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5 Places You Must Visit In The Caribbean In 2024

5 Places You Must Visit In The Caribbean
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Looking For The Best Places To Visit In The Caribbean In 2024?

There are tons of stunning places to visit in the Caribbean.

Therefore, it can be hard to narrow down which country to visit first.

I’ve had the opportunity to explore quite a lot of the Caribbean and the surrounding areas.

Below you will find my top 5 list of places I have visited and recommend.

In addition, I will answer common questions about each destination as well as the Caribbean in general.

Also, I realize that Mexico and Panama technically belong to North America however I’m still going to include them.

All of the below-mentioned resorts are all-inclusive and I will provide a link to them if possible.

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The beach at Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Hotel & Spa - All-Inclusive resorts at Riviera Maya, Mexico, Places to visit in the Caribbean
The beach at Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Hotel & Spa – one of the All-Inclusive resorts at Riviera Maya, Mexico

Everything You Need To Know About The Places You Must Visit In The Caribbean

Below you will find the answers to some of the frequently asked questions when it comes to the places you must visit in the Caribbean.

When is the best time to go to the Caribbean?

The best times to visit the Caribbean are the end of November, March, April, and the beginning of May.

It is possible to find Caribbean vacation specials that are all-inclusive at that time as well.

From the end of May to September, it tends to be too hot and it rains a lot.

From September to Mid November it’s hurricane season so avoid those times.

December to March is the peak season so it will be expensive and there will be a lot of other tourists in the resort.

The beach in Playa Blanca, Panama, resorts, hotels, Caribbean, places in the Caribbean
The beach in Playa Blanca, Panama – places in the Caribbean

What is the cheapest month to go to the Caribbean?

The cheapest Caribbean vacations can be found in the summer and fall.

However, don’t forget that summer is the rainy season and fall is hurricane season.

Spring time the prices are reasonable and the weather is good.

Another option is to wait and find a Caribbean vacation that is last minute.

If you book a week or two before your travel date you can find some great deals for Caribbean vacations.

However, you will need more flexibility with the dates as you might see another day that is discounted.

It is usually cheaper to leave during the week and more expensive when you fly out on a Friday or the weekend.

What is the most reasonably priced Caribbean island?

I would have to go with the Dominican Republic. It offers the best value for your money when it comes to finding all-inclusive deals.

The packages are reasonably priced and affordable for most people and you get an amazing beach getaway with all costs covered.

The beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - one of the places to visit in the Caribbean
The beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – one of the places to visit in the Caribbean

How do I choose which Caribbean island to visit?

This decision will have to come from what your budget looks like. If you are on a tighter budget, consider Cuba, Dominican Rep, and Mexico (in that order).

If you are looking for a fancier destination and have a bigger budget then consider St. Martin, Panama, and all of the smaller islands in the Caribbean.

The best beaches by far are in Cuba. However, the food there is the lowest quality.

Dominican Rep has stunning beaches and better food so it is a great place to try for a first vacation.

Mexico has great food but the beaches tend to be rockier.

The smaller islands have great beaches and food but are more expensive.

Where to go for your first trip to the Caribbean?

There are tons of great places to visit in the Caribbean!

However, for your first trip, I would recommend going to either Varadero, Cuba or Punta Cana, Dominican Rep.

Those two places are some of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean and have beautiful beaches and resorts.

I would recommend booking an All Incisive resort of 4 and a half plus stars and nothing under 4 stars.

The pool in our Punta Cana resort, Dominican Republic, Places to visit in the Caribbean
The pool in our Punta Cana resort

Best Caribbean island for a relaxing vacation?

If you are looking for a relaxing vacation, I am assuming that you would want to chill by the beach.

Therefore, I would recommend Cuba and DR as they have the nicest beaches.

If you are planning to relax at the resort you might want to book a hotel that has nice amenities such as a spa, sauna, adults-only pool, etc.

