There are so many beautiful islands in the Caribbean Sea that it seems impossible to visit all of them. Or at least, it will take quite some time for you to discover all the hidden gems.
Of course, there are plenty of wonderful islands worldwide, but we all know that the region of the Caribbean Islands is something special. Not for nothing, it attracts millions of tourists every year.
In this item, we will not discuss the most famous islands, such as those in Aruba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, or Cuba. However, we will show you some secret archipelagos in the Caribean area that not everybody knows.
Here is a list of the best-hidden gems in the Caribbean to explore. So if you are planning to visit an exotic island on your next vacation or don’t know where you should explore next, check this out:
1) Jost Van Dyke – British Virgin Islands
This small but lovely island is the perfect spot to go on a familiar vacation, or if you are solo traveling, you will have a great time interacting with locals there.
As there are less than 400 inhabitants on the island, there won’t be a lot of distractions here. It is a perfect place to walk around, swim in a warm-water sea, and become one with nature.
Furthermore, if you are introverted, this could be your paradise for a few days. You will find peace here, no noise, no loud music, just you and the Caribbean in front. It’s a guarantee that you will want to stay longer. This is a quiet Caribbean island, and way underrated.
Hotel Budget
The best part of visiting Jost? It’s affordable! Expect to spend $99 at the lowest and slightly more than $350 per night. Of course, it will depend on your hotel choice and how much you are willing to pay. Nevertheless, no matter how much you spend on this charming island, it is all worth it.
There are several options to pick the right hotel for you, but you could check out the best options for lodging with Booking.com.
How to get here
You might have never heard about this archipelago before, so you might wonder how to reach this small but fascinating paradise. Well, the only way to get here is by water transportation.
The first way you have is first to arrive at St. Thomas airport, which is the closest terminal to Jost Van Dyke. Once in St. Thomas, you must take a taxi to Red Hook, 25 minutes from the airport.
When you get there, boats to Jost will lead you to start your dream vacation. The journey by boat takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, so make sure you carry some snacks while you are on board.
Another way to get to Jost is by ferry from Great Harbour in Tortola, the capital of the British Virgin Islands. Ferries cross around Jost daily.
What to eat
While you could bring some meals with you, you definitely should try Chicken Roti, which is curried chicken mixed with potatoes and marmalade. Give yourself a chance to taste local food. You will love it!
What to drink
If you finally make it to the island, you have to try the popular Painkiller drink. This kind of cocktail combines coconut cream, mixed orange and pineapple juice, and nutmeg.
Quick tips
There are no ATMs on the island, so please always bring cash with you. The US Dollar is the currency used there. For a better experience in Jost, visit GetYourGuide to see the best tours available.
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2) Saint Kitts – Saint Kitts and Nevis
Such an underrated island, Saint Kitts is another hidden gem for tourists in the Caribbean. This island is just right there waiting for you to explore it. Saint Kitts’ marvelous beaches make this island one of a kind, but you have to pack your things and come to see it by yourself.
The clean water and the kindness of its 40,000 residents will make you feel in heaven. Not only this island offers a beautiful natural view, but also you can see the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This well-conserved Fortress and one of the largest fortifications in the Americas continent, so is not rare to imagine why it attracts hundreds of tourists from all around the world, making it one of the best tropical islands to visit in the world.
Hotel budget
You don’t have to worry much about finding a good hotel in Saint Kitts because, guess what? The island is cheap too! Hotel options range from $96 to $190 per night! It is not bad at all, considering what this island offers. Only confirm your reservation in Saint Kitts, and that’s it.
To learn more about tours and other activities in Saint Kitts, you can visit GetYourGuide.
How to Get Here
The best part is that you can get to St Kitt by direct flights from the United States, Canada, and the European continent. Non-stop flights go to the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport daily. Now you don’t have any excuse not to visit this hidden gem in the Caribbean.
What to eat
Eating the Goat Water Stew is a must-do whenever you visit St Kitts. This dish combines goat, breadfruit, papaya, and dumplings, all mixed with a tomato stock.
What to drink
Golden Apple Drink is the best choice on a hot day in St Kitts. As its name indicates, this beverage is an apple-based drink mixed with water, sugar, and the secret ingredient: ginger, which gives this liquor the reputation it deserves.
