Nothing beats the Caribbean for a relaxing tropical vacation close to home. But it can be hard to choose between all the breathtakingly beautiful islands and fabulous resorts in the Caribbean. We’re here to help with our list of the 15 best Caribbean resorts.
Best Caribbean Resorts Quick Picks
Best Caribbean Resorts for Couples: Sandals Grenada and Secrets Cap Cana
Best Caribbean Resorts for Families: Grand Velas Riviera Maya and Jumby Bay Island
Best Luxury Caribbean Resorts: Ambergris Cay, Belmond Cap Juluca, and Eden Rock St. Barths
Ambergris Cay Resort, Turks & Caicos
You’ll be swept away by this uber-luxurious all-inclusive Turks & Caicos resort surrounded by shallow turquoise water and coral reefs. One of the best Caribbean resorts for honeymoons, it’s also family friendly. There’s room for everyone on the thousand-acre private island. Ambergris Cay Resort is a true tropical paradise.
Lounge on the pristine white sand beach, which stretches for miles and is lined with palm trees. Enjoy complimentary watersports in the crystal clear Caribbean. Explore the island by bike or golf cart, or take an excursion by boat. Indulge at the spa. Swim in the lovely pool—or in your own pool (see below).
Accommodations at Ambergris Cay Resort are either suites or villas, with chic décor that’s light and bright. There are just 10 Beachfront Pool Suites; each offers beach and ocean views, a wraparound veranda with seating, a private plunge pool, and an outdoor shower (plus two rain showers in the spacious bathroom).
Rates at Ambergris Cay are steep, but the inclusions are spectacular—your transfer from Providenciales airport comes via private plane. Also included is all dining; unlimited domestic and premium beverages; an in-room fridge stocked with water, beer, and soft drinks; 24-hour room service; non-motorized water sports including snorkeling, paddleboarding, sailing, and kayaking; bonefishing from the shore; boat excursions; tennis and pickleball; use of the resort’s bicycles and golf carts; one 60-minute spa treatment per adult per stay; guided nature walks, bike tours, and kayak/paddleboard excursions; WiFi; and a catered lunch experience on a deserted island.
Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico
Located just north of Cancun is the luxury oasis Excellence Playa Mujeres, one of the best Caribbean resorts in Mexico. Set on a gorgeous beach, it offers excellent service, a variety of culinary experiences, and beautiful spacious accommodations. There’s an adult-only beach and winding pools with spectacular views.
Activities here include kayaking, aerobics, sailing, morning yoga by the sea, beach volleyball, cooking lessons, tennis, and more. Honeymoon packages set the stage for lifelong memories with couples’ massages and treatments at the world-class Miilé Spa, private dinners on the beach, and an indulgent champagne breakfast in bed.
This adults-only all-inclusive resort in Mexico boasts tropical pool areas overlooking the white sand beach lined with shady umbrellas. Besides the main swimming pool, many of the modern rooms and suites come with private pools on the terrace or balcony.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Mexico
One of the best Caribbean resorts for families, Grand Velas Riviera Maya is located in Quintana Roo, just a short distance from other mega-popular holiday destinations like Playa Del Carmen, Cancun, and Tulum. This all-inclusive Mexican resort sits on a stretch of private beach that’s perfect for admiring the amazing sunsets over the Caribbean.
There are three tiers of accommodations, called “experiences,” so that every traveler can have the vacation that’s perfect for them. The Grand Class experience is made for couples, offering private pools and Jacuzzis in their 90 oceanfront suites. There is even space for massage treatments, so you can enjoy services together in the comfort of your room instead of heading to the Zen Grand Spa.
For families, spacious suites have a private terrace, Jacuzzi tub, concierge service, 24-hour room service, and a fully stocked minibar. Some of the more premium suites have stunning water views and a private plunge pool.
Choose from 8 restaurants. There’s also a beautiful sandy beach where guests can enjoy a ton of activities such as volleyball, snorkeling, kayaking, and boogie boarding, as well as both kids’ and teens’ clubs on-site.
Jumby Bay Island — An Oetker Collection Hotel, Antigua
Another of the best Caribbean resorts for families is situated just off the coast of Antigua. Jumby Bay is an elegant resort that is perfect for a luxury family beach vacation with five-star service and posh villas.
Rates at this family all inclusive resort include delicious gourmet meals, all drinks, and both water and land-based activities. Guests can enjoy bike riding, playing tennis, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding, or water skiing. There’s a wide variety of things to do for those who don’t enjoy sports too, from cookery classes to watching hawksbill turtles’ nests and exploring the ocean to relaxing on the beach.
For the younger ones, the Jumby Explorers kids’ club caters to children between the ages of 3 and 11. It has its own dedicated pavilion, where friendly staff engage children in a variety of games and activities.