However, you can have a relaxing vacation on any of the islands, you don’t have to leave the resort or do any of the tours/activities if you don’t want to.

If you are planning on drinking during your relaxing vacation, keep in mind that the richer islands will offer more expensive alcohol brands in their bars.

However, you will find something nice to drink everywhere.

How to book a Caribbean vacation?

You can book the best all-inclusive Caribbean vacations online, you do not need to call a travel agent.

Most of the Caribbean vacation packages are All-Inclusive by default.

It makes it way easier for the travelers/families. They have nothing to worry about and have the chance to fully relax.

I will share links to the Caribbean All-Inclusive resorts that we stayed in after each destination.

A view from the waterpark in our hotel in Punta Cana, Places to visit in the Caribbean
A view from the waterpark in our hotel in Punta Cana

5 Places You Must Visit In The Caribbean

Let’s start with the first country in the Caribbean that I ever visited and that is Cuba.

*** At the current moment, due to the political situation between Cuba and the United States, American citizens are not able to travel to Cuba.

I am traveling from Canada so I can travel to Cuba.

If you are American, please contact your consulate before considering Cuba for tourism.

1. Varadero/Havana, Cuba

The last time we visited Cuba was in 2015 and we stayed in an All-Inclusive resort in Varadero.

The resort’s name was Ocean Varadero El Patriarca and we liked it a lot.

I have recommended this Varadero resort to a few friends since then and they have also enjoyed it.

The coffee shop is so good, we visited it every single day, sometimes twice.

It is one of Cuba 5 star resorts that is located in Varadero.

Varadero in Cuba is a long beach strip with many All-Inclusive hotels.

That was my third time visiting Cuba – the past two times, we visited Holguin and Cayo Coco.

Update: We visited Cayo Santa Maria in November 2023 as well.

Ocean Varadero El Patriarca resort in Varadero, Cuba
Ocean Varadero El Patriarca resort in Varadero, Cuba

What is it like to visit Cuba?

Cuba is a beautiful country with stunning beaches and friendly people.

There are tons of locations that have All-Inclusive resorts such as Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria, Santiago de Cuba, Cayo Largo, etc.

Cayo means a small island. The cayos have out-of-this-world beaches.

Also, get ready to drink some local rum like Havana Club and smoke some Cuban Cigars or the thinner ones called Cigarillos.

The Cigarillos resemble regular cigarettes in size but are still a cigar – imagine them as baby cigars lol.

For the big cigars, you will need this tool to chop one end of them before you can smoke them.

Therefore, if you don’t have the tool or know how to use it, it might be easier to go with the cigarillos.

You will not need the cutting tool for the cigarillos.

Some of the main brands are Cohiba, Romeo and Juliet, Montecristo, etc.

I don’t smoke but I have tried the cigarillos and I would not recommend inhaling the smoke.

Even if you are a smoker, it is so hard on your lungs.

Keep the smoke in your mouth then blow it out. The point of that is to enhance the taste of the rum.

Our room in the Ocean Varadero El Patriarca resort, Places to visit in the Caribbean
Our room in the Ocean Varadero El Patriarca resort

What should I know before visiting Cuba?

Unfortunately, Cuba is the poorest of the countries on this list.

Therefore, you need to get yourself mentally prepared to see a lot of extremely poor people.

Some areas in Cuba are so poor that the locals do not even have shoes on their feet or a roof over their dwellings.

Havana and Varadero are the richest parts of Cuba so it will not be that bad there.

However, anywhere else you visit in the country, you will witness extreme poverty.

A lot of first-time visitors are incredibly shocked when they see that.

How safe is it to travel to Cuba?

Cuba is a safe country to travel to including exploring outside the resorts.

Of course, use common sense and do not get yourself in dangerous situations.

Otherwise, Cuba is one of the safest countries in the Caribbean.

The lobby in Ocean Varadero El Patriarca, hotel, Cuba
The lobby in Ocean Varadero El Patriarca

What are some travel hacks for Cuba?

