What Makes Each of the 26 Caribbean Countries Unique
Spread out across several-hundred miles of North America’s Caribbean region, about 700 Caribbean islands exist, but only 26 of them are deemed sovereign states and dependent territories.
Starting with The Bahamas and Cuba, located off the tip of Florida, the string of Caribbean countries arc down towards Venezuela. Each one has its own attractions and its own unique combination of history, geography, elevation and mostly European influence that draw millions of visitors every year. These are people who worship the sun and everything that comes with it — beaches, aquatic sports, fishing, hiking, bird watching and simply soaking up some rays.
Great weather, easy access by plane and diverse cultures mean that the 26 Caribbean countries have many choices when it comes to travel excursions. Not sure which Caribbean island’s best for you? Here we list the best thing to do in each Caribbean country — from the classic car rides in Cuba to the bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico.
26. Montserrat
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands)
Population: 4,992
Annual Visitors: 9,000
Best Thing to Do
Get close to nature’s power at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. Visitors get to observe the details of the Soufriere Hills Volcano and the aftermath of the 1994 large eruption that devastated Plymouth, the island’s capital of 300 years.
Learn the history with the educational video offered, and then take in the views of the volcano and exclusion zone.
25. Anguilla
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands)
Population: 15,003
Annual Visitors: 55,000
Best Thing to Do
Take a day trip to Sandy Island to feel as if you're in a completely different country.
With a restaurant on the island, live music to enjoy and room to relax on the beach, this is an oasis to escape to within the already small island of Anguilla.
24. Dominica
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands)
Population: 71,986
Annual Visitors: 63,000
Best Thing to Do
Dominica is known as the whale-watching capital of the Caribbean. After all, it is the only country in the world where sperm whales reside all year long.
Sightings are most common between November and March, and there is a 95 percent chance of sightings on each tour.
23. St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Windward Islands)
Population: 110,940
Annual Visitors: 80,000
Best Thing to Do
The La Soufriere Volcano hike will give you a chance to really stretch your legs while reaching a stunning viewpoint that offers an incredible view of the island and huge volcanic crater. The panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and sea are absolutely worth the trek.
On a really clear day, you can even see the neighboring island of St. Lucia.
22. St. Kitts & Nevis
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands)
Population: 53,199
Annual Visitors: 116,000
Best Thing to Do
Experience the best of both worlds at once by exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park while surrounded by ocean views that stretch into the horizon.
This is one of the best-preserved historical fortifications in the Americas.
21. Grenada
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Windward Islands)
Population: 112,523
Annual Visitors: 161,000
Best Thing to Do
Dive into Grenada’s unique underwater sculpture park, the first of its kind in the world. These sculptures capture the culture of the island while providing an opportunity to enhance reef life.
The enormous sculptures are beautiful, some are haunting and others, thought-provoking. Letting nature take over, wildlife, currents and sea surges have given their own touches to these works of art.
20. British Virgin Islands
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands)
Population: 30,231
Annual Visitors: 192,000
Best Thing to Do
Spring Bay National Park and The Baths are right next to each other and make for a relaxing day in the sun. The Baths are huge granite rock formations brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions forming a beautiful grotto and tranquil pools.
Spring Bay National Park is also located to the east, which means it has some wonderful snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.
19. Antigua & Barbuda
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands)
Population: 97,929
Annual Visitors: 269,000
Best Thing to Do
Darkwood Beach offers iridescent waters with one of the longest stretches of soft sands on the island. It is a hangout for beach bums and busybodies alike, with its inflatable floating obstacle course.
If you plan to be here when no cruise ships are docking, it’s a very quiet beach to simply soak up the sun. On a clear day, you’re able to see Montserrat.
18. Bermuda
Location: British Overseas Territory
Population: 62,278
Annual Visitors: 282,000
Best Thing to Do
In March and April, a procession of humpback whales makes its way back north. If you’re there during this time, try and catch a glimpse of these incredible creatures!
Year-round, though, you can descend 120 feet below the Earth’s surface to the Crystal and Fantasy caves or visit Fort Hamilton for an unexpected jungle-like moat surrounding the lush green land inside the fort.
17. Trinidad & Tobago
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Windward Islands)
Population: 1.4 million
Annual Visitors: 375,000
Best Thing to Do
The Asa Wright Nature Centre is tucked away in the mountains of the Trinidad rainforest. It has a large variety of wildlife and plant species to marvel at.
You might indulge in high tea on the veranda, or if you’re feeling active, enjoy a guided walk with a professional naturalist guide.
16. St. Lucia
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Windward Islands)
Population: 183,627
Annual Visitors: 396,000
Best Thing to Do
Visit Sulphur Springs Park, as you get to see both the world’s only drive-in volcano as well as the mud baths.
Visitors can also see the Pitons volcanic mountains while here.
15. St. Maarten
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands)
Population: 42,729 (St. Maarten); 38,466 (St. Martin)
Annual Visitors: 402,000
Best Thing to Do
St. Maarten is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that makes up half the island. The other half — St. Martin — is a French territory, which means the island is divided in a unique cultural way, with a rich diversity for tourists.
