A Caribbean weekend getaway is bliss. Find idyllic island beaches, soaring verdant mountains, countless shades of sea blues, warm sunshine, and inviting and distinct culture and cuisine.
Here, we take a look at six Caribbean and Caribbean-adjacent destinations that are perfect for an exceptional weekend vacation. Don’t blame us if you find yourself wanting to stay a while.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Bermuda
Though technically not in the Caribbean, a quick flight from the East Coast delivers you to this British island territory, famous for its pink-sand beaches and breathtaking turquoise seas. A weekend is plenty of time to discover all of Bermuda‘s 21 square miles, or focus in on one area to experience the island at a slower pace.
While in Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda, you can explore the city and island’s rich history. Start with a tour of Fort Hamilton, a former British Garrison built in 1870. Dive deeper into the island’s history at the National Museum of Bermuda, which details over 500 years of the island and its cultural heritage. Find even more history in St. George’s, considered the first permanent English settlements in America, at Fort St. Catherine — a 17th century seaside fort now home to a museum of Bermuda’s history.
Outdoor enthusiasts will want to make their way to Southampton, where plenty of golf courses, boat tours, and scuba diving outfitters await for delights on land or under the sea. Whichever route you choose, be sure to take time to spread out a towel on the beach at Horseshoe Bay — where Bermuda’s famous pink sands sparkle in the sunshine.
Aruba
The Dutch Caribbean isle is part of the ABC Islands, along with Bonaire and Curaçao, but the list of things to see and do in Aruba spans from A to Z — and beyond.
Gorgeous beaches are everywhere in this Caribbean weekend getaway hotspot, like Palm Beach, featuring private cabanas and palapas (shaded huts); Hadicurari Beach, a popular windsurfing spot; and Arashi Beach, with glassy-calm water and gentle surf.
Arikok National Park in the island’s northeast encompasses more than 7,900 acres, or approximately 20 percent of all of Aruba. The park holds rugged coastline and sand dunes, and features spanning the volcanic (Hooiberg Mountain) and aquatic (the Natural Pool, known as “Conchi” on-island).
Sunset is always a celebration on Aruba. To take it all in, venture to the California Lighthouse, which offers 360-degree views of the island, or opt for a sunset sail on a catamaran to be on the water when the sun disappears below the horizon.
Jamaica
Jamaica is a star Caribbean weekend getaway for a reason, with standout music, cuisine, and drinks that are popular on the world stage.
A terrific place to start a weekend vacation in Jamaica is in Kingston, the island’s capital. Find the Bob Marley Museum in the reggae musician’s former home in the heart of the city, and one of the Caribbean’s largest art collections at the National Gallery of Jamaica. When night falls, check out Kingston DubClub, a popular reggae dance hall that is sure to provide a good time.
On the Negril side of the island, visit the famed Seven Mile beach to soak in the Caribbean sun, swim in the warm sea, and laze the day away.
Make time to see Montego Bay, about an hour and a half from Negril and four hours from Kingston. Spend some hours on the white-sand Doctor’s Cave Beach, and visit the Montego Bay Cultural Centre to dive deep into the island’s history and fight for emancipation.
Panama City, Panama
The green and blue waters lapping the shores of Panama City give the cosmopolitan city Caribbean energy. However, the city is framed by the Pacific Ocean and the Canal de Panamá, or the Panama Canal, which links it to the Caribbean.
Speaking of the canal, exploring the waterway is a terrific way to start a weekend here. Opened in 1914, the canal is integral to Panama City’s economy and industry. Spend hours passing through all six of the original locks, from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean and learning about the canal’s history and impact on a global scale. For education on land, visit the Museo del Canal (Canal Museum).
Take in stunning architecture and a view of the country’s biodiversity in the eye-catching, Frank Gehry–designed Biomuseo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with maps and artifacts telling of the island’s environmental and cultural history and diversity. Discover some of the island’s marine life and land-mammals like sloths at the Smithsonian Institution’s Punta Culebra Nature Center.
Meander through Casco Viejo, the city’s oldest neighborhood, which also happens to be its hippest, with plenty of boutiques, galleries, and cafés that lure you right in.
San Jose, Costa Rica
San José has Caribbean and Pacific vibes, mountain influences, and enticing cultural heritage, nearly right the middle of Costa Rica.
Within the heart of the city is Parque Metropolitano La Sabana, a sprawling green space excellent for people watching. If you’re visiting during the season, you may be able to catch a fútbol (soccer) match at the National Stadium, which is inside the park’s boundaries. The Costa Rican Museum of Art and the Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle (La Salle Natural Science Museum) are some other must-sees within the park.
In contrast to all of the green space is the city’s stunning collection of preserved and restored colonial buildings in Barrio Amón. Keep your eyes up, you won’t want to miss any of the architectural details.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta — PV to those in the know — has crystal-clear blue-green waves like the Caribbean Sea (though it’s on the Pacific). Adding to this seaside ambience are bright plazas, tiled rooftops, and draping plants.
Get a feel for Puerto Vallarta while walking along the Malecón, a wide promenade lined with palm trees that winds along the beach from the downtown area to Old Vallarta. You won’t be alone on your stroll — bronze statues cast by local artists are dotted along the route, and boutiques and restaurants will draw you in.
Stroll over a bridge to Isla Cuale, an island in the middle of the Cuale River with a flea market featuring stalls of clothing and art by local artists.
The beach life is the way of life in PV, and the surrounding region is flush with options. In town, there’s a sandy beach spilling off of the Malecón. For something a little quieter, Playa Amapas is set amid jungle flora and jagged rock formations.
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