Make sure you do not drink or brush your teeth with tap water anywhere in Cuba.

Use only bottled water – the resort will provide it for you.

In the hotels, the ice cubes are made from filtered water so that the guests don’t get sick.

However, do not order drinks that can have ice cubes outside the resort.

Bring high-quality waterproof sunscreen and apply it generously.

🦄 I have written a whole blog post with tips for visiting the Caribbean: 7 Tips When Visiting Caribbean Countries

hotels, resorts, Cuba, all-inclusive, Places to visit in the Caribbean
This is what the buildings for the guests looked like

Another thing to point out which is not mentioned in a lot of places.

Unfortunately, Cubans do not have a lot of products available for purchase.

Therefore, I usually bring all sorts of products such as toiletries, jewelry, hair products, and kid toys and leave them as tips.

Also, I bring gently used summer clothes and shoes and donate them to the maids or staff at the hotel.

They appreciate the gifts as like I said they do not have access to a lot of the commodities available elsewhere.

What time of year is it best to visit Cuba?

The best time to visit Cuba is March, April, and May.

Avoid September, October and early November as that is hurricane season in the Caribbean.

June, July, and August are going to be extremely hot (35+ degrees) and it will rain a lot.

Jose Marti Memorial, Revolution Square, monument, Cuba, Havana, Caribbean
Jose Marti Memorial in the Revolution Square in Cuba, Havana

Why is Havana so famous?

Havana is the capital of Cuba as well as the largest city.

A trip to Varadero is not complete without doing a trip to the vibrant city of Havana.

It is known for its historic buildings, vintage cars, and tasty Cuban cuisine.  

Some of the main attractions to see in Havana are the Old Town (Habana Vieja), which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, Catedral de San Cristobal, National Capitol Building (El Capitolio), etc. 

Also, check out Revolution Square (Plaza de la Revolucion) where you can see the famous Jose Marti Memorial.

Varadero, Cuba - one of the places to visit in the Caribbean
Varadero, Cuba – one of the places to visit in the Caribbean

Is Varadero the best beach in the world?

Varadero beach is considered one of the best beaches in the world.

It is located on the northern coast of Cuba and consists of a 20 km strip of white fine sand.

The beach is beautiful with warm crystal clear waters but I am not sure it is the best beach in the world.

However, it is certainly one of the best ones and it is internationally recognized as such.

Varadero vacations are usually what a lot of Canadians do while trying to get through the long winter.

I highly recommend visiting Varadero, Cuba for a holiday.

Havana, Cuba, excursion, cathedral, Places to visit in the Caribbean
Catedral de San Cristobal, Havana – one of the places to visit in the Caribbean

How far is Varadero from Havana?

It is about 2 hours and 15 mins with a car (145 km) between Varadero and Havana.

Most likely you will be in an All-Inclusive resort in Varadero, and do a day trip to Havana from there.

All the resorts will have organized day trips available that you can book to go to Havana.

The tours include transportation as well as a guided tour of the historic capital which I found pretty interesting.

That would be the easiest way to see the capital.

Varadero is the most popular vacation spot in Cuba. If you had the opportunity to visit only one place in Cuba, I would suggest going to Varadero.

In Varadero, you will find the best food on the island (Cuba is known for not having the best food options in general).

If I have to be completely honest, Cuba has the best beaches that I have seen so far but the worst food variety available.

old cars, Havana, Cuba, vacation
Get a ride in one of the vintage cars in Havana

2. Philipsburg, Saint Martin (In French) / Sint Maarten (In Dutch)

Saint Martin is an interesting island because the northern side belongs to France and the southern part belongs to the Netherlands.

The capital of the French side is Marigot and the capital of the Dutch side is Phillipsburg (also the capital of the island).

And no, you do not need a passport to go around the island. Considering how small it is that would be incredibly inefficient.

