The Caribbean is famous for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and warm tropical climate, offering the perfect escape. Millions of tourists flock to the Caribbean each year to see some of the world's most beautiful and unique attractions and experiences. But what is the best thing to see when visiting the region?
The Caribbean is made up of over 700 islands, offering plenty to do and see. Some of the most popular destinations include the Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Aruba and the Dominican Republic. With so many choices, we have revealed the best tourist attractions for those seeking travel inspiration.
We used TripAdvisor data to research 60 of the most popular attractions in the Caribbean. From there, we calculated the percentage of five-star, “excellent” reviews for each tourist attraction. The following 10 tourist attractions scored the highest.
| Tourist Attraction | Island | Number of TripAdvisor Reviews | Number of five-star TripAdvisor reviews | Percentage of five-star TripAdvisor reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunte's Gardens | Barbados | 5178 | 4668 | 90.2% |
| Grace Bay Beach | Turks & Caicos | 7477 | 6654 | 89.0% |
| Flamenco Beach | Puerto Rico | 3634 | 3123 | 85.9% |
| Stingray City | Grand Cayman | 7243 | 6213 | 85.8% |
| Playa Paraiso | Cuba | 3430 | 2936 | 85.6% |
| Cayman Crystal Caves | Grand Cayman | 4439 | 3760 | 84.7% |
| Blue Hole | Jamaica | 7211 | 6087 | 84.4% |
| Eagle Beach | Aruba | 10,698 | 8357 | 78.1% |
| Valle de Vinales | Cuba | 6084 | 4752 | 78.1% |
| The Baths National Park | Virgin Gorda | 2957 | 2275 | 76.9% |
Contents:
- Hunte's Gardens, Barbados
- Grace Bay Beach, Turks & Caicos
- Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
- Stingray City, Grand Cayman
- Playa Paraiso, Cuba
- Cayman Crystal Caves, Grand Cayman
- Blue Hole, Jamaica
- Eagle Beach, Aruba
- Valle de Vinales, Cuba
- The Baths National Park, Virgin Gorda
1. Hunte's Gardens, Barbados
With over 90% of excellent reviews, Hunte’s Garden in Barbados is awarded first place. A world-renowned botanical garden located in the lush, central hills of St. Joseph, Hunte’s Garden consistently ranks as the top thing to do in the country. It is home to many exotic plant species, such as exotic orchids, giant cabbage palms and purple lilies. The gardens are open year-round, so make sure to visit if you’re in Barbados.
2. Grace Bay Beach, Turks & Caicos
In second place, with an excellent score of 89%, is Grace Bay Beach. Located on the northeast coast of the island of Providenciales, the beach is famous for its beautiful, picture-perfect white sand that stretches over 3 miles, often regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The clear, turquoise waters are also perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
3. Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
Next up is Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico, which has an excellent score of 85.9%. Located on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico, Flamenco Beach boasts calm, still waters, tucked into a deep bay and naturally protected from the rough Atlantic swells. Visitors also enjoy the abundance of wildlife, including sea turtles, manta rays, stingrays and blue tangs.
4. Stingray City, Grand Cayman
In fourth place is a truly unique experience: Stingray City, which has an excellence score of 85.8%. Located on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, visitors can pet and feed wild southern stingrays in their natural habitat. December to April is the best time to visit, with warm temperatures and dry weather.
5. Playa Paraiso, Cuba
In Cuba, Playa Paraíso, or Paradise Beach, is often cited as the crown jewel of the country’s coastline. Located on the secluded island of Cayo Largo del Sur, the beach is popular with travellers looking for privacy and relaxation, and offers ultimate relaxation for those looking to escape the crowds.
6. Cayman Crystal Caves, Grand Cayman
Next up is the Cayman Crystal Caves, which has an excellent score of 84.7%. Located in the lush tropical north of the island, the caves offer a unique experience. Inside the caves are stalagmite crystal structures, which make the cave walls look like they are encrusted with diamonds when hit by light. Visitors can also see wild fruit bats hanging from the ceiling. The caves can be accessed through private tours year-round.
7. Blue Hole, Jamaica
With an excellent score of 84.4%, Blue Hole in Jamaica is the next Caribbean attraction on our list. Described as a natural waterpark, Blue Hole is a popular spot for swimming, featuring bright blue lagoons. Visitors can jump from cliffs into the waters or explore, making it popular for adrenaline seekers. The waters are also rich in minerals that locals swear are good for the skin.
8. Eagle Beach, Aruba
Eagle Beach in Aruba scored 78.1%. Situated on the west coast, it offers one of the best sunset views in the Caribbean. It is famed for its leaning fofoti trees, which are some of the most photographed sites in Aruba. The beach is also a popular nesting site for sea turtles, with thousands nesting each season.
9. Valle de Vinales, Cuba
Valle de Vinales is next, scoring 78.1%. This lush area of natural beauty is located in the Sierra de los Órganos, in western Cuba. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the Caribbean and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Anyone who loves the outdoors should add Valle de Vinales to their bucket list.
10. The Baths National Park, Virgin Gorda
Finally, the Baths National Park in Virgin Gorda has an excellent score of 76.9%. The park is famous for its massive granite boulders, some over 12 metres tall, which offer fantastic photo opportunities. While the area itself is smaller than many other Caribbean national parks, it is densely packed, with a trail through the boulders taking about 30 minutes.
Dave Mills, Chief Commercial Officer at Iglu Cruise, said:
“We see consistent demand for the Caribbean, year after year, with customers looking to island hop between some of the most beautiful places in the world. From stunning beaches, amazing wildlife and incredible food, it is clear to see why the Caribbean is such an appealing destination. With major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises offering sailings year-round, a trip to the Caribbean has never been easier.”
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