Caribbean Island Guide: Which One Is Right For Your Family?
Planning a vacation to the Caribbean, but don’t know which island is right for your family? Each island destination has a unique history, unique culture and unique experience – it can be difficult to choose. Here, we recommend our favorite islands based on various travel styles and ages, to give you a place to start.
Antigua- Best for Explorers, Beach Lovers, Sailors
Antigua (and Barbuda) is the ideal place for people who can’t stay in one spot the whole time. You’ll have the chance to go beach hopping and island hopping every day if you visit this yachting destination. There are also lots of options for accommodations and activities for any budget.
My Favorite Accommodations
There are six pools and two beaches at St. James’s Club, plus water sports, a kids’ club and movie theater. The resort offers traditional guestrooms and villas, the latter of which sleep up to eight and have full kitchens. You don’t need to worry about cooking, though — the all-inclusive resort has four restaurants and four bars from which to choose.
Aruba- Best for Foodies, Gamblers, Shoppers
Aruba is a very family-friendly destination and offers activities for all members of the family to enjoy. Young kids will love the beaches and most hotels in Aruba have activities for kids that vary from day to day, and also depending on age. From things as simple as playing on the beach in the sand and going snorkeling, to visiting the Donkey Sanctuary, The Butterfly Farm. Many kids love Arashi beach for “body boarding” in the smaller waves and can spend a whole day in the water if allowed! There is also the bowling alley at the Palm Beach Plaza that opens in the afternoons/evenings. The nature trail at Arikok National Park is ideal for a more eco-friendly and fun educational experience. A visit to the Ostrich Farm, horseback riding, underwater tours in the Atlantis submarine or just a more laid-back tour in the glass bottom boat could be fun. Possibilities are endless, and a lot depends on the interest of one’s kids
My Favorite Accommodations
The Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino is also very kid-friendly. Kids are welcome at the Bon Bini Kids Club playing air hockey and arcade games while parents can get some R&R on the beach or at the Mandara Spa. The resort also has a lagoon-style pool.
Barbados – Best for Surfers, Golfers, Foodies
Situated slightly East of the Atlantic hurricane belt, Barbados is a safe bet for travelers year-round. In general, the island is a melting pot of English, African, and West Indian heritage—a dynamism that comes through in a friendly local population and strikingly rich cuisine
My Favorite Accommodations
Sandy Lane Resort, elegant and exclusive, Sandy Lane is set in an ancient mahogany grove overlooking a 1,000 foot crescent of gorgeous white sand beach. Accommodations include 113 rooms and suites as well as a stunning 5-bedroom villa. With a magnificent 47,000-square-foot spa, four restaurants, seven bars, nine floodlit tennis courts, two padel tennis courts, personalised beachside service, 45 holes of championship golf and The Treehouse Club facility for kids and teens
Bonaire- Best for Teens, Luxury
High-end and diving-oriented, Bonaire nonetheless holds power in the family vacationing scheme of things. If you have kids who want to learn how to dive or already known how, it’s a natural fit because there’s diving right from the beach in incredibly unspoiled waters. That aside, a donkey sanctuary, hiking, a children’s carnival in February, flamingoes, horseback riding, and the diminutive slave huts on the beach might pique their interest. Small resorts such as Eden Beach Resort, with a kids’ club and family adventure packages, are sized just right.
My Favorite Accommodations
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino offers oceanfront and pool view rooms and all-inclusive packages. A complimentary kids’ club is available for children 4 to 12 years old. Activities there include treasure hunts, sandcastle contests and movie nights. Kids also stay and eat for free! There are two freshwater pools, a casino for adults, scuba school, fitness center, shuffleboard, life-sized chessboard, sun shelters and a spa. Plus the bars and restaurants of Kralendijk are only a five-minute walk away!
The Cayman Islands – Best for Watersports, Foodies, Golfers
Heading to the Cayman Islands can feel a lot like visiting places in Southern Florida. Vacationers can enjoy outdoor activities, such as snorkeling and diving (especially at Stingray City, where you can actually swim with them too) or lounging on pristine beaches (like Seven Mile Beach). You can also go golfing or dine at upscale restaurants, like Chef Eric Ripert’s restaurant.
