The Caribbean Undiscovered

Islands like Jamaica and Puerto Rico probably come to mind first when you think about a Caribbean vacation. But there are so many hidden gems to discover among the sunny skies and sandy beaches of this paradise destination. These are just a few places to explore for an adventure in the Caribbean less traveled.

St. Lucia
Named among the most beautiful places in the Caribbean by Condé Nast Traveler, St. Lucia offers a breathtaking landscape that’s the perfect backdrop for an off-the-beaten-path venture. The island’s most iconic sites, the volcanic peaks of Gros Piton and Petit Piton, make for an exhilarating hike among lush, green forests. This is how it came to be known as the Emerald Jewel of the Caribbean. It all serves to remind how much of the world there’s still to encounter.

Venturing beyond the tropical shores and into the port of Castries, you will find a town rich in history to explore. As you wander the lively market, browse the colorful crafts from local vendors and know you’re taking home an authentic souvenir.

Walking further into Walcott Square, you come across the largest church in the Caribbean, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Its rustic bricks worn through time tell a history of influences from past to present.

Montserrat
The tiny island of Montserrat sits at just 10 miles in length and seven miles in width, but don’t let its stature fool you. Small does not mean boring. With an active volcano amid the Soufriere Hills, it gives that high-adrenaline energy that thrill-seekers look for when traveling the world. Known as the Emerald Isle for both its verdant landscape and ties to Ireland, Montserrat offers spectacular views that can’t compare.

Barbados
Travelers can get to one of the most beautiful hidden gems of the Caribbean, as named by Condé Nast Traveler, from Bridgetown on a drive that takes approximately 30 minutes. Bathsheba Beach offers a raw and wild environment that’s made for the most adventurous. Its shoreline filled with huge boulders gives the impression of scenery ready for exploration. Surfers from around the world come to Bathsheba Beach, known as the “Soup Bowl,” to catch some of the best waves.

A trip to Barbados is not complete without a sampling of the local rum. St. Nicholas Abbey, one of the oldest distilleries in the Caribbean, offers tours of the 350-year-old building. This is just one of the historical sights to visit when in the port city of Bridgetown. The former Town of Saint Michael contains so much influence of the past that travelers would be remiss if they skipped the architecture that displays how the island grew into what it is today.

Tobago
Most often, the islands Trinidad and Tobago are thought of as one entity. While Trinidad is the most visited of the two, Tobago holds an allure all its own. Its secluded location inspires a truly hidden getaway. It’s so far removed from the usual Caribbean paths that it’s even said to have inspired the famous Robinson Crusoe story.

The sleepy fishing village of Charlotteville offers the charms of a tropical Caribbean expedition with the remote feel of small-town living away from mainstream tourism. Located on the northeast tip of Tobago along Man-o-War Bay, the quiet, beachside getaway gives travelers the blue waters and palm trees they desire with fewer crowds.

Find your way to many of these hidden gems in the Caribbean on our “10-Night Exploring Exotic Caribbean and Amazon” or “13-Night Connecting European and Caribbean Islands” luxe-adventure journeys.