Sure, everyone goes to Jamaica and Puerto Rico when they hit up the Caribbean. Not you. You’re all about the fabulous under-the-radar destinations, where the water is blue and the tourists are nowhere to be found. Here, eight places to put on your can't-miss list.
This piece originally appeared on PureWow.
Secret Bay, Dominica
Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is a jungle-rich destination--about 600 miles east of the DR--that’s home to 365 rivers, expansive nature preserves and cloud-skimming volcanoes. For a secluded spot (but also, Wi-Fi), stay at Secret Bay, where you can book your own cliff-top bungalow.
Hotel Chocolat, St. Lucia
Calling all chocoholics: At the Boucan by Hotel Chocolat you can pluck cocoa pods straight from the vine and make them into candy bars. (Then eat them at the infinity pool overlooking the Petit Piton volcano.)
Andros, Bahamas
It’s one of the least developed islands in the Bahamas (read: no tourists). It’s also home to the third largest barrier reef in the world--142 miles in length. For easy access to all that blue water, stay at the Tiamo Resort, where a guided look at the angelfish, barracuda and parrot fish is available free of charge.
Mount Scenery, Saba
It's the island’s tallest point and also the most Instagram-worthy. And if you need a place to rest your legs after the hike, don’t worry: Private villas abound (like this one, which rents for a cool $4,250 a week).
Harbour Island, Bahamas
This teeny-tiny island is just three miles long and one mile wide--but the sand on the beaches is pink, which basically makes it the best island ever. From Nassau, it’s a short ferry ride away, and once you’re on island, all you need is a golf cart for getting around.
Mill Privee, Nevis
Possibly the most romantic restaurant in the entire Caribbean, Mill Privée at the Montpelier Plantation and Beach serves up five-course meals inside a 300-year-old sugar mill. Come for the stone walls and authentic candlelit ambience. Stay for the plantain mahimahi and signature rum punch.
The St. Kitts Scenic Railway, St. Kitts
It’s a three-hour tour we’d actually consider: The St. Kitts Scenic Railway--used to carry sugar cane from the plantations back to the island’s capital city in the 1920s--is fully operational, and the best way to take in breathtaking sites like the volcanic cone of Mt. Liamuiga and plenty of rainforest views.
