Irresistible beaches, breathtaking landscapes, and a cornucopia of vibrant cultures continue to woo millions of visitors to the Caribbean region. From luxury getaways to affordable adventure trips and festivals, each Caribbean destination offers travelers its unique culture and appeal.
Below are the top 10 most visited Caribbean islands, which account for 85% of visitors to the Caribbean region. As Caribbean destinations continue to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, the list of most popular Caribbean islands is ranked using 2022 data, and 2021 data is also provided to show the positive or negative changes in stay-over visitors.
Most Popular Caribbean Destinations
Based on 2022 data provided by the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the ten most popular Caribbean destinations include the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Cuba, The Bahamas, Aruba, Guadeloupe, US Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos, and Curaçao.
1. Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 7,153,388 / Year 2021: 4,994,309
The Dominican Republic is the most visited island in the Caribbean. With its seemingly endless white-sand beaches, the Dominican Republic is a popular getaway for tourists searching for an idyllic vacation, plenty of outdoor adventure, and a tinge of colonial history. From its jaw-dropping cliffs to peaceful mangrove lagoons, it’s easy to fall in love with the Dominican Republic’s natural beauty and rich Spanish heritage. Bountiful palm trees complement the turquoise waters of popular Punta Cana to create the perfect postcard from this tropical destination. Outside Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic offers abundant aquamarine adventures at Bahía de las Águilas and the Samaná Peninsula.
- 🎨 Art & Culture: Half-Day Dominican Republic Cultural Tour
- 🥘 Food & Drink: 101 Oliver Rum Tasting and Pairing
- 🥾 Outdoor Activities: Adventure Bundle: Monkeyland, Ziplines & Buggies Punta Cana
- ⛵ Watersports: Small-Group Cruising and Snorkeling Catamaran Tour
- 🐎 Wildlife: Horseback Riding on a Punta Cana Beach
2. Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 5,100,000 / Year 2021: 1,664,866
Puerto Rico: 16th-century citadel in San Juan named Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Photo Credit: © Puerto Rico Tourist Board.
Puerto Rico jumps to the second most popular destination in the Caribbean. There is much to enjoy as Puerto Rico is an island with old Spanish charm and modern attractions and accommodations. Puerto Rico is home to the El Yunque Rainforest, the only tropical rainforest in the United States, and Casa Bacardi, the world’s largest rum distillery where the piña colada was invented. Its blissful beaches, 23 golf courses, and captivating culture attract scores of visitors to Puerto Rico every year. The island’s breathtaking beauty includes three of only seven bioluminescent bays in the world.
- 🎨 Art & Culture: Old San Juan City Walking Tour
- 🥘 Food & Drink: Old San Juan Sunset Walk & Taste Food Tour
- 🥾 Outdoor Activities: Puerto Rico Guided Adventure in El Yunque Rainforest
- ⛵ Watersports: San Juan Guided Snorkel Tour
- 🐎 Wildlife: Puerto Rico Horseback Riding through Secluded Beaches and Tropical Forests
3. Jamaica 🇯🇲
Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 2,206,928 / Year 2021: 1,464,399
Jamaica remains the third most visited island in the Caribbean. From Negril’s Seven Mile Beach in the west to breathtaking waterfalls in the east, Jamaica is well known as the playground of the English-speaking Caribbean. With more than 170 attractions spread over the island, there’s something for people of all ages to enjoy. Stroll the beaches of Montego Bay by day and dance to the latest reggae music at one of the city’s nightclubs. In Kingston, explore the life and work of the legendary Bob Marley at his namesake museum and have lunch at Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records. Take a thrilling bobsled ride through the forest and go swimming with dolphins in the resort town of Ocho Rios.
