Caribbean Destination Guide
Wanna travel to the Caribbean, but unsure which of the 20+ islands to visit? Well, I wanna offer you a starting point by providing some insight and sharing some fun recommendations.
While St. Lucia, Aruba, Turks & Caicos, and a few others sound extremely captivating (and believe me, they are), flights are limited, more so even now, given the pandemic. And with many restrictions still in place, it is not as easy to visit the Caribbean, as it was pre-COVID. Some islands are still completely off limits to Americans, regardless of vaccination status; while others are open, but barring the un-vaccinated, so as I always say, check the official embassy page, for each island to review the latest and most updated entry requirements before booking your trip!
To begin, everyone loves beautiful coastlines, and the Caribbean is full of them! Its waters are the most pristine I’ve ever seen. Many islands offer white sand beaches, colonial architecture, hidden treasures, a fun nightlife, lots of greenery, and much more. Many honeymooners travel to the Caribbean in search of some R&R, inclusive hotels, and private islands. But the Caribbean also serves as an idyllic vacation destination for families that love outdoor adventures, and seeking comfort, a safety net, and family-friendly atmospheres.
With all those elements in mind, I wanna touch upon the most accessible and popular destinations in the Caribbean: Jamaica, Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic, and The Bahamas, so here we go….
Puerto Rico (PR)
Puerto Rico, a US Territory, is rich in history and culture! Its people, the “Boricuas,” as they are often referred as, love to dance Salsa; so, start working on your rhythm! When you visit, ensure you spend a day or two in Old San Juan! It is full of colorful colonial homes, cobblestone streets, and many delicious cafes. Ensure that you stop by and tour The Castillo San Felipe del Morro, an old military fortress, sitting at the end of a cliff.
You can also take a day trip for some hiking, swimming, and gorgeous view at El Yunque
National Rainforest or you can go paddle boarding/kayaking, at night, at one of the
bioluminescent bays! If you prefer to stay in the capital, then definitely hit up
some of the lovely beaches nearby and hang in the city centre!
If you wanna party, then do not miss Casa Bacardi, the world's largest premium rum
distillery. Buy your tickets ahead of time, take the guided rum tasting tour, and
join a mixology class.
Lastly, if you have extra time, catch a boat ride to Vieques and Culebra Islands, for some snorkeling, crystalline waters, and amazing pictures! You will love it!
I’ve been very fortunate and have had the pleasure of visiting PR twice. Some of my best friends live in PR, so they’ve toured me around the country! But I will state that my most memorable experience while PR was the San Sebastián Street Festival, which is an annual celebration in honor of a Saint! Local artist set up their displays, local and famous musicians hit the stages, and large crowds participate in the ever-growing parade, while the rest are happily dancing, drinking, and partying!! It was so much fun!! I made a new BFF and came home with BF after meeting them on the street—literally LOL!
Jamaica (Ja’)
Jamaica, Jamaica! It is another small island in the Caribbean but is enormously full of life and soul. It is the Reggae capitol of the world, and home to legendary and iconic singer, musician and songwriter Bob Marley, who I often listen to.
When in Ja’ visit Negril. There’s a Seven Mile stretch Beach that is full of white sand, tourist attractions, and upscale resorts. Even though Negril is bustling with tourists, you can still count on a chill vibe. You can also snorkel, go for a swim, ride a horse, or take a boat ride around the coast. For a beautiful sunset, head out to Rick’s Café for some a little party atmosphere. And if you are feeling daring during your visit, take a dive, cliff-side, directly into the blue waters down below.
Now, if you are looking to wild out, then head over to Montego Bay (Mo’ Bay). It is party central. Cruise ships dock in and out on the daily, and it’s no secret why: Mo’ Bay is picturesque. A real-life tropical paradise. You can also enjoy some of the best jerk chicken in all of Ja’ and visit a local Rastafari Indigenous Village to learn about their way of life!
And lastly, I recommend Ocho Rios, a diverse area made up of enchanting beaches, outdoor adventures, extreme sport activities, eateries, and rivers. A trip to Dunn’s River Falls is highly recommended and not to be missed; it is a lovely scenery full of lagoons, waterfalls, and beautiful trails.
And yes, off course, if “Cannabis” is your thing, there’s plenty of it! You can even buy it drive-thru at kiosks along every highway and practically, at every location LOL!!
The Bahamas.
The Bahamas is composed of 700 islands, many are exclusive and private, but there is certainly no shortage of inhabited ones. With so many islands, you have several options to choose from.
The Bahamas is a couples’ favorite but is also a family-friendly destination; primarily, because of Atlantis, an ocean-themed resort, on Paradise Island that offers a walk-in aquarium, pools, great amenities, but above all, an adventurous experience.
You can hit up the marketplace in Freeport Island and variety of other sites. You can do some gambling, attend a party on the beach, or hit up the nightlife scene in Nassau.
Many may not know this, but you can actually island hop around The Bahamas!! YES!! Celebrities are not the only ones that can afford to do that! You can catch ferries, take a private guided boat tour ride, or stay onboard a catamaran and anchor off a different island, every single day!!
You can also swing with stingrays, tour ancient landmarks, go golfing, partake in different activities, visit seaport villages, attend a pig roasting celebration, and so much more! The possibilities and attractions are endless!! So go ahead, visit The Bahamas. It is safe, family-friendly, and easy to get to!
The Dominican Republic (The DR)
The DR is the most visited island in the Caribbean, and I can see why!! Even though it shares its borders with Haiti, it is different and much more diverse in culture. The DR is encompassed of world heritage sites, beautiful people, and worldwide Merengue and Bachata artists, who have conquered the charts!
During my visit to the DR, nine years ago, I traveled across the country for a total of $18 USD!! Yeap, you read that right! $18 dollars on local transportation. And I don’t mean chicken-coop buses, I mean first-class intercity buses or guaguas, as they are better known as. Hard to believe, but it’s true!! Super cheap!
The DR is full of natural pools, crystalline waters, and lime-stone caves! As a matter fact, I went to nightclub inside a cave in Punta Cana. It was not a club built as a cave, but an actual cave!! It was cool, literally, and figuratively!
Punta Cana also offers an extensive list of all-inclusive resorts that cater to all budgets, from the most luxurious to the most basic resorts, most cater to families traveling with children. With so many attractions and options, you WILL find a hotel in Punta Cana that will serve and meet your desired expectations. I didn’t venture too much from the resort because I had already visited most sites prior to my arrival in Punta Cana, and because we were staying at an all-inclusive (and not by choice), so I was obliged to stay and enjoy the facility LOL!!
If you visit La Romana, a stop at Altos de Chavón is worth it!! I also recommend Bayahibe, which is a quaint little hippie town. It’s set up with plenty of shops, cafes, and free water-trampoline and floating obstacle courses.
In Santo Domingo, sign up for the walking tours! Make sure you tip your guide well at the end! They will educate you on their history, social movements, offer travel tips, and can guide you throughout the town! Make sure you visit all the plazas, walk the narrow streets, and visit some of the museums!
When it comes to gastronomy, in my opinion, Santiago had the best cuisine! The coffee was also amazing, perhaps because it was authentic and directly from the local fincas (lands). I also noticed there were lots of cigar lounges, while I don’t smoke anything, the scent of a cigar is mesmerizing!!
And guess what? You can also go sandboarding and visit some vineyards in the DR! Who would’ve thought, right? But it’s true! All in all, the DR has a bit and a lot of everything!