Eden Rock St. Barths
St. Barts is known as one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world. A French island, it offers breathtaking scenery, luxurious resorts, incredible food, and a “jet set” atmosphere due to its popularity with celebrities and wealthy travelers. St. Barts (or St. Barths) is short for St. Barthélemy, the full name of this gorgeous romantic spot in the Lesser Antilles.
One of the best Caribbean resorts here is Eden Rock St. Barths, long a celebrity favorite and considered the best hotel in St. Barts. (Some say the best hotel in the Caribbean). This iconic resort was the first hotel to open on the island and was fully renovated in 2019.
It offers ultra-luxurious private villas and cottages plus oceanview guest rooms and is set on one of the best beaches, St. Jean Beach, with pristine white sand and gorgeous calm waters. Complimentary equipment is provided for kayaking and paddleboarding. There’s a fabulous spa onsite as well as a fitness center, and guests here get complimentary VIP airport or port transfers.
Belmond Cap Juluca, Anguilla
Nestled along Maundays Bay, the best beach in Anguilla—perhaps the whole Caribbean—Belmond Cap Juluca is a glamorous luxury resort with a distinctive Moroccan look. Completely renovated in 2018, this celebrity favorite has guests who return year after year.
Airy and spacious rooms and suites have private balconies and ocean views; some have rooftop terraces, solariums, or private pools. Swanky private villas offer 2 to 5 bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, private pools, and direct beach access. In addition to the breathtaking white sand beach, the resort also features an infinity pool, a fitness center, and a spa.
Activities include tennis, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving, swimming with turtles, sailing, and more. There’s a kids’ club and nursery if you’re traveling with children. Four restaurants include Cip’s, which is an outpost of the famous Cipriani’s restaurant in Venice; The Main House serving local cuisine; Uchu offering Peruvian fare; and Pimm’s, the resort’s original restaurant (which has been named the most romantic restaurant on the island). Each spot offers al fresco dining and amazing views. There’s also a casual beach bar and food truck; a cocktail lounge; and a bar.
Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands
Rosewood Little Dix Bay is secluded along a stunning stretch of pristine beach in the unspoiled paradise of Virgin Gorda, with jawdropping views of the turquoise Caribbean plus lush green hills. Originally opened by a Rockefeller in the 1960s, it quickly became one of the best Caribbean resorts in the Virgin Islands and was totally renovated after Hurricane Irma.
Rosewood Little Dix Bay has kept its rustic feel and offers “barefoot luxury” in just 79 unique rooms, suites, and villas located either along the beach or elevated in the hills above the resort. All have ocean views, outdoor space, and butler service; some have private pools. This resort is equally popular with couples and families; there is a kids’ club but also plenty of private and romantic spots.
Guests enjoy a wide variety of complimentary nonmotorized watersports, tennis and pickleball, bikes, and a fitness center and spa, in addition to day trips to neighboring islands and offsite excursions. There are two pools including a beautiful freeform pool overlooking the water, as well as 4 restaurants and bars (including a famous beach bar/cafe).
Sandals Grenada
Often considered the best of all the Sandals resorts in the Caribbean, the adults-only all-inclusive Sandals Grenada Resort and Spa is one of the best Caribbean resorts for honeymoons and romantic vacations. The free honeymoon package includes a bottle of chilled sparkling wine, special turndown service with flower petals on your bed the first evening, fresh flowers, and a decadent breakfast in bed one morning of your choice.
Set on 17 acres along exclusive Pink Gin Beach and just minutes from the airport, the grounds feature tropical gardens, pools with waterfalls and lagoons, and romantic hideaways tucked away where couples can soak up the peace and quiet.
Sandals Grenada offers just 225 luxurious villa-style accommodations. Even the least expensive rooms include private patios and hot tubs, while the ultra-glam Skypool Suites feature private infinity plunge pools, outdoor dining areas, and butler service. There are 5 pools, 10 gourmet restaurants, and a wide variety of complimentary activities on land and sea, including snorkeling and scuba diving trips.
As at every Sandals, practically everything is included in your rate: all meals and snacks, all drinks (including premium liquors and Robert Mondavi wines), all nonmotorized watersports and land activities (including a full fitness center and instruction for everything except scuba), nightly entertainment, WiFi, airport transfers, and all tips and taxes. An onsite spa offers indulgent services for an extra fee. There are also plenty of Sandals Grenada excursions to choose from.
Hermitage Bay, Antigua
Hermitage Bay is an exclusive Caribbean resort with just 30 cottages along a remote stretch of beach in Antigua. Guests get amazing views of the sunset from their private decks (and the resort’s main infinity pool). Honeymooners will love the suites with private plunge pool for extra privacy.
Complimentary watersports include paddleboarding and snorkeling. If these aren’t your thing though, worry not! You can step inside and learn the secrets of Caribbean cooking with free culinary classes. There’s also a secluded spa and a gym area as well as yoga classes along the beach.
