Cayman Islands in Panamerican World’s 10 best Caribbean islands

From PanamericanWorld

Puerto Rico is the best island in the Caribbean.

If you’re planning a tropical getaway, the Caribbean islands are a gold mine of beauty, seclusion, and adventure.

Even though all the Caribbean islands are beautiful, some are better than others. So we decided to rank them.

We figured that the best islands would have a low cost, be easy to get to, and have beautiful beaches and lots of activities. In most instances, we defined a Caribbean island as a single country, republic, or territory in the Caribbean.

To rank these islands, we factored in each island’s average hotel room cost, according to Hotels.com; the distance from New York City; the number of attractions listed on TripAdvisor; and the amount of coastline per square kilometer, which we called the beach density score.

10. US VIRGIN ISLANDS

Flickr/viajor

Distance from NYC: 4 hours and 31 minutes

Average hotel room cost: $262/night

Made up of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, this Caribbean island archipelago is home to 185 attractions. Although it has a low beach density score of 0.1, the US Virgin Islands boasts two Travelers’ Choice-winning beaches: Trunk Bay and Magens Bay.

9. JAMAICA

Flickr/dbraaten

Distance from NYC: 3 hours and 45 minutes

Average hotel room cost: $226/night

Whether you’re looking to kick up your adrenaline in the great outdoors or just chill out under some palm trees, Jamaica has something for everyone. It has a low beach density score of 0.09, but 164 attractions, including the Blue Mountains and a Bob Marley Museum.

8. ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

Flickr/grace-and-peace

Distance from NYC: 4 hours and 10 minutes

Average hotel room cost: $221/night

Sister-islands St. Kitts and Nevis have a high beach density score of 0.52 and 71 attractions to choose from. A hidden gem of the Caribbean, the republic’s 38-acre Brimstone Hill Fortress and Clay Villa Plantation House & Gardens are as breathtaking as they are historic.

7. CAYMAN ISLANDS

Flickr/katiethebeau

Distance from NYC: 3 hours and 50 minutes

Average hotel room cost: $294/night

Perhaps best known for their offshore bank accounts, the Cayman Islands have so much more to offer. Made up of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, the islands boast world-class diving, gourmet restaurants, and the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. They have 151 attractions and a high beach density score of 0.61.

6. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

GoDominicanRepublic.com

Distance from NYC: 3 hours and 40 minutes

Average hotel room cost: $193/night

Despite having the lowest beach density score on this list (0.03), the Dominican Republic blows away other islands because of its accessibility, affordable hotel rooms, and 219 attractions. Bavaro Beach, Macao Beach, and Paradise Island & The Mangroves all made TripAdvisor’s list of the top 25 beaches in the Caribbean.

5. CURAÇAO

Flickr/navin75

Distance from NYC: 4 hours and 30 minutes

Average hotel room cost: $190/night

Curaçao is the destination for serious divers. More casual beachgoers will find heaven on its sugar-fine sands; the island has the third highest beach density score on this list (0.82). The hidden inlet Kenepa Beach and Curaçao Underwater Marine Park are among its 61 attractions.

4. ST. MARTIN – SINT MAARTEN

Flickr/alljengi

Distance from NYC: 3 hours and 55 minutes

Average hotel room cost: $267/night

The perfect marriage of French and Dutch cultures, St. Martin and Sint Maarten are two different colonies on one island. There are no border patrols or customs separating the colonies, so tourists can enjoy the best of both worlds — including their 44 combined attractions. The island has a very high beach density score of 1.09.

3. SAINT BARTHÉLEMY

Flickr/gadl

Distance from NYC: 5 hours and 5 minutes (no regularly scheduled direct flights)

Average hotel room cost: $305/night

It’s neither the nearest nor the most affordable of the Caribbean islands, but Saint Barthélemy has an absurdly high beach density score of 1.52 — indicating that the coastline is curvaceous and complex. Saint Barths offers17 attractions, including the isolated and sunny Anse du Gouverneur beach and a historic district where the French first settled.

2. BAHAMAS

Flickr/derekskey

Distance from NYC: 2 hours and 55 minutes

Average hotel room cost: $300/night

The Bahamas, which has a moderate beach density score of 0.26, has more to do than anywhere else in the Caribbean. The island chain’s pristine beaches, golf, duty-free shopping, gambling, nature parks, and 368 total attractions ensure there’s something for everyone. The capital city of Nassau on New Providence Island is a must-visit.

1. PUERTO RICO

Flickr/breezy421

Distance from NYC: 2 hours and 40 minutes

Average hotel room cost: $187/night

Located in the balmy northeast of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is without a doubt the easiest island to access — which is good news, because you’ll want to visit again and again. There are 348 attractions to choose from, including the Spanish colonial district of San Juan and the rainforests’ ziplining parks. Despite having a low beach density score of 0.04, the island’s Flamenco Beach is considered one of the best in the world, according to TripAdvisor.

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