We visited Saint Martin in 2011 which seems crazy to think about right now as it has been more than 10 years since we went.

Where is St. Martin Island located?

St. Martin is located in the northeast Caribbean Sea.

The closest island to St. Martin is Anguilla, about 170 km north.

Phillipsburg, Caribbean, Saint Martin, Places to visit in the Caribbean
Phillipsburg, Saint Martin is one of the places to visit in the Caribbean

What is special about Saint Martin Island?

The Dutch side of St. Martin is known for its nightlife, casinos, beaches, jewelry stores, and duty-free shopping.

Another “attraction’’ on the Dutch side is the Princess Juliana International Airport which is the famous airport where the planes land super close to the beach.

We stayed at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa which was located right beside the airport.

Therefore, when you lay on the beach you can watch the planes land and take off all day.

This is one of the most popular Saint Martin hotels that are located on the Dutch side.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa, Saint Martin, Caribbean
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa

Also, Sonesta Maho is an All-Inclusive resort at Saint Martin which is not common for the luxury islands.

The French side is known for its French restaurants, clothing stores as well as nude beaches.

There is an airport on the French side as well but it is pretty small.

St. Martin has the most beaches per square mile and is the smallest land divided between two nations.

Also, it is the only place on the list that does not speak Spanish as a primary language. 

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa beachfront, Places to visit in the Caribbean
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa beachfront

Is St. Martin a safe island to visit?

Yes, St. Martin is a safe place to vacation. On the license plates of the cars, it even says ”the friendly island”.

We explored the island mostly on our own and we had absolutely no issues.

Renting a car in Saint Martin is an easy and convenient way to explore the lovely island.

Car rental in Saint Martin is available at Princess Juliana Airport or in Philipsburg.

👉 Rent a car in Saint Martin after exploring the world’s biggest car rental website: Rentalcars

Fort Amsterdam, Philipsburg fort, Saint Martin
Fort Amsterdam, Philipsburg

On the Dutch side, the main attractions to see are Philipsburg City, Fort Amsterdam, the port where a lot of the cruise ships dock, etc.

On the French side, you should see Marigot City, Grand Case (a small town), Fort Louis, Orient Beach, etc.

The two forts on the island are remnants of the time when the island had to be defended from enemy ships.

In them, you can see only the remains of collapsed buildings and walls as well as a few rusty cannons.

Fort Louis, Caribbean, Marigot, Places to visit in the Caribbean
View of Marigot, from Fort Louis

They are located on elevated ground, giving you a wonderful view of the respective city and port.

This involves a bit of a hike but it’s not anything crazy.

In Orient Beach (French side), you can do a variety of water sports.

We did parasailing and it was a crazy experience.

👉 Below are a few tours/activities that you can do in St. Martin:
St. Maarten Half-Day Tour of French & Dutch Sides

👉 We did something similar but was a sunset cruise and we didn’t snorkel but it was a fun experience:
St. Martin: Catamaran Snorkel Cruise with Open Bar and Lunch

parasailing, activities, Orient Beach, places in the Caribbean
Parasailing in Orient Beach – places in the Caribbean

Which side of St. Martin is better?

This is a hard question to answer as I liked both sides.

It seems like the Dutch side is more developed, possibly because Philisberg is a major port for cruise ships.

The nature and beaches are beautiful throughout the whole island but there is more to do on the Dutch side.

Is St. Martin expensive?

St. Martin is more expensive than Cuba, Dominican Rep, and Mexico.

It is considered one of the more luxurious islands.

However, a lot of the shops are duty-free and if you do an all-inclusive resort it would not be that bad.

Most people visit St. Martin on a cruise and dock in Philipsburg so that is also an option.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa an All Inclusive resort, Places to visit in the Caribbean
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is an All Inclusive resort on the Dutch side of St. Martin

Is St. Martin worth visiting?

I loved St. Martin, it is such a beautiful island and the people were super nice.

