5 Popular Caribbean Destinations and Where to Go Instead

If you've been to the Dominican Republic, you might have debated between exploring the Caribbean's highest peak (Pico Duarte), or taking in the five-century-old sights in Santo Domingo. Plus, there are family-friendly all-inclusive resorts, excellent rums, white-sand beaches, and terrain that ranges from tropical rainforest (in Punta Cana) to ancient geological formations at Los Haitises National Park. 


Hand gets more requests for travel to the Dominican Republic than any other Caribbean island -- mostly due to its affordability and the ease of getting there, she says. But travelers looking for a similar mix of beach time and adventure (and who are willing to trek further south) should also consider St. Lucia. While it's often thought of as a honeymooners' destination, the island's Piton Mountains and rainforest make it ideal for hikes to waterfalls, bird sanctuaries, and scenic vistas. Biking, zip-lining, and reef diving are also popular activities on this volcanic island -- along with lazing on the stunning beaches, which can have black or white sand. "It is not just a typical beach vacation," says Hand.


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Traveling to Cuba is still complicated for American tourists -- we recently wrote about how to get there 100 percent legally. At the end of 2015, the country didn't feel all that touristy and Havana was still a diamond in the rough. But between January and August 2016, Cuban tourism grew by 11.7 percent overall. Complicating that growth, as we reported last year, is the high demand for hotel rooms and a comparatively low supply. 


But you don't have to skip Cuba completely to avoid some of these hassles and tourist crowds. Instead, make your travel plans and bookings far in advance (especially if you plan to stay in Havana) or head for the beaches. Playa Ancón, for example, is a stretch of white sand situated about four to five hours south of Havana. It's also minutes away from Trinidad, an UNESCO World Heritage site with colonial architecture in the shadow of the Escambray mountains. 


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Jamaica, another go-to for families and couples, has a winning combination of culture, beaches, and adventure -- climbing Dunn's River Falls is among clients' favorite activities, says Hand. It's also densely populated and diverse, which helps explain some of the tasty, eclectic cuisine, from roadside jerk chicken to upscale beachside restaurants serving fresh seafood. 


But for a similarly intriguing culture-meets-beach destination without as many crowds, Hand says Grenada is a good alternative. Along with dozens of beaches, it offers a mountainous landscape with hiking trails and spice plantations (yes, the air is scented). Plus, the island's nature preserve and rainforest allow for encounters with monkeys and tropical birds. "There are not as many resorts, and travelers can enjoy breathtaking scenery, hike to a waterfall, and enjoy amazing snorkeling," says Hand.


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With plenty of party and kid-friendly hotels, one of the world's coolest zip lines, and surprising affordability for a beach destination, Puerto Rico secures a sizable chunk of the Caribbean's tourism annually. From the capital city of San Juan, it's easy enough to reach outdoor adventure spots, like the El Yunque National Forest with waterfalls. But consider shifting your Puerto Rico home base for a more intimate experience. "Instead of going to San Juan, take the short flight over to Vieques to enjoy a smaller island, but still be in a U.S. territory, which is great for visitors without a passport," says Hand. 


The most built-up of Puerto Rico's offshore islands, Vieques is a 21-mile-long former U.S. Navy training location. Head to the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge for calm beaches, and don't miss snorkeling and scuba diving the pristine coral reefs of Mosquito Pier. Kayaking in Mosquito Bay, a bioluminescent body of water (the brightest of three in Puerto Rico) on the island's southern shore, is another unique draw. 


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While it does offer the mega-resort Atlantis, the Bahamas has plenty of less flashy attributes, too. Some of these include secluded honeymoon-worthy suites, a serious yoga ashram, and pink-sand beaches with calm water -- like the one facing a protected cove, rather than the Atlantic Ocean, at Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour. In other words, despite the overall heavy tourist traffic, there are still places in the archipelago where folks can find tranquility. 


"Travelers often go to Nassau and hit some of the larger, more touristy resorts, but the outer islands of the Bahamas can offer more solitude and a less hectic pace," says Hand. In particular, she suggests looking for intimate properties in the Abacos, a chain of islands where scalloped coastlines feature marinas for sailing and boating. You can also experience colonial villages here. Or, head to Long Island, where the eastern shore is ringed with towering cliffs and west-coast beaches are super soft and quiet. Dean's Blue Hole, the world's deepest-known blue hole (or water-filled sinkhole), is located on the western shore. 


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