- 🎨 Art & Culture: Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay
- 🥘 Food & Drink: Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio
- 🥾 Outdoor Activities: Dunn’s River Falls Climb plus Ziplines, ATV, Horse Ride & Swim from Montego Bay
- ⛵ Watersports: Catamaran Cruise & Snorkeling Tour from Montego Bay
- 🐎 Wildlife: Bamboo Rafting and Horseback
4. Cuba 🇨🇺
Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 1,614,087 / Year 2021: 356,470
Tourists from around the world are drawn to the mystique of Cuba, an island that boasts a pristine coastline, an abundance of parks, and several UNESCO natural reserves. Cuba offers an eclectic blend of old-world charm in its neoclassical and baroque architecture, mixed with post-modernist styles and natural landscapes. Havana is well known for its lively entertainment featuring jazz, Latin music, dance, and copious amounts of rum-flavored drinks. Cuba also has plenty of museums and art galleries that offer a window into the country’s rich history and culture.
5. The Bahamas 🇧🇸
Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 1,422,422 / Year 2021: 892,997
Bahamas: Exuma – Swimming with Pigs. Photo Credit: © Bahamas Tourist Board.
The beautiful island chain of The Bahamas is a haven for relaxation, and its sun-drenched beaches are among the world’s best. With its serene, laidback atmosphere, pristine waters, and rich, vibrant culture, the Bahamas is perfect for a quick weekend getaway or an extended tropical vacation. Take a trip to The Exumas to see the swimming pigs and explore other islands between sips of Bahama Mama, one of many rum-based cocktails on the island. When in The Bahamas, try the famous conch salad and craft beer from the Pirate Republic Brewery.
- 🎨 Art & Culture: Nassau Historical Walking Tour
- 🥘 Food & Drink: Nassau Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour
- 🥾 Outdoor Activities: Pirate Jeep Tours Sightseeing Adventure!
- ⛵ Watersports: Nassau Sail and Snorkel Tour
- 🐖 Wildlife: Exuma Swimming Pigs Full-day Experience
6. Aruba 🇦🇼
Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 1,100,963 / Year 2021: 806,534
Aruba: Family At Butterfly Farm. Photo Credit: © Aruba Tourism Authority.
Visitors to the Dutch enclave of Aruba can enjoy ultimate relaxation on its breathtaking white-sand beaches or embark on thrilling escapades to explore the natural landscape. The coastline offers abundant activities for the watersport enthusiast, including snorkeling, diving, and windsurfing. There are also many land-based options, such as horseback riding and hiking. When you’re done sunbathing at one of its uncrowded beaches, take a dip in the natural pool at the Arikok National Wildlife Park or stroll through the capital, Oranjestad, and gaze at the city’s unique colonial-era architecture.
- 🎨 Art & Culture: Aruba Downtown Historic and Cultural Walking Tour
- 🥘 Food & Drink: Aruba Sunset Cruise and Seaside Dinner
- 🥾 Outdoor Activities: Natural Pool, Caves & Baby Beach Aruba Jeep Adventure Tour
- ⛵ Watersports: Aruba Catamaran Sail with Snorkeling
- 🐠 Wildlife: Aruba Atlantis Submarine Expedition
7. Guadeloupe 🇬🇵
Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 817,000 / Year 2021: 500,000 (estimate)
The former French islands of Guadeloupe are a fascinating archipelago of 5 islands well known for their distinctive Creole culture, cuisine, and celebrations. The main island, Grande-Terre, has a vast limestone plateau fringed with magnificent, white sandy beaches and dozens of beautiful resorts. Head over to Basse-Terre, home to the Guadeloupe National Park, where the La Soufrière volcano can be found. Try Guadeloupe’s delectable creole cuisine, which serves a mouthwatering blend of flavors in dishes like Fricassée de Lambi – Queen Conch stew, and Calalou – a spicy soup of spinach, pork, and land crab.