It’s definitely one of the places to visit in the Caribbean for your vacation.

We had a great time exploring the two sides of the island and swimming at the different beaches.

The food at the resort was the best food I’ve had in the Caribbean hands down.

I would 100% recommend visiting St. Martin.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa

  • Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Casino & Spa is an all-inclusive Resort on Saint Martin which is beside the airport where the planes land close to the beach (overlooking the famous Maho Bay)
  • Free resort-wide WiFi
  • Fitness, spa, and casino available
  • Pools, day and evening entertainment, great food

👉 Check availability for your dates: Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Casino & Spa

View of St. Martin from a catamaran tour
View of St. Martin from the catamaran tour we did

3. Riviera Maya, Mexico 

Riviera Maya is one of the best places for a Caribbean vacation.

We visited Mexico in 2014 as we both wanted to see the Mayan ruins as we were and still are obsessed with Mayan culture.

We stayed at the Mayan Riviera which is where most travelers go.

Where is Riviera Maya, Mexico?

Riviera Maya is a region on the Caribbean coast of Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula, south of Cancun.

It is mainly known for being a tourist hub with many hotels and resorts scattered on the shoreline.

There are tons of All-inclusive resorts in the Rivier Maya, Mexico area.

It’s definitely one of the places to visit in the Caribbean for your holidays.

The pool area in Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Hotel & Spa in Riviera Maya, Mexico (All Inclusive packages)
The pool area in Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Hotel & Spa in Riviera Maya, Mexico (All Inclusive packages)

Is the Mayan Riviera in Cancun?

Cancun is a city located on the northeast coast of the Yukatan Peninsula in Mexico.

The Mayan Riviera or Riviera Maya is a region that begins at Cancun and continues south for about 130 km until it reaches Tulum.

Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Morelos are small resort towns.

All of them are located south of Cancun.

Where do you fly into when visiting Riviera Maya, Mexico?

There is no international airport in Riviera Maya. Therefore, you will have to fly to the Cancun International Airport. 

Cancun has a lot of All-Inclusive resorts as well, so you can choose to either stay in Cancun for your holiday or drive south to Riviera Maya.

The lazy river in Riviera Maya, Mexico Grand Sirenis resort, places to visit in the Caribbean
The lazy river in Riviera Maya, Mexico – Grand Sirenis resort

How far is Riviera Maya from the Cancun airport?

Once you land at Cancun International Airport, you will have to be transported to Riviera Maya which is about 30-60 minutes away.

The duration of the drive depends on which hotel you are staying at in Riviera Maya.

Usually, this transportation is provided with an All-Inclusive package so you don’t have to worry about it.

Only have to keep in mind that the trip to the airport will be long.

How safe is Riviera Maya?

The area where Riviera Maya is located is mainly resorts and hotels so it is touristy.

Therefore, it is one of the safest parts of the country. The troubles in Mexico do not target tourists so it is relatively safe.

We went on a few tours outside of the resort and we had no issues.

Riviera Maya is one of the places to visit in the Caribbean, resort, hotel
Riviera Maya is one of the places to visit in the Caribbean

What is the Riviera Maya known for?

Riviera Maya is known for all the ancient Mayan Ruins that you can visit on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Also, it is known for the famous cenotes aka sinkholes where you can swim in their crystal clear waters.

Of course, we all know that Mexico has yummy food so all the tasty Mexican usuals as well as some tequila cocktails.

When is the best time to go to Riviera Maya?

The best time to go to Riviera Maya is around March and April. The dry season is from October to April and the rainy season lasts from May to October.

The hottest month is May when the temperatures can go up to 40 degrees.

We visited in May and once you leave the breeze by the beach it gets incredibly hot and humid.

Me repelling down one of the cenotes, Mexico, Riviera Maya, Places to visit in the Caribbean
Me repelling down one of the cenotes

When we did the Chichen Itza tour, which is located 3 hours inland, it was impossibly hot and there was zero wind. It was so hot that I almost fainted a few times.

