Visiting the Caribbean doesn't have to mean jostling with crowds or ticking off locations from social media timelines or "best of" lists. In fact, there are Caribbean countries that don't open ports for mega cruise ships to line up for a day of duty-free shopping-and plenty of places without spring break travelers or high-rise hotels.
At these lesser-known Caribbean islands, you'll experience seclusion, intimate communes with nature, and authentic glimpses into everyday life, from the hustle of vendors at bustling marketplaces to makeshift bars selling rum punch and other sundries.
These countries have strong cultural traditions, proud residents, and smaller groups of travelers who have been visiting for years-for good reason. Read on to learn more about what to do in each place.
1. St. Kitts
St. Kitts, the larger island of St. Kitts and Nevis, offers much to do during the day and at night. In the morning, hike up dormant Mount Liamuiga on the western end of the island, or take a scenic ride on St. Kitts Scenic Railway, the last one in all of the Caribbean. Onboard, passengers can enjoy a three-hour tour of the island's history with complimentary cocktails.
In the afternoon, shop for fresh produce at the lively Public Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, before spending the evening at the Strip, a collection of oceanfront bars and restaurants always filled with crowds and good energy. In December, the island comes alive with the annual carnival celebration, Sugar Mas.
Where to stay
Located on the soft sands of Banana Bay, the Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour has 124 rooms and suites; some feature private rooftop swimming pools and sundecks. Curated experiences for guests include private cooking classes and a starlight dining experience that offers unobstructed views of the sky and nearby Nevis.
2. Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
Situated in the Caribbean some 50 miles off Nicaragua's eastern coast, Little Corn Island is roughly 1.5 square miles in size. The tiny island brims with dense mangroves, flourishing jungles, and a turquoise sea inviting you to snorkel through networks of coral reefs.
Getting here isn't easy. You'll need to fly into Nicaragua's capital city of Managua, then take a 90-minute flight to Little Corn's larger neighbor, Big Corn Island. From there, it's a 30-minute boat ride.
Stay at Yemaya Reefs, an oceanfront boutique property lined with 16 individual casitas and sloping palm trees. Here, you could simply spend the day in a hammock by the ocean-or enjoying one of the property's curated activities, which include yoga, hiking through nearby forests, snorkeling, or a massage with calming waves in the background.
Yemaya also celebrates local heritage with Garifuna dancers and musicians from the island who perform during a weekly bonfire beach dinner. The vehicle-free Little Corn is home to a handful of other bars and restaurants that come alive at night, including the laid-back Café Desideri.
Where to stay
Yemaya Reefs is a 16-suite property; some rooms feature private plunge pools and outdoor showers.
3. Grenada
Known as the Caribbean's Spice Isle because of its abundance of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, Grenada is full of flavor, culture, and natural beauty at every turn. Situated north of Trinidad & Tobago, the island's Grenada frogs and mona monkeys are best spotted in places like Grand Etang National Park & Forest Reserve, a mountainous forest with trails to hike. Thirty minutes away by car, 17th-century plantation Belmont Estate has a farm where visitors can take a tour and learn about tree-to-bar chocolate production.
Chocolate lovers can also enjoy a number of experiences from the cocoa that's harvested all around the island, including a rum and chocolate pairing at True Blue Bay, and even a cocoa bath soak at its spa. For the ultimate celebration, the annual Chocolate Festival in May includes nine days of tastings and exploration of cocoa fields. Grenada is also home to Spicemas, a Carnival celebration that takes place every August and includes an explosion of colors on detailed costumes, the echoing sounds of soca, and celebrations like J'ouvert that honor the emancipation and strength of enslaved people.
On the dining front, Dexter's features flavorful dishes like dorado with plantain cakes, all made by chef Dexter Burrus, who has been cooking for more than 30 years. At BB's Crabback, try the namesake crabback, a dish of seasoned crab meat stuffed into a crab shell, and oildown-a savory one-pot stew filled with salted meat and vegetables.
Where to stay
For large groups, the four-bedroom Villa Solitaire is an ideal choice for both its spacious two-acre layout and sweeping ocean views. The 64-suite, Black-owned Spice Island Beach Resort is located on the popular Grand Anse Beach. Its nightly menu at Creole Caribbean–focused Oliver's, featuring dishes like braised rabbit legs and banana sorbet, is not to be missed.
4. Sint Eustatius
Often called "Statia" by residents, this island sits between St. Kitts and St. Bart's. Ideal for intrepid travelers with a thirst for adventure, St. Eustatius is home to more than 10 square miles of protected marine reserve, where divers can spot nurse sharks, turtles, and shipwrecks among the 36 diving sites around the island. A dormant volcano called the Quill leads to dozens of hiking trails and panoramic views of the island. Along the way, you'll also find a rainforest bursting with flora, fauna, and exotic birds, like the bridled quail dove.
The island's capital, Oranjestad, offers a historic downtown connected by cobblestone streets. The hub of bars and restaurants here includes the alfresco Ocean View Terrace that serves up dishes like baked snapper with shrimp sauce.
Where to stay
The island's first luxury boutique resort, Golden Rock, opened in 2021 and features 70 rooms, suites, and cottages set among 40 acres of gardens. Sustainable systems on property include solar panels and reverse osmosis machines that turn salt water into drinking water. Guests can enjoy excursions like hikes to the nearby Quill, snorkeling, or dining on fresh seafood at Breeze Restaurant.
Long Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
No, the island of Provo-the traveler's gateway to Turks and Caicos's 40-odd islands and cays-isn't undiscovered by any stretch of imagination. But the frequently photographed Grace Bay Beach has long overshadowed other perfect stretches of sand here. Long Bay has become a destination for kiteboarders and paddleboarding families, with year-round wind gusts and clear water so shallow, you could walk a kilometer and it would still just hit your knees. Look for the Big Blue Collective on the beach at the Shore Club for kiteboarding lessons (ask for Tom). Rent a car at the airport, make Long Bay your base, and explore all corners of the island-the low coastal cliffs of Cooper Jack Bay, the world's third-largest barrier reef just beyond the shoreline of the new Andaz Residences, and, of course, Da Conch Shack on the North Shore for the best sea-to-table conch fritters. Hire a boat to get out to Dellis Cay and Parrot Cay for shallow inlets, beach picnics, and snorkeling. Pro tip: Secure SkyPass's Fast Track before arrival so it only takes 15–20 minutes (rather than hours) to get through immigration.
Where to stay
The Shore Club on Long Bay Beach, with its multiple pools and connecting rooms, sets a high standard for Provo resorts. Beach Enclave's butler-serviced villas are phenomenal-sleeping anywhere from 2 to 10+ so the whole family can come and enjoy private infinity pools, beachfront yoga, personal paddleboards and kayaks, and chef-cooked dinners. This is barefoot luxury where it doesn't matter much if you track sand inside. They supply the Sun Bum SPF and pool toys (and Le Labo bath products and deep soaking tubs for when you're done with the sand and sun).
This article was originally published in August 2023 and was updated with new information in August 2024. Laura Dannen Redman contributed reporting on Turks & Caicos.