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Dreaming of a little Caribbean getaway this spring? You know, with the luxurious, all-inclusive hotel, white sands unfolding along turquoise waters for miles on end, and the kind of fresh seafood you can only find in the sun-drenched tropics?
The Mexican Caribbean, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica may sound like obvious first choices, but before you book those flights there like everyone else, wait until you hear about these 3 lesser-known tropical gems without the usual crowds.
After all, why opt for a jam-packed Cancun Hotel Zone, a vacation hotspot so busy relaxation levels are questionable, at best, when you could fly instead to a more offbeat Cayman?
Cayman Islands
The first Cancun dupe on the list, the Cayman Islands are a British-ruled territory comprising a resort-filled Grand Cayman, a more laid-back Cayman Brac, and a largely-untouched Little Cayman, ideal for escapes into nature.
Though there are countless swimming spots to choose from in the archipelago, self-describing Seven Mile Beach is a must-visit, with its delicate, pearly-white sands, and if you’re a nature enthusiast, you shouldn’t skip a visit to the Crystal Caves, a series of otherworldly stalactite caves.
The vibrant capital of the island group, lying to the west of Grand Cayman, George Town is a hugely-popular tax-free shopping zone, as well as underrated cultural hub, playing host to colorful colonial buildings and locally-run eateries serving Caymanian lobster.
If you’re staying for the week instead of just visiting as part of a Western Caribbean cruise itinerary, Hotel Indigo has reasonable rates for a 7-night séjour, starting from $3,073 per person—oh, by the way, the Seven Mile Beach is only a 1-minute walk away.
Fly Nonstop To Grand Cayman Island (GCI) From:
- Atlanta (ATL)—1-2 flights per day with Delta Air Lines
- Baltimore (BWI)—1 flight every Saturday with Southwest Airlines
- Boston (BOS)—1 flight every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday with JetBlue
- Charlotte (CLT)—2 flights per day with American Airlines
- Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)—1-2 flights per day with United Airlines or American Airlines
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)—1 flight per day with American Airlines
- Denver (DEN)—1 flight every Saturday with Cayman Airways
- Houston (IAH)—1-2 flights per day with United Airlines
- Los Angeles (LAX)—1 flight every Monday with Cayman Airways
- Miami (MIA)—2-4 flights per day with American Airlines or Cayman Airways
- Minneapolis (MSP)—0-2 flights every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday with Delta Air Lines or Sun Country Airlines
- New York (JFK)—1-2 flights per day with JetBlue or Cayman Airways
- Orlando (MCO)—1 flight per day with Southwest Airlines
- Philadelphia (PHL)—1 flight every Saturday with American Airlines
- Tampa (TPA)—0-1 flight every Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with Cayman Airways
- Washington-Dulles (IAD)—0-1 flight every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday with United Airlines
Grenada
Yet another unheard-of Caribbean archipelago (for most), Grenada revolves around a main island, Spice Isle, where all the action is centered, and a mountain-traversed landmass famous for its nutmeg plantations, verdant jungles, and of course, resort-lined bays.
Its Grand Anse Beach is arguably one of the Caribbean’s prettiest, with its rows upon rows of tall palm trees distributed down a crystal-clear waterfront, and the local capital, St. George’s (not to be confused with Grand Cayman’s George Town) is littered with Georgian-era gems and forts.
The historic 18th-century Fort George is a prime example of a British colonial fortification on this side of the pond, and to all our fellow rum aficionados out there, the nearby River Antoine Distillery has been exporting high-quality rum since 1785, and tasting tours cost only $80 to book.
Rum aside, no visit to Grenada is complete without some beach-hopping, and we guess it would help if you had a centrally-located hotel right on Grand Anse, and a 15-minute drive to the capital: at $561-per-person, Siesta Hotel is your port of call.
Fly Nonstop To Grand Cayman Island (GCI) From:
- Boston (BOS)—0-1 flight every Saturday with JetBlue
- Charlotte (CLT)—0-1 flight every Saturday with American Airlines
- Miami (MIA)—1 flight per day with American Airlines
- New York (JFK)—1 flight per day with JetBlue or Caribbean Airlines
Saint Lucia
Tucked away in the quieter, overlooked Eastern end of the Caribbean, Saint Lucia is a single-island nation dominated by a duo of tapered peaks, the imposing Pitons, and boasting a high concentration of virtually-deserted beaches, and a waterfall-dotted, rainforested interior.
Among the top things to do in Saint Lucia, there’s the short hike that leads to the 15-meter-high Toraille, a beautiful cascade pouring over the side of a cliff, the steep (yet rewarding) climb up Gros Piton, the tallest peak, and lounging on an unruffled beach by the coast.
Take a day out to visit Anse Chastanet, especially for the dark-colored, volcanic shoreline and colorful coral reefs and if it’s the classic Caribbean postcard you’re looking for, head to Sugar Beach between the Pitons: the white sands are imported from Guyana, but it’s a gorgeous setting, nonetheless.
This spring, Apartment Espoir is a privately-managed studio apartment that will set you back $731 as a couple, and the best part is, it’s 11 minutes driving from Coal Pot Restaurant, one of the best spots on the island to sample their traditional pumpkin soup and freshly-caught kingfish.
Fly Nonstop To Saint Lucia (UVF) From:
- Atlanta (ATL)—1-2 flights per day with Delta Air Lines
- Boston (BOS)—0-1 flight every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday with JetBlue
- Charlotte (CLT)—1 flight per day with American Airlines
- Chicago (ORD)—0-1 flight every Wednesday and Saturday with United Airlines
- Miami (MIA)—2 flights per day with American Airlines
- Newark (EWR)—0-1 flight every Saturday with American Airlines
- New York (JFK)—1-3 flights every day with JetBlue or American Airlines
- Philadelphia (PHL)—0-1 flight every Saturday with American Airlines
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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