The coldest month would be December when the average temperatures are around 26.

What ruins are near the Riviera Maya?

The main one is, of course, the World Wonder Chichen Itza which was located about 3 hours away from our hotel each way.

Despite the 6 hours we spent on the bus, it was so worth seeing Chichen Itza. It was a dream come true!

Mexico, Mayan ruins, Chichen Itza
The main pyramid in Chichen Itza – one of the places to visit in the Caribbean

Also, we had the chance to see the relatively newly discovered sight of Ek Balam (which means black jaguar).

When we visited, they were still excavating a large portion of it.

Therefore, if you visit now, it is possible that most of it has been excavated already.

Other Mayan ruins in the area are Coba, Tulum ruins (right by the beach), Uxmal, Calakmul, etc.

There are over 200 different Mayan ruins scattered around the Yucatan Peninsula.

Ek Balam, Mayan pyramid, Caribbean, Places to visit in the Caribbean
The main pyramid in Ek Balam, the other side of it was still covered in earth and trees

Are there any cenotes in Mexico?

Another exciting thing to do in the Yucatan Peninsula is to see all of the cenotes. A cenote is a sinkhole filled with water.

There are tons of cenotes and in some of them, you can swim or do different activities.

We visited two different ones while we were doing the tours (one to Chichen Itza and the other one to Ek Balam).

We had the chance to swim in one of them and I also repelled from the hole on the top into the water (see pic above).

cenote, sinkhole, Yucatan, Mexico
One of the cenotes that we saw

If you want to do some shopping, check out Playa del Carmen.

It is a small resort town that has a street filled with shops, cafes, and all sorts of souvenir and trinket parlors.

Also, there is a beach nearby where you can go for a dip.

Another famous place to visit is Tulum, however, we didn’t have a chance to see it because my partner got food poisoning the night before. 

👉 Below are a few tours/activities that you can do in Riviera Maya:
Cancún/Riviera Maya: Chichén Itzá, Cenote, Valladolid & Meal
From Riviera Maya: Ek Balam & Cenote Tour w/ Lunch & Pickup
Tulum and Coba: Full-Day Archeological Tour with Lunch

Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Hotel & Spa

Our Riviera Maya, Mexico All Inclusive resort was called Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Hotel & Spa.

Grand Sirenis is one of the popular Caribbean beach resorts in Riviera Maya.

It was a nice resort but the beach was rocky.

  • This resort is enormous – there is a small train that helps people get around
  • An awesome lazy river and pools
  • Had great shows at night, al a cart restaurants, and a huge buffet
  • Spa, lots of activities available, the hotel is beautifully designed

👉 Check availability for your dates: Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Hotel & Spa

4. Playa Blanca, Panama 

We visited Playa Blanca, Panama in 2020, right before all the Covid hell got unleashed.

Playa Blanca is a small resort town on the Pacific Coast of Panama (so technically not in the Caribbean but anyway).

This destination is not too popular which makes it a perfect escape from the crowds and the best beach vacation in Panama.

Playa Blanca is located about an hour away from Panama City and the Panama Canal so you can visit them easily (highly recommend doing that trip).

What should I know before traveling to Panama?

Panama uses the American Dollar as currency.

They have their own currency called the Panamanian balboa but the American Dollar is used far more often.

The two currencies are at par meaning one USD is equal to one balboa.

Royal Decameron Panama lobby view, Places to visit in the Caribbean
Royal Decameron Panama All Inclusive – one of the Panama vacation hotels

Is it safe to travel to Panama City?

Panama is considered a safe country to visit.

We felt totally safe everywhere we visited in Panama.

However, as with every large city, when visiting Panama City be vigilant with your belongings and avoid areas/people that look suspicious.

If you are on an organized tour, there is nothing to worry about.

Is Panama a good travel destination?

