Photo Credit: Aruba Tourism Authority. 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. Holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb. June 16, 2020. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Although some of the GDP figures may seem low, they present promise for a region that has undergone huge development over the past two decades after a history of struggle. Nature lovers will want to hike to the 301-acre Jack and Isaac Bay Preserve, home to some 400 species of fish and endangered green and hawksbill turtles. Get to Nassau, hop on a commuter flight, take a cab to the dock and board a water taxi that takes you to Kamalame Cay, a private island in Andros in the Bahamas. The Caribbean Islands. From the peninsula of Florida on the mainland of the United States, the islands stretch 1,200 miles (1,900 km . Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in Turks & Caicos | Tours in Turks & Caicos. From luxury getaways to affordable adventure trips and festivals, each Caribbean destination offers travelers its unique culture and appeal. Planning tip: Consider spending a day in Providenciales. Sure, they have their redeeming qualities, but there are far superior regions like Antigua's Marinas or Virgin Gorda's "Baths.". 15 Caribbean Destinations That Are Overrated (As Shown In These Real Tourist Photos), Basseterre, St. Kitts And Nevis:Crime-ridden Area, Maho Beach, Sint Maarten: Won't Blow You Away, Dickenson Bay, Antigua:A Small Strip Of Sand, South Martinique Islands:Boring In General, Kingstown, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines: A Simple FishingVillage, Tortola, British Virgin Islands: Hard To Enjoy, Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda: A Turn-off For Tourists, Magen's Bay, US Virgin Islands: Crowded Cruise Island, The Entire Island Of Puerto Rico:Too Commercialized, Sosua Beach, Dominican Republic: Badly Eroded, Montego Bay, Jamaica: Serious Risk OfRobbery, Affordable Southern Hospitality: 10 Budget-Friendly Hotels In Charleston, Bang For Your Buck: Top 10 Most Affordable Hotels In Chile, 10 Most Beautiful Beach Hotels In Clearwater, Florida, You Should Book, Mardi Gras To Magnolias: The Ultimate Guide To Mobile & Things To Do, A Southern Dream: The Ultimate Guide To Savannah & Things To Do, 10 Best Tropical Destinations Around The World You Should Visit, Sunshine State Savings: 10 Affordable Florida Hotels For Your Next Vacation, Upstate New York's Hidden Treasures: An Excursion To Explore Its Best Secret Caves, Gorges, & Canyons. Vacationing on a luxurious private island in The Maldives. In November of 2011, Trinidad and Tobago was removed from the OECD's list of developing countries. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 291,011/ Year 2020: 312,298 The magic of Martinique can be found in its diverse creole cuisine, influenced by the countrys African, European, and Indian heritage. Continue to 5 of 20 below. This is a list of islands in the Caribbean by area. The name pretty much says it all: a beautiful beach where pigs swim around. No hurries, no worries, just relax its no wonder around 30 million people a year head to the Caribbean for a respite. Nonetheless, a 2012 studywith the Caribbean Development Bankrevealed that 20% of Bajans live in poverty, and nearly 10% cannot meet basic daily food needs. 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. The Caribbean, long referred to as the West Indies, includes more than 7,000 islands; of those, 13 are independent island countries ( shown in red on the map ), and some are dependencies or overseas territories of other nations. The Caribbean Islands is a massive archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea, that can be subdivided into a few different regions: the Lucayan Archipelago, the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles and the ABC Islands. The volcanic island is home to swift waterfalls, winding . Made up of over 700islands, reefs, islets and cays, the Caribbean promises a variety of treasures both on and off its shores. "Police won't do anything," a woman claimed on Trip Advisor as she was verbally assaulted on Magen's Bay beach. The sandy beaches are generally wide and flat with waves meant for jumping and body surfing. Fill up on jerk pork, chicken, ribs, grilled lobster, fish and conch, and of course peas and rice. One of the best Caribbean islands for nature lovers, it boasts with eco-resorts and protected areas. "I've spent the past 6 months telling everyone not to go here," an angry tourist wrote on Trip Advisor. Jost van Dyke. Jamaica has some of the best food in the Caribbeanjerk lobster costs less than US$10 and is one of the more expensive items on the menu. The manufacturing industry also plays an important role in sustaining the economy, as well as the tourism industry (the latter less so than most Caribbean islands). Today, it is the third richest Caribbean island. These 13 things to do in San Juan won't cost a thing. Located in