Quick tips
St Kitts has a less-known lookalike island, Navis. As Navis is just 3 kilometers away from St Kitts, it is also worth the visit. Besides that, you can glimpse the Carnival held in St Kitts every June to learn more about the country.
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3) Bonaire
Bonaire is one of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) located just 80 km off the coast of Venezuela. However, Bonaire is by far the least popular of the three. Aruba and Curacao attract more visitors yearly because they are larger islands with more varieties for tourism.
Nonetheless, many people don’t know that Bonaire also provides nice alternatives. If you plan a trip to the Caribbean, this could be your opportunity to explore such a fascinating island.
Here you can explore the coral reef on the seashore and try scuba diving and snorkeling. This country is well-known for having 86 dive sites, making Bonaire a shore diving heaven.
Hotel budget
Starting at $75, hotels here are not very expensive. But also expect to pay $96 per night if you are looking for a more relaxed space.
What’s good for Bonaire best is that its neighbors have higher prices overall, with Aruba pricing between $115 to $200 and Curacao $180 to $215 per night in a 3-star hotel.
How to get here
The country is accessible by air to the Flamingo International Airport. You can arrive here from all Latin American countries, Canada, the United States, and Europe.
What to eat
Bonaire is a diverse country thanks to the different cultures that live together here, and that means the food also varies. The most popular dishes are those with seafood, such as lobster and shell meat.
However, you should definitely try the national snack, Pastechis. This deliciousness is a breakable little pastry, stuffed with meats, or even with shrimp or chicken.
They are fried until they are crusty; you can find them everywhere on the island.
What to drink
Maybe Bonaire is not one of the most famous islands, but here you will find the only liquor made from cactus worldwide. Yes, you heard that right. The cactus liquor-based drink is rare and unique at the same time.
In fact, in downtown Kradeljik you can go to The Cadushy Distillery to see how they prepare this unusual drink, and even they can give you a sample. Still, also you find this cactus liquor at bars or restaurants as a mojito. So certainly it is a must-try.
Quick tips
Bonaire is a friendly country, after all. However, crimes do occur once in a blue moon. So make sure not to let anything in view that could be easily stolen. Keep this in mind; better safe than sorry.
Regardless, take your time to relax. You are on an exotic island. Enjoy it as much as you possibly can, and let it flow.
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4) La Tortuga Island – Venezuela
Isolated and waiting for visitors, La Tortuga Island is another underrated Caribbean Island. This archipelago does not get the acclaim it deserves and remains one of the least crowded Caribbean Islands because of the lack of publicity. Just a few kilometers off the coast of Venezuela, La Tortuga will make you fall in love immediately.
With its clean and crystalline water and few people, this is the best spot to find calmness. You may think this is a dangerous place because it is in Venezuela, and if you are aware of what’s going on, you probably know this country has one of the highest crime rates on earth.
But nothing further from reality. This island is far away from all the problems there.
Hotel budget
There aren’t any hotels in La Tortuga, so camping is the best way to stay the night here. You can set up your camping or contact one of the many agencies in Venezuela for only $150 per night. The goal is to make your experience in La Tortuga as unbelievable as possible.
Check out affordable prices for La Tortuga lodging with Booking.com.
How to get there
The fastest way to get to La Tortuga is by lightweight aircraft from Caracas Airport. However, most people decide to go there by boat from Higuerote Port, nearby Caracas, because it is cheaper and you will also experience seeing dolphins throughout the travel.
The journey from Higuerote Port to La Tortuga lasted about 4 hours. And when you finally arrive, you won’t want to quit this place again.
What to eat
No matter what agency you choose, they all offer three meals plus snacks. So you will enjoy the amazing white sand and the mind-blowing clean water while eating some arepas, and fish with fried plantain.
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What to drink
If you drink alcohol, you must bring your own because restaurants can’t sell liquor there. So bringing your alcohol will save you the day.
If you’re not about liquor, in La Tortuga, you can try some Venezuelan specialties like Chicha, a rice drink mixed with milk and sweetened condensed milk. This drink is a heavy one. With just one fill, you will fill your stomach.
Quick tips
Make sure you carry enough cash with you because, in Venezuela, the ATMs don’t supply U.S Dollars.
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