- 🎨 Art & Culture: Private Sightseeing Tour of Guadeloupe
- 🥘 Food & Drink: Visit Rum Distillery (Distillerie Longueteau) and Nature Spots (Bains des Amours and Bassin Bleu) in Guadeloupe with a Land Rover Guide
- 🥾 Outdoor Activities: Stand-up Paddleboarding at Babin Beach
- ⛵ Watersports: Sailing and Snorkeling Day Tour to Les Saintes
- 🐠 Wildlife: Seabob Rental in Guadeloupe
8. US Virgin Islands 🇻🇮
Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 800,073 / Year 2021: 824,461
There’s so much to do in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), from exhilarating adventures to tranquil relaxation and a host of activities in between. Island hopping between St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas is a breeze with regular ferries between the islands. Explore the rich cultural diversity of the islands through mouthwatering local dishes and historical European architecture. When you’re tired of exploring, laze away at the beaches by day, and enjoy the spectacular bioluminescent bays at night. Shopping is also a major attraction of the USVI, thanks to a $1,600 duty-free allowance.
- 🎨 Art & Culture: The Best of St Thomas Private Sightseeing Tour
- 🥘 Food & Drink: St Thomas Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour
- 🥾 Outdoor Activities: Tree Limin’ Extreme Zipline
- ⛵ Watersports: Turtle Cove Catamaran Snorkel & Sail Adventure at Little Buck Island St. Thomas
- 🐠 Wildlife: Sea Trek Helmet Dive at Coral World Ocean Park
9. Turks & Caicos 🇹🇨
Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 549,161 / Year 2021: 404,664
The islands of Turks and Caicos are truly among the world’s most incredible destinations. From the powdery white sand beaches to the radiant blue waters, you’ll marvel at the wonder of this magical archipelago. You can dive into the world’s third-largest barrier reef system in the Turks and Caicos and visit the world’s only Conch Farm. Don’t miss the chance to swim at the captivating Grace Bay Beach and spend an evening dancing to ripsaw music. Whether a family vacation or a romantic getaway, these mesmerizing islands provide many options to create perfect memories.
- 🎨 Art & Culture: Discovery Tour and Treasure Hunt ( North and Middle Caicos)
- 🥘 Food & Drink: Evening Taste of Turks and Caicos Food Tour
- 🥾 Outdoor Activities: Love Buggy Island Tour with Lunch
- ⛵ Watersports: Half-Day Snorkeling Excursion in Grace Bay
- 🐠 Wildlife: Mangrove & Iguana Clear Kayak Tour
10. Curaçao 🇨🇼
Stay-Over Tourists: Year 2022: 489,551 / Year 2021: 264,992
Martinique: View of Saint Pierre Pelee. Photo Credit: © Martinique Tourism Board.
Like many of the islands in the Caribbean, Curaçao offers much more than pearly white beaches. The capital, Willemstad, is known for its brightly-colored buildings featuring historic Dutch colonial architecture. Discover the 1,500-year-old drawings inside the Hato Caves and hike the trails of Christoffel National Park for a spectacular view of the countryside. Dive into the underwater jungle of the Mushroom Forest and see the 10-foot, mushroom-shaped star coral. When you need a break from shopping for jewelry, cosmetics, and local souvenirs, stroll along the quaint pedestrian-only streets of Punda and get a taste of local food at one of its many cafes.
- 🎨 Art & Culture: The Curacao Full-Day Private Tour Experience
- 🥘 Food & Drink: Curaçao Cooking Class
- 🥾 Outdoor Activities: Curacao Half-Day ATV East Adventure Tour
- ⛵ Watersports: Full-Day Catamaran Trip to Klein Curacao With BBQ Lunch
- 🐢 Wildlife: Swimming with Sea Turtles and Grote Knip Beach
So, which of these top ten most visited Caribbean islands have you visited? And more importantly, which of these do you plan to visit next? Beyond their beautiful beaches, each of these most popular Caribbean islands has a wide range of top attractions just waiting to be explored! Like all Caribbean destinations, they offer authentic and exciting experiences beyond sun, sand, and sea.
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Note: Originally published on September 10, 2018, this post was updated on June 10, 2023.
