Hundreds of lush tropical islands scatter across the shimmering sea, beckoning big spenders with the promise of paradise. Laid-back locals welcome their guests with open arms and bottomless bowls of rum punch before escorting them on whirlwind voyages to untouched islets.
Pink-hued sands glisten beneath the Bahamian sun on Eleuthera, a skinny sliver of land that boasts wonderful resorts. Schools of tropic fish swim in tandem with frolicking pigs just off Staniel Cay.
Amidst the myriad of seafaring yachts and lavish luxury villas, the Virgin Islands manage to maintain a heavenly ambiance that few places on Earth can rival. Happiness resides within a makeshift hammock on a deserted beach, meditating to the sound of waves as they gently crest upon the shore; this is the embodiment of life here.
Sweeping white sands are abundant on St. John and St. Thomas, with a mighty network of coral reefs sparkling beneath the surface, teeming with diverse marine life.
A fascinating melange of cultures stew in the intense melting pot of the Dominican Republic; a charismatic and boisterous nation with deep roots irrevocably embedded in the foundations of the so-called ‘New World’. In bustling Santo Domingo streets, the sounds of merengue contribute a distinct aural atmosphere to the charming colonial area of La Zona.
Far to the north, surrender all mod cons in exchange for peaceful isolation in Las Galeras, a humble resort town on the Samaná Peninsula where pristine sandy beaches sprout outwards in all directions.
A time-worn treasure trove, Cuba lingers in limbo; tangled in the crossfire of political upheaval and under the sceptical eye of its neighbours. In spite of adversity, Cuba is renowned for a rich musical heritage that oozes with uplifting and heartfelt emotion.
Vintage cars zigzag through Havana, the island’s exciting and vibrant capital, characterised by its colonial-era buildings with faded coats of pastel paint. Off the coast, sun-seekers retreat to a string of sandy keys, sipping on rum and puffing cigars.
Vivid shades of green and alluring azure paint the lush landscape of Jamaica, a blissful tropical paradise where time moves slow. Here, the roots of Rastafarianism entwine with the hypnotic ‘riddims’ of reggae, a spiritual music brought to prominence by cherished icon Bob Marley.
Luxurious resorts crowd the crystalline coasts of Montego Bay and Negril, known for scuba diving and snorkelling. Hidden within the dense jungles that encircle Ochos Rios, terraced waterfalls and secret lagoons await.
A string of star-studded gems, the Leeward Islands conjure quintessential Caribbean dreams into reality. Gorgeous golden beaches line the periphery of St Barthélemy, a tiny jewel with legacy as a rendezvous for the rich and famous.
Nearby, the even smaller island of Anguilla is an unblemished utopia, epitomised by the serene Shoals Bay, where sugar-white sand coalesce with translucent turquoise waters.
Separated by a whisker’s width, the two main islands of Guadeloupe are said to resemble the shape of butterfly; befitting of the lush rainforest that dominates Basse-Terre. Dotted by beautiful bays, the southern coast of Grande-Terre is a far tamer and relaxed getaway.
Palms sway gently in the breeze, seemingly in harmony with the easy-going pace of the Windward Islands. Exclusive boutique resorts cling to the cliffs of St Lucia, overlooking the show-stopping Les Pitons. Make haste for glorious Grenada, a lively paradise where aromatic spices fill the air and immaculate landscapes unfold. On the outskirts of the charming capital, sprawling Grande Anse is stunning.
Relatively uncharted, the enchanting emerald isle of Dominica is a haven for adventurers, with fast-flowing waterfalls and eco-resorts tucked away in thick rainforest. Lingering off South America, Trinidad + Tobago are distinctly different; the former hosts a huge metropolis while the latter is represented by beach-side calypso.
Three dazzling diamonds in the crown of the Caribbean, sapphire waters and scuba sites galore are common threads that connect these islands, as well as eye-catching pastel paint-jobs that adorn architectural remnants from Dutch colonial rule. Beaches of white velvet sand drawn tourists en-masse to Aruba, whose capital Oranjestad is abuzz with resorts and casinos.
Bonaire is the exquisite underdog, where mesmerising coral reefs thrive mere feet from the shore, affording a tropical kaleidoscope for both veteran and novice snorkelers. Calming Curacao conceals some of finest beaches in world; completing the trifecta. Quaint Willemstad is famed for a candy-coloured mosaic of townhouses lining the seafront.
Bowled over by beautiful beaches, silken sands, and misty mountaintops that descend to lush rainforests, Puerto Rico seeps into the hearts of all who find themselves here.
Cobblestone streets in Viejo San Juan are flanked by colourful colonial buildings, converging on plazas and bustling thoroughfares. Nightlife in San Juan is electrifying, with impromptu parties that spill out to the streets or file into clandestine clubs.
Formerly the stomping ground of swashbuckling pirates, Vieques is a wonderland unto itself. Deserted beaches of white, gold, and even black sand are found here, alongside the entrancing Mosquito Bay where bioluminescent algae light up the night’s sky.
Brandishing all the hallmarks of picture-postcard exotica, Barbados is a sun-soaked Shangri-La with blissful palm-lined bays and a community of joyous locals.
Compact capital Bridgetown is a delight to wander around, noted for its lazily lilting promenade aligned by colourful colonial buildings.
Along the staggering southern coast, barefoot revellers saunter across countless pearly white beaches, savouring the soothing sensation of soft sand between their toes as the auburn glow of sunset hangs on the horizon.
On the sun-kissed shores of glorious Grenada an unearthly magic lingers in the air. Tropical paradise incarnate, palm trees cast shade over sweeping sandy beaches caressed by a gentle breeze.
