After I began writing about journey professionally in 1997, the islands of the Caribbean shortly turned my favourite stomping grounds.
By 2008 I used to be protecting the Caribbean islands for numerous airline and lodge magazines (together with American Means, Cayman Airways’ Skies, Vacation spot Marriott, Hilton Accommodations, and so forth.).
One of the vital frequent questions we acquired throughout our journey adventures was, “Is the Caribbean protected?” Folks requested which Caribbean nations had the very best crime fee, and which Caribbean islands are most secure.
Our reply was at all times the identical: A lot of the Caribbean islands are simply as protected as US cities, with uncommon exceptions like Haiti. You simply have to go away your valuables within the lodge, and use some frequent sense.
However in relation to the most secure islands to go to, the Caribbean does have just a few locations that stand out. Maybe not surprisingly, lots of them additionally rank among the many costliest Caribbean islands!
Learn on for our in-depth information to the 10 Most secure Caribbean Islands, together with an summary of the security considerations on every island in addition to an summary of enjoyable issues to do there.
SAFEST CARIBBEAN ISLANDS GUIDE
- Anguilla
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Aruba
- Barbados
- British Virgin Islands
- Grenada
- Montserrat
- Saint-Barthélemy
- Saint Lucia
- Turks and Caicos
1. Anguilla
One among many Leeward Islands you’ll discover on our listing of the most secure Caribbean islands, Anguilla is a beloved British Abroad Territory that features a 35-square-mile principal island and a number of other offshore islets.
A part of a federation with St. Kitts & Nevis till 1980, Anguilla was named for its eel-like form. It’s identified for its attractive blue surf, ecologically necessary coral reef programs, and fantastic white sand seashores.
The tradition is a mixture of indigenous Amerindians, European settlers, and descendants of enslaved Africans (which make up 90% of the inhabitants).
Take a look at the Pageant Del Mar in April or the Anguilla Summer season Pageant in August to get a style of the island’s wealthy cultural heritage.
Anguilla was named one of many most secure Caribbean islands to go to by U.S. Information & World Report attributable to its pleasant folks, upscale sophistication, and an embargo on giant cruise ships, casinos, and high-rise motels.
It additionally has one of many lowest crime charges within the Caribbean, although the UK authorities does advocate taking precautions resembling locking doorways and home windows at evening and avoiding remoted areas after darkish.
READ MORE: 10 Great Islands for Luxury Caribbean Vacations
2. Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua & Barbuda is a sovereign nation within the Lesser Antilles that features two main islands in addition to plenty of smaller islands (together with Redonda, a SCUBA diving hotspot).
In keeping with the U.S. Division of State, Antigua & Barbuda is a Stage 1 when it comes to security, that means guests merely must “train regular precautions.”
In comparison with different Caribbean nations it has one of many lowest crime charges, however there have been some stories of pickpockets and purse-snatchers in areas resembling Heritage Quay and Market Road.
The nation prioritizes the security of its guests as a result of tourism accounts for round 80% of the GDP of Antigua and Barbuda.
In the event you journey to those upscale islands, don’t miss the gorgeous Antigua seashores, Satan’s Bridge Nationwide Park, the yachting hub of Nelson’s Dockyard, and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda.
READ MORE: The 30 Best Exotic Islands in the World to Visit
3. Aruba
A part of the ABC islands of the Netherlands Antilles (which embody Bonaire and Curaçao), Aruba is an uncommon island with windswept bushes, rugged shorelines, dramatic rock formations, and a desert-like inside.
But it surely additionally has near-perfect climate, beautiful seashores (a few of which have been named among the many world’s most lovely), and ocean views so dreamy, you’ll really feel such as you’re vacationing inside a postcard.
Aruba can also be thought-about one of many most secure islands within the Caribbean to go to, with a really low crime fee and an lively police presence in all the foremost vacationer areas.
The locals (nearly all of whom communicate English) are pleasant and welcoming, the meals and water are as much as U.S. requirements, and it’s usually deemed protected to enterprise out at evening.
Aside from petty theft, the one actual security difficulty in Aruba is the surf on the island’s northern facet. There are robust currents and occasional riptides there, so verify the surf circumstances earlier than going swimming.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Aruba for Nature & History Lovers
4. Barbados
Encompassing 166 sq. miles, Barbados is a small island with, huge waves, a rugged shoreline, a wealthy native tradition, and a mountainous inside.
Situated within the Jap Antilles (about 100 miles from its nearest neighbor), this impartial British Commonwealth nation is understood for Rihanna, lovely white sand seashores, and a excessive ranking from the United Nations Human Development Index.
Attracting nearly one million guests every year, Barbados can also be thought-about one of many most secure Caribbean nations to go to, with top-notch safety on the hotels and seashores in the principle vacationer areas.
There are some areas the place petty theft is just not unusual, particularly through the festival season. However touring in teams (particularly at evening), avoiding overly crowded areas, and being conscious of your belongings is often sufficient to make sure security.
Make sure you discover Historic Bridgetown (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), in addition to the 1.4-mile-long Harrison’s Cave, the 6.5-acre Andromeda Botanic Gardens, and Folkestone Underwater Park & Marine Reserve.
If you wish to discover traditional Bajan tradition, head to the Friday evening barbeque within the city of Oistin’s.
READ MORE: The Top 10 Things to Do in Barbados
5. British Virgin Islands
This British abroad territory is a part of a volcanic archipelago that encompasses 4 principal islands (Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda) and 50+ small islands and cays.