the Grenadines, West Indies, the island has approximately 100 private villas and just two hotels. There are no secret Caribbean resorts, but there are places where you can get away from it all fokkebok / Getty Images, The 8 best under-the-radar places to visit in the Caribbean. This island nation flies under the radar for many, meaning fewer crowds of tourists but sti l l plenty of activities on offer. Here are eight of the best. There are the islands weve all heard of, and there are the islands we never knew existed. Martinique: View of Saint Pierre Pelee. Consider staying at theFour Seasons Resorton Pinneys Beach. Overseas Security Advisory Council. And even though the region is known for its nightlife, it still isn't advisable to venture out after dark, especially if you're bringing your family with you. It ranks the top ten richest Caribbean islands from lowest to highest. This suggests that despite its growing economy, marked internal inequalities have yet to be resolved. Currently, the island has the third largest stock exchange in the Caribbean region. Puerto Rico: 16th-century citadel in San Juan named Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Grenada has a small, open economy that's largely tourism-based. The beaches are beautiful and uncrowded where wild donkeys, goats, and green vervet monkeys roam. Possibly one of the most well-known Caribbean islands among Brits, this "paradise island" is actually an archipelago of islands made from coral. The second Island, St. Thomas is one of best Caribbean spots to enjoy sightseeing, snorkeling, diving and shopping. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Even dining off the resort poses a problem, as most of the good restaurants have a strict reservation only policy. Visitors here consider this island much more low-key than more popular Italian destinations, with visitors sharing foreigners mostly head to Capri, but Ischia is where the Italians go. (Forbes). These are the best. 22, 2023, The Caribbean has long been known for its azure waters, tropical beaches and incredibly slow pace that makes finding peace and relaxation a breeze. Prepare to be shocked as we debunk the picturesque, postcard-like portraits of the Caribbean islands. Put simply, he is one cool son of a gun. Youre also in good hands at the Great House restaurant, where the conch fritters, Asian barbecue spareribs, and the coconut green vegetable curry are crowd-pleasers. Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2021: 892,997 / Year 2020: 445,879 The beautiful island chain of The Bahamas is a haven for relaxation, and its sun-drenched beaches are among the worlds best. The rough waves will also ruin your relaxing swim. It's "extremely crowded," one reviewer on Trip Advisor recalled. This 300 acre private Caribbean island is located just off the coast of Antigua. Planning tip: Spend a day on the sister island of St Kitts where you can hike Mt Liamuiga Volcano and check outBrimstone Hill Fortress National Park. Check Rates and Availability for: Hotels in Puerto Rico | Tours in Puerto Rico. Dont missthe Botanical Gardens of Nevis, home to tropical plants from around the world and stunning artwork. This means that the Puerto Rican economy is highly sensitive to the fluctuations of the world economy. Windsurf and kayak through mangroves. Here are the most overrated islands and the ones we can only dream of visiting. Though tourism brings wealth to the island, it's also threatening local produce meaning that the country will have to rely increasingly on imports from other countries. Waikiki Beach has been described by tourists and locals alike as dirty, overcrowded and stuffed with a plethora of kitschy souvenir shops. Photo Credit: Martinique Tourism Board. That was the dirtiest, most disgusting island that I had ever been to. It is known as being a haven for diving and snorkeling because of the reefs surrounding the island. But dont let filters and good angles fool you, many of these destinations may leave you underwhelmed. Although homicide rates are high on a few Caribbean islands, most are lower than the United States' (according to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2019 there were 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people in the U.S.). 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. Visit Iguana Island and the aquarium, a protected reef ideal for snorkeling, and get a glimpse of local life in old town Cockburn. Big Island booooring, all you can do is take an helicopter and see the volcano, you spend $1000 in a one day "vacation" and it is boring. It's 146 miles long and 51 miles wide. The sea isn't too crystal clear and istoo stony - the Caribbean seaweed infestation is a bummer. Dominica has many nooks and crannies you might not discover on your own. "The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality," the U.S. Department of State says. Antigua. Read our, Barbados & Eastern Caribbean 2020 Crime & Safety Report, Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean. The Most Vegan-Friendly Caribbean Islands November 3, 2021 Written by Escaping to white sands, turquoise waters, and sunny skies always sounds like a good idea, but it's an even better idea when old man winter comes knocking. 