Things to Do in Caribbean

La Cana Golf Course in Punta Cana has been called a difficult course — though it's understandably tough to focus when 14 holes out of 27 have views of the Caribbean Sea. Regarded as one of the Dominican Republic's most exclusive and scenic courses, La Cana has sand dunes, fairways, and tees that are close enough to the turquoise water that you would think you were golfing at the beach.

When you first step up to the manicured tee box and take a look down the fairway, it's nearly impossible to tee off your ball without stopping to snap a photo.

By day Punta Cana is a place to relax, go golfing, snorkeling, or sailing, but by night Punta Cana is a place to party—especially at Imagine Disco. After all, when was the last time you partied underground, inside of a natural cave? Or visited a bar where the drinks were conveniently included in entry to the club? At this sprawling, multi-cave, Punta Cana hot spot, multiple DJs spin different genres of thumping musical rhythms, and you can choose the room that fits your mood and the music you want to hear. With VIP entry you not only receive transport both to and from your resort, but also dedicated bottle service of premium labels at comfortable tables before heading back to the dance floor.

Insider's Tip: Occasionally shows are held in the Universe Cave, which has a dance floor with a maximum capacity of 3,000 people. Check the local event calendar to see if a show is coming to town during your stay in Punta Cana.

The Jewish cemetery in Nevis is a poignant reminder of the once-thriving Jewish community that lived on the island. Found in Charlestown, the island’s capital, the cemetery has headstones dating back to the late 17th century, when a number of Jewish families lived on the Caribbean island.

 

In the 17th century, the island of Nevis (part of the Leeward Islands) was a thriving sugar-growing region of some 20,000 inhabitants and was under British rule. It also had a sizable Jewish population, some of whom came to the island from Brazil after being expelled by the Portuguese, while others moved from nearby Barbados. The Jewish cemetery is a lasting reminder of their legacy, although only 19 tombstones remain, with inscriptions in English, Hebrew, and Portuguese.

 

The cemetery is located in what would formerly have been Charlestown’s Jewish neighborhood, and although there was once a synagogue and Jewish school, there are no traces left of these buildings today. Visitors can learn more about Charlestown’s Jewish history on a bike tour of the island’s most historic sights.

 

 

The Jewish cemetery is located off Government Road in Charlestown, on the island of Nevis. There is parking available in the town, and the site is accessible on foot from other locations in Charlestown, or via taxi or guided bike tour of the area.

 

The cemetery is open to the public year-round, and there is no entry fee. The site is not usually busy. There is very little shade, so consider visiting earlier or later in the day for cooler temperatures.

 

From snorkeling to sailing to guided kayaking tours, enjoying the wild blue yonder is all part of the experience on the island of Nevis. Waters are calm along the beaches for the most part, making the island ideal for swimming and snorkeling, while a number of sailing operators offer tours or yacht rentals if you want to explore further afield.

Jamaica’s capital city is best known as the epicenter of reggae music, thanks to native son Bob Marley, but modern-day Kingston has the power to impress from most any angle or metric. Overlooking the world’s seventh largest natural harbor from the foot of the jungle-covered Blue Mountains, Kingston is a city divided along economic lines, with the older and more rough-and-tumble parts found downtown, and the more affluent side of the city—including most hotels and high-end restaurants—found uptown in the area also known as New Kingston. Sights to see uptown include the Bob Marley Museum, which was the legendary musician’s home and recording studio, still preserved including bullet holes from an assassination attempt, and the Devon House, built by Jamaica’s first black millionaire. Venture to the waterfront downtown to see Jamaica’s artistic heritage at the National Gallery and head to St. William Grant Park, known locally as Parade, to see the historical buildings and brave the bustling street markets.

Isabel de Torres Mountain is located near Puerto Plata and overlooks the region’s coastal strip. Also called Mount Isabel de Torres, this scenic mountain is home to the only aerial tramway in the Caribbean. The cable car, or teleférico in Spanish, brings visitors up 2,555 feet (778.8 meters) while offering spectacular views down to the city and surrounding waters. The ride takes approximately five to seven minutes. It is recommended that you visit in the morning, as early as possible; the afternoon is prone to heavy cloud cover and you might find yourself at the top of Mount Isabel de Torres with no views at all.

Mount Isabel de Torres’ peak offers impressive views of the Dominican Republic. Atop the mountain, there is a replica of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue found in Brazil. The statue sits atop a big dome, which houses stores selling jewelry and other souvenirs.

The mountain is also home to a botanical garden. Wander the paths to admire the tropical plants and surrounding scenery. If you are hungry, there is a full-service restaurant and snack shack at the Isabel de Torres’ peak as well. 

You’ve heard of Cuban cigars, but have you heard of Dominican Republic cigars? Located a short drive from La Romana, the La Flor Dominicana Cigar Factory is home to the most well-known cigars on the island. The factory focuses on creative blends and handcrafted, boutique-style products.

