts to Caribbean. Your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies but only 28 of them are deemed states. Weather, here 's when to visit Everglades National Park, where,... Isle of the Caribbean the lack of options on this small island doesnt seem to help with Dominican! 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