Related: Best Caribbean Resorts and Hotels
So you’ve decided on the Caribbean. Exciting! When it comes to crowd-pleasing destinations, few offer as many diverse experiences as the Caribbean—a fact that means choosing the perfectisland destination can overwhelm even the most self-assured and decisive of travelers. Which island is best? The answer all depends on which type of traveler you are, and what you’re looking for in an island vacation. Are you an adventure-seeker? A beach bum? A food obsessive? A value hunter? Are you traveling with your family? Your significant other? Pair those preferences with the right island, and you’ve got a match made in oceanfront heaven.
If, for example, you’re into diving, you can narrow your search to four big players: the Cayman Islands, St. Lucia, Dominica, and U.S. Virgin Islands. If you’re going with your family, there are Caribbean resorts that offer particularly great amenities for kids (spoiler: Turks and Caicos).
The principle applies to other vacation styles and circumstances, too. There are Caribbean island destinations especially well suited for adventure travel, romantic getaways, sailing escapes, or for a simple week spent lying in the sun, toes in the sand, with a delightfully trashy novel. (Actually, we have a few recommendations for high-quality beach reads, too.)
Related: 10 Best Caribbean Resorts
From pink-sand beaches to lush mountain landscapes, from all-inclusive resorts to under-the-radar inns, the Caribbean has something for every type of traveler—and more than 700 islands to consider and explore. Overwhelmed? That’s where this tell-all guide comes in handy.
Here, find a breakdown of our favorite Caribbean destinations, highlighting the best new places to stay and which islands are suitable for each type of traveler—even you, golf enthusiasts. Now, all you have to do is stock up on sunscreen, find the perfect sun hat, pack your bags, and get going.
