Which Caribbean islands and destinations can you still visit in 2018, after the damage hurricanes Irma and Maria left behind?

Hurricanes hit the Caribbean region every year or so. But in 2017, two of the deadliest hurricanes hit some of the most idyllic — and tourism-dependent — destinations.

The weeks are going by, and some of the damaged islands are recovering quickly, others more slowly, while some islands are now almost uninhabitable.

For us, Americans and Canadians, it means one of our favorite regions in the world has been taken away from us. Being so close to home, and offering heavenly landscapes, luxury resorts, stunning wildlife, adrenaline filled activities and finger-licking cuisines, the Caribbean has always been one of the best destinations in the world.

How about now? What are the best Caribbean Destinations to visit in 2018, after the hurricanes Irma and Maria?

The Low-Down about the Hurricanes Irma and Maria

From August 30 to September 16, 2017, category 5 hurricane Irma hits the Caribbean. On its path, Irma’s strong winds reached 185 miles per hour and kill a total of 134 persons. The damage costs are over $64.66 billion US dollars, and it is unofficially ranked #4 costliest hurricane.

Before the Caribbean could even catch its breath, another category 5 hurricane, this one named Maria, hits the region from September 16 to October 3, 2017, with winds as strong as 175 miles per hour. As of November 13, a total of 129 fatalities have been recorded (direct and indirect) and the damage cost reaches over $51.2 billion US dollars. It is the costliest hurricane in Puerto Rico’s history.

As we all watched those two deadly hurricanes destroy everything on their way, we felt powerless.

The weeks have passed, and now we are all wondering what we can do to help. Because in reality, we are talking about real people: dads, moms, kids, even babies, who lost their homes, lost all their belongings, lost their lives. We all want to help, and quite frankly, we are a very bad human being if we don’t care about those people and don’t want to help them, in our own way.

How can we help?

The best way to help the Caribbean is to visit the Caribbean.

All the destinations that were hit by the hurricanes were planning to welcome a certain amount of tourists and travelers, and the money that comes along with it.

In fact, most of the Caribbean’s economy relies on tourism. Part of the devastated islands’ recovery will be tied to how quickly visitors reappear.

If most of us, as travelers, we choose other destinations than the Caribbean, then people will lose their jobs, families won’t have money to pay the rent and kids will go to bed hungry at night.

Yes, we can truly help the Caribbean by visiting the Caribbean. And by the way, have you ever imagined a more pleasant way to help the ones in need?

Still, traveling and going on a vacation is precious time and money for us, so we want to help but also choose our destination wisely.

Here’s the truth about the Caribbean destinations that were severely damaged, the ones that already recovered and the ones that were never even touched.

This list is updated frequently. Last update on November 27, 2017.

The Caribbean destinations that were severely damaged

Here are the Caribbean destinations that were very severely damaged and that cannot fully welcome tourists yet. Some parts of those islands are OK, while other parts are still recovering.

Please visit the official destination or more particularly hotel’s websites to know more details about their recovery and open to business status.

Anguilla

Anguilla is bouncing back from Hurricane Irma’s devastation and is on the road to full recovery. Many hotels and guesthouses are open for business. Plans are underway to rebuild the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport and Blowing Point ferry terminal, which were both severely damaged during the hurricane.

Barbuda

Barbuda, with its 1,600 residents, was destroyed by the hurricane which passed directly over the small island: 1 person died and 90% of homes were destroyed. Barbuda’s hotel infrastructure was also damaged.

Antigua, on the other hand, has been mostly spared by the hurricanes.

The British Virgin Islands (including Tortola)

Commercial airline flights have resumed to the British Virgin Islands at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.

The Tortola Pier Park’s cruise and shopping facility are on the track of getting restored. The BVI ferry companies (Road Town Fast Ferry and Native Son) have resumed operations between the BVI and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas). Also, many sea charters have also announced that they will resume operations in the winter season.

Still, most impacted land facilities remain unavailable.

Dominica

Access roads to nature-based tourist sites have been damaged and remain closed until repair work is complete. Thirty-five percent of reefs at dive sites were damaged, and all of Dominica’s nine dive operators remain closed with most not expected to reopen before January.

