By Melissa Alvarado Sierra | Published on January 4, 2024
A Caribbean vacation is one of the most sought-after escapes in the world. With clear waters, soft sand, lush jungles and mouthwatering food, it's no wonder people love this destination so much. But even with its incredible popularity, the Caribbean still holds secret vacation spots only a few visitors know about — think secret lighthouses, lagoons, ruins and more. Maybe you've heard of these mesmerizing locales, but you have probably never seen them through the lens of the untold and unrevealed. Until now!
When I sail around the islands, I always ask locals for their favorite secret vacation spots in the Caribbean, and I keep a list of incredible unknown places to visit and unique ways to appreciate them. No one else knows a place like a local, and while I'll never experience a destination the way someone born and raised there can, I'm able to understand and treasure their home thanks to their generous insight. I hope you can do the same with this guide.
Out of all of the unknown vacation spots in the Caribbean, Bonaire is a stand-out. The tiny island of Bonaire enchanted me with a single view: a desert landscape that sank under the crystalline waters, creating a haven for snorkelers and divers. I could see the divers and snorkelers from afar, exploring the underwater world peacefully, gliding over the clear coast. In Bonaire, you can explore jaw-dropping coral reefs just a few feet from shore, which means an amateur diver can jump in and discover the same marine spectacle that a pro diver can see miles from the coast. And the island has an incredible amount of dive sites, all part of a beautiful national park.
Now that you have an idea of what people love about Bonaire and what you should not miss, let's turn and look inland for the secret spot. The island has been a leader in the salt business for centuries and exports high-quality sea salt to the rest of the world. Saltwater from the pristine Caribbean is drawn to build several evaporation ponds, which in turn create gorgeous pink flats and white pyramids that occupy close to one-tenth of the island. You can take an excursion here for some otherworldly photos, a taste of the delicious salt and a look at Bonaire's past.
As a whole, the Dominican Republic is a wonderland of green mountains, pristine beaches, colonial architecture, sultry bachata music and some of the best food the Caribbean has to offer. Add to that the happy people who are eager to show you around and provide excellent customer service, and you have an incredible destination. If you stick to the coast, you'll find rows and rows of tall palm trees against high peaks, dunes hugging the coast and coves where pirates once found shelter. You can also witness the migrating humpback whales and calm mangrove lagoons. If you go the rural route, you'll see charming roads that take you to the island's fairy-tale interior, home to wild horses, roadside food trucks and donkeys carrying vegetables. The mountainous views are also epic. You'll see rivers snaking through the jungle and desert stretches reminiscent of other worlds.
But there's a place hidden in plain sight in one of the most popular destinations in the Dominican Republic: Puerto Plata and Laguna Gri-Gri. This hidden lagoon is found about 60 miles from Puerto Plata and serves as a cultural and educational arts and crafts hub. Laguna Gri-Gri is one of the country's main bird sanctuaries and a significant source for local researchers. The mystical lagoon is lined with mangroves where you can see egrets, vultures and swallows. One of the best Caribbean vacation secret spots here is Cueva de las Golondrinas, a cove with turquoise waters where you can float surrounded by the sounds of the birds. You can swim to Playa Caletón from here and find yourself on one of the most beautiful beaches in the area.
St. Croix is the hidden gem of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a place where tourist traps don't exist. With a marvelous topography, mysterious rainforest and a florid and lush coast that resembles the volcanic beauty of popular places such as Hawaii, St. Croix is a rare destination in the Caribbean. On top of it all, the island — which is twice the size of St. Thomas — is beautifully preserved by those who call it home and dotted with charming 18th-century stone sugar mills. The east has a rich desert ecology, with a clear pristine coast set in a natural reserve. This is where you'll find the colonial town of Christiansted, the gorgeous Buck Island Reef and the secluded Isaac Bay, with a trail that takes you to wondrous beaches and mountains. On the west coast, you'll find the rainforest, Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, rum distilleries and historic Frederiksted town.
With a blend of Spanish, African and Taíno cultures, along with a more recent and undeniable American influence, Puerto Rico shines and captivates more than any other island in the Caribbean. Its historic town of Old San Juan is the most famous in the area, with an ancient fort overlooking the ocean, cobblestone lanes leading to secret cafés and the glitz of newly opened restaurants and bars. But beyond San Juan, there's much to enjoy. The east coast beams with golden stretches of sand kissed by light blue waters. Luquillo and Fajardo are especially popular among visitors and locals, offering delicious seafood, live music and access to the tiny isles of Palomino and Icacos. The west is known for its lush terrain and panoramic ocean views, surf culture and slower pace. In the center of the island, you'll find authentic local culture and food, the ruggedness of a much bigger country and the spirit of the local jíbaro and jíbara. To the south, there's more culture and colonial beauty in towns like Ponce, and the allure of local fishing will you draw you into villages and towns like Salinas.
Many say that St. Lucia is eye candy for the traveler. I could write thousands of words trying to explain why and still would not do it justice, though I'll still try. Imagine giant peaks that surge from the sea to create a view so cinematic, it looks photoshopped. You blink a few times to make sure it's real. You're in a special genre of paradise, one that only a few get to see because St. Lucia is not part of the touristy maps. The island is incredibly rich in culture and breathtakingly lush, and this has attracted a lot of environmentalists and creatives, which in turn means that art and conservancy have filtered into everything, from shops to eateries to beach shacks. Nothing is cookie-cutter or mainstream here. All corners of St. Lucia exude a particular brand of island finesse.
Roatán is a secret treasure of the Caribbean — a gorgeous and remote snorkeling and diving Honduran paradise. The coast is home to an astounding amount of diverse coral and tropical fish, and its beaches are made of dreamy white sand landscapes lapped by a sea of multiple shades of green and blue. You can see mountains full of pines from the water, with trails waiting to be explored. This is an island serious about conservation, culture and tradition. And you can take part in the wonder and beauty by just sauntering along its streets and beaches.
If you want to explore Roatán a little deeper and visit what tourists often miss, then head to the classic villages. Oakridge, in particular, is a perfect stop. Known as the Venice of Roatán, the villagers have been moving around in water taxis and small canoes for years, getting to and from their colorful houses built on stilts on the waterfront with views of the jungle hills. This area is still unspoiled and feels like old Roatán, providing a glimpse into a simpler time. Look for the fishermen by the water selling fresh fish to nearby restaurants. One of my favorites is BJ's Backyard, famous for its wahoo steaks. In the afternoon, you'll also find live bands playing in bars. Stop by and socialize with the locals for an experience like no other.
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