Last Updated on December 15, 2022 by Helen E. White
From the unspoiled, unspoiled wilderness to iconic, popular lands with a tropical flavor, the beautiful beaches in the Caribbean are suited for any kind of person.
These spas are ideal for those who are simply looking for a space to relax and see a beautiful landscape, and also for those who hope to enter an adventure practicing water sports or visiting the depths of the sea.
25 Best Beaches in the Caribbean
You may already know some names of Caribbean beaches such as Playa Delfines in Cancun, Playa Bavaro in Punta Cana, or Playa Varadero in Cuba, but below we will take a tour of the best Caribbean beaches to travel and enjoy in 2022.
So don’t think about it anymore, pack your luggage, and embark on a real vacation in the Caribbean!
1. San Blas (Panama)
Of the beaches of Panama in the Caribbean, San Blas, an archipelago of 365 small islands to the north of Panama -only 86 of them are populated-, is a beautiful destination to get in touch with nature on the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean.
Despite having several options to get to any of its islands, whether by boat or a private flight from Albrook, getting it is usually a bit complicated. However, all this will be worth it when you discover this Caribbean beach in Panama and live with its particular hosts: the indigenous people of the Guna tribe.
In San Blas, you will not find hotel chains or restaurants with Michelin stars, but you can choose to spend the night in a tent or stay in rural cane cabins managed by local people who will also offer you a delicious meal based on the catch of the day from one of the best beaches of Panama in the Caribbean. Here you can also practice snorkeling.
2. Tayrona Park (Colombia)
To the north of the Sierra de Santa Marta in Colombia, there is a unique destination among the best beaches in South America and the Caribbean: Tayrona. This place, named after the indigenous tribe that inhabited these lands in pre-Columbian times, is currently one of the most requested destinations by people who love trekking.
To enjoy any of these famous Caribbean beaches you have to make long journeys. It is advisable that you go first thing in the morning since the park has a closing time until 5 in the afternoon, although if you want to camp you have a couple of camps set up in the Arrecifes and Cañaveral sectors.
Some of Tayrona’s beaches are not suitable for swimming due to their strong underwater currents, and there are certain restrictions regarding access to ensure the protection of wildlife. But the beaches of the Colombian Caribbean are not the only attraction, if you like to explore ancestral cultures, the archaeological route of Tayrona is another great experience.
3. Paradise Beach (Cuba)
Year after year, travelers from all over the planet place Playa Paraíso among the best beaches in the world. This resort is located in Cayo Largo, at the eastern end of the Isle of Youth, in Cuba.
It only takes you 20 minutes to walk from Sirena beach, and when you arrive, what you will see will be unique. One of the best virgin beaches in the Caribbean. Clear and calm waters, fine white sand, and a lot of tranquility since they do not have so many influxes of visitors. Perhaps one of the biggest disadvantages is that you only have one option to buy food or drinks due to the only locals present on the coast.
Although the attraction of this beach is being able to rest on a pleasant trip to the Caribbean, you can also take advantage of the time to do a little snorkeling and thus see a large number of colorful and spectacular marine species.
4. Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
White sand, huge coconut trees, and an excellent tropical climate are some of the characteristics of the best Caribbean beaches that you can enjoy in Punta Cana, located in the east of the Dominican Republic and known by locals as “Costa del Coco.”
Some of the Caribbean beaches in Punta Cana are among the 10 best on the planet, and the town has been recognized by UNESCO for its beauty. Punta Cana is so diverse that you can practice surfing, take a boat ride, take horseback excursions, or visit cultural places in the region, in addition to visiting aquatic attractions such as the Marinarium, Manati Park or Bávaro Splash.
Punta Cana is also recognized for having attractive and intense internationally famous nightclubs such as Imagine, Mangú or Coco Bongo. And if you want to hear about gastronomy, the Capitan Cook restaurant, on El Cortecito beach, is the right place.
5. Playa de Eagle (Aruba)
Have you ever seen sand as white as talcum powder? At Playa Eagle, you can witness it. Located just 15 minutes from the center of Oranjestad, the capital of the Dutch island of Aruba, Eagle Beach is one of the 5 best beaches in the Caribbean for its vast extension and its enviable organization.
It has a wide variety of food outlets, a picnic area, parking, and free umbrellas, and you can enjoy various options in motorized water sports. And while nudity is not allowed on most of Aruba’s beaches, Eagle Beach may be the exception to the rule.
As if that were not enough, the location of the beach is perfect for those who want to stay several days, since a few meters away, various hotels of different categories are open to welcome you. Without a doubt, one of the important beaches of the Caribbean.
