To help you figure out where to take your kids on holidays to the Caribbean, I’ve compiled a list of the best Caribbean islands for families.
Since I became a mother, I’ve become a strong advocate for family travel. Travel can do wonders for kids: it brings a sense of adventure and a break from routine to both parents and kids. Travel teaches kids things that they can never learn from school. On the road, kids learn to be adaptable, curious and adventurous.
But choosing the right destination can make or break your family trip. It’s important to consider your children’s needs, but it’s equally important to visit a place that interests you.
We have brought our two-year-old daughter to over 20 countries now, and for some reason, we keep returning to the Caribbean. Perhaps it’s because the islands are so easy to travel with kids, and their beaches and weather are oh so welcoming. The laid back vibes and slow Carib lifestyle always make us feel relaxed and welcomed.
That said, we’re not the type of family who spend all our time in an all-inclusive resort and not go out to explore. We love driving around, beach hopping, scuba diving, hiking in jungles and discovering new areas. We like being active and we often source out exciting new activities that both us and our daughter will enjoy.
To help you figure out where to take your kids on holidays to the Caribbean, I’ve compiled a list of the best Caribbean islands for families. I looked into things like safety, weather, cost, activities for everyone and how easy it is to find holidays deals to these islands. I’ve personally been to all of these Caribbean islands and can assure you that these islands below make the best travel destinations for your family. Enjoy your Caribbean holiday!
READ MORE: Why Travel with Kids
Best Caribbean Islands for Families
Dominican Republic
Miles and miles of powdery white sand and spearmint blue water: the Dominican Republic is just as dreamy as I’d imagined. Last summer, we spent two weeks exploring the Caribbean nation with our two-year-old daughter Kaleya, driving all over the country and also taking the opportunity to travel to Haiti. It was the perfect summer trip: with a dosage of sun and sea, visits to its fascinating colonial towns, and even some adventure in the jungles and caves of Dominican Republic.
Unknown to many, Dominican Republic is a lot more than just beautiful beaches — the country is also home to a flurry of historical colonial cities, vast rainforests and pristine waterfalls. There are plenty of things to do for kids of all ages, and the great infrastructure in the country means it’s easy to get around and explore without worrying for your kids’s safety.
As compared to other parts of the Caribbean that we’ve been, the DR is rather affluent and most beach towns are relaxed, calm and safe. Traveling Dominican Republic with Kids is absolutely easy and you’ll feel very welcomed as locals have a warm attitude towards kids. Everyone stops to say hi to Kaleya, and most hotels and restaurants are more than willing to accommodate young children. Whether your kids are two or 14, they’ll surely love the tropical weather, beautiful beaches and lush green nature in the Dominican Republic.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Dominican Republic:
Go beach-hopping in Punta Cana, whale watching off the Samana Peninsula, caving or zip lining in Scape Park or snorkelling around the island of Saona — there’s no way your kids will get bored! While Dominican Republic can be packed with tourists, there’s no shortage of kids-oriented adventure parks and attractions here. If your kids are into adventure, sign them up for a lesson at the Macao Surf Camp, book a dune buggy tour of the Dominican countryside, or go rappelling and tubing in Dominican Republic’s largest natural caves, the Fun Fun Cave. Santo Domingo is also a really cool, historical town worth spending a few days in — don’t forget to visit the Museo Infantil Trampolin, which has an interesting guided tour for children aged 2-12.
READ MORE: Traveling Dominican Republic with Kids
Jamaica
Smooth like rum and hot like a spicy plate of jerk, Jamaica got me hooked almost right from the start. The media might call it dangerous but the worst crime you’re likely to encounter is having your heart stolen. This island sure has personality and you’ll find lots of it whether you’re on the beach, exploring towns or simply liming with locals.
For nature lovers, the luscious island is blanketed in endless rainforests and coffee plantations. It boasts hundreds of waterfalls hidden amidst the verdant greenery (just how many waterfalls can one country have???). Let’s not forget its miles and miles of coastlines that are fringed by crystalline waters and sandy beaches — most of which are empty of tourists. And if you’re a music lover, you’ll love the reggae music parties often found on the beaches of Jamaica at sunset.
Traveling Jamaica with kids is not just fun, but also easy and enjoyable. You can easily drive all over the island in two weeks, exploring every nook and cranny, stopping at empty beaches, eating street-side jerk chicken, and watching the sun set over the mountains. Kaleya loves the outdoors and animals, and Jamaica has both in abundance.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Jamaica:
Some of the best places to visit in Jamaica are Mayfield Falls and Dunn’s River Falls, both of which have cascading waterfalls and small lagoons that most kids would love. We also really enjoyed Blue Lagoon, the secret beach at Frenchman’s Cove, and the amazing jerk chicken at Boston Bay. Another area that outdoor-loving families would enjoy is the Blue Mountains, home to coffee plantations and some of the island’s best hiking trails. For those with bigger kids, I highly recommend going bobsledding at the Kool Runnings Adventure Park. And don’t miss Rick’s Cafe for its daily reggae music performances – our daughter really enjoyed herself there!
