Recently, more than one hurricane tore through the Caribbean and devastated the area. Some of the islands were damaged to the point where there is almost nothing left, while others received minimal damage or nothing at all. While it would be easy for people to dismiss the entire Caribbean when making upcoming vacation plans, they should know that there are many areas that they can visit safely and have a fantastic time.
Here are 8 Caribbean destinations that everyone can visit despite the recent hurricanes:
Nassau, Bahamas
Some of the southern islands in the Bahamas sustained damage during the hurricanes, but the Nassau area remained unscathed. Anyone who wants to spend some time in the sun and the sand, will want to venture to this beautiful island and stay at Atlantis. This spectacular resort has everything a guest wants while on vacation including an outdoor aquarium, a water park, and a casino. Bay Street and the downtown strip are not too far from Atlantis and people can go there to purchase multiple souvenirs at the shops and the infamous straw market.
Jamaica
The beaches in Jamaica are open and ready to welcome everyone who is looking for some relaxation on their sandy shores. Seven Mile Beach is the most popular on the island, and as its name suggests, there is plenty of room for people to spread out in the sand. Days on this beach can be filled with swimming and water sports, but during the evening, it’s all about the parties and cocktails. Blue Lagoon is one of the best non-beaches, simply because the mix of saltwater and freshwater is quite deep and cool. The blue color of the water changes throughout the day as the sun moves in the sky.
Curacao
Curacao is an amazing place for people who love snorkeling, scuba diving, and other water sports. Of course, there is plenty of activities to do out of the water as well, and many people will find themselves mesmerized as they walk over the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. This pedestrian bridge was built in 1888 and is supported by sixteen pontoon boats. It does swing open to let large ships through, so it is possible to get stuck on one side on occasion. However, a ferry is readily available to transport everyone back to where they need to be.
St. Lucia
Travel to St. Lucia is all about exploring and no one will want to miss their chance to climb up the Pitons. The Pitons are two volcanic plugs and everyone will feel a sense of accomplishment if they conquer them both, since they can be slightly difficult to hike. The Diamond Botanical Gardens and Waterfall is the perfect place to spend time outdoors without doing any strenuous activities. People can wander around looking at the vibrant flowers that include hibiscus, heliconia, ixora, and more. The waterfall is quite unique as the color of the water changes throughout the year due to the mixture of volcanic minerals and rainwater that flows through.
The Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands have everything from stingrays, turtles, diving destinations, and shipwrecks, and that is what makes it so fascinating to those who visit. The Captain Keith Tibbetts Wreck is about 200 yards from the shoreline of Cayman Brac and the divers that venture out there will have an opportunity to see this intact yet coral and sponge coated piece of history. The Mastic Trail is another phenomenal historical place on the island and everyone will want to walk along the 200-year-old trail as they see the millions year old woodlands and the mangrove swamp.
Aruba
There are plenty of casinos in Aruba, so everyone will have a place to go when they are tired of the sun, sand, and water on the beaches. The Casino at the Hyatt Regency Aruba and the Stellaris Casino are two of the ones that people will find themselves frequenting the most. For a little different type of excitement, people may want to check out the Aruba Ostrich Farm and the Donkey Sanctuary Aruba. These two destinations are trying to save these species and educate people about them at the same time.
Barbados
Staying busy and active is the theme for people who travel to Barbados. While many visitors will spend a little time relaxing on the beaches of Bathsheba, Dover, and Carlisle, they will not stay there too long. After all, no one can resist the beauty of the Animal Flower Cave, Harrison’s Cave, Hunte’s Gardens, or the Barbados Boardwalk. St. Nicholas Abbey is another intriguing destination and this 350-year-old plantation home is a rum distillery that people can visit to learn about the entire process and grab a drink.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Certain areas of the Dominican Republic sustained some damage during the recent hurricanes, but the major tourist areas like Punta Cana are fully operational. There are multiple all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana, and people will want to consider staying at one of those when they are visiting. Resorts like the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana and Paradisus Punta Cana offer their guests a plethora of activities and amenities that are included in their stay.
The Caribbean is still a beautiful vacation destination, despite the hurricanes that have devastated the area. These eight Caribbean destinations are still intact and everyone will find that they can have a wonderful time when they decide to spend their next vacation at one of them.
