6 Amazing Hotels to Plan a Caribbean or Latin American Road Trip Around

The relatively compact islands of the Caribbean and Latin America’s spectacular landscapes make for fertile grounds for getting in the car and setting out on a road trip to remember.

Whether you’re visiting a fascinating little island like Aruba or hitting the road for multiday adventures through the rainforests and surf towns of Puerto Rico or Costa Rica, this part of the world is full of vibrant cultures and beautiful scenery to explore.

Come along on six great Latin American and Caribbean road trips close to properties you’ll be delighted to return to once the driving day is done.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

JW Marriott El Convento Cusco

A road trip from Cusco north into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit enchanting towns like Urubamba and Ollantaytambo makes for one of Peru’s most inspiring journeys. The scenery, the cuisine, the llamas — they’ll all take your breath away.

Luckily, Cusco is made for kicking back, and the boutique-style JW Marriott El Convento Cusco, in the middle of historic Cusco, makes doing just that intuitive with its decadent spa complete with a private indoor pool.

The hotel rooms and suites are also enriched with oxygen to make it easier to adapt to the town’s dizzying altitude (11,150 feet), too.

The Westin Porto de Galinhas, an All-Inclusive Resort

Northeastern Brazil’s Cocoa Coast brims with biodiversity and beautiful beaches that you can easily explore with The Westin Porto de Galinhas, an All-Inclusive Resort as your comfortable and scenic base of operations.

Once you pull yourself away from the spectacular Atlantic Ocean views at the property, venture north to Cabo de Santo Agostinho’s incredible beaches, including Praia das Calhetas and Praia de Gaibu, where chalk white sands are kissed by turquoise waves.

Just south of the hotel, make time to visit the Piscinas Naturais de Porto de Galinhas, a natural pool right along the beach that makes for another idyllic swimming spot.

W Punta de Mita

On a road trip north from the cobblestone streets of pretty Puerto Vallarta, the next natural stop is the spectacularly scenic peninsula of Punta Mita.

You’ll want to make the W Punta de Mita your ultimate check-in for oceanfront relaxation like only the best spots along the Mexican coast can deliver. (Picture it: You, margaritas and views.)

Spend your day under a palapa sipping something frosty while spooning up ceviche. And set your road trip sights just north of the peninsula, too, to soak up bohemian beach vibes and artsy surf town style in the pretty little palm-lined hamlet of Sayulita.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico

Lush doesn’t begin to describe The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico, towering with mature palms and set on an erstwhile coconut plantation on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico. Enjoy strolls along the hotel’s two miles of private beachfront or chill in a poolside cabana.

The resort is perfectly positioned for road-tripping to Old San Juan’s quaint restaurants and historic fort, just west, or into El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the national forest system, where nighttime nature walks to listen to coqui frogs and see fireflies are pure magic.

The surfing beaches of Fajardo are just south along the coast when the road calls again.

W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal

Guanacaste province, along the northwest coast of Costa Rica and bordered by the Pacific Ocean, treats travelers to landscapes that mix tropical dry forests teeming with birdlife with some of the country’s best surf beaches and towns, including spots that are legendary among board riders, like Playa Hermosa and Tamarindo.

You’re ideally positioned for a surf-centric road trip to both of those spots, as well as to Guanacaste National Park and Santa Rosa National Park — with their cloud forests, waterfalls, volcanoes and incredible hiking trails — when you stay at W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal.

The uberstylish hotel fronts the sands of stunning Playa Conchal, with rooms overlooking the treetop canopy and deep-blue Pacific Ocean.

Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort

Aruba offers up a twist on the typical Caribbean road trip, with arid, desertlike landscapes carpeted with more cactuses than palm trees. Settle in for a stay at the exceptional Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort in the island’s mellow capital of Oranjestad, close to Eagle Beach and Palm Beach.

Spend some time on the resort’s private island or in its casino, and then make it your road trip mission to see Aruba’s less-developed northeastern side, also known as the Wild Side.

You’ll want to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle to make the most of forays along cactus-lined trails to reach remote cliffs, the ruins of a gold mill, and Arikok National Park, where the swimming hole at Natural Pool — right at the ocean’s edge and a visual parfait of endless shades of sapphire — makes for an unforgettable spot for a swim.

Hitting the road soon? Use Road Trip Search* to book hotels along your route, find pet-friendly properties, on-site EV charging, and more – only on the Marriott Bonvoy® App. Download today.

*Road Trip Search feature only available on iOS.