My Favorite Accommodations
The 365-room, Ritz-Carlton is a mainstay for many reasons—the Greg Norman-designed golf course, Eric Ripert seafood restaurant, and La Prairie spa.
For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, head to, Le Soleil D’or, a new retreat on 12-mile-long Cayman Brac, with a beach club, a 20-acre organic farm, and private villas.
Dominican Republic – Best for Toddlers, Budget, All Inclusive
The Dominican Republic has long been considered the adventure capital of the Caribbean. The island’s rain forests beckon to be explored by foot, zip-line and canopy tours, and the long coastline is perfect for surfing, snorkeling, diving, sailing and more. Many visitors find themselves stocking up on gear at any surfing, sailing, or scuba diving equipment shop online before their trip, ensuring they’re ready for the underwater adventure. The mountainous interior is also a great place for canyoning, caving and rock climbing, as well as river rafting and mountain biking. Of course, another highlight for families is the island’s fantastic all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana.
My Favorite Accommodations
The Club Med Punta Cana is an all-inclusive resort with some seriously fancy features. Situated just 10 minutes from the airport, the resort offers a circus school from the legends themselves, Cirque du Soleil. The stunning playground has five zones for creative play and adrenaline-packed stunts (all to the highest health and safety standards, of course), where children can spend their vacation learning how to become performers and acrobats on flying trapezes, use aerial silks, jump on bungee trampolines, and more. Guests can also enjoy free water sports and recreation activities.
Grenada – Best for Relaxation, Culture, Hiking, Luxury
Grenada is somewhat of an untouched beauty in the Caribbean. This little island is perfect for a beach vacation getaway where you won’t have to deal with hoards of tourists and bustling crowds. The rainforest also offers a great escape into nature, while St. George’s (the capital) looks like a mini replica of the Italian Riviera.
My Favorite Accommodations
The Spice Island Beach Resort is an all-inclusive resort featuring 64 beachfront suites, many with private plunge pools, outdoor dining spaces and gorgeous, canopy beds. Families will love the gourmet dining, premium cocktails and house wines for adults; oceanfront swimming pool, tennis and cycling; full-day children’s activity program for ages 3 to 12; spa services for; a fitness center; room service; afternoon tea; free Wi-Fi; in-room mini bars; and a kids’ menu. Island tours, scuba diving and sailing charters can be arranged for an additional fee.
Martinique – best for surfers, Beach bums and rum drinkers
Ever heard of Martinique? It’s technically part of France, except it’s located in the Caribbean! Everyone on the island speaks French (and English), and the island’s infrastructure largely resembles that of France. Breathtaking natural beauty; hotels, villas, and Creole residences to suit every style of travel; pulsating authenticity, traditions and culture; magnificent protected hiking trails, intriguing mangrove tours, and canyoning adventures; world-famous surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, bill fishing, and every other conceivable water sport or just relaxing on the beach. Yet the island feels very much Caribbean, with beachfront resorts, water sports, historical attractions, and ultra laidback vibes.
My Favorite Accommodations
The all -inclusive Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek personifies the Creole spirit and offers an impressive number of ways to enjoy a taste of paradise in the French West Indies. Whether you’re soaking up the sun on the amazing beaches of Martinique, scuba diving off the sublime coastline of Baie du Marin, relaxing during a sunset yoga session on a picturesque deck or water skiing in the bright blue Caribbean sea, Buccaneer’s Creek has something for everyone.
Jamaica – Best for Budget, All Inclusive, Babies
The fourth largest island country in the Caribbean, Jamaica is the perfect spot for families in search of an easy getaway and a rich reggae-infused culture. It’s a place where you “Don’t worry about a thing, cause every little thing gonna be all right.”
This is the land of jerk chicken and reggae, beaches and rainforests, blue mountains and blue lagoons. With a range of hotel options (all-inclusive resorts, stylish boutique properties, lavish hideaways), there’s something for everyone. The easy-going atmosphere is ideal for little kids (there’s even a hotel that has a fleet of free nannies on staff). Teenagers love the 24/7 energy and all the adventure sports, from Zip lining to scaling one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful waterfalls. And did we mention? The weather’s warm and sunny most of the time.