Still, LIAT Airlines and Seaborne have resumed commercial flights to Dominica, operating at limited capacity. According to the Dominica Tourism Board, 32 of the country’s 73 hotels or resorts suffered moderate damage and are available to operate “now or in the near future.” Another 27 properties were severely damaged or destroyed.

L’Express des Iles fast ferry service is operating daily between Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia. Water restoration is ongoing and truck-borne water continues to be distributed to the communities without a supply. A number of properties have reopened to visitors and guests.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s tourism sector is in rebound mode. Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is fully operational with scheduled domestic and international flights. The San Juan harbor has resumed operations and more than 80 properties are open, with most taking new reservations.

Tourist sites, including the Puerto Rico Museum of Art in Santurce, the Ponce Museum of Art and San Juan’s Bacardi facility are open. More historic sites are expected to open during the coming weeks.

St. Barts

St. Barts is recovering well after the passage of Hurricane Irma. Flights resumed at Gustaf III Airport on October 1. Electricity, water, and telecommunication systems are up and running throughout the island. Debris has been cleared from the roadways and all roads are fully accessible. Still, most hotels are still recovering and aren’t open for business.

Sint Maarten/St. Martin

The Princess Juliana International Airport opened to commercial flights on October 10. Debris removal from roadways and beaches is ongoing. Electricity continues to be restored across the island.

US Virgin Islands including St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix

The U.S. Virgin Islands is getting back to the business of welcoming visitors to its shores following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The airports on St. Croix and St. Thomas are now open to commercial flights, and one of the flagship hotels on the island of St. Croix, The Buccaneer, has announced it is accepting reservations for leisure guests arriving on or after November 1. Seaport facilities are also open, and the Territory is looking forward to welcoming cruise visitors since November 11. Debris clean-up on roadways and beaches is ongoing.

The Caribbean destinations that have already recovered

Antigua

Antigua has been mostly spared by the hurricanes. Antigua is reporting it is open for business with excursions, tour operators, restaurants and hotels welcoming visitors.

Cuba

Varadero has fully recovered from the hurricanes (I know, I was there 3 weeks ago!), while Cayo Coco’s airport, The Jardines del Rey international airport, has resumed operations.

Dominican Republic

The hurricanes didn’t make direct hits on the Dominican Republic and any minor damage was cleaned up within a week or so. 

The Bahamas

Parts of the southern islands were more severely damaged. As of today, the majority of hotels and resorts throughout The Islands of The Bahamas are operating as usual.

Turks and Caicos

The Turks and Caicos Islands are making a strong and speedy recovery following the passage of Hurricane Irma. Hurricane Maria did little to delay the rebuilding, and additional damage was minimal across most of the Turks and Caicos’ east islands. South Caicos, Grand Turk and Salt Cay aren’t fully functional yet though.

The Caribbean destinations that were spared

Having been spared a direct hit by Hurricane Irma and/or Maria, these Caribbean destinations didn’t suffer damage to their infrastructure and are ready to welcome guests now and in the upcoming winter season. 

• Aruba
  

  Eagle Beach, Aruba

• Barbados
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Bonaire
• Cayman Islands
• Curaçao
• Guadeloupe
• Guyana
• Grenada
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Martinique
  

  Man-O-War Cay, Abaco, The Bahamas

• Mexico
• Montserrat
• Nevis
• Saba
• St. Eustatius
• St. Kitts
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago

As you can see, most of the Caribbean region has remained untouched by the hurricanes’ devastation.

The Caribbean destinations still without the Zika Virus

As you can read in my article Discover Zika Free Caribbean Islands, 5 destinations are still not infected with the Zika virus: Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Barts (Saint Barthélemy).

So if you are looking for the ultimate Caribbean destination to visit in 2018, which are the safest (without the Zika virus) and most pristine (that is 100% recovered or hasn’t been touched by hurricanes), here are the 4 ultimate Caribbean destinations to visit in 2018:

The 4 ultimate Caribbean destinations to visit in 2018

• Bermuda
• Cayman Islands
• Guadeloupe
• Martinique

If you choose one of those 4 countries, you are assured of the best conditions to enjoy your vacation… well, that’s quickly said. It doesn’t mean everything will be perfect, and maybe another Caribbean island would be a better fit for your interests. Finally, you won’t have the satisfaction of helping the ones in need.

Only you can decide which Caribbean destination you’ll choose for 2018, and what motivates you.

Where were you planning to go this Winter?