Answer 11 of 24: Hello: I'm considering visiting the Cayman Islands but it doesn't seem like it's much to do here? You'll hear great music in the birthplace of the steel pan drum. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 1,664,866 / Year 2020: 678,854 Puerto Rico jumps to the second most popular destination in the Caribbean. The islands breathtaking beauty includes three of only seven bioluminescent bays in the world. Approximately 69% of the island's GDP emanates from the service industry. Spend time on the 18-hole golf course or relaxing in the spa. Ambergris Caye, Belize - US $319,900. Island hopping between St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas is a breeze with regular ferries between the islands. 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. Roberto Moiola / Getty. Best Overall: Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. Martinique is also home to a dolphin sanctuary where visitors can enjoy dolphin watching and view several species all year round. The 290-square-mile island is undergoing a luxury hotel. Paradise Island in the Bahamas boasts the famous Atlantis resort, which began reopening towers after a massive renovation in 1998. Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in Puerto Rico | Tours in Puerto Rico. The BVI is 59.3 square miles and spread over 1,330 square miles. Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in Jamaica | Tours in Jamaica. Everything in the BVI is so cut and dry and boring and the food is horrible. Langkawi is actually known as the place to go to just shop for cheap stuff, not exactly what you think of when picturing a tropical getaway (Travel Triangle). In 2009 the island's economy was hit hard by the economic recession which decreased the number of visitors to the island but in past years tourism has picked up again: in 2013, it accounted for approximately 60% of GDP and 40% of investments. Most describe this popular Italian island as overpriced and touristy. Shops here are more expensive than those in most of the countrys other destinations and do not stay open year round. The bluest of blues and turquoise waters make for some of the worlds best beaches. The beautiful Caribbean has countless places where couples can discover romance. Maria is a French-British English literature graduate. The service industry currently accounts for an estimated 75% of GDP, highlighting how crucial the tourist industry has been to St Kitts and Nevis's economy. St Kitts. It seems that these islands are so relaxed their almost, The Tate Way: Here's How Internet Sensation Andrew Tate Earns And Spends His Fortune, 8 Outrageous Ways Joel Osteen Spends His Massive $100 Million Fortune, The Spielberg Way: 10 Ways Steven Spielberg Earns & Spends His Billions, Sylvester Stallone And Jennifer Flavin Canceled Their Divorce And Reconcile Their Marriage, The 10 Most Expensive Superyachts In The World, As Of 2022, Emancipation Will Smiths Apple Thriller Get Its First Screening, She May Be Engaged! Undeniably, tourism is the industry that has flourished the most in the region but many of these islands are also agricultural strongholds, or have opened up to manufacturing and financial industries. High unemployment rates, a lack of economic development, and drug trafficking have made parts of this region susceptible to crime, violence, and gang activity. Experience the best of Puerto Ricos vibrant capital, San Juan, with this guide to the top things to do. Overseas Security Advisory Council. Probably the best-known Caribbean island, Barbados is a haunt of the rich and famous. 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. Parrot fish, brain coral, Sergent majors. Page 10. Visit Iguana Island and the aquarium, a protected reef ideal for snorkeling, and get a glimpse of local life in old town Cockburn. These 13 things to do in San Juan won't cost a thing. It is also the area of the world that gets hit by hurricanes more often than other areas. Here are the eight best places to visit in the Caribbean. Best Beach: Zemi Beach House, Anguilla. Antigua Antigua offers peace, quiet and 365 gorgeous beaches to boot. But not all islands are created equal. Here you'll find hipster haunts likeRicks Caf where you can dance and watch folks jump from cliffs into the sea. However, the archipelago also has a thriving services and tourist industry developed around the island's natural beauty. 9. Some of the smaller islands are referred to as a rock or reef. Nine of New Zealands national parks are located here, offering a virtually unlimited supply of trails for biking, walking and hiking. St Kitts & Nevis. Try Guadeloupes delectable creole cuisine, which serves a mouthwatering blend of flavors in dishes like Fricasse de Lambi Queen Conch stew, and Calalou a spicy soup of spinach, pork, and land crab. But this destination has been popular amongst more local visitors for much different reasons. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Waikiki Beach has been described by tourists and locals alike as dirty, overcrowded and stuffed with a plethora of kitschy souvenir shops. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. A nation made up of 15 islands in the South Pacific, The Cook Islands have the undeveloped charm Hawaii did 50 years ago, but with modern conveniences that compete with any other popular destination (Cook Islands Travel). Photo Credit: Bahamas Tourist Board. The bungalows, villas, cottages, and beach houses are spread out for miles. The following list has been drawn up according to data collected by the World Bank estimating the GDP per capita of each island between 2009 and 2013. Ocho Rios would be a safer choice (with its 180m tall waterfalls and lagoons) and is just an hour away from Montego Bay. Puerto Rico: 16th-century citadel in San Juan named Castillo San Felipe del Morro. The local organic produce in Market Square is one of the redeeming qualities though (the cheapest in town). Grand Cayman Island has become one of the most popular cruise destinations, meaning it is usually overrun with passengers of the docked ships. Location is everything. St. Vincent and . 