My Favorite Accommodations
But for parents, perhaps the best place for infants is Jamaica—more specifically, Franklin D. Resort and Spa. This resort assigns every family with their own full-time nanny (included in the cost of the stay). This nanny can put baby down for a nap while you and your partner lounge by the pool, babysit while you enjoy a quiet dinner, and play with baby when you want to enjoy some of the island’s adult amenities.
Puerto Rico – Best for a Long Weekend, Novice Travelers, History lovers
All of the islands in the Caribbean are rich in history, many of them once thriving plantation and mill islands or overrun by pirates. But Puerto Rico’s historic Old San Juan sets itself apart, when a stroll through the winding streets can easily conjure up feelings of colonial life in the 1500s. Here, Castillo San Cristobal is one of the largest Spanish forts of the new world, and the Castillo San Felipe del Morro citadel provides expansive play areas and views with its dose of history. You’ll also find the ancestral home of the Ponce de Leon family and his burial site, at the San Juan Cathedral, in Old San Juan. Bonus: U.S. citizens don’t need passports to visit!
My Favorite Accommodations
The recently renovated Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort offers swimming pools, kids’ activities and six onsite dining options. The best part? This resort has an optional all-inclusive plan!
St. Bart’s – Best for Foodies, Beach Bum, Luxury
Visiting St. Bart’s is the ultimate luxury destination in the Caribbean and perfect for people who are really looking to indulge. This French-speaking island is popular with the A-list crowds because of its luxury accommodations, beautiful beaches, high-end shopping, and fine dining establishments. You can expect expensive yachts, private luxury villas (that come with a private butler), crazy nightlife, and the occasional celebrity sighting.
My Favorite Accomodations
La Guanahani offers two generously sized swimming pools, two distinct beaches, an array of watersports, tennis courts and natural hiking paths, as well as complimentary children’s programs, a fitness center, a spa and a host of wellness activities.
St. Kitt’s & Nevis – Hiking, History, Golfers
Nevis is known for sandy beaches, including palm-fringed Pinney’s Beach and sheltered Oualie Beach. Booby High Shoals is a popular offshore dive site sheltering sea turtles and stingrays. The island’s capital, Charlestown, is filled with Georgian-style buildings and other British colonial relics.
My Favorite Accommodations
Four Seasons Resort Nevis embodies a fresh take on a timeless Caribbean experience. On an unspoiled island, our Resort is a spirited and soulful haven where both serenity and adventure can be pursued endlessly. And enjoy the incredible children’s programming you have come to expect from the Four Seasons. Each of their properties offers incredible children’s activities, kid’s clubs and complimentary baby amenities. The Four Seasons Nevis goes beyond usual programming
St. Maarten – Best for Foodies, Beach Goers
Saint Martin is part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea. It comprises 2 separate countries, divided between its northern French side, called Saint-Martin, and its southern Dutch side, Sint Maarten. The island is home to busy resort beaches and secluded coves. It’s also known for fusion cuisine, vibrant nightlife and duty-free shops selling jewelry and liquor.
My Favorite Accommodations
Sonesta Maho is the destination’s leading family resort with connecting rooms, one bedroom suites, and its Beach House Kids Club and Aqua Park which offers two new waterslides for ages 10-15, a whole new cast of Beach House characters and a new Teen Zone. The resort’s family-oriented concept include walkabout events; junior fitness; a dedicated children-only Beach House Kids Club designed for ages 3 to 12; character experiences with the Beach House Crew and the main event – the interactive kids show, “Beach House Live!”
St. Lucia – Best for Hiking, Nature, Relaxation
The tropical island of St. Lucia, located in the Caribbean, is best known for its mighty Piton Mountains and gorgeous resorts on the beach. Noted for its oodles of small and luxurious resorts that drip color and flair, it is really two islands in one. Rodney Bay in the north offers lazy days and modern comforts amid a beautiful bay. In the south, Soufrière is at the heart of a gorgeous region of old plantations, hidden beaches and the geologic wonder of the impossibly photogenic Pitons. Nature lovers can hike to jungle-clad waterfalls, climb extinct volcanic cones or zip through the forest canopy on land, or dive beneath the calm Caribbean to get up close to St Lucia’s marine life. Foodies will be enamored with the islands delicious Creole cuisine.The island doesn’t have many all-inclusive resorts, but some properties offer all-inclusive packages.