Pinel Island is a short ferry ride off the main coast of St. Maarten and has something for everyone. There are easy hikes with stunning views, great snorkeling, kayaking and two restaurants to lounge at, or you can simply enjoy a book on the quiet sandy beaches.
14. Curaçao
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Antilles)
Population: 164,093
Annual Visitors: 432,000
Best Thing to Do
Curacao is governed by Holland, so the architecture and language is Dutch.
Stroll along the Queen Emma Pontoon pedestrian bridge while it swings open to enter or leave the bay. With the stunning and vibrantly painted buildings of Punda in the background, it makes for an extremely picturesque day.
13. Cayman Islands
Location: The Greater Antilles
Population: 65,722
Annual Visitors: 463,000
Best Thing to Do
Visit the Cayman Turtle Centre, the only institution in the world that has released captive-bred sea turtles into the wild and allows visitors to see them up close.
12. Martinique
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Windward Islands)
Population: 375,265
Annual Visitors: 537,000
Best Thing to Do
Get immersed in wildlife in the Les Gorges de la Falaise.
Enjoy waterfalls among the jungle and rivers you can explore in this beautifully exotic place.
11. Guadeloupe
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands)
Population: 400,124
Annual Visitors: 650,000
Best Thing to Do
Guadeloupe has a strong French influence, with French spoken everywhere.
While visiting, make sure to check out Îles des Saintes. It has a rich green volcanic landscape with coral-rich waters inviting visitors to sail in the rich blue waters of the bays.
10. Barbados
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Windward Islands)
Population: 287,375
Annual Visitors: 680,000
Best Thing to Do
Harrison’s Cave is a crystalized limestone cave with pools of crystal-clear water and flowing streams. Exploring the cave for an hour can be done either by tram or by foot.
Or you can choose an Eco-Adventure tour for three hours, exploring the cave’s natural passages — sometimes even on hands and knees!
9. Aruba
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Antilles)
Population: 106,766
Annual Visitors: 1.08 million
Best Thing to Do
The shallow waters of Baby Beach seem man-made, but they definitely are not.
Enjoy a swim and the fact that this beach seems like an infinity pool with a natural protective wall to the ocean where it drops off. This unique landscape is one to experience.
8. Haiti
Location: The Greater Antilles
Population: 11.4 million
Annual Visitors: 1.3 million
Best Thing to Do
Bassin Bleu is a serene sanctuary with three natural plunge pools of pristine blue water and a beautiful waterfall.
7. Turks & Caicos
Location: British Overseas Territory
Population: 38,717
Annual Visitors: 1.4 million
Best Thing to Do
Bight Reef has an incredible amount of wildlife to see and is considered to have some of the best snorkeling spots on Provo Island. Here, you’ll spot turtles, stingrays, a variety of fish and coral.
It’s truly unbelievable that the experience is free of charge, and if you don’t have your own gear for snorkeling, you can rent it.
6. The Bahamas
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands)
Population: 393,244
Annual Visitors: 1.6 million
Best Thing to Do
Pretty Pink Sands Beach delivers quintessential pink-hued sands in a soft rose color away from the busy-ness of nearby Nassau, found on the less-visited east coast of Harbour Island.
There are small clusters of palm-topped umbrellas and sunbeds to unwind on, along with some of the island’s most enticing boutique hotels, all hidden in the dunes and blooms.
5. U.S. Virgin Islands
Location: The West Indies (The Lesser Antilles, Leeward Islands)
Population: 104,425
Annual Visitors: 1.9 million
Best Thing to Do
Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden comprises 2 acres, with beautiful varieties of tropical flowers, lizards, butterflies, birds, parrots, tortoises, peacocks and chickens.
Check two things off your list of things to do by catching magnificent views of Magens Bay from here as well.
4. Jamaica
Location: The Greater Antilles
Population: 2.96 million
Annual Visitors: 2.47 million
Best Thing to Do
Unwind by hopping on a bamboo raft, and ride downstream a lazy lagoon while your local raft captain steers, stopping to smear clay mud all over your legs that you will clean off at the end of the journey.
It’s certainly a relaxing and calm way to spot wildlife and local scenery.
3. Puerto Rico
Location: The Greater Antilles
Population: 2.86 million
Annual Visitors: 3 million
Best Thing to Do
Have the unique experience of nighttime kayaking or (if allowed) swimming through glowing waters, a natural phenomenon created by algae.
Puerto Rico is home to several bioluminescent bays, but one of the most magical experiences is in Mosquito Bay on the southern shore of Vieques Island, a quick ferry ride from the main island.
2. Cuba
Location: The Greater Antilles
Population: 11.3 million
Annual Visitors: 4.68 million
Best Thing to Do
The old-fashioned charm of Cuba is really what makes it so unique.
Take a guided tour in a classic car around Havana for the day. The buildings, the car and the charm of the country will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
1. Dominican Republic
Location: The Greater Antilles
Population: 10.85 million
Annual Visitors: 6.57 million
Best Thing to Do
The capital of Santo Domingo is a must-see because of the remains from its colonial past.
Ancient cathedrals, cobblestone streets and Spanish architecture make you feel like you’re in Europe.