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Attractions in the Caribbean

With so many unique islands to choose from you'll always have something to see

Photo credit: © Nikolay Okhitin | Dreamstime.com
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The Caribbean is known around the world for its incredible beauty, both natural and cultural. From gorgeous beaches to historic sites and glittering casinos, there are plenty of places travelers enjoy stopping at during their vacations.

Beaches

One aspect of the Caribbean that cannot be overlooked is the gorgeous beach front scenery it offers. From the pristine white sands of Aruba and many other islands to the colorful pink sands of the Bahamas and the black sands found in St. Lucia, you may never feel as though you've seen it all. And, of course, it's hard to ignore the crystalline waters that edge these sandy stretches of heaven. However, this is just the beginning of what the Caribbean has to offer, which is why so many vacationers choose to spend time inland as well. Read more about Caribbean beaches here.

Northern Caribbean Beaches

The islands in the Northern Caribbean include the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Turks and Caicos.  These islands are not actually located in the Caribbean Sea, but in the Atlantic Ocean, and their beaches reflect their location.  Here the waters are bit more lively than the beaches in the Caribbean Sea, which makes them excellent beaches for water sports.

Western Caribbean Beaches

The Cayman Islands, Cancun, and  Jamaica are countries in the Western Caribbean.  Beaches on these islands are typified by their smooth waters and warm temperatures.

Central Caribbean Beaches

At the heart of it all lies the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.  The beaches on these islands range from calm and peaceful, to just rough enough to catch a few waves.  Because of the varying waters, water sports are both popular and, at times, extra exhilarating. 

Eastern Caribbean Beaches

The islands of the Eastern Caribbean - Anguilla, Dominica, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts - lie between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.  With the calmer waters lapping up against the Caribbean Sea shores, most vacationers prefer to spend their days on these beaches.  Surfers, strong swimmers, and water sports enthusiasts head the beaches on the Atlantic Ocean sides.

Southern Caribbean Beaches

Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago all have one thing in common: powdery, soft sand beaches, though Grenada's sand comes in black in some areas, while the other islands offer it up in a paler hue.  Beaches on the northern points of these islands tend to have the choppier surf that inexperiences swimmers should stay away from. 

Nature

...explore these breathtaking sites...

 

Nature in the Caribbean can mean everything from volcanic peaks to deep valleys, natural springs, rainforests, and even deserts. The islands each offer their own unique wildlife and beautiful plants for travelers who spend a bit of time inland. Natural beauty is the selling point for many of the Caribbean islands, especially those popular with eco-tourists.  Eco-tourism is environmentally friendly and responsible tourism, in which the travelers strive to explore the natural beauty of a location while leaving as little of a carbon footprint as possible.  One such island that embraces the idea of eco-tourism is Saba.  Despite encompassing only five square miles in area, the island has some of the Caribbean's best hiking and diving locales, and has begun marketing itself to eco-tourists more and more in recent years.  Mount Scenery is a particularly popular attraction, featuring a 1,064 step carved staircase up the windward side of the mountain.  Some other natural attractions in the Caribbean include the Blue Mountains in Jamaica and the Hato Caves in Curaçao.

As you explore these breathtaking sites, be on the lookout for some of the Caribbean's most impressive wildlife. Animals such as the grackle, flamingo, tern, barrancoli, loggerhead turtles, iguanas, monkeys, parrots, and mongoose roam free on the islands.  Don't forget to take in the lush and beautiful fauna as well, with ackee trees, fish-tail palms, coconut palms, and frangipani being some of the most impressive species. 

Landmarks

European squabbles over these beautiful islands resulted in an incredible mix of architecture and history. With sites ranging from British naval yards to Spanish cathedrals, and forts on many of the islands, those interested in colonial history will certainly find something fascinating. The oldest building in the Virgin Islands fits this bill: Fort Christian.  The fort was built between 1666 and 1680, but now stands as a history museum that visitors can tour for only $3(USD).  Even before the Europeans found the islands, however, native tribes made their homes on the islands, and their influences can be found in everything from island names to important structures, like the Mayan ruins in Mexico.

Instead of venturing out on your own to discover the famous wonders of the Caribbean world, consider signing up for a guided tour of the island you plan to visit.  Guides will take you through the top attractions, give you a little bit of history you may not have heard otherwise, and most likely allow you to do a little bit of exploring on your own as well.  If no official tours are available where you are staying, inquire with any cab driver you happen to come across.  Typically, they will be happy to be your guide with the promise of an excellent tip.

Casinos

 

...Caribbean Stud Poker... is popular on the islands...

 

Risk-takers can try their hands in many island casinos.  Most islands have at least one casino, usually found at resorts like the Allegro Resort and Casino in Turks and Caicos, and the Royal Antigua Resort and Casino in Antigua.  These casinos range from small rooms with just a few slot machines, to larger, extravagant facilities comparable to those in Las Vegas. 

Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Cancun, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saba, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Virgin Islands all over gaming facilities of one sort or another to visitors over the age of 18.  While in the Caribbean, one must try their hand at the region's signature game, Caribbean Stud Poker, which originated in Aruba and is popular on the islands and cruise ships that sail the Caribbean Sea.

Of course, this is just the beginning of the sites you'll find throughout the islands.  A look into the attractions of individual islands will provide an endless listing of things to keep you busy on your vacation.  Regardless of where you choose to go, Caribbean attractions are more than enough to take your breath away. See our Guide "Choose an Island" for more information.

 

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