With some of the finest scuba diving in the Caribbean, affordable hotels and restaurants, jungle-shrouded hot springs, a stable economy, green mountains galore, and the friendliest people you could hope to meet, how is it possible that Dominica is still flying below the travel radar? That may change starting in 2027, when a new state-of-the-art international airport is scheduled to open.

For now, visitors can still take a jitney bus to anywhere on the island—from scenic Scotts Head in the south, where the Caribbean and the Atlantic collide, 37 miles north to lively Portsmouth—for less than $5. Dominica is called the Nature Island for its deep forests, photogenic waterfalls, sulfur springs, volcanic slopes, and plentiful hiking trails. No wonder the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise shot so many scenes here. The main drawback? A lack of swimmable beaches. The Atlantic waters are too rough, and sandy beaches on the Caribbean side are too few. A favorite spot for ocean bathing, though, is black-sand Mero Beach, about halfway between the island’s two biggest towns, Roseau (the capital) and Portsmouth.

Highly recommended day-trips: A jungle-boat ride on the Indian River, a tour of the Kalinago Territory (home to the last indigenous Caribbean people), and Paradise Valley gardens, a sensual smorgasbord of royal palms and coconut palms, fruit trees, lilies, bamboo, ferns, orchids and other flowering plants from Dominica and across the Caribbean, making this nursery a 60-acre Eden among the hills of a Paradise.

The all-villa Secret Bay, arguably the island’s most luxurious resort, is hidden away, as its name implies, on a secluded cove near Portsmouth, Dominica’s “second city.” Don’t miss the resort’s “Botanica Experience,” a private lunch in the kitchen garden prepared in front of you by the chef. Want an urban feel at a more wallet-friendly price? Consider the waterfront Fort Young Hotel, steps from the restaurants and shops of the capital, Roseau, and a favorite of visiting scuba divers.

Orizaba, which lies in a lush part of western Veracruz, lent its name to both Mexico’s highest peak, Pico de Orizaba, and one of Mexico City’s most picturesque streets, Calle Orizaba. As one of the country’s pueblos mágicos, or magical towns, it was selected for its immaculate downtown area, natural surroundings, and historical attractions.

Among Orizaba’s more unexpected points of interest is the Palacio de Hierro, the centerpiece of the city. Built in 1894 in Antwerp, the Art Nouveau structure was designed by French engineer Gustav Eiffel, deconstructed for the Transatlantic journey, then rebuilt as the then-center of government. Today, it is home to a few small museums and a café selling Veracruz coffee. It’s also a popular meeting place for locals.

To really appreciate the natural setting of Orizaba, head up to the scenic hilltop of Cerro del Borrego, which can be done by foot or cable car (the only one in the state of Veracruz). Cerro de Borrego, which rises around 1024 feet above the city, affords fantastic views of downtown, as well as of the undulating landscapes of nearby towns. A glass lookout point, la atalaya de cristal, gives more daring visitors a closer peek at the city. For history fans, there’s a small exhibit on the summit recounting the 1862 “Battle of Cerro del Borrego” between Mexican revolutionary forces and the French army.

Having opened in a mansion that dates back to 1900, Casona 142 Hotel Boutique combines aesthetics from both the turn of the 20th century and contemporary styles. Just a few minutes walk from both Palacio de Hierro, and the city center Cerro del Borrego cable car station, it has a fantastic location to boot.

Gamma Orizaba Grand Hotel de France, which forms part of Mexico’s Fiesta Americana hotel chain, is also within walking distance from downtown Orizaba. Highlights include a rooftop pool with fantastic vistas of the city and mountainous terrain, a beautiful inner courtyard, and on-site dining options.

Placencia is many things. It is home to the one-time narrowest street in the world, as per the Guinness Book of World Records. It hosts a fun-filled annual lobster festival every summer (complete with kayak races and competitive hot wing-eating), and it boasts sixteen miles of silky sand running with waterfront hotels, quirky beach bars, and sufficient hammocks to nap-hop for days.

Once a scrappy fishing village, this dreamy peninsula in southern Belize has shape-shifted into a low-key Caribbean hideout with world-class snorkeling, paint-splatter sunsets, and enough character to fill a Hemingway novel. Pelicans photobomb your sunny snaps, and the nightlife includes fire dancers, karaoke duels, and rum-soaked conversations with strangers-turned-friends at Tipsy Tuna, Barefoot, Strange Brew, or  Rumfish.

As one of the top beach destinations in Belize, Placencia already had star power in the form of Turtle Inn, a boutique hotel owned by Hollywood heavyweight Francis Ford Coppola. Now, The Placencia Resort—where one of Belize’s largest swimming pools can be found—takes things up a notch with a $10 million renovation, becoming the first property in the country to join the Hyatt hotel portfolio. With big-brand buzz and barefoot vibes, Placencia pulls off what few places can: staying cool while leveling up.

When staying in one of the 90 renovated guestrooms, suites, and villas at The Placencia Resort, you’ll have access to group fitness classes, a 24-hour biophilic gym, complimentary bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards, and the chance to lap up the sun in one of the biggest swimming pools in Belize.

There are also new licks of paint at Itz’ana, a beachfront Small Luxury Hotels of the World resort with recently unveiled one, two, and four-bedroom Marina Villas with private plunge pools.

The island is an adventure-lover’s paradise, offering several hiking trails and underwater exploration. Visitors can choose to summit Mt. Scenery, the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, or take the island’s historic trail, The Ladder, once vital for transporting goods. Under the sea, Saba Marine Park is home to thirty protected dive sites where divers can spot diverse marine life. The island also has a budding art scene where local artists, from glassblowers to eco-dyers, share their craft with visitors.

Must-try restaurants are Brigadoon, an old Saban home that offers French and Caribbean cuisine; Bizzy B for baked goods and frozen lime juice; Island Flavor for fresh juices; Rendezvous, situated along a hiking trail; and Unspoiled Queen Liquor to taste-test Saba Spice, a local rum made with fruits and spices grown on the island.

Popular festivals held on the island include Sea & Learn, an initiative held in October where environmental experts and scientists raise awareness on environmental preservation; Create & Learn, a festival held four times a year where artists come to the island to host workshops; and Rum & Lobster Fest, a weeklong event in November paying homage to Saba Spice Rum and Saba Spiny Lobster.

The Cottage Club is a collection of 10 traditional Saban cottages, each outfitted with red roofs, green shutters, and offering  sea views. Juliana’s Hotel offers suites and cottages with garden and ocean views and is known for its farm-to-table restaurant, Tropics Café. The island’s fifth hotel, The Scenery Hotel, will open its doors in 2026 at the foot of Mount Scenery.