Caribbean Destinations and Ports of Call
• Antigua and Barbuda (St. John’s, Antigua): Welcome to Antigua and Barbuda, where the beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters await you! The island of Antigua is known for its 365 white sand beaches, where you can soak up the sun or snorkel in the turquoise waters. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the historic English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard, where you can learn about the island’s naval history. In Barbuda, you can experience a true island paradise, with miles of pink and white sand beaches and clear waters. Come visit Antigua and Barbuda, where you can experience the perfect Caribbean vacation.
• Aruba (Oranjestad): Aruba, also known as “One Happy Island,” is a destination you won’t want to miss. With its sunny climate, white sand beaches, and crystal-clear waters, it’s a perfect destination for anyone looking to relax and enjoy the Caribbean. Snorkel or scuba dive to explore the coral reefs, or take a horseback ride on the beach. Visit the Natural Pool, a secluded swimming hole, and Arikok National Park, where you can hike or bike the trails. And don’t forget to try some of the local cuisine, like fresh seafood and Dutch-influenced dishes.
• Bahamas (Nassau, Freeport): The Bahamas is a collection of islands with something for everyone, from bustling Nassau to laid-back Freeport to the private island of CocoCay. Nassau, the capital city, is known for its vibrant culture and history, with sites like the Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle. Freeport is perfect for those looking for a more relaxing experience, with its beautiful beaches and nature preserves. And CocoCay, owned by Royal Caribbean, offers a private island experience with everything from water parks to zip lining. Whether you’re looking to shop, relax, or adventure, the Bahamas has it all.
• Barbados (Bridgetown): Barbados is a vibrant destination with something for everyone. With its beautiful beaches, lively culture, and delicious cuisine, you’ll never want to leave. Visit Harrison’s Cave, an underground cave system, or the George Washington House, where the first US President visited in 1751. Take a catamaran ride to swim with the sea turtles or visit the Mount Gay Rum Distillery to learn about the island’s famous rum. And don’t forget to try the local dish, flying fish and cou cou, and other Caribbean specialties.
• Belize (Harvest Caye): Belize’s Harvest Caye is a beautiful private island that offers a true Caribbean experience. With its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich culture, it’s a destination that should not be missed. Enjoy a day of relaxation on the beach, take a snorkeling excursion to explore the coral reefs, or visit the butterfly sanctuary and learn about the island’s flora and fauna. And don’t forget to try some of the local cuisine, like tamales and fry jacks.
• Cayman Islands (George Town): The Cayman Islands offer a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. George Town, the capital city, is known for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, where you can snorkel, dive, or simply relax in the sun. Visit the Cayman Turtle Centre to learn about the island’s sea turtle population, or take a tour of the Crystal Caves, a series of underground caves and lagoons. And don’t forget to indulge in some of the local cuisine, like conch fritters and jerk chicken.
• Colombia (Cartagena): Cartagena, Colombia, is a city steeped in history and culture, with beautiful colonial architecture and a lively music scene. Take a stroll through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, built in the 16th century. The city’s vibrant street art and music scene offer a glimpse into the local culture, and the nearby Rosario Islands offer beautiful beaches and clear waters for swimming and snorkeling. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like arepas and empanadas.
• Costa Rica (Puntarenas, Limón): Costa Rica is a destination that offers both adventure and relaxation, with its beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. Puntarenas, located on the Pacific Coast, offers surfing and other water sports, as well as access to the nearby Manuel Antonio National Park. Limón, on the Caribbean coast, is known for its Afro-Caribbean culture and beautiful beaches, like Playa Bonita and Playa Cocles. Visit the Arenal Volcano or take a zip lining tour to explore the country’s stunning rainforests, and don’t forget to try the local coffee and chocolate.