6. Samana (Dominican Republic)
Samaná is a small peninsula in the northeast of the Dominican Republic and has its own International Airport. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and the good thing about the place is that you can enjoy a wide variety of activities, from going on excursions to going to Los Haitises park or spotting humpback whales near Cayo Levantado.
Relaxing on the virgin sands of Las Terrenas or dazzling yourself with the view by crossing the pedestrian bridge in Santa Bárbara, are other activities that you can do in this one of the best virgin beaches in the Caribbean.
Likewise, you can practice kitesurfing in El Portillo, scuba diving in Playa Rincón, slide on a 450-meter-long zip line in El Limón or develop your caving skills in the caves of the Taino Indians.
7. Pink Sand Beach (Bahamas)
Have you ever seen a pink beach? Well, when you visit Pink Sand Beach you will have the opportunity to do so and discover one of the exotic beaches of the Caribbean. This beautiful beach is located on Harbor Island in the Bahamas, and it lives up to its name since at certain times of the day the sand offers a spectacular pinkish hue.
Getting it is not complicated, you can simply take a ferry in Nassau to embark on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. However, it is a three-hour drive. Here you can do many things. From renting golf carts to horseback riding.
But if you prefer to admire the underwater life on Pink Sand Beach, you can do it since the beach is one of the best options in the world for diving. Tasting the vast local gastronomy, with fresh products and fascinating flavors, is another super plan on this coast.
8. Flamenco Beach (Puerto Rico)
Playa Flamenco is located on the north coast of Culebra Island, in Puerto Rico, and you can only get there after taking a ferry from Fajardo, arriving in the territory in just 50 minutes and once there, take public transportation that will take you to the beach. Perhaps for this reason you do not consider it one of the most accessible beaches in the Caribbean, but it is well worth visiting.
Its fine coral sand, calm and crystal clear waters, and its almost deserted horizon will make your stay much more pleasant. But you should also know that if you want to go to Flamenco you must be prepared, since there are no services in this beautiful area, one of the 5 best beaches in the Caribbean.
9. Dolphin Beach (Mexico)
You can only have the best view of almost 30 kilometers of the Cancun Hotel Zone from Playa Delfines, one of the best beaches in the Mexican Caribbean. Located 17 kilometers from downtown Cancun, access to this beach is really easy by taking advantage of the local public transport.
Being one of the public beaches in the Caribbean, you will not find many restaurants nearby, but if you want, street vendors will approach you to offer you a rich service of typical Mexican food.
The waves on the beach are usually moderately high, so it is not recommended for children to swim, however, they have lifeguards throughout the day and a special area so that the little ones can also enjoy themselves. Although Playa Delfines is perfect for surfing due to its waves, there is no place that offers a board rental service.
10. Mamitas Beach (Mexico)
Playa Mamitas is a small beach with gentle waves turquoise waters and white sand. It is located just 15 minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya and is one of the most beautiful Mexican beaches in the Caribbean.
It has several bars and restaurants with good music for you to enjoy, and also great electronic music festivals such as the DJ Fest or the Corona SunSets Music Festival are held here.
David Guetta, Tiesto, Paul Van Dyke, and the unforgettable Avicii have been on this beach. Of course, this is one of the private beaches in the Caribbean and any service costs some money. The consumption must be done on the beach since they do not allow the entry of food and drinks that are not from there, so if you are looking for the cheapest beaches in the Caribbean, this may not be the best option.
11. Ambergris Caye (Belize)
What to do in the Caribbean that is extremely fascinating? Well, going to Ambergris Caye is the perfect plan. The island is famous for having the second largest barrier reef in the world, and to provide greater protection to its habitat it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Immersing yourself in its depths will make you feel as if you were immersed in a gigantic aquarium. Located north of Belize, it is the most visited island in the country, and it is commonly reached thereby paying for a plane trip from the peninsula.
But if you are interested in other activities, you can also enjoy its warm white sand beaches or visit the ancient Mayan ruins hidden between waterfalls and tropical jungles. Without a doubt, it is one of the exotic beaches of the Caribbean. Other attractions you can visit are the Belize Zoo, and Mountain Pine Ridge.
12. Playa Negril Seven Mile (Jamaica)
Located to the west of Jamaica in the small town of Negril, 90 minutes from Montego Bay, Seven Mile Beach is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean and owes its name to the 7-mile-long coastline -a little more than 11 kilometers.
Seven Mile is so diverse that you can find quiet areas, and others not so much, with a lot of noise, music, good vibes and of course a lot of alcohol. As if that were not enough, there is no water activity that you cannot enjoy in Seven Mile, from kayaking to snorkeling, to having fun on a banana ski or float board and going on excursions.
If you prefer excursions, the best is a two-hour tour of the caves that are in the south of the beach. In some sectors of the coast, it is allowed to walk naked, so this is one of the nudist beaches in the Caribbean.
