Why You Should Visit These 3 Lesser Known Caribbean Destinations This Winter

Last Updated 2 months ago

The Caribbean is an incredibly popular winter vacation destination and a great place to escape for winter sun and relaxation.

This means that many Caribbean islands and destinations can feel uncomfortably busy during the winter months with crowds of tourists and inflated prices.

Belize Cayes - Small tropical island at Barrier Reef with paradise beach - known for diving, snorkeling and relaxing vacations - Caribbean Sea, Belize, Central America

Here’s why you should visit these 3 lesser-known Caribbean destinations this winter instead:

Barbuda

Barbuda is better known as the second island in the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, but it is Antigua that gets the most attention and the most visitors.

This is probably because Barbuda is harder to access, but it’s worth making the effort to travel to this breathtakingly beautiful island

The most popular way to get to Barbuda is by high-speed ferry, which departs from Antique and takes around 90 minutes costing $85.

Barbuda has a much smaller population than Antigua, with just over 900 full-time residents on the island and it is virtually untouched by tourism. There is no resort on the island and just a handful of small hotels.

Despite these challenges, Barbuda is named as the most unspoiled island in the world to visit.

Much of the island is covered in wild bush, which attracts a wide array of wildlife. Barbuda is home to the world’s largest colony of frigate birds.

Perhaps one of the most iconic attractions in Barbuda is its 17-mile-long pink sand Lady Diana Beach. Here you can swim in crystal clear water without worrying about crowds of tourists destroying the calm and quiet atmosphere.

Even if you don’t stay in Barbuda it is well worth taking a day trip from Antigua to this beautiful island.

Andros

Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas. It has a greater area than all of the other 70 Bahaman islands combined.

But despite its size it is also one of the least visited Bahaman Island and is considered its best-kept secret.

The emerald waters of Andros Island glisten beneath an idyllic sky

Andros is a vast and green island that is perfect for adventure travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the most popular adventures enjoyed on the island include world-class scuba diving, and deep-sea and fly fishing.

Unlike Barbuda it is much easier to stay on Andros. The island is home to a variety of seaside lodges and beachfront resorts that offer a warm island welcome.

Andros Island is divided into distinct and separate areas: north, central, south Andros, and Mangrove Cay. To travel from one end of the island to the other you will have to travel by either air or boat which only adds to the remote feel.

A blue hole near the shore in Andros Bahamas

Perhaps the most famous attraction on the island is The Black Hole of South Andros. The entrance to this cave is the largest found in the Bahamas.

Andros is also home to many blue holes which both divers and snorkelers can explore. There are more blue holes in Andros than anywhere else on Earth.

Belize

Unlike the other destinations on this list Belize is not an island. Instead it is bordered by Mexico to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the East.

Despite its close proximity to Mexico, Belize is lesser known and receives considerably fewer tourists.

Belize is a relatively small country that is famous for its incredible natural beauty and its rich history. Travelers can hike to Mayan temples or swim in warm Caribbean waters.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site to protect the reef and the huge number of natural wonders that call it home.

The Mask Temple in Mayan city of Lamanai, Belize

Visitors keen to learn more about Mayan history without crowds should also consider Belize. The ancient Maya city of Caracol is nestled between the jungle and mountains in the country and is one of Belize’s best-preserved archaeological sites.

Visitors can explore temples, pyramids, and tombs without crowds of tourists to spoil the experience. This makes Belize a bucket list destination for history lovers and adventure travelers alike.

How To Easily Earn Points For Free Travel

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com