7 Overlooked Towns In The Caribbean Worth Visiting

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We all know the heavy hitters. You’ve most likely checked out flight offers to Punta Cana, checked resort costs in Montego Bay, or possibly you’ve even braved the cruise ship crowds in Nassau.

And hey, I get it—I really like a traditional “sun, sand, and drink-in-hand” trip as a lot as anybody ( you Cabo!)

But generally, the resort strip simply does not reduce it. Sometimes, you need to go the place the locals truly dwell and stroll streets that really feel like actual locations slightly than film units constructed for vacationers.

There is a large shift taking place in journey proper now. We are seeing extra vacationers buying and selling within the mega-resorts for “slow travel”—experiences which might be genuine, a bit of bit grittier, and a complete lot extra memorable.

If you need to escape the plenty this winter, these 7 Caribbean cities are the hidden frontiers you want to learn about, curated by our Travel Off Path crew.

1. Caye Caulker Village, Belize

If your blood strain is working excessive, that is the remedy. Caye Caulker’s motto is actually “Go Slow,” and it’s not only a suggestion; it’s a lifestyle. There are not any automobiles right here, simply sandy streets crammed with bicycles and golf carts.

Located only a mile contained in the Belize Barrier Reef, this city has resisted the high-rise condos you see elsewhere. Instead, it’s all pastel-colored picket homes and a “barefoot everywhere” vibe. The middle of motion is “The Split”—a channel created by a hurricane the place you’ll discover the Lazy Lizard bar. It’s the proper spot to sip a Belikin beer and swim within the clear water.

While Belize is changing into a hotspot for digital nomads, Caye Caulker retains a bohemian soul. It’s additionally incredibly affordable—you may feast on recent grilled lobster at a avenue stall for a fraction of what you’d pay in Tulum.

2. Grand Case, St. Martin

While the Dutch aspect of the island is legendary for its casinos and nightlife, the French aspect hides the true “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.” Grand Case is a city of gorgeous dualities. By day, it’s a sleepy fishing village with a quiet, turquoise bay that’s vastly extra enjoyable than the busy Orient Bay.

But by night time? The city transforms. You have an unimaginable mixture of high-end French bistros sitting proper subsequent to “Lolos”—native open-air BBQ joints.

You can have a world-class wine dinner one night time and a large plate of ribs and johnnycakes at Sky’s the Limit the following. If you’re a foodie, that is your pilgrimage.

3. Charlestown, Nevis

If you might be uninterested in port cities which might be simply duty-free jewellery shops and t-shirt retailers, Charlestown will really feel like a breath of recent air. It’s extensively thought of one of many best-preserved colonial cities within the Caribbean.

We aren’t speaking about pretend facades; that is the actual deal, with Georgian stone buildings which have withstood centuries of hurricanes.

There are not any visitors lights right here, and the vibe is dignified and quiet. It’s additionally the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton (sure, that Hamilton), and you may go to his childhood house.

4. Portobelo, Panama

This one is for the historical past buffs who need one thing uncooked. Located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, Portobelo was as soon as the “Treasure House of the World,” the place silver from Peru was loaded onto Spanish galleons.

Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage web site, however don’t anticipate manicured lawns and ticket cubicles. The black coral-stone ruins of the forts are atmospheric and moody, nonetheless lining the bay the place Sir Francis Drake was buried at sea.

But the actual heartbeat right here is the Congo tradition, a vibrant Afro-colonial custom that’s alive and nicely within the streets. It’s much less about mendacity on a seashore and extra about feeling the heartbeat of historical past.

5. Windwardside, Saba

Saba is commonly known as “The Unspoiled Queen,” and for good purpose—it has no seashores. I do know, that feels like a dealbreaker for the Caribbean, however hear me out. Because there are not any seashores, there’s zero mass tourism. Plus, if you happen to nonetheless need to get within the water, this is without doubt one of the BEST locations within the Caribbean to go scuba diving.

Windwardside appears to be like like a European alpine village dropped right into a tropical rainforest. It’s clear, tidy, and sits at 1,300 ft above sea degree, which means it’s cool and misty.

This is the mountaineering capital of the area, house to the Mt. Scenery path. Getting right here is half the enjoyable (or terror, relying on the way you view it), as you’ll land on the world’s shortest industrial runway. It retains the crowds away and the vibe pristine. Plus, the stays here are cute and dreamy.

Our very personal Upgrade Editor, Liz Fox, spent a while in Saba final 12 months and had the time of her life. Read all about it here.

6. Port Elizabeth, Bequia

Part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Bequia is the darling of the yachting world.

Port Elizabeth is a type of uncommon cities that faces the ocean slightly than turning its again on it. The harbor is all the time filled with sailboats, giving the city a cosmopolitan, nautical power.

The greatest solution to see it’s the Belmont Walkway, a stone path that hugs the coast. You can stroll from the city middle proper to the white sands of Princess Margaret Beach, stopping at bars alongside the way in which. Be certain to take a look at Bar One, a floating bar within the bay.

Since there’s no massive jet airport right here, you received’t discover the 3-day weekend crowd; everybody right here has made a journey to reach, which creates a terrific sense of neighborhood.

7. Deshaies, Guadeloupe

If you’ve ever watched the BBC present Death in Paradise, you already know Deshaies—it’s the filming location for the fictional city of Honoré. But regardless of its TV fame, it stays a humble fishing village at coronary heart.

Located within the wild, volcanic Basse-Terre area, it’s worlds away from the flat resort strips. The Grande Anse seashore close by is arguably among the finest within the Caribbean—golden sand, deep inexperienced palms, and no inns cluttering the view. Plus, the botanical gardens listed below are world-class.

Just bear in mind, English is not extensively spoken, so brush up on a number of French phrases earlier than you go to order your acras and Ti’ Punch.

Tyler Fox

Tyler is our Managing Editor and Writer. After spending years studying, writing, and obsessing over journey (whereas taking journeys as usually as doable after all!), he goals to present readers the most effective and most balanced expertise doable when exploring the location.