My Favorite Accommodations
Windjammer Landing is located near Castries on St. Lucia‘s stunning northwest coast. With its sandy stretch of beach along Labrelotte Bay and a hillside setting where the resort is nestled into the lush landscaping, Windjammer Landing provides a Mediterranean feel, not to mention a home away from home. With one- to four-bedroom villas that range in size from 1,200 to 3,600 square feet, families of all sizes can travel together and enjoy full kitchens, living spaces, large bedrooms and convenient amenities such as washers and dryers. Of course, it also offers kids’ programming, water sports and restaurants.
Tobago- BEST FOR NATURE LOVERS, FOODIES
Trinidad‘s lesser known sister island is the country mouse to its city mouse. Swimming the Nylon Pool, snorkeling the reefs and hiking the rainforest enrich youngsters with rare natural experiences. The culture, too, resonates here, where you’re likely to find a youth steel drum band performing in the park and taste local spiced hot chocolate in the restaurants. Most accommodations, such as Coco Reef Resort and the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort, offer beachfront and plenty of watersports to families.
My Favorite Accommodations
Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort is located on the Atlantic side of the island, the Magdalena Grand occupies more than 2 miles of beachfront and 112 acres on what was once a sugar plantation. With all of that ocean and three pools, as well as a separate, dedicated pool for scuba training, the Magdalena Grand has just about everything a family looks for in a beach resort vacation. The children’s program is seasonal, but even in the off-season, special activities will be arranged, including a bouncy house on the grounds and other out-of-the-box offerings. For families who appreciate nature and the environment, Hawksbill sea turtles lay eggs on the beach directly in front of the south wing. March to September is nesting season. If the turtles begin to hatch and move to the ocean, you can ask to be notified of this miracle of nature – an earth science lesson your children will not likely forget.
Turks and Caicos- BEST FOR ANIMAL lOVERS, NATURALISTS
Turks & Caicos has grown into a ritzy, pricey beach destination. Still, such affordable options as Ocean Club Resorts and all-inclusive Beaches welcome kids with family-style accommodations and amenities. Discoveries such as a conch farm, horseback riding, and an island of rare iguanas fascinate. Boat excursions to North and Middle Caicos step back in time to expose families to the true culture, caves, whales, and flamingoes of the islands.
My Favorite Accommodations
Ocean Club West is perfect for laidback luxury with lovely landscaping and a breathtaking beach, then this is the place for you. The hotel’s 64 condo-style units want you to feel like you’re at home—if home was on one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the Caribbean! Screened-in porches let you peacefully enjoy your coffee or glass of wine while looking out at the ocean, or your kids in the pool. Save money by making your own meals in your unit’s kitchen, or grill up a burger on one of the two barbecues by the pool. There’s a large gourmet grocery story just two blocks from the resort, where you can pick up provisions for your whole vacation.You can request complimentary rollaway beds, cribs, railings for twin beds, and even baby monitors. Strollers, booster seats and sand toys are also available at no extra charge. Should mom and dad want a romantic evening alone, staff members are available for babysitting at an additional charge.
U.S. Virgin Islands-
Yes, you can go to the Caribbean without a passport! In fact, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can go to three Caribbean destinations without a passport. On St. Croix, you’ll find stunning beaches and historic attractions; on St. Thomas (a major cruise port), more great beaches and shopping in Charlotte Amalie; and on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands National Park, which comprises most of the island. All three destinations feature fantastic beach resorts, though you’ll find the highest concentration of them on St. Croix. Our suggestion? Stay on St. Croix and plan day trips to St. Thomas and St. John. All are easily accessible by ferry or a short plane ride.
My Favorite Accommodations
The Buccaneer is the best resort for families in St. Croix, and perhaps the U.S. Virgin Islands as a whole. Spanning 340 lushly landscaped acres, it’s easy to get lost in all the fun, from water sports, sparkling pools and boat trips to a kids’ club, family treasure hunts and crab races. The resort also offers several restaurants and serves complimentary breakfast — a rarity at a luxury resort like this. Then there’s a spa, hiking trails, golf, tennis, art lessons, babysitting- you could easily spend your entire vacation at The Buccaneer.
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