If you’re a sun-loving family looking for a fun, tropical paradise vacation, there is no place you’d rather be than the Caribbean. With 28 islands, choosing the best fit for your ideal family vacation can be a daunting task, especially if you have young kids and don’t want to sacrifice luxurious trimmings. Not to worry! Here are our picks for the 10 best vacations for kids in the Caribbean to get you started.
1. Turks & Caicos
Learn about the wildlife and natural environment at the National Environmental Centre or learn more about local food and culture with cooking classes at The Regent Palms’ Parallel23 restaurant. There may be tons of water fun like a glass bottom semi-submarine tour around Provo and watersports, but don’t forget to explore the world’s only commercial conch farm to learn about the animals and even touch them.
Where to Stay:
The world-renowned Grace Bay Club is the first luxury all-suite resort in Turks & Caicos. A beach-front destination, this resort also contains a spa with the best Europeans and Asian treatments and Kids Town, full of activities designed to keep even the youngest children learning and having fun.
2. Grand Cayman
Spend a day visiting the new Boatswains Beach to enjoy snorkeling in the saltwater lagoon, play in the waterfall, or just enjoy a fun day in the sun with the entire family. Then, head over to Cayman Street to see traditional Cayman toys being made and try some local cuisine before heading to the Cayman Turtle Farm, where your kids can interact with turtles and other marine animals.
Where to Stay:
If you’re looking for a luxury home in paradise, The Caribbean Club, one of Grand Cayman’s most exclusive boutique hotels, has just the suite or villa for you. Overlooking the gorgeous Seven Mile Beach, this hotel will stock your gourmet kitchen with your favorite foods while you enjoy an in-room massage before heading to the beachfront pool with the kids.
3. The Bahamas
Nassau Paradise Island offers a fantastic array of family-friendly activities. Explore the marching flamingos and exotic birds, or go horseback riding on the beach with The Windsor Equestrian Centre (or Happy Trails Stables as it is known locally). Learn the history behind real pirates at the Pirates of Nassau interactive museum, or head to Aquaventure at Atlantis to get your adrenaline pumping with the largest water-themed attractions in the world.
Where to Stay:
Once a private club for members of high society like the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and a later hideaway for celebrities like The Beatles, Sandals Royal Bahamian is now an all-inclusive luxury resort. With its own offshore island filled with the finest seafood, Roman colonnaded pools, exotic fire pits, world-class spa, romantic adventures, and every amenity a kid could ever want, you’ll never want to end your stay.
4. Jamaica
With gorgeous white sand beaches and a festive atmosphere, Jamaica definitely makes for one of the best vacations for kids in the Caribbean. Relax and take in the beautiful sights of Ocho Rios Bay at Coyaba Gardens and Mahoe Falls or enjoy the seven-mile stretch of soft sand that slopes gently into the warm water in Negril. Be sure to head to Rick’s Café to watch the sun set or even dive off the nearby cliff into the ocean.
Where to Stay:
For a true luxury experience, book a suite or villa at the renowned Half Moon & Resort and Spa. If you want an all-inclusive option, Beaches Ochos Rios is a good choice. This resort sits on twenty-two acres of land surrounded by lush tropical gardens and a breathtaking private white-sand beach. Play golf with the whole family, head to the action-adventure waterpark, or enjoy some me-time at the spa. The seven gourmet restaurants, three swimming pools, and ocean watersports will only add to all the reasons you won’t even have to leave the resort to have the time of your life.
5. Puerto Rico
Live out your Pirates of the Caribbean dreams at El Morro, a castle-like fort on the Atlantic that was built by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Spend the day snorkeling at Guànica and check out the bioluminescent lagoons at Bio Bay. Or take a break from the beach by heading to Ponce to explore churches, museums, parks, and the fountains at Plaza Las Delicias.
Where to Stay:
At the St. Regis Bahia Resort, sophistication meets the lush national forest and gorgeous sea. This AAA Five Diamond resort is the perfect getaway, especially for parents that would like to relax at the spa or with a round of golf. Enjoy a nature walk, take an art class, explore the bird sanctuary, or zip line through the rainforest. The Iguana Children’s Club will even be there to keep kids entertained with both indoor and outdoor daily activities.
6. US Virgin Islands
Known for its beautiful beaches, St. John is also the home of the Virgin Islands National Park, which offers the best hiking in the Caribbean with twenty tails and a variety of tropical plant life. For an easier, downhill path that are especially great for the little ones, head to Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail. At the Virgin Islands, you can spend the day exploring the beauty of this coastal paradise and learn about the area with an array of fantastic tours, as bus drivers frequently double as historians, botanists, and storytellers. Even better, for US citizens, you don’t even need a passport to travel to the US Virgin Islands. However, you will need it for trips to the British Virgin Islands should you choose to visit there as well.
Where to Stay:
As the most well-known of the four major US Virgin Islands, the scenic views in St. Thomas will never cease to amaze you. Located on a 30-acre waterfront estate, the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas offers a stunning open-air structure overlooking beaches, waters, lush hills, and the sublime beauty of nature. With lots of exotic marine life, kids can explore and learn while you relax by the gorgeous beach.
