12 Things To Do in the Caribbean Before You Die
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Most people associate the Caribbean with wall-to-wall sunshine, tropical white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and luxury vacations. While all those things are right, this island region offers much more. Therefore, when you’re not soaking up the sun at the beach, spend your time ticking things off your bucket list.
To show you what else the Caribbean offers, here is a list of 12 things to do in the Caribbean before you die. We selected these entries because they allow you to tick a wide range of the world’s best things to do off your bucket list. Stick around for the adventure of a lifetime.
Hike Gros Piton in St. Lucia
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St. Lucia is a breathtaking Caribbean island famed for its picturesque landscapes, luxurious villas, and beautiful beaches. However, the island’s main highlight is the Pitons, two volcanic mountains dominating the skyline. While most people admire the Pitons from their 5-star villa, outdoor enthusiasts take on the challenge of hiking to the top of Gros Piton.
Standing at 2,618 feet (798 meters), Gros Piton is the taller of the two peaks. Depending on the hiker’s fitness level, it takes approximately 3 to 6 hours to complete the hike. From the top, you’ll be spoiled with panoramic views of St. Lucia’s impressive scenery. You’ll also have a fantastic view of Petit Piton, standing at 2,437 feet (743 meters).
Read also: Instagrammable Caribbean Spots
Swim With Wild Pigs in the Bahamas
The Caribbean is known worldwide for its incredible marine life, but did you know there’s a beach in the Bahamas where you can swim with wild pigs? If not, you’re seriously missing out. Located on Big Major Cay, an uninhabited island in Exuma, Pig Beach offers tourists a one-of-a-kind experience you have to see to believe.
Exuma’s wild pigs can be seen roaming the beach, sunbathing on the sand, and swimming in the turquoise waters. You can feed the pigs and paddle with them in the sea. The whole experience is exciting and utterly bizarre. It’s believed the pigs arrived on the island when sailors dropped them off to cook them later. However, other people think they came when a ship crashed.
Read also: Caribbean’s Affordable Beach Towns
Go Whale Watching Along the Samaná Peninsula
Wildlife enthusiasts searching for the humpback whale will be pleased to hear that the Samaná Península in the Dominican Republic is one of the world’s best places to spot the species. It’s believed that over 2,000 humpback whales visit the waters off the west coast of the Dominican Republic yearly.
They are best seen on a boat trip of the peninsula between January and March when the whales visit the area to mate and give birth. Don’t be surprised if you hear the humpback’s courting song or see them jumping out of the sea. You might even spot some humpback whale calves swimming alongside their mothers if you’re lucky. What’s not to like?
Read also: Surprising Caribbean Facts
Drive a Vintage Car in Old Havana, Cuba
Founded in the early 16th century in Cuba, Old Havana is renowned for maintaining much of its old-time charm and vibrant character. It’s much loved by tourists who visit to explore the area’s original architecture and fascinating fortifications. However, the highlight of any visit is Old Havana’s classic American cars.
Incredibly, Cuba is still home to almost 60,000 1930s, 40s, and 50s cars because Castro banned the importation of American vehicles. As a result, residents were forced to stick with the cars. Today, you can hire one of the colorful vintage cars to drive around Old Havana, which is a truly unique experience. So, what are you waiting for?
Read also: Avoid These Caribbean Tourist Mistakes
Swim With Stingrays in Stingray City, Cayman Islands
Just a 25-mile boat ride from the iconic Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman lies a series of shallow soundbars in the North Sound with an aquatic experience unlike any other. At Stingray City, you’ll find tranquil turquoise waters that almost 100 Southern Stingrays call home.
The sight of these stingrays is spectacular, but getting in the water with them is also possible. During your visit to Stingray City, you can snorkel with the stingrays, which are notorious for being friendly and sociable with humans. They happily swim alongside people and don’t mind being stroked. For anyone concerned about the safety of stingrays, it’s worth noting that this is a 100% natural occurrence, and the stingrays aren’t kept in captivity.
Read also: Surreal Places in the Caribbean
Spend the Night in a Submarine Hotel in St. Lucia
Unfortunately, the next activity on our list is reserved for the rich and famous, but we can all dream, right? If you have $292,000 and don’t mind splashing the cash on one-of-a-kind experiences, staying in this submarine hotel in St. Lucia is the perfect thing to do before you die.