13. Cayo Levantado (Dominican Republic)
If you think of the paradisiacal beaches of the Caribbean, you should definitely take Cayo Levantado into account. This tiny piece of land located in the Bay of Samaná, northeast of the Dominican Republic, offers itself a perfect place for you to escape from the daily routine.
Tall palm trees, lush vegetation and crystal-clear beaches bring your wildest fantasies to life. Getting there will only take you between 10 and 15 minutes starting from the pier in the town of Samaná.
If sports and adventure are your things, here you can go on excursions in the Caribbean, snorkel, or kayak. The beach is not very big, as it is only 1 kilometer long, and a good part of it belongs to the five-star Bahia Principe hotel. Samaná is also known as Bacardi Island after an advertisement for the popular brand of rum was shot there in the 1980s.
14. Bavaro Beach (Dominican Republic)
See More: Most Beautiful Beaches in the Dominican Republic
Known as Bibijagua Beach by some locals, Bávaro Beach is one of the most popular in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Listed as one of the best beaches in America and the Caribbean for its fine white coral sand and crystal clear waters.
It is not difficult to get there, the beach is located 20 minutes from the town of El Cortecito, and has exclusive services and activities provided by the various hotel chains that exist there. You can ride pedal boats or banana skis, sail, go parasailing or even swim with dolphins in Manati Park.
But if you are more adventurous, there are also pools with sharks and rays that you can admire from a safe distance. The best thing is that the resort has perhaps the best restaurants in the Caribbean, with a lot of categories. Not in vain, the Bavaro coast is also among the famous beaches of the Caribbean.
15. Ocho Rios Beach (Jamaica)
One of the best tourist places in the Caribbean is located an hour and a half by car from Montego Bay, in the north of Jamaica, and is known as Ocho Ríos Beach. A warm and majestic coast surrounded by palm trees and high mountains will ensure a tropical landscape that is very characteristic of the beaches in the Caribbean.
This beach is also close to a cruise ship docking port, so the influx of tourists will be high for much of the year, but that will not prevent you from enjoying your stay in Ocho Ríos, another one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
Ocho Ríos beach does not have food outlets, so you will have to be prepared if you do not want to leave the beach towards the center of town to replenish your supplies. Even so, it is one of the recommended beaches in the Caribbean.
16. Maho Beach (Virgin Islands)
Maho Beach, located on the north coast of Saint John Island -the smallest of the US Virgin Islands- is the ideal beach at the time of your choice when traveling to the Caribbean to share with your family and especially with the smallest of homes. Definitely one of the best beaches in America and the Caribbean.
Just a 20-minute drive from Cruz Bay, Playa Maho – named after a local tree – boasts beautiful white sand, shallow shorelines, and areas covered with huge coconut palms.
It has two parking lots and a covered area for picnics or barbecues. However, the influx of vacationers to the beach is high. Snorkeling is one of the favorite activities of visitors to this beach.
17. Cayo Levisa (Cuba)
Virgin, spectacular, seductive! This is how Cayo Levisa describes itself, a small island on the north coast of Pinar del Río, in Cuba, that will leave you yearning to return for simply being one of the best beaches in the American Caribbean.
It only takes half an hour by ferry from Palma Rubia to reach the beautiful destination with powder-fine sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Here is a hotel in Cayo Levisa, made up of more than 56 cabins, which offers excellent service in its restaurant. In addition, you have the possibility of renting one of the water sports packages for a few hours.
The best? Just 15 minutes on foot from the hotel and through the vegetation, you will find Punta Arena beach, an Eden within another Eden cataloged as one of the 10 best beaches in the Caribbean.
18. Anse Chastanet Beach (Saint Lucia)
Northwest of Soufriere Bay, in Saint Lucia, lies beyond the jungle-clad mountain, Anse Chastanet beach. A coast of calm, warm and clear waters, surrounded by thick vegetation. If you expect to stay a few days, keep in mind to take insect repellent with you, since mosquitoes abound due to the environment.
Special mention for the Anse Chastanet resort that offers a luxury service, where you can enjoy the rich local gastronomy, rent excursion plans on the island, or even take some fun diving classes on one of the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean.
Going through Soufriere is also a good plan. You can take some tours in the Caribbean through the Botanical Garden or Diamond Falls, but what you can not miss is Sulfur Springs, the only place in the world where you can drive through a volcano.
19. Pilar Beach (Cuba)
If you wonder what to visit in the Caribbean, a very good option is Playa Pilar. Located in the Jardines del Rey archipelago, in Ciego de Ávila, in Cuba. This Cayo Guillermo beach is presented as the Antillean Eden, with clear and shallow waters as well as being bordered by immense dunes and tall palm trees.
