The Caribbean is Having a Moment
Hidden lagoons, striking mountains, European-inspired architecture, irresistible cuisine: the Caribbean's 7,000-plus islands offer so much more than just gorgeous beaches – although there are plenty of those to be found too!
The Caribbean is a dreamy place with a climate that can feel like perpetual summer. And with so much to offer, it’s enjoying its time in the sun as a holiday hotspot. Get to know this incredible island destination and discover some of our favourite resorts and hotels in the region.
1. UNIQUE GEOGRAPHY
The Caribbean is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to its east and north, the coast of South America to its south, the coast of Central America to its southwest, and by the Gulf of Mexico to its northwest.
Spanning more than one million square miles, the Caribbean comprises 13 countries, and over 7,000 islands. Only about 2% or 100 of those islands are inhabited.
The Bahamas is made up of 700 islands, while Cuba is larger than all the other Caribbean islands combined. 75% of the Caribbean population lives on Cuba, the Dominican Republic, or Haiti.
2. TWO SEASONS
There are only really two seasons in this tropical region: dry and wet (rainy). The region’s dry or ‘high’ season runs from mid-December through to mid-April, and the wet season or ‘low’ season from mid-April through to mid-December. The wet or low season is also stormy, with the official hurricane season being June 1 to November 30, although they can sometimes occur earlier.
3. MULTIPLE LANGUAGES
While English, French, Dutch or Spanish may be the official language of many Caribbean nations, the native languages for many Caribbeans are Papiamento and Creole — a language derived by blending multiple languages from France, Africa and West India.
4. RICH HISTORY & CULTURE
The Caribbean is characterised by a mesmerising mix of influences rooted in its rich heritage, shaped by its long history of colonisation, and waves of immigration. The region is a melting pot of different languages, cuisine, music, and customs. Its culture is a beautiful blend of a colonial and native elements shaped by each country’s socio-cultural experiences. It is this diversity that gives the Caribbean region a unique identity.
Did you know that the Caribbean has 23 awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage sites that you can visit? These include historical sites like the 17th century Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park in St Kitts and Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua, along with the Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers, and the Colonial City of Santo Domingo.
5. NATURAL WONDERS
The Caribbean abounds with mesmerising natural wonders like the Blue and John Crow Mountains in Jamaica and the Morne Trois Pitons National Park in Dominica. The list goes on and on, but some tried and tested favourites include: The Pitons, St. Lucia; Stingray City, The Cayman Islands; Bonaire National Marine Park, Bonaire; and Alejandro De Humboldt National Park in Cuba.
6. LUXURY ACCOMMODATION
One of the hardest decisions you’ll have to make when considering a trip to the Caribbean is where to stay. There are handfuls of high-end resorts that showcase the very best of the idyllic destination. We could talk until we’re as blue in the face as the stunning local water, but for simplicity, we’ve rounded up our top 8 recommendations.
COMO PARROT CAY
A favourite among celebrities, this award-winning Caribbean luxury resort set on its own private island of 1,000 unspoilt acres with a sweeping powdery soft beach. This exclusive island hideaway delivers barefoot luxury combined with COMO’s impeccable service ethic, holistic therapies, and world-class cuisine. All rooms and suites have whitewashed interiors furnished with soft, cotton-covered chairs, airy four-poster beds and teak furnishing. The real stars are the private villas, with their own pools, direct beach access as well as 24-hour service of COMO’s acclaimed butlers.
JADE MOUNTAIN, ST LUCIA
One glance at this cliffside aerie in St. Lucia and you’ll see why it’s been consistently voted one of the world’s best honeymoon hotels. The resort’s unique and impressive design, with individual bridges leading to exceptional infinity pool suites and rugged stoned-faced columns reaching towards the sky, have wowed guests for a decade plus. With their fourth wall entirely absent, the resort’s 29 suites (called “sanctuaries”) are stage-like settings from which to embrace the full glory of St Lucia’s twin peaks, the Pitons World Heritage Site, and of course, the eternal Caribbean Sea. If you do manage to drag yourself away from your personal haven, head to the restaurant for a decadent meal by award-winning chefs.
BELMOND CAP JULUCA
Belmond Cap Juluca is an island chic beachfront hideaway located along the intimate crescent and healing shores of Maundays Bay on the exclusive island of Anguilla. This glamorous and idyllic resort offers Belmond world-class service and captures the charisma, character, and charm of the Caribbean. Belmond Cap Juluca is a stunner with Greco-Moorish architecture, plush villas and suites, gorgeous swimming pools. But it's Maundays Bay — a calm, crescent-shaped beach with smooth sand and brilliant blue waters — that gets consistent praise as one of the best beaches in not only Anguilla, but the entire Caribbean.
JUMBY BAY ISLAND ANTIGUA
Nestled on a 300-acre private Caribbean island three kilometers from Antigua, Jumby Bay Island, an Oetker Collection property, is a secluded luxury haven filled with lush landscapes, stately palm trees and stunning white sand beaches. Reachable only by boat, with no hint of urban intrusions (including cars) in sight, this privately owned hideaway has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The resort features 40 tastefully decorated rooms and luxury vacation villas, that embody both the beauty of nature and the tradition of elegance with inspiring surroundings and simple sophistication.
AMANYARA, TURKS & CAICOS
Set on the island of Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, Amanyara is a secluded haven embracing the best elements of the Caribbean. Bordering the pristine reefs of Northwest Point Marine National Park, acclaimed for some of the world’s best wall and reef diving, the ultra-luxury Caribbean resort is managed by Aman and blessed with a magnificent white beach. Offering 40 timber-shingled guest pavilions tucked along the coast, the resort enjoys a contemporary layout and design, open to the sights and sounds of the crystal clear turquoise sea.
ANI PRIVATE RESORTS, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Claiming its own private peninsula with 270-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean, ÀNI Dominican Republic welcomes you and yours alone to this spectacular bay-cradled setting on the island’s verdant north coast. Encompassing Villa Larimar with its sunrise vistas and west-facing Villa Amber with its man-made beach and path to the sea, this breathtaking Caribbean retreat accommodates up to 28 guests,, with a dedicated team of over 30 staff members fine-tuning every aspect of your all-inclusive stay.
EDEN ROCK - ST BARTHS
Possibly one of the most visually recognised hotels in the Caribbean, Eden Rock - St Barths is situated on a rocky promontory, surrounded by white sandy beaches, gin clear sea and amazing coral reefs full of colourful wild sea life. The iconic hotel is ideal for families, offering relaxation, play and pleasure for all ages, as well as a variety of fun activities from bodyboarding to lazing on gorgeous white sandy beaches to water sports and boat trips, plus art, music and all-day dining. Guests are perfectly positioned in the heart of St Jean to explore the nearby shops, boutiques, bars and restaurants.