Visitors can take a tour to learn about the factory's own tobacco farm on the island, which allows for better control of product quality. They'll also learn about the process of how plants are turned into premium cigars, which includes leaf stripping and sorting, the rolling, aging and fermenting process, as well as packing. Masters tastings are also offered, where travelers can interact with the producers behind the very cigars they get to smoke.

Even those who aren't cigar smokers will find interesting information about this prominent industry on the island.

Don’t let the name fool you: Hoyo Azul, or Blue Hole, has more to offer than its simple moniker belies. This famous turquoise-water cenote (natural pool) in Punta Cana, whose unexpected existence at the base of a 200-foot (61-meter) cliff surprises and delights visitors, is one of the Dominican Republic’s top destinations for the swimming, ziplining, nature tours, and other activities based around it.

Hoyo Azul is located in Scape Park, which itself is in Cap Cana Resort. To reach the cenote, take a guided hike through the park—learning about the native bromeliads, orchids, and ferns at endemic plant stations along the way—and reward yourself with a much-needed dip at the end. Zipline tours through Cap Cana Resort typically stop at Hoyo Azul, as well, and feature stunning views of the lush landscape, El Farallon cliff, and the Caribbean Sea. Those with an interest in nature can get a better understanding of the Cap Cana ecosystem on a full-day ecotour that combines suspension bridges, ziplines, and hiking with a trip to Hoyo Azul. Full-day tours from Punta Cana, including catamaran cruises and guided transportation, are also available for an easy day trip. 

 

 

Cap Cana is located just 15 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport. Take an airport transfer, taxi, or shuttle from there for only a few dollars. Many tours of the area stop at Hoyo Azul.

Budget travelers should head to Hoyo Azul during low season—from August to early December—for the best deals on accommodations and activities. Warm weather year-round means that swimming, hiking, and other outdoor activities are always an option.

Buzzing with activity and music day and night, the Hip Strip is the beating heart of Montego Bay. This stretch of Gloucester Avenue—between Aquasol Theme Park and the airport—is the epicenter of tourism entertainment, where the town’s most popular shops, nightclubs, restaurants, bars, and beach hangouts pulsate with fun-seeking travelers.

As the main hub of tourist activity in Montego Bay, expect jubilant crowds, thumping reggae music, free-flowing rum drinks and Red Stripe, and shopping galore, from high-end duty-free boutiques to trinket stalls. A popular destination is Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, a double-decker bar with giant water trampolines and a 120-foot (37-meter) water-slide that plunges into the warm waters of the Caribbean. The Strip’s best bet for live music (and martinis) is the Blue Beat Jazz Lounge, where revelers have a romantic view of the sea.

Travelers have many options to experience the Hip Strip as part of half-day, full-day, group, or private tours that may incorporate a visit to Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, a local artisan market, a nearby beach like Doctor’s Cave or Agua Bay, or a place to admire a panoramic view of Montego Bay. Other tours may include a Jamaican meal at a local restaurant. 

Montego Bay’s Hip Strip runs along Gloucester Avenue, from Aquasol Theme Park to Sangster International Airport. It is walking distance or a quick taxi ride from many nearby hotels (some of which offer free shuttles).

A hot spot day and night, the best time to visit the Hip Strip depends on whether you want to incorporate a stop at the beach or a night out on the town. The warm months of winter comprise the busiest time of the year.

One of the best-reviewed Hip Strip souvenir shops is Tropical Treasures, where owner Sammie makes you feel at home—and has even been known to give discounts for smiling. Travelers say the prices here are fair and that his no-hassle attitude is a welcome pleasure. 

The Indigenous Eyes (Ojos Indígenas) Ecological Park and Reserve is designed to protect the natural habitats of the Dominican Republic’s plants and animals. Formerly called the Punta Cana Ecological Reserve, it was renamed for the 12 freshwater lagoons found here, which the native Taino people called eyes because of their distinctive shape.

Popular for its beautiful lagoons (five of which are swimmable) and surroundings, the protected 1,500-acre (600-hectare) Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park lies in the south end of Punta Cana. You can walk through the forest paths to a quiet beach, or jump in and cool off in the swimming holes. Thanks to the clear, deep turquoise waters, taking photos here is another popular activity. While you can visit independently (there are also guided walking tours available), many people come as part of a half- or full-day guided tour that may also include a catamaran cruise or off-road adventure.

The Ojos Indígenas reserve is located in Punta Cana close to the Cap Cana Marina. It is easily accessible by car and as part of a guided tour.

The reserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Afternoons are the busiest time, so plan to visit early in the morning for a quieter experience. High season in the Dominican Republic is from December to March, while rain and high winds are possible from June to November. 

With room for 150 boats, Cap Cana Marina is a fun spot to visit on a trip to Punta Cana. You can marvel at the yachts, stroll along the quayside, and enjoy a drink, lunch, or dinner at one of the restaurants inside this upscale resort community. 