Identified for its pristine, reef-lined seashores, the British Virgin Islands is a significant yachting vacation spot. Myriad native firms provide bareboat rentals, a chartered boat or ship with no crew or provisions included.
BVI bareboat charters provide an effective way to discover the highlights of those Caribbean islands, together with the capital metropolis (Street City) and Sage Mountain Nationwide Park on Tortola, and the Baths on Virgin Gorda.
Each the US State Division and the UK authorities contemplate the British Virgin Islands a low-risk journey vacation spot, with minimal petty crime and low threat of pure disasters.
Some folks do advocate utilizing taxis moderately than rental automobiles personal the principle islands, attributable to careless drivers on a number of the principal islands.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Small Ship Cruises in the World
6. Grenada
Situated within the jap Caribbean and nicknamed “the Spice Isle,” Grenada is understood for its nutmeg plantations, sustainable eco resorts, and modern environmental practices.
There are many enjoyable issues to do in Grenada for nature lovers, together with visiting Levera Nationwide Park (a nesting website for Sea Turtles) and Grand Etang Forest Protect (for birdwatching, mountain climbing, and river tubing).
If cultural festivals are a spotlight of your Caribbean journeys. try the Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Pageant in April and the Grenada Chocolate Pageant in Could.
With its distant location and area of interest attraction, it will not be the finest Caribbean island for first timers. However Grenada’s pleasant folks and low crime charges make it one of many most secure islands to go to.
As with all different island, it’s finest to not stroll alone in remoted areas, particularly seashores, after darkish. And it is best to at all times use licensed taxis, and depart valuables in your lodge when going to avenue events and festivals.
However for many who take essentially the most fundamental security precautions, Grenada in the end proves to be one of many warmest, most welcoming islands of the Caribbean.
READ MORE: The 20 Safest Countries in Africa to Visit
7. Montserrat
Montserrat turned a playground for the wealthy and well-known within the ’70s and ’80s, when George Martin’s AIR Studios attracted artists resembling Dire Straits, Duran Duran, and The Police to report albums there.
However Hurricane Hugo broken 90% of the island’s constructions in 1989. Then the Soufriere Hills volcano erupted in 1995, forcing the evacuation of two/3 of the island’s residents, and shutting the airports and seaports in 1997.
Fortunately, the island has recovered properly over the past 25 years, rebranding itself as a nature sanctuary stuffed with world-class mountain climbing trails, beautiful coastlines, and wonderful Scuba diving.
Montserrat was not too long ago rated the #1 most secure Caribbean island. Crime is uncommon right here (and usually restricted to home disputes), and volcanic exercise has been minimal for 20+ years.
But when it’s pure magnificence you search, you’ll love the island’s uncrowded and unspoiled seashores, spectacular snorkeling, and wildlife-rich rainforests. Excursions to view the well-known volcano are additionally attainable.
READ MORE: The Safest Counties in the Middle East for Americans to Visit
8. Saint Barthélemy
Generally generally known as St. Barts, Saint Barthelemy is an upscale, French-speaking Caribbean island situated roughly 19 miles southeast of Saint Martin.
That is one other main yachting vacation spot, identified for its high-end eating places, designer boutiques, white sand seashores, and historic websites such because the seventeenth century Fort Karl and the Wall Home.
St. Barts is among the costliest Caribbean nations to go to, however the luxurious motels, personal villas, and fantastic eating eating places provide world-class high quality commensurate with their budget-busting costs.
With a lot cash being thrown round, it’s not shocking that Saint Barthelemy is taken into account one of many Caribbean’s most secure islands to journey.
The crime fee right here could be very low, however petty crimes like pickpocketing and purse snatching do happen. Simply use frequent sense, and preserve your passport, journey paperwork, and pockets safe always.
READ MORE: The Swimming Pigs of Exuma (Big Major Cay) Bahamas
9. Saint Lucia
Situated within the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, north of St. Vincent and Barbados, Saint Lucia is certainly one of simply two sovereign nations named after girls (Saint Lucy of Syracuse).
Mary and I had been lucky to spend 8 superb days on the island for her birthday, exploring myriad mountain climbing trails, botanical gardens, waterfalls, sizzling springs, and snorkeling the marine sanctuary on the coast.
We drove throughout the 2380-square-mile island, and hung out in cities resembling Laborie and Soufrière, each through the day and at evening. Our security was by no means remotely a priority.
The crime fee could be very low in comparison with islands like Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, and the folks had been each extremely pleasant and useful once we acquired misplaced.
In the event you select to hire a automotive in St Lucia, observe that the island’s winding roads and switchbacks will be robust to navigate at evening. There are slender roads lined with steep drainage ditches, so go gradual and train warning.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Beaches in the World For Nature Lovers
10. Turks and Caicos
One other British Abroad Territory, Turks and Caicos is an archipelago of 40 coral islands situated southeast of the Bahamas, about 620 miles from Miami.
These upscale islands are beloved for his or her lovely seashores, crystal-clear water, various array of marine life, fantastic eating, and luxurious resorts, making it an ideal place for a romantic getaway.
The Turks and Caicos islands are additionally extremely popular amongst Scuba divers, with hotspots such because the 14-mile barrier reef off the coast of Providenciales and the unbelievable 1.32-mile wall off Grand Turk island.
This archipelago is taken into account among the many most secure locations within the Caribbean to go to, with low crime charges. However the U.S. State Division cautions in opposition to petty crimes in Providenciales, resembling pickpocketing and housebreaking.
However if you happen to do go to the town, merely take the identical precautions you’ll in any main metropolitan space and you have to be fantastic. –by Bret Love; lead picture of St. Lucia by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett
