The 9 Most Underrated Caribbean Destinations You Need to Visit Now

The smaller and less developed of the two islands that make up St. Kitts and Nevis, Nevis is an unspoiled paradise with a lot to offer. Friendly people, pristine beaches with beautiful blue waters, and lush tropical rainforests make this island spectacular. It’s an ideal place for couples seeking seclusion or a quiet romantic getaway. There are several villa-style properties on the island, though it's somehow remained off of most tourists' radar. Underwater adventurers are also welcome, as the island sits close to Booby High Shoals, which is an excellent destination for divers.

Our Hotel Pick on Nevis: The Four Seasons Resort Nevis

We love the Four Seasons Resort Nevis for its lush grounds, spectacular 18-hole golf course, gorgeous, Ralph Lauren-meets-island inspired rooms, delicious restaurants, and tons of on-site amenities. It's one of the original luxury outposts on the island and remains one of its best.

While Vieques is hardly a secret, it's on our list because it has been through hell and come out the other side looking as beautiful as ever. Ravaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, there was a time when it wasn't clear if Vieques would or could recover. However, that process is well underway. These days, the island is mostly free of large resorts (the W Retreat that once called Vieques home never reopened after the hurricane). That boutique-only ethos means that it feels like you have everything from restaurants to beaches all to yourself. Ok—you'll be rubbing elbows with other tourists in the bars of Esperanza—but still, Punta Cana and San Juan, this is not. The island has no chain restaurants, golf courses, or built-up tourist attractions. Instead, you come here to relax and unwind, and take in its natural beauty. A must-see sight is the island’s famous bioluminescent bay which appears to glow in the dark at night.

Our Hotel Pick In Vieques: Blue Horizon Boutique Resort

As of 2020, Blue Horizon Vieques is back open and just as charming as it was before the hurricanes. One of the few hotels on Vieques that actually abuts the sea, you'll get amazing views, visits from wild horses, and quaint vibes galore here. The hotel is a bit far from Esperanza to reach on foot, and renting a car is recommended (that goes for anywhere you stay on Vieques).

There aren't too many Caribbean islands that really take you off the beaten path left out there, but Isla Mucura is one of them. Situated off Colombia's northwest coast and near the slightly larger San Bernardo Island, Isla Mucura is the kind of place where you’ll travel across bumpy and unpaved roads to get to your destination. Footpaths lead through the lush jungle to its small handful of hotels, tiny villages, and picture-perfect beaches.

Is Isla Mucura completely undiscovered? No. You'll need reservations at any of its few hotels well in advance. However, the lack of large-scale development keeps Isla Mucura feeling light years away from the rest of the Caribbean. If you're wondering what there is to do on Isla Mucura, the answer is nothing. And that's precisely the point.

Our Hotel Pick on Isla Mucura: Punta Faro

Punta Faro has a charming, unplugged vibe that feels just right for paradise. You'll score rustic rooms and just enough amenities to keep things officially modern. You're also a quick footpath walk from one of the main beaches on the island.

When it comes to a diver's paradise, it's hard to top Bonaire. Near Curaçao and Aruba, this tiny island combines all the bliss of a tropical vacation with exceptional underwater adventures. You'll find numerous dive resorts in and around Kralendijk—the island's capital. However, you don't have to be a scuba pro to enjoy the sea life around Bonaire. There are several beaches and inlets where snorkeling will provide unforgettable experiences, including the waters off of Klein Bonaire or 1,000 Steps Beach. And while the beaches here are lovely, they aren't the reason you come to Bonaire. So, if you only want to sunbathe and sip tropical cocktails, the island may not be for you. If you have a bit of adventure in you, though, Bonaire should be on your radar.

Our Hotel Pick on Bonaire: Harbour Village Beach Club

Hotels on Bonaire are simple affairs, with a laid-back vibe and sometimes limited amenities (except for those associated with diving). While you'll still find a laid-back, barefoot vibe at Harbour Village Beach Club, the hotel puts an extra layer of polish on your stay. Expect extras like Nespresso machines and direct access to the beach from some rooms.

With only 1,500 residents spread out across over 150 square miles, calling Cat Island uncrowded is an understatement. The island feels blissfully secluded, even with tourists included in the population count. There are no sprawling resorts here, only small boutique hotels or bed-and-breakfasts. That helps keep this corner of the Bahamas well off of the major tourist radar.

From perfect white-sand beaches to aquamarine water lapping lazily at the shoreline—every inch of the island is free of loud beach clubs, boozy beach bars, and packs of drunk spring breakers. There are a few casual restaurants serving excellent local fare, but aside from wandering the lush landscape and lazing on the beach, the whole point of visiting Cat Island is unplugging and escaping the real world.

Our Cat Island Hotel Pick: Shanna's Cove Resort

If you're really looking to unplug, this is the spot to do it. Shanna's Cove Resort is situated along one of Cat Island's prettiest beaches. In fact, it lacks Wi-Fi in the rooms (you will have internet in the restaurant if you need it), so you have no choice but to disconnect from the pressures of the real world. There's a rustic, romantic vibe to the place, and it's great for couples looking to spend a little quality time together in paradise.

Just off the coast of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago are the southernmost of the Caribbean islands. While Trinidad is larger and more industrialized, Tobago is smaller and less developed. And that's great for travelers looking to get a little farther off the radar. There are no major hotel chains in Tobago, and most properties are operated by locals who've purposely built their properties into the landscape. While Tobago isn't known for its stunning beaches, if you stay away from the Atlantic Ocean side of the island, you'll find several stretches of sand where you can post up and get some sun.

Our Tobago Hotel Pick: The Villas at Stonehaven

It's not on the beach, but if you're after a fresh, modern property tailor-made for pampering, you'd do well to post up at The Villas at Stonehaven. We're talking villas that are more like luxurious houses, complete with their own terraces and infinity plunge pools. Crown Point is the nearest town, and guests here will want a rental car to reach beaches like Pigeon Point (the island's nicest).

Anguilla has a lively dining scene that has made it something of a foodie destination in the Caribbean. That's in part due to the huge influx of ex-pats who've flocked here to open businesses, bringing a wide variety of cuisines with them. It's certainly one of the more upmarket islands on this list, and you shouldn't expect any bargain deals on Anguilla. However, the high prices have helped this remain one of the least crowded Caribbean islands.

Our Hotel Pick on Anguilla: Frangipani Beach Resort

If you want to combine all of Anguilla's big draws into one quaint package, Frangipani Beach Resort is right for you. You'll score incredibly well-liked (and wildly popular) dining at the hotel's Straw Hat Restaurant and direct frontage on Mead's Bay, one of the island's nicest beaches. Rooms here are spacious and come in varied configurations—the best have direct sea views.

Once known as the Spice Island, Grenada is still one of the largest producers of nutmeg in the world. While that alone may not be enough reason to visit, trust us when we say that the island is as seductive as the scent of its most famous export. And yet, it receives far fewer tourists than its other Caribbean cousins. The island was spared a direct hit during the devastating 2017 hurricane season and is all the better for it. A Caribbean vacation in Grenada is traveling the way it was meant to be—much of the island remains lush and undeveloped, and there's just enough buzz in quaint Georgetown to keep things interesting. You'll find stunning white-sand beaches and turquoise water at Grand Anse and Levera National Park, excellent offshore snorkeling, and beautiful natural scenery at Grand Etang National Park.

Our Grenada Hotel Pick: Spice Island Beach Resort

With its modern Caribbean decor, amazing amenities, and generous all-inclusive packages, it's hard to top one of Grenada's most luxurious hotels: Spice Island Beach Resort. It's a sophisticated place but remains unpretentious, making this a hotel where you can unwind. The beach is also one of the prettiest on the island.

Aruba’s lesser-known (and less crowded) neighbor, Curaçao, is known for its year-round, near-perfect weather. Due to constant trade winds and warm waters, Curaçao is a popular spot for windsurfing. Willemstad, its colorful capital, looks and feels like a Dutch city with a bit of Caribbean flair. It has some of the prettiest beaches in this part of the Caribbean, tucked into small coves that add a secluded vibe. The island is also a major diving and snorkeling hub, as the waters off its coast are home to a stunning array of reefs.

Our Hotel Pick on Curacao: Baoase Luxury Resort

If you're after secluded, intimate luxury, you've found it. With touches like welcome gift bags left on your bed and a blissfully uncrowded beach, Curaçao's Baoase Luxury Resort lives up to its five-star rating.