7. Dominican Republic
For some high-energy kid-friendly activities, learn how to surf with a two-hour beginner lesson at Macao Surf Camp, head to the largest zip line in the Dominican Republic at Runners Adventures, or check out all the zoological exhibits Manati Park has to offer. In Punta Cana, there are tons of adventures to keep the kids busy and having a blast, but you can still relax beachside (if the kids will let you). Swim with the dolphins on Dolphin Island Park, take a tour with Outback Jungle Safaris, or explore the bats and underwater river at Fun Fun Cave for a day full of adventure you’ll never forget.
Where to Stay:
The all-inclusive Paradisus Punta Cana Resort is designed with families in mind. Family concierge services will make sure you have everything you need during your stay. With a private community feel, private beach, main pool and separate kids’ splash pool featuring fun slides, exclusive restaurants, kids’ club facilities, spa, and golf course, there’s hardly anything else you could need. If thoughts of shopping just popped into your mind, there also happens to be a shopping center only two minutes away.
8. St. Lucia
As one of the most mountainous Caribbean island, you can enjoy some of the most amazing views and explore the world’s only drive-in volcano at the same time. The volcano, Soufriere, is dormant even though you’ll have to opportunity to watch the Sulphur bubble away. Plus, you can try out a mud bath, which is said to have many amazing therapeutic benefits. Then, book a guide and climb some mountains at the Pitons if you have older children or hike the Tet Paul Nature Trail if you have younger kids to really enjoy the fantastic views around. Or, if your kids are over 7-years-old, you can do all of the above and more on a Segway tour with LucianStyle Development Corporation, where you can choose just one activity or book multiples for a real journey. Splash Island Water Park, a unique open-water sports park, will also be a blast for older kids and teens that want to test their luck on the obstacle-course-style water park paradise.
Where to Stay:
One of the best kid-friendly luxury resorts in St. Lucia, Capella Marigot Bay is a luxury and tranquil hotel as well. Offering the best of the islands culture, cuisine, and the most beautiful tropical views, you can fulfill your every desire. Spend some time relaxing by the pool or exploring the rainforest, enjoy the freshwater infinity pools, and head to the spa or fitness center. Plus, four hours of babysitting services are offered to all guests traveling with kids under 12-years-old if you stay for at least 7 days, making it perfect to spend a night enjoying quality time with your partner at the Rum Cave, complete with fine cigars.
9. St. Kitts and Nevis
One of the most relaxing islands, a trip to St. Kitts will have you feeling refreshed in no time! The best beaches are on the south-east peninsula and come complete with clean sands, sheltered waters, and beach bars for the adults. The entire family will love the lush rainforest hikes, awesome coastline views from a catamaran cruise, and the island’s National Museum. With Cockleshell Beach and Nevis close by, beach days will never become dull! This is the perfect destination if you like gorgeous scenic views, getting away from reality, and stepping into an island paradise.
Where to Stay:
With some of the best food on the island, historic and peaceful tropical surroundings, Montpelier Plantation and Beach feels like a true escape from reality. This small, charming hotel is still family run and maintains the highest of standards in order to ensure you have a friendly and comfortable experience. Fresh air and nearby mountains connect you to a simpler way of life, perfect for those that are truly looking to get away. With fine wine and a romantic feel, you can enjoy some time with your significant other and spend time at the beach or hiking with the kids. Children must be over 6 years of age.
10. Barbados
It may be only 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, but by offering a wide array of activities to entertain and educate kids of all ages, Barbados is by far one of the best vacations for kids in the Caribbean! Stroll through a monkey sanctuary at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve to check out the unique green monkeys, take advantage of a unique natural phenomenon by exploring the subterranean stream passages of Harrisons Cave, take a picnic to Bathsheba Park, and play with sea anemones at the Animal Flower Cave. Just be sure to take the whole family to Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry, where you can enjoy dancing, reggae music, and indulge in the specialty flying fish then take a stroll nearby to find trinkets and handmade pottery sold under thatched-roof huts by local artisans.
Where to Stay:
For the ultimate luxury family travel experience, book the 5-bedroom villa at Sandy Lane Hotel. If you’d prefer the all-inclusive route, Crystal Cove Hotel is a great choice. Complete with family-friendly suites and restaurants, educational kids’ activities, marine programs, golf lessons, and so much more, there’s enough fun for everyone! You can even schedule offsite adventures to swim with sea turtles or take in all the best Barbados sights. All of the onsite activities will keep everyone having fun and staying entertained! The best part about this hotel though is the excellent service and friendly atmosphere.
There You Have It – The Best Vacations for Kids in the Caribbean
What’s not to love about the Caribbean? With so many resorts and so little time to do it all, when the Caribbean calls, you should answer! Whether you’re looking for a real-life getaway, want to explore the rainforest, need an action-packed adventure, or just want to be on the beach, the best vacations for kids in the Caribbean are yours for the taking.