The Lover’s Deep Submarine is a luxury 5-star hotel and fully-functioning submarine that allows travelers to travel and sleep underwater. Taking guests around the Caribbean, the submarine comes with a captain, a chef, and a butler. At times, you’ll reach depths of 650 feet (198 meters) and be surrounded by marine life, such as sea turtles and sharks. Who knows, you might even discover Atlantis!
Read also: Money-Saving Tips for Caribbean Travel
Attend the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, Port of Spain
The Caribbean is well known for its vibrant festivals, carnivals, and lively celebrations, so it would be a shame not to experience at least one during your lifetime. While many festivals and events can be enjoyed across the Caribbean, they don’t get any bigger or better than the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is a famous annual event that occurs on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in Port of Spain. The festival celebrates the nation’s freedom and features various events, parties, and dances. Expect colorful costumes, exuberant parties, cultural competitions, traditional food, live music, and grand parades.
Read also: Historical Sites in the Caribbean
Relax on Te Amo Beach, Bonaire
No Caribbean bucket list is complete without at least one visit to a tropical beach. Luckily, there are thousands of postcard-perfect beaches in the Caribbean. In fact, there are too many to choose from. However, Te Amo Beach is one of the very best. Te Amo Beach is a gorgeous beach located on the island of Bonaire.
Here, you’ll find a glorious stretch of soft white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and reefs teeming with marine life. Cool off in the sea and snorkel with exotic fish species when you’re not sunbathing on the beach or enjoying a romantic stroll. Afterward, grab a bite to eat from the double-decker food truck.
Read also: Caribbean’s Beautiful Hiking Trails
Explore the Brimstone Hill Fortress, St Kitts and Nevis
Brimstone Hill Fortress is a famous Caribbean UNESCO World Heritage Site that allows history buffs to step back in time. Constructed between the 17th and 18th centuries by enslaved Africans under the British’s control, the site sits atop a hill on the northeastern edge of St. Kitts, offering panoramic coastal views.
However, the site’s biggest draw is its rich history. During a visit to the fortress, you can learn more about the Caribbean slave trade, European expansion, and the development of Caribbean societies. The hill’s military history dates back to 1690 when British troops installed a cannon, so there’s much to learn. You’ll thoroughly enjoy walking along Brimstone Hill Fortress’ tall stone walls.
Read also: Hidden Spots in the Caribbean
Visit Bob Marley’s House in Kingston, Jamaica
Bob Marley was a world-famous Jamaican reggae singer best known for big hits like Buffalo Soldier and Three Little Birds. Sadly, Marley passed away in 1981, but his legacy still lives on through his music and the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, Jamaica, which was once the singer’s home.
The Bob Marley Museum is located inside the 19th-century house where Bob Marley lived from 1975 until his death in 1981. Inside, visitors can discover fascinating exhibits that display Marley’s personal treasures, a photographic gallery, a record shop, and an 80-seat theater. This is one of, if not the world’s best tourist attractions for reggae fans, so don’t miss out.
Read also: Visa-Free Caribbean Escapes for Americans
Discover the Tulum Ruins, Mexico
Tulum is a famous tourist destination best known for its scenic beaches, lively vacation resorts, and exotic waters. However, the city is also appreciated for its impressive Mayan ruins. Set on a cliff along the city’s beautiful coastline, Tulum’s pre-Columbian Mayan walled ruins once served as a vital port.
Today, over 800 years later, they still stand proudly above the sea, offering tourists an insight into Mayan history. The breathtaking El Castillo is the site’s most imposing sight. This 25-foot (7-meter) tall pyramid sits precariously on the cliff edge, offering spectacular views. Other noteworthy ruins at the site include the Temple of the Descending God, the Temple of the Frescoes, and the God of Winds Temple.
Read also: Incredible Underwater Experiences
Tuck into Jerk Chicken in Jamaica
It might sound like a super simple thing to tick off your bucket list, but sampling authentic jerk chicken in Jamaica is a real treat everyone deserves to experience at least once. To many people, jerk chicken is simply grilled chicken with flavorful seasonings. However, to big foodies, trying jerk chicken in Jamaica is a rite of passage.
The art of jerk chicken originated with the Indigenous people in Jamaica over 500 years ago. The descendants of 17th-century Jamaican Maroons then carried it forward. Today, jerk chicken is a popular dish across the Caribbean. To make it, chicken is dry-rubbed or marinated with a hot spice (Jamaican jerk spice) and slow-cooked over a fire or grill.
Read also: Top Foodie Destinations
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