Panama is a great destination if you like exploring rainforests with tons of wildlife, and tropical beaches.

The country has a unique culture and history, that is worth learning about.

Also, seeing the world-famous Panama Canal makes Panama a great travel destination.

The Panama Canal is one of the things to do in Playa Blanca, Panama.

Beachfront in our resort in Playa Blanca, Panama vacation
Beachfront in our resort in Playa Blanca

What is Panama famous for?

Panama is famous for the Panama Canal which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The Panama Canal is an artificial waterway that tremendously aids with global trade.

It is an enormous engineering marvel, spanning over 80 km, cutting Panama in half.

How long does it take a ship to go through the Panama Canal?

The ships can enter from either direction, and it takes them about 8-10 hours to cross from one side to the other. 

The construction of the canal created a significant shortcut for all the boats that are trying to get from one ocean to the other.

Before they had to go around the south edge of South America (Cape Horn) which took them 5 to 6 months or over 20,000 km back in the day.

Approximately, 40 ships cross the Panama Canal every day.

Basilica of Santa María la Antigua, Panama City, Caribbean Places to visit in the Caribbean
Basilica of Santa María la Antigua, Panama City in Panama

Panama City is a lovely mix of old and modern, truly unique for that part of the world.

The Old Town (Casco Viejo) is a charming area that offers visitors the chance to see old churches, historic buildings, cute shops/cafes, etc.

After exploring the Old Town, head out to the Panama Canal where you can see a boat or two crossing it.

Keep in mind, that the process of the vessels crossing the old Miraflores Locks takes a long time.

Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal, boats
These are the Miraflores Locks, the old ones (for smaller boats) are in the foreground. The new locks are in the background. You can see a large tanker passing through them

What else is there to do in Panama besides the Panama Canal?

Another thing to do in Panama is to go on a Jungle Excursion.

We visited a Sloth Sanctuary and rode on an Aerial Tram through the jungle treetops to an Observation Tower.

The tower overlooked part of the Panama Canal as well as more of the jungle canopy.

After this, we took a speedboat and cruised through Gatun Lake (part of the Panama Canal) alongside huge tankers.

We got to an area with a few small islands where we encountered wild monkeys – Capuchin and Tamarin.

It was a lovely adventure and I highly recommend it.

Observation Tower, jungle, Panama, Places to visit in the Caribbean
View from the Observation Tower on one of our Panama excursions from Playa Blanca

🦄 I have written a few posts about our trip to Panama so if you want more information, check out the blog posts below:
Panama City And Canal Day Trip

What To Expect From An All-Inclusive Resort In Panama
Panama: Jungle Adventure Trip

Below are a few tours/activities that you can do in Panama.

Keep in mind, all of these suggestions start in Panama City, so if you are staying in Playa Blanca you will have to arrange the tours with the resort:

👉 Panama City: Small-Group Miraflores Locks and City Tour
From Panama City: Gamboa Rainforest Guided Tour with Lunch – this is the exact tour that we did but it was cheaper booking at the hotel

Royal Decameron Panama All Inclusive Plus

For our Panama vacation, our All-inclusive resort was called, Royal Decameron Panama All Inclusive Plus.

It was a lovely resort and we had a great experience overall.

  • The food in the resort was great
  • This resort is large and spread out
  • Fitness, huge buffet, a la cart restaurants
  • The area is close to doing a day tour of Panama City and Canal

👉 Check availability for your dates: Royal Decameron Panama All Inclusive Plus

🦄 Panama Related Posts:
11 Best Panama City, Panama Hotels & Places To Stay
13 Best Things To Do In Playa Blanca, Panama
5 Best Hotels In Playa Blanca, Panama

5. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 

Punta Cana is one of the best Caribbean vacation spots to visit for your relaxing vacation.

We visited Punta Cana in 2021 at the end of November. This was my second time in the Dominican Republic.

My first trip was to a city north of Punta Cana called Samana.