The beachfront restaurant offers open-air dining and a rotating menu that blends Western influences with the traditional flavors of Antigua using fresh local ingredients including produce from the resort’s organic garden. In the evenings, local steel drum, jazz, and calypso bands play so you can dance.
Secrets Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Tucked away in the gated community of Cap Cana on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic, Secrets Cap Cana is known for its warm staff, excellent service, and delicious food.
Rooms at this adults-only all-inclusive Caribbean resort feature modern tropical décor. Suites come with private balconies or terraces with soaking tubs plus marble bathrooms with two rain showers; you can also choose swim-out suites. Upgraded rooms include ocean-front swim-out bungalow suites and access to a private lounge, exclusive pool, enhanced concierge service, and afternoon hors d’ouevres.
Relax on the sugar-white sands of Juanillo Beach, snorkel in the clear blue Caribbean, or enjoy an ocean view from the infinity pool. There are also two outdoor hot tubs. If you want to explore the area, there are plenty of excursions to choose from.
Feast on a variety of flavors from French and Italian to Mexican and fresh seafood to Pan Asian at 9 restaurants and a coffee shop and enjoy 6 bars including a beach bar, a swim-up bar, a theater bar, and a music lounge.
Iberostar Grand Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Iberostar Grand Bavaro is part of a massive complex resort complex in beautiful Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The lavish grounds live up to the Spanish-based chain’s reputation for opulent architectural design with high domed ceilings, Greco-Roman-inspired white pillars, and lush gardens. The marble bathrooms are just as palatial, with deep bathtubs and French doors.
The all-inclusive rate at this top-rated adults-only Punta Cana resort includes butler service, huge private furnished terraces, and in-room whirlpool tubs. Guests at Iberostar Grand Bavaro will also enjoy a complimentary golf package with their stay that includes unlimited rounds of golf and free transfers to and from the course.
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
This adults-only all-inclusive Caribbean resort is set within the gated community of Cap Cana along the wide white sands of Juanillo Beach. Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana offers an astonishing array of amenities, including a water park with lazy river and water slides, infinity pools with swim-up bars, a full fitness center, and 25 restaurants and bars.
The stunning underground spa features a Himalayan Salt Lounge, a hydrotherapy pool with a waterfall and a skylight, and a quartz therapy table along with the usual spa services.
Spacious and sleek suites feature pops of bright color, ocean views, private balconies, and jetted tubs. There are swim-up suites available. Guests here enjoy a variety of activities including yoga classes, watersports, and nightly entertainment, as well as area excursions and nearby golf.
Sandals Royal Plantation, Jamaica
One of the top-rated Sandals resorts, Sandals Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios small, intimate, and romantic. Each of the 74 rooms at this adults-only all-inclusive resort overlook the ocean and come with the 24-hour services of a personal butler.
The resort features two beaches on private coves of white sand with beach service, plus two pools and a whirlpool. As at all Sandals resorts, you also get a wide variety of complimentary watersports including scuba diving, as well as land activities.
There are 5 gourmet restaurants plus English afternoon tea served on the terrace and several bars including a champagne and caviar bar. What makes a stay at here extra special is that you also have access to all the facilities and activities—and 16 restaurants—of nearby Sandals Ochi. This gives you the best of both worlds.
This is also one of the best Sandals resorts for golf. Guests get complimentary greens fees to an 18-hole golf course that offers incredible views of the mountains and ocean. It takes about 15 minutes to get there from the resort, and transportation is complimentary.
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya, Mexico
The adults-only all-inclusive Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is set on the white sands of Akumal Beach (which has been voted one of the top ten beaches in Mexico). The calm Caribbean waters here and a native sea turtle population make this one of the best Caribbean resorts for snorkelers.
The grounds are spectacular as well, featuring paths that wind through tropical landscaping. Suites here are spacious, and most offer sea views from their private balconies or terraces. They also come with whirlpool tubs for two. You can also book a swim-out suite.
There are 8 restaurants, 5 bars, nightlife, 3 pools, 2 hot tubs, a fitness center, a spa, and activities such as non-motorized water sports, tennis, archery, bike tours, dance classes, and Spanish lessons. Golfers get complimentary greens fees at a nearby golf course. You can also take area excursions.
Cayo Espanto Island Resort, Belize
Cayo Espanto is a private island resort just off the coast of San Pedro, Belize. This secluded resort, with its lush natural setting and just a handful of accommodations, is an ideal tropical escape for couples—one that allows you to feel as though you have the whole island to yourselves.
For the ultimate privacy, book the exclusive over-the-water bungalow, Casa Ventanas, with water access from a private deck and incredible views. The world’s second-largest barrier reef system is nearby if you like to dive or snorkel. You can also enjoy fishing, non-motorized water sports, or tours of Mayan ruins on the mainland.
Now that you’ve read our picks for the 15 best Caribbean resorts, which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments. And if you need any help planning your Caribbean honeymoon or vacation, feel free to reach out to one of our trusted travel advisors!