You Can Still Travel to the Caribbean During Hurricane Season

Aruba doesn’t take its mantra, “One Happy Island” for granted. The island boasts 365 days of sunshine each year so there are no vacation spoilers here. The people are friendly, the activities are endless, and the winds offer a welcome breeze where windsurfing is a must-try sport for adrenaline junkies. While this island offers some of the best water sports activities, if you need to take a break from the beach, visit Aruba’s native Butterfly Farm.

Where to Stay

Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club is located on the island’s infamous Palm Beach and offers multi-bedroom villas perfect for extended families or small groups.

The Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino is another family-friendly venue with a unique pirate dinner experience complete with fun pirate booty and nautical-themed decor.

Barbados is teeming with great beaches, vibrant nightlife, and some of the friendliest locals you’ll meet anywhere. Take in the rich culture and learn a few of the island’s local customs. Take a Bajan cuisine cooking class or learn to play a steel pan drum.

Where to Stay

O2 Beach Club & Spa is a five-star all-inclusive luxury hotel with one of the only rooftop pools on the island and a world-class spa with a full Hammam experience.

Sea Breeze Beach House is set along some of the island’s most pristine beaches and offers its own playground with private floating trampolines set out over the crystal blue ocean waters.

Bonaire is a Dutch Island nicknamed a “Diver’s Paradise,” thanks to its protected marine park where both snorkelers and scuba divers can experience some of the Caribbean’s most amazing underwater sea life. Bonaire is an island made for exploring. Rent a bike and explore some of the dozens of trails or take a guided tour of the scenic Washington Slagbaai National Park. If you’d like to go it on your own, there are blue-painted rocks that mark the island’s bike paths.

Where to Stay

Harbour Village is a secluded tropical resort that prides itself on advancing coral preservation where guests can actually participate in the care and replanting of coral (somewhat of a voluntourism adventure).

Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island, is known for its stunning azure blue seas against pristine white sand beaches, with hidden bays tucked into coves that offer some pretty impressive coral reefs rich with marine life.

If shopping is your favorite vacation past-time, you’ll love wandering the streets of Curaçao’s capital, Willemstad. In the arts district, local artisans line the cobblestone streets selling their unique creations. But don’t miss taking a social media photo on the street lined with famous rainbow-colored buildings.

Where to Stay

Sandals Royal Curaçao is the brand’s most luxurious property to date. Treat yourself by booking one of the resort’s new seaside and poolside bungalows that come with your own personal butler. Guests can also rent one of the resort’s Mini Cooper convertibles to explore the island.

For a completely different vibe, the Pietermaai Boutique Hotel is located inland within the island’s walking district where colorful bars, great dining, and lively nightlife are just steps away.

Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean, is the ultimate destination for foodies and beach lovers. There are dozens of spice plantations, five chocolate factories, and three rum distilleries that tantalize all of your senses. No trip to Grenada would be complete without a visit to the spice and chocolate plantations. But even better, the island’s culinary tours are the best way to satisfy your tastebuds.

Where to Stay

Royalton Grenada All Inclusive Resort, located on a white sand beach along the island’s picturesque Tamarind Bay, is a family-friendly lively resort with endless onsite activities including movie nights, pool games, dance classes, and local cooking classes.

St. Vincent & The Grenadines actually consist of 32 islands known for lush tropical landscapes and some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful coral reefs and turquoise lagoons. Bequia, the second largest island in the group and sister island to celebrity-favorite Mustique, is all about ambiance.

Hiking is the best way to explore the island and capture some amazing views of this part of the Caribbean. Hike up to Bequia’s highest point, Ma Peggy, which offers panoramic views of the neighboring islands.

Where to Stay 

The family-owned Bequia Beach Hotel is an award-winning five-star luxury boutique hotel with suites, cottages, and villas that feature charming vintage décor. The resort’s newest villas, Grenadine Hills, are private beachfront homes perfect for the ultimate luxury vacation.

Two relatively unknown islands off the coast of Colombia and nearby Nicaragua, San Andres and Providencia, are stunning, unspoiled, and most of all, off the beaten path for most Caribbean travelers. Visit Old Point Regional Mangrove Park, a wildlife sanctuary where you can learn all about the island’s crabs, iguanas, and migratory birds. 

Where to Stay

Set on San Andrés, the largest of the islands, The Decameron is an all-inclusive resort with unique architecture with circular towers that offer panoramic ocean views including a natural pool that offers an aquatic platform ideal for snorkeling and other water sports.

Trinidad and Tobago, sister islands near Venezuela, each have their own distinctive personality. Trinidad is all about celebrating its Creole traditions and cuisines and that lively feeling is spread throughout the island. If laying on the beach is on your agenda, Tobago is best known for its tranquil beaches including Turtle Beach, where leatherbacks nest for the season. Spend a day exploring the massive Queen’s Park Savannah, followed by a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens and Emperor Valley Zoo.

Where to Stay

Located on a hilltop overlooking the Queen’s Park Savannah, the Hilton Trinidad is set within 25 acres of lush tropical gardens with balconies that offer contrasting yet breathtaking views of the Port of Spain and the Northern Range mountains.