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. St Kitts & Nevis. Barbados. Antigua and Barbuda. millions of visitors to the Caribbean region, 26 Sandals Resorts International Properties For Your All-Inclusive Luxury Caribbean Vacation. The fishing is good in these parts too, where barracuda, sailfish, and blue marlin are plentiful. From Negrils Seven Mile Beach in the west to breathtaking waterfalls in the east, Jamaica is well known as the playground of the English-speaking Caribbean. Starting with the Bahamas and Cuba, located off the tip of Florida, the string of . Nicknamed The nature island of the Caribbean, the thrills are loggerhead turtles, whales, hot springs, boiling lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. Probably not. "Jamaica 2020 Crime & Safety Report." Martinique is also home to a dolphin sanctuary where visitors can enjoy dolphin watching and view several species all year round. Tourism boosts the Bahamian economy massively, accounting for 60% of GDP and providing employment for over half of the island's population. Tosh, one of the original Wailers, in reggae music history is not far behind icon Bob Marley. ? What's more, since the Caribbean is such an immensely popular destination with cruise lines, you can find, Antigua offers peace, quiet and 365 gorgeous beaches to boot. Unlike most other Caribbean nations, its high-income economy is dependent, not on tourism, but on industry, with petrochemical and petrochemicals fueling a solid GDP growth. Bananas alone account for more than 60% of the work force, and 50% of merchandise exports. The Caribbean island of Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti towards its West and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region known for its lavish and stunning resorts, pristine and beautiful beaches, and amazing golfing premises. You'll have ample of beaches to explore with over 95 miles of coastline, stunning coral reefs and crystal blue waters. . Probably the best-known Caribbean island, Barbados is a haunt of the rich and famous. The Maldives are home to some of the world's most ravishing islands, but it's the sea, which truly makes these islands shine. It is one of the most boring animals in the ocean and the most uncool squid on the planet. The southern portion of Martinique has its pros and cons. But not all islands are created equal. Launched in 2014, Caribbean & Co. has won five travel media awards. The beaches are nothing special when compared to the ones in Florida and there are other, more scenic places in the Caribbean. Location is everything. While that will entertain you for a few hours, this small island doesnt have much else to offer. The Bahamas are the most popular cruise islands. Martiniqueis an overseas collectivity of Francelocated in the Lesser Antilles. Second line parades are a key part of New Orleans' culture. From exhilarating roller coasters to costumed characters, these parks offer fun for everyone. "People didn't care about the garbage they throw around." For an authentic Jamaican experience, mix it up with locals at Bluefields Beach Parkwhere, at the weekends, families will be picnicking and the reggae music will be blasting. Snorkeling is the most popular water activity on the island, and the crowds of people practically swimming on top of one of another proves it (Trip Advisor). Sit seaside, nestled by rocks watching the sunset at the resorts Mango restaurant. Langkawi, an archipelago on Malaysias west coast, has gotten a lot of hype recently for turquoise waters, picturesque beaches and jungle-clad hills. Then youll have an hour-long bus ride, driving through beautiful fishing villages, hill towns and vineyards (National Geographic). This less-traveled paradise is a must for bird-watchers. It also exports cocoa, bananas and citrus fruits. Poor in natural resources however, the island is very dependent on exterior trade with the US, Ireland and Japan for materials. Cuba also has plenty of museums and art galleries that offer a window into the countrys rich history and culture. The third largest Caribbean island, Jamaica is one of the most popular and well-known tourist destinations in the region. The Aruban people are known for having a natural sense of hospitality instilled in them. Take a thrilling bobsled ride through the forest and go swimming with dolphins in the resort town of Ocho Rios. If you're planning a winter vacation, here are 13 lesser-known Caribbean islands to consider. From the crowded beaches ofPuerto Rico to the dangerous streets of Jamaica,join us as we count down 15 Caribbean destinations that are overrated, if these tourist photos are anything to go by. 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