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Looking for the best attractions in the Caribbean?
Best Caribbean Attraction (2023)
While the beaches are great, there's much more to the Caribbean. From waterfalls and caves to ziplines and historic plantations, there is plenty to keep Caribbean travelers busy during their vacation.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Caribbean Attraction are as follows:
- House of Chocolate Museum - St. George's, Grenada
- St. Nicholas Abbey and Steam Railway - Barbados
- The Baths National Park - Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
- Lucayan National Park - Grand Bahama Island
- Nelson's Dockyard - Antigua
- Dunn's River Falls - Ocho Rios, Jamaica
- Shete Boka National Park - Curacao
- St. Maarten 12 Metre Regatta - St Maarten
- Arikok National Park - Aruba
- Belmont Estate - Grenada
Photo courtesy of gustavomellossa // Getty Images
No. 10:
The House of Chocolate is a unique hand-crafted mini-museum that explores the history of chocolate, not only in Grenada but also around the world. Guests can visit a small café that offers on-site-made chocolates and truffles and other foods featuring chocolate such as ice cream, cakes, and drinks. Want to take some chocolate home to remember this experience? A small boutique provides a selection of all things made with Grenadian cocoa.
Photo courtesy of St. Nicholas Abbey
No. 9:
This stone and wood great house at St. Nicholas Abbey, dating back to the seventeenth century, is one of the last remaining Jacobean-style houses in the Western Hemisphere. The first floor is still furnished with period pieces, and visitors can watch cane grinding in an old rum distillery out back. Additionally, the St. Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway invites guests to take a one hour round trip tour of the property, through woodlands and along the picturesque coast line.
Photo courtesy of iStock / joelblit
No. 8:
The Baths are one of Virgin Gorda's most visited spots for good reason. At the beaches here, giant granite boulders shelter sea pools, grottoes and caves.
Photo courtesy of Damocean // Getty Images
No. 7:
This forty-acre park was established in 1977 and is renowned for its system of underwater caves, one of the longest in the world. Two caves at Lucayan National Park are open to the public – Ben’s Cave, a refuge for tiny buffy flower bats, and Burial Mound Cave, where bones of the Bahamas’ earliest inhabitants were discovered. The park is home to all six of the Bahamas’ vegetation zones, and nature trails and boardwalks offer a unique view of the island’s ecosystems.
Photo courtesy of iStock / stevegeer
No. 6:
Nelson’s Dockyard was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2016, thanks to the meticulous restoration of its Georgian-era marina and buildings. In operation since 1745, the complex features a small Dockyard Museum with collections detailing Antigua history.
Photo courtesy of UDC
No. 5:
Dunn's River Fall's 600-foot long waterfall (180 feet high) with several tiers and wading pools presents a striking centerpiece for the mountain-like setting. Visitors can hike to the top of the falls with an experienced guide for a modest price, or they can just opt for a picnic at its base and allow the cool mist to give them welcome relief from the heat.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Daphne Bakker
No. 4:
Covering the wave-exposed northern coast of Curacao, Shete Boka National Park is famous for its rugged terrain, wave-cut caverns and numerous beaches where sea turtles come to lay their eggs.
Photo courtesy of ego450 // Getty Images
No. 3:
Take part in a head-to-head race between authentic America’s Cup race yachts at the St. Maarten 12 Metre Regatta, run daily at this Caribbean attraction. No prior sailing experience is necessary, and an expert sailing team accompanies guests on the yacht. Choose to be a “crew member” by trimming sails or grinding winches, or if you prefer, sit back and enjoy the invigorating adventure as you experience this elite competition. 10Best Contributor Ming Tappin raves, “Exhilarating excursion where you can be an active participant!”
Photo courtesy of Kenneth Theysen
No. 2:
Covering 20 percent of the island of Aruba, Arikok National Park features cacti-covered hills and a dramatic coastline. Visitors to the park can climb into ruins of an old gold mine, search for Arawak petroglyphs or go snorkeling in a natural pool.
Photo courtesy of Dwain Thomas
No. 1:
Belmont Estate, located on the island of Grenada, offers guests the opportunity to see and experience a fully-functional authentic 17th-century plantation. Visitors can visit an on-site restaurant that features traditional Grenadian cuisine and explore a gift shop, produce shop, and craft market for souvenirs. 10Best Contributor Ursula Barzey adds, “A wonderful example of agro-tourism in the Caribbean. Visitors can check out the heritage museum, tour the organic farm and gardens, plus visit the cocoa processing and chocolate making facilities.”
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winners!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chelle Walton
Chelle Koster Walton took her first Caribbean trip... Read More
Chelle Koster Walton took her first Caribbean trip to Jamaica in the 1970s and has been in love with the region ever since. Author of the award-winning Caribbean Ways: A Cultural Guide, she served as contributing editor and contributor for Caribbean Travel & Life magazine for more than 15 years. Two-time winner of the Bahamas Cacique Award for International Writer, Walton is also the author of Explorers Guide: The Bahamas and a guidebook app about Nassau.
Chelle Walton
Chelle Koster Walton took her first Caribbean trip to Jamaica in the 1970s and has been in love with the region ever since. Author of the award-winning Caribbean Ways: A Cultural Guide, she served as contributing editor and contributor for Caribbean Travel & Life magazine for more than 15 years. Two-time winner of the Bahamas Cacique Award for International Writer, Walton is also the author of Explorers Guide: The Bahamas and a guidebook app about Nassau.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in... Read More
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Ursula Petula Barzey
Ursula Petula Barzey is a digital marketing... Read More
Ursula Petula Barzey is a digital marketing consultant and founder of the award-winning digital platform and blog Caribbean & Co. Passionate about all things related to the Caribbean, especially Montserrat from which her family hails, she loves traveling the region in search of the best cultural and foodie adventures, places to stay, and live/work opportunities. Established in 2014, Caribbean & Co. has won five travel media awards! Follow Ursula’s adventures via her Caribbean & Co. website and social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Ursula Petula Barzey
Ursula Petula Barzey is a digital marketing consultant and founder of the award-winning digital platform and blog Caribbean & Co. Passionate about all things related to the Caribbean, especially Montserrat from which her family hails, she loves traveling the region in search of the best cultural and foodie adventures, places to stay, and live/work opportunities. Established in 2014, Caribbean & Co. has won five travel media awards! Follow Ursula’s adventures via her Caribbean & Co. website and social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