This tiny islet that’s part of the Palo Seco barrio once served as a leper colony in the early 19th century and travelers to this historic place can still visit Segundo de la Portilla, a stone building that once housed these social castoffs. Today, Isla de Cabra services as a shooting range and training area for the Puerto Rico Police Department, as well as home to Isla de Cabras Recreational Park, where locals and travelers congregate along beaches perfect for fishing and picnicking—almost no one swims here. Visitors love the picturesque views of city walls, known by residents as El Morro, as well as the well-known Fort San Juan de la Cruz, which was designated as a national historic site.

A former fishing village on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, Juanillo Beach is today one of the region's most desirable stretches of white-sand beach. Wide open, powdery soft, and lined with palm trees, this stretch of sand runs from Cap Cana Marina to the Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Spa Resort. While open to the public, the beach is only accessible through Cap Cana Resort, making it a calm and quiet place to soak up some rays.

A hidden gem in Punta Cana, Juanillo Beach is far less frequented that more popular stretches of shore in the area, meaning it's a nice spot to avoid the crowds. Travelers based in Punta Cana without a rental car can visit this sleepy beach on a full-day catamaran cruise, which includes a chance to swim or snorkel in the crystal clear waters of one of the nation's hidden cenotes.

Juanillo Beach is located in Cap Cana, about 15 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport by road. The easiest way to reach the beach is by taxi or on a catamaran ride from Punta Cana.

There isn't really a bad time to visit Juanillo Beach, though it can get lively when special events are taking place, usually on the weekends. The weather is warm and beach-worthy year-round, though hurricanes are somewhat of a threat in the Caribbean between June and November.

Warm, shallow, blue waters create a natural swimming pool at this beautiful beach, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. It's also a destination for windsurfing when the weather allows. If you plan to windsurf, snorkel, or partake in any other water sport, be sure to join a guided excursion or bring your own equipment, as rentals are not available on the beach.

Set offshore from St Thomas on a tiny isle known as Water Island, Honeymoon Beach is a peaceful cove characterized by a long, soft stretch of sand that curves against the sea, framed by palm trees and lush greenery. A popular swimming and snorkeling spot, Honeymoon Beach provides a respite from busy Charlotte Amalie and serves as a good alternative to St Thomas' popular Magens Bay. Travelers will find restaurants, bars and bathrooms set conveniently adjacent to the beach, which is accessible via trails.

In the Dominican Republic's eastern-most province of La Altagracia Province lies the city of Higuey. A busy, bustling area that has been rapidly growing over the past decade, Higuey is also home to some must-see historical and religious sites.

The Basilica of Altagracia, a Roman Catholic cathedral that was built in 1972, serves as the city's biggest attraction. Despite its fairly recent development, the church holds a strong religious presence and is the place of pilgrimages each year. It is well-known due to its location, where a sighting of the Virgin Mary is said to have occurred. This elevated the church to high esteem, and Pope John Paul II visited the site in 1992. 

The Church of San Dionisio is also a site to see, though this one holds significance due to its history. The small church dates back to 1572, making it one of the oldest churches in the Americas, and features Spanish colonialism architecture and a stately bell tower.

Higuey is also home to charming streets, restaurants and markets, all ready to be explored. Though the city may be lacking in some grandeur and sophistication, visitors can experience the city side of the Dominican Republic.

Visitors to this popular natural wonder must scramble up rocky ledges, treacherous cliffs and ancient wooden staircases to access some of the region’s most impressive views. Stationed 700 feet above the Puerto Rican countryside, these beautiful caves are one of Arecibo’s most popular destinations and offer a unique taste of Taino cultural history, too.

While the hike to the top is somewhat technical, amazing views and ancient rock paintings known as petroglyphs make it worth the challenge. Less-skilled travelers will still find plenty to do nearby since relaxing beaches, easier trails and off shore fishing are all possible ways to spend an afternoon here.

Kenepa Beach is one of those places that’s worth the drive to get there. Located 50 minutes from Willamsted on the northwestern corner of the island, the white sand beach and turquoise water create a Caribbean tableau that ends up on Curacao postcards. Broken up into two beaches that are separated by rocky cliffs, Kenepa Beach is a popular spot for cliff diving, sunbathing, and snorkeling. While it’s possible to snorkel directly offshore above the sandy bottom, strong swimmers and advanced snorkelers can venture out to the reef. Here, it’s possible to find everything from sea turtles to manta rays accompanying the colorful reef fish, and you can refuel later back on shore at the small, laidback snack bar. Climb the trail to the lookout point on the cliff above the two beaches, or simply relax beneath the shade of a pergola right on the sand. And, since Kenepa Beach is a popular spot with visitors as well as locals, there’s a festive atmosphere up on Curacao’s northwestern coast.