1. Am I right! The Department of State says to exercise "increased caution" due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping, and warns against traveling to Laventille, Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite, and the interior of Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, citing violent crimes like murder, robbery, and assault as common. These 30 islands can help you get away from it all with picturesque beaches and lush green foliage plus the brilliantly blue Caribbean Sea serving as your backdrop. The United States territory ofPuerto Ricois generally safe to visit (especially parts like San Juan Viejo). Word is the pigs are pretty friendly too, as theyve gotten used to all the human attention. The islands also offers an economic citizenship by investment, offering passports and visas in exchange for monetary investments. Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in Aruba | Tours in Aruba. While we love the soft, sandy beaches of the Caribbean, there's more to the best Caribbean islands than sun and the surf. Most visitors share the same sentiments about this Caribbean destination: overpriced and underwhelming. COMO Cocoa Island is an intimate private resort island boasting just 33 suites sitting above turquoise waters. Photo Credit: napa74 via 123RF.com. From luxury getaways to affordable adventure trips and festivals, each Caribbean destination offers travelers its unique culture and appeal. The idyllic island paradise makes the most of its natural splendour, attracting visitors from all around the world to its sandy shores. 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. Make sure you venture back to Andros, with its underwater cave systems and the highest concentration of blue holes in the world. Long Cay is also where youll find tons of Rock Iguanas. "Jamaica 2020 Crime & Safety Report." However, since achieving independence and/or autonomy, many Caribbean islands have managed to establish themselves competitively in the world economy. The third largest Caribbean island, Jamaica is one of the most popular and well-known tourist destinations in the region. On top of that, several reviewers on TripAdvisor note how littered the beaches are. According to the 2020 Crime and Safety Report for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, which covers Antigua and Barbuda, this region had 12 reported homicides and two kidnappings per 100,000 inhabitants. The main island, Grande-Terre, has a vast limestone plateau fringed with magnificent, white sandy beaches and dozens of beautiful resorts. Besides being insanely crowded most of the time, Horseshoe Bay Beach has dangerous riptides. When hunger calls, you can find everything from a food truck on the beach to fine dining in Sebastians. Prepare to be shocked as we debunk the picturesque, postcard-like portraits of the Caribbean islands. While it does have a homicide rate of 11 per 100,000 inhabitants, tourists are advised merely to pay attention to their belongings so as to avoid robbery, especially in the capital, Fort-de-France, and in the tourist-centric region of Pointe du Bout. Caribbean Travel Guide: Dominica. 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. Unlike most Caribbean islands, Bonaire is located outside of Hurricane Alley and years go by without a single homicide on the island. Outside Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic offers abundant aquamarine adventures at Baha de las guilas and the Saman Peninsula. 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. Ranked as the number one honeymoon destination by US News Travel, St. Lucia is a solo traveler or adventure seekers nightmare. Almost all of the Caribbean islands are in the Caribbean Sea, with only a few in inland lakes. Getty Images. There are also many land-based options, such as horseback riding and hiking. Grenada. Travel Lemming describes it as one of the most overpriced, overcrowded and overrated travel destinations on the planet., It seems that most tourists feel the same way across the board, with one reviewer on TripAdvisor warning if you expect to see the most wonderful, spectacular, romantic place in the world then you will probably be very disappointed.. St. Barts. With more than 170 attractions spread over the island, theres something for people of all ages to enjoy. Whether a family vacation or a romantic getaway, these mesmerizing islands provide many options to create perfect memories. Safest Caribbean Islands to Visit Aruba Turks & Caicos Cayman Islands St. Maarten Barbados St. Lucia Anguilla Martinique St. Barts Bonaire The Virgin Islands Grenada St. Kitts and Nevis Antigua and Barbuda The Bahamas Caribbean Packing Essentials FAQ: Safest Islands in the Caribbean Safest Caribbean Islands to Visit Aruba She is also the author of several books covering the capital and mid-Atlantic regions. One of the Dutch Caribbean islands, Bonaire boasts sparkling beauty. Outside of the resort pool and beach areas, going off the resort can be quite expensive, from the transportation to the guided tours. TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Getting there isnt the quickest commute, either. It ranks the top ten richest Caribbean islands from lowest to highest. Best Caribbean Honeymoon Resorts of 2023. Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in Guadeloupe | Tours in Guadeloupe. In total, the CDC moved 15 places . The island is only accessible by boat from The Maldives airport, but in the opposite direction from the majority of the nations resorts, placing the island on a quieter and virtually undisturbed atoll. This squid has a dull . However, in May 2017 two murders occurred within 24 hours, to the shock and horror of both travellers and locals alike. This means that the Puerto Rican economy is highly sensitive to the fluctuations of the world economy. Planning tip: If after all that peace and solitude you want to liven things up a little, Negril is an hour away. Best Budget Option: TRS Yucatan, Riviera Maya, Mexico. The Tobago Cays, which are protected as a marine park, offer some of the finest snorkeling in the Caribbean. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 500,000 (estimate) / Year 2020: ??? Let nature soothe your soul. It is paradise. Islands Islands 1,000 km 2 (390 sq mi) and greater. 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