READ MORE: Best Things to Do in Jamaica with Kids
Cuba
There’s nowhere else quite like Cuba. Since the US trade embargo was implemented almost 50 years ago, Cuba has been kept in a 1950s time warp, isolating it from many modern developments. Coming here almost feels like stepping into a different era: American-made classic cars line the city’s cobbled streets, colossal churches loom over Art Deco buildings, while locals line up for their rations in crumbling, 18th century buildings.
In old Havana, almost every street seems to have an intriguing story to tell, whether one of colonial heritage, economic hardship or revolutionary change – and sometimes all of these, wrapped up in just one block. In the whimsical colonial town of Trinidad, pastel colored houses topped with terracotta tiled roofs and sky-high bell towers, are backdropped by rolling green hills of the adjacent Valle de los Ingenios and the indigo blue Caribbean Sea in the far distance.
Some of you might not agree that Cuba is a family-friendly destination, but I beg to differ. Because of the unique old-worldliness and their warm and vibrant culture, Cuba is one of my favourite places in the world and I think it’s perfect for adventurous families seeking a bit of everything: culture, character, outdoor activities, beach and warm weather!
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Cuba:
Cuba also offers plenty as a destination: you can easily spend a week wandering around Havana and riding around on a classic car, then hop over to the colourful colonial town of Trinidad, or go horse riding and hiking in Viñales, and top it up bumming on the beaches of Varadero. Baseball is a national spot in Cuba and it’s hugely popular; kids can get in on the baseball action head to Parque Central on the edge of Old Havana. You’ll also find music everywhere in Cuba and I’m sure kids will love dancing along live salsa bands as much as the adults do!
READ MORE: 54 Photos of Havana to Inspire Your Trip
St Vincent and Grenadines
Of all the islands on this list, St Vincent and Grenadines is probably the quietest and least touristy Caribbean nation. We traveled all over St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2013, before we had kids, but we could imagine just how suitable this Caribbean nation would be for families. SVG is laid back, slow and very calm — most of the country is dotted with sleepy fishing towns and miles and miles of deserted beaches.
The only big town in St Vincent and Grenadines is Kingstown, which is the political and commercial heart of the archipelago as a whole. The historical town has winding alleys fringed with charming colonial mansions from centuries gone by, countless Gothic church spires looming overhead, and a lively harborside where fishing boats and yachts all coalesce during the high season.
Sailing is big business in St Vincent and the Grenadines, with regattas each year and those world-famous Tobago Cays on the menu. While it may sound like a playground for the rich and famous, you don’t need your own yacht to enjoy SVG. In fact cheap ferries make exploring this archipelago nation independently a breeze and with so many islands to choose from, there’s sure to be one that perfectly meets your needs.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in St Vincent and Grenadines:
Hire a yacht and spend a week or two sailing around the island chain; your kids will thank you for it! If that’s out of your budget, sign up for a catamaran day trip to Tobago Cays and stop over at Union Island on the way. Some kids-friendly things to do in Kingstown include visiting the central market and feasting on local produce and wandering the streets around Heritage Square. Active families with bigger kids can also attempt to climb the 4,028-feet high La Soufriere Volcano.
St Kitts
Swaying coconut trees, sparkling blue water, powdery sand and the sounds of reggae music in the distance: St Kitts is the Caribbean without sun-burnt tourists, all-inclusive resorts, and Señor Frogs. Imagine Barbados 20 years ago and that’s St Kitts – no high-rise hotels, touts nor throngs of crowds. In their place are empty, pristine beaches, tranquil villages, lush green rainforests, and a huge monkey population (bigger than the human population of 35,000!).
What I love about St Kitts is their emphasis on history here. You can learn all about its colonial and slavery history in the capital of Basseterre, where prisons and British architecture can still be seen today. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park also tells lots of stories of the British army that occupied the island. Although there aren’t quite as many choices of family resorts here as other islands, you’ll find many hotels that pay tribute to the island’s history. Many of the old sugar mills have been converted into stylish hotels that are great for families as well.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in St Kitts:
Despite its small size (68 square miles), St Kitts packs a punch especially for active family travelers: you can go hiking in the Phillips Rainforest, zip-lining through the Wingfield forest, and SNUBA diving in the Caribbean Sea. An entertaining way to see the Caribbean island is on the St Kitts Scenic Railway, a 2-hour journey that brings you along the coast and through sugar cane plantations to learn about the island’s history. Another great place for the family to know more about St Kitts’ history is the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a fortress built by African slaves during the Brittish colonial times.
Which of these is your favorite Caribbean island?
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