• Cuba (Havana, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba): Cuba is a destination that is steeped in history and culture, with beautiful colonial architecture and a lively music scene. Havana, the capital city, offers a glimpse into the country’s history and culture, with sites like the Plaza de la Revolución and the Malecón seawall. Cienfuegos, on the southern coast, is known for its beautiful architecture and French influences, while Santiago de Cuba, on the eastern coast, is the birthplace of the country’s music and dance culture. And don’t forget to try some of the local cuisine, like ropa vieja and moros y cristianos.
• Curaçao (Willemstad): Curaçao is a destination that offers both relaxation and adventure, with its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, as well as its rich culture and history. Visit the Hato Caves, a series of underground caves and waterfalls, or the Kura Hulanda Museum, which tells the story of the island’s slave trade. Take a stroll through the historic Willemstad, with its brightly colored colonial architecture, or visit the nearby Klein Curaçao, a small uninhabited island with beautiful beaches and clear waters. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like keshi yena and pastechi.
• Dominica (Roseau): Dominica is a destination for nature lovers, with its lush rainforests, waterfalls, and hot springs. Visit the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and hike to the Boiling Lake or the Trafalgar Falls. Take a river tubing tour or visit the Emerald Pool, a beautiful swimming hole in the rainforest. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like callaloo soup and crab backs.
• Dominican Republic (Amber Cove, La Romana, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana): The Dominican Republic offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, with its beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. Amber Cove, owned by Carnival Cruise Lines, offers a private island experience with everything from water parks to zip lining. La Romana, on the southern coast, is known for its beautiful beaches and access to the nearby Saona Island, while Punta Cana, on the eastern coast, is known for its all-inclusive resorts and golf courses. Visit the Samaná Peninsula to see humpback whales or take a zip lining tour to explore the country ‘s stunning rainforests. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like mangu and sancocho.
• Guadeloupe (Pointe-à-Pitre): Guadeloupe is a destination that offers a unique blend of French and Caribbean culture, with beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. Visit the Memorial ACTe, a museum dedicated to the history of slavery in the Caribbean, or take a tour of the coffee and cocoa plantations to learn about the island’s agricultural history. Take a hike to the Soufrière volcano or visit the Deshaies Botanical Garden, a beautiful garden with over 1,000 plant species. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like accras and boudin noir.
• Haiti (Labadee): Haiti’s Labadee is a beautiful private island owned by Royal Caribbean, offering a secluded Caribbean experience. With its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, it’s a perfect destination for anyone looking to relax and enjoy the Caribbean. Take a zipline tour to see the island from above, or try the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the longest overwater zipline in the world. And don’t forget to try some of the local cuisine, like griot and pikliz.
• Honduras (Roatán): Roatán, Honduras, is a destination that offers a blend of relaxation and adventure, with its beautiful beaches and coral reefs. Visit the Gumbalimba Park, a wildlife sanctuary with monkeys and exotic birds, or take a snorkeling tour to explore the coral reefs. Take a zipline tour to explore the island’s lush rainforests, or visit the Carambola Botanical Gardens, a beautiful garden with over 40 species of plants. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like baleadas and tajadas.
• Jamaica (Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Falmouth): Jamaica is a destination that offers a blend of relaxation and adventure, with its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich culture. Montego Bay is known for its all-inclusive resorts and golf courses, while Ocho Rios offers access to Dunn’s River Falls, a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole. Falmouth, on the northern coast, is known for its Georgian architecture and historic sites like the Good Hope Estate. Visit the Bob Marley Museum to learn about the island’s music culture, or take a rafting tour down the Martha Brae River. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like jerk chicken and ackee and saltfish.
• Martinique (Fort-de-France): Martinique is a destination that offers a unique blend of French and Caribbean culture, with beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. Visit the Fort-de-France, the capital city, to see the island’s historic architecture and museums, or take a tour of the rum distilleries to learn about the island’s rum production. Take a hike to the Mount Pelée volcano or visit the Balata Botanical Gardens, a beautiful garden with over 3,000 species of plants. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like accras and colombo.