Is it safe to travel to Punta Cana?

The Dominican Republic is sharing an island with Haiti (the west side of the island).

Haiti is considered a dangerous country to visit.

However, most of the resort towns in the Dominican are as far as possible from the Haiti border.

I have been to two different places in the Dominican and we felt safe during our holidays to the Dominican Republic.

Dreams Onyx Punta Cana Resort & Spa - resort in Punta Cana All Inclusive
Dreams Onyx Punta Cana Resort & Spa – resort in Punta Cana All Inclusive

What is the best month to visit Punta Cana?

The best months of the year to visit Punta Cana are by far between December and April.

That is the dry season so the chance of rain will be lower.

Also, the temperatures are not scorching like during the summer months.

The Punta Cana best time to visit is March, April, and May.

What is Punta Cana known for?

Punta Cana is one of the most famous resort towns in the Caribbean.

It’s definitely one of the places to visit in the Caribbean on your travels.

It is known for its white beaches and crystal clear waters.

If it’s your first time visiting the Dominican Republic, I would recommend going to Punta Cana.

waterpark, Dominican Rep, Caribbean
View of the water park. Punta Cana is one of the places to visit in the Caribbean

Are there any excursions available in Punta Cana?

The only excursion outside the resort that we did was a Dune Buggy Excursion.

It included driving your own buggy (or an ATV) through the countryside to an area where you do a few short activities, swim in a cave, drive through a muddy section and visit Macao Beach.

This was a lot of fun but we got extremely dirty with mud.

buggy excursion, Punta Cana, Caribbean
During our Buggy Excursion

Some other trips that you could do are to Santo Domingo (the capital of the Dominican Republic).

Keep in mind that driving to Santo Domingo will take you over 2 hours one way.

So if you want to see Santo Domingo it would be wiser to do that trip if you are in La Romana (another area with resorts) then the drive will be way shorter.

There are tons of catamaran, zip-lining, beach excursions. Most people take a trip that goes to Saona Island.

cave, Dominican, excursion, Caribbean, Places to visit in the Caribbean
This is the cave we swam in – one of the places to visit in the Caribbean

🦄 I have written a few blog posts about our time in Punta Cana so if you want more information, check out the blog posts below:
Review of Dreams Onyx Punta Cana Resort & Spa 
Dune Buggy Excursion In Punta Cana 

👉 Below are a few tours/activities that you can do in Punta Cana:
Punta Cana Off-Road Dune Buggy Adventure and Amazing Water Cave
Punta Cana: Catamaran Boat to Saona Island with Buffet Lunch
and

Punta Cana: Santo Domingo Day Trip with Tickets and Lunch

Dreams Onyx Punta Cana Resort & Spa 

We stayed at the Dreams Onyx Resort And Spa (An all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana) and we both loved it!

The beach was great as well as the food and the staff working at the hotel.

It is one of the Caribbean 5-star hotels, that I recommend.

  • A huge waterpark with slides and a lazy river
  • The food was great and no limit on how many a la cart restaurants you could try
  • The lower floor rooms had their own pool
  • Have full access to the Breathless (neighboring hotel which is adults only)

👉 Check availability for your dates: Dreams Onyx Resort And Spa

Conclusion: 5 Places You Must Visit In The Caribbean

In conclusion, the Caribbean stands as a haven of diverse and beautiful destinations, each offering unique sun-soaked beaches, vibrant cultures, and tropical landscapes.

The five highlighted places showcased in this guide, from the historic charm of Havana in Cuba to the serene beauty of St. Martin, represent just a glimpse into the rich offerings of the Caribbean.

Whether you seek relaxation on pristine shores, immersion in rich histories, or thrilling adventures in lush rainforests, the Caribbean caters to a spectrum of interests.

A journey through the Caribbean promises unforgettable experiences, leaving a memorable impression on those fortunate enough to explore its captivating islands.

5 places you must visit in the Caribbean

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