Resorts & all-inclusives
Punta Cana, Montego Bay, Aruba's Palm Beach and Paradise Island lead the way for big, everything-included resorts.
Boutique hotels
Look to Saint Lucia's Soufrière, Antigua's English Harbour, Old San Juan and Willemstad for character and views.
Villas & apartments
Great value for families and groups, especially on St John, Barbados' west coast, Exuma and the Cayman Islands.
Guesthouses & casas
Cuba's casas particulares, Dominica's eco-lodges and Bonaire's dive lodges put you closer to local life.
Best base on each island
| Island | Best base | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Jamaica | Negril | Seven Mile Beach and the West End cliffs; relaxed and sunset-facing |
| Barbados | West coast (St James) | calm sea, upscale hotels and villas |
| Aruba | Palm Beach | high-rise resorts, restaurants and calm water |
| Curaçao | Willemstad (Punda & Otrobanda) | history, restaurants and boutique hotels |
| Bonaire | Kralendijk | restaurants, waterfront and dive shops |
| Saint Lucia | Soufrière | Piton views, rainforest and boutique resorts |
| Puerto Rico | Old San Juan | history, bars and walkable streets |
| Dominican Republic | Punta Cana & Bávaro | all-inclusive resorts and long beaches |
| Cuba | Havana | casas particulares and restored hotels in the old town |
| The Bahamas | Nassau & Cable Beach | resorts and easy flight connections |
| Turks and Caicos | Grace Bay | the main beach strip with most hotels |
| Cayman Islands | Seven Mile Beach | most hotels, dining and calm water |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Dickenson Bay | lively beach close to St John's |
| US Virgin Islands | St John | national park, villas and eco camps |
| British Virgin Islands | Tortola | main island with Road Town and ferry links |
| St Martin / Sint Maarten | Simpson Bay | central, near the airport and marinas |
| Grenada | Grand Anse | beach hotels and restaurants |
| Martinique | Les Trois-Îlets | resorts across the bay from Fort-de-France |
| Guadeloupe | Sainte-Anne & Saint-François | beaches and resorts on Grande-Terre |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Port of Spain | Carnival, restaurants and business hotels |
| Dominica | Roseau | the capital and base for whale trips |
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