• Mexico (Cozumel, Costa Maya): Mexico’s Cozumel and Costa Maya offer a blend of relaxation and adventure, with their beautiful beaches and access to ancient ruins. Cozumel, located off the Yucatan Peninsula, is known for its coral reefs and snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Costa Maya, on the southern coast, offers access to the nearby Chacchoben and Kohunlich ruins, as well as beautiful beaches and clear waters. Visit the Tulum ruins to explore a beautiful coastal city, or take a swim in one of the many cenotes, natural swimming holes formed from sinkholes. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like cochinita pibil and chiles en nogada.
• Panama (Colon, Panama City): Panama is a destination that offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, with its beautiful beaches and access to the Panama Canal. Colon, on the Caribbean coast, offers access to the nearby Gatun Lake and the San Lorenzo Fort, a historic fortress overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Panama City, the capital city, offers a glimpse into the country’s modern culture and history, with sites like the Panama Canal and the Casco Viejo, the city’s historic district. Take a hike in the Soberanía National Park or visit the Emberá tribe to learn about the country’s indigenous culture. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like sancocho and ceviche.
• Puerto Rico (San Juan): Puerto Rico’s San Juan offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, with its beautiful beaches and historic architecture. Visit the El Morro Fortress, a historic fortress overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, or take a stroll through the colorful streets of Old San Juan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a kayak tour of the Bioluminescent Bay or hike through the El Yunque Rainforest, a beautiful rainforest with waterfalls and hiking trails. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like mofongo and tostones.
• St. Kitts and Nevis (Basseterre): St. Kitts and Nevis offer a blend of relaxation and adventure, with their beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. Visit the Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or take a train tour of the island’s sugar cane plantations. Take a hike to the Mount Liamuiga volcano or visit the Romney Manor, a historic plantation with beautiful gardens. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like goat water and saltfish fritters.
• St. Lucia (Castries): St. Lucia offers a blend of natural beauty and relaxation, with its beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. Visit the Pitons, two volcanic peaks rising from the sea, or take a mud bath in the nearby Sulphur Springs. Take a hike to the Diamond Falls or visit the Pigeon Island National Park, a historic site with beautiful beaches and hiking trails. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like green fig and saltfish and breadfruit.
• St. Maarten (Philipsburg): St. Maarten offers a blend of relaxation and adventure, with its beautiful beaches and access to historic sites. Visit the Loterie Farm, a nature reserve with zip lining and hiking trails, or take a catamaran tour of the island’s beaches and bays. Explore the historic Fort Amsterdam or take a stroll through the Front Street, a shopping and dining district. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like Johnny cakes and saltfish.
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Kingstown): St. Vincent and the Grenadines offer a blend of natural beauty and relaxation, with their beautiful beaches and lush rainforests. Visit the Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or take a hike to the La Soufrière volcano. Take a boat tour of the Tobago Cays, a group of small islands with beautiful beaches and clear waters, or visit the Bequia Island, a small island with a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful beaches. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like callaloo soup and roasted breadfruit.
• Turks and Caicos (Grand Turk):
Turks and Caicos’ Grand Turk offers a secluded Caribbean experience, with its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters. Visit the Grand Turk Lighthouse, a historic lighthouse built in the 19th century, or take a dive to explore the island’s coral reefs. Take a horseback ride on the beach or visit the Turks and Caicos National Museum to learn about the island’s history and culture. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like conch fritters and peas and rice.
• US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix): The US Virgin Islands offer a blend of relaxation and adventure, with their beautiful beaches and access to historic sites. St. Thomas, known for its duty-free shopping and all-inclusive resorts, offers access to the Magens Bay, a beautiful beach with clear waters. St. Croix, on the other hand, offers access to the historic Christiansted and Frederiksted, two historic towns with beautiful architecture and museums. Visit the Buck Island Reef National Monument to explore the island’s coral reefs or hike to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools, a series of natural swimming holes. And don’t forget to try the local cuisine, like pate and johnnycakes.
There you have it, a brief description of each Caribbean port and why they are worth visiting. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, adventure, or a bit of both, the Caribbean has something for everyone.