Definitely one of the paradisiacal beaches of the Caribbean. Getting it is simple, a taxi will take you from Ciego de Ávila to the beach, or from Cayo Coco, a bus will take you on an hour-and-a-half tour of the various beaches in the region. Here you will find Rancho El Pilar -the only place on the entire beach- that will offer you various fish and seafood dishes.
At Playa Pilar, you have the opportunity to take a catamaran that will take you to Media Luna, a tiny island forty minutes north of the beach, where you can practice snorkeling.
20. Playa Half Moon (Bahamas)
Little San Salvador, better known as Half Moon Cay, in the Bahamas archipelago, has one of the ten best beaches in the Caribbean, although it is a completely private beach, with exclusive access to those who travel on Holland line cruises America Line, which owns the island.
Half Moon has silky-smooth white sand and clear, calm waters. If you make a stopover in this bay, you will have at your disposal lounge chairs on the beach, you can rent sailboats or kayaks, and also enjoy a delicious meal at the island bar.
You can also rent cabins during your stay or participate in cruise activities, such as cycling around the island enjoying a beautiful view and very pleasant weather.
21. Ancon Beach (Cuba)
Perhaps Playa Ancón is not listed as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, but it is among the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Getting to this beach is not difficult, in fact, its enviable location just 12 kilometers from Trinidad, gives you several options: from doing the 40-minute bike ride to taking a bus or a taxi to take you to Playa Ancón.
Compared to other Caribbean beaches, Ancón has darker and warmer coasts, but that does not complicate the possibility of practicing snorkeling in the more than twenty immersion points that the beach has. It also has a large archaeological reserve in which several ships and galleons from assaults on corsairs lie.
22. North Beach (Mexico)
Again, if you look at the list of the best beaches in the world you will find Playa Norte, and as its name indicates, it is located at the northern end of Isla Mujeres, which is 13 kilometers from Cancun, in Mexico. A beach with blue waters and fine sand is the favorite option for those who visit the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.
To get there, you can take a fast boat from Puerto Juárez, or take the long 45-minute ferry ride from Punta Sam. This bay usually has a large influx of visitors.
Various hotels, bars and restaurants are located a few meters from the beach, so you will not be short of options to eat a good seafood buffet or have some beach cocktails. For those seeking relaxation, some venues also offer massage services. It is worth noting that topless is allowed, but wait! no more than that.
23. Bayahibe Beach (Dominican Republic)
Sheltered by palm trees and wildlife and away from the crowds, southeast of La Romana, in the Dominican Republic, lies one of the best beaches in the American Caribbean, Playa Bayahibe. A perfect space to practice various water sports such as paddle surfing, scuba diving, or the popular deep-sea fishing.
The beach does not have many services available, but it is only 2 kilometers from the town, where there are several bars and restaurants. You can get there by bus or taxi from the town on a journey that barely lasts 5 minutes.
The resort has several springs where a wide variety of fish and turtles are also housed. You can also opt for excursions to Saona or Catalina Island or to other of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.
24. Dirty Beach (Puerto Rico)
Playa Sucia is also known as La Playuela, and it is a paradise of slightly cloudy waters and white sand located in the southwest of Puerto Rico, and is among the best beaches in the Caribbean in Cabo Rojo.
Its access is complicated. After driving for more than two hours from Mayagüez, you enter a narrow terrain with little concrete, which makes the trip difficult and slow. Then you will have to walk 10 minutes on a dry and rocky path. On the left side of the beach, you will find a beautiful path that serves as, and to the right of the beach is the Los Morillo’s Lighthouse.
But don’t be fooled, this dirty beach only has its name, because as it is a Nature Reserve, its protection and care are assured. As additional information, it is advisable that you bring your own snack since there are no services nearby.
25. Playa Horseshoe (Bermuda)
Walled by gigantic rocks, as if nature itself were trying to hide it, is one of the best beaches in the world. Horseshoe Beach, located in Southampton Parish, Bermuda, is the favorite destination to enjoy as a couple and fan the flame of romance.
Its fine sand and crystal clear turquoise water seduce you and invite you to spend a good stay on one of the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean. You can get there by taking a bus from the town to South Road and then going down about 10 minutes to the beach. The place is magical, with moderate waves, little noise and a pleasant climate.
Various bars, hotels and restaurants offer their services to visitors, and it is also the only beach in Bermuda that has continuous surveillance and lifeguards. And if you expect something more special, every summer Horseshoe Beach hosts BeachFest, the largest beach party in the country, where they receive the best DJs of international reputation.
The Caribbean: More Than You Expect
You will surely have many surprises on all your trips to these famous Caribbean beaches. So beautiful, so dazzling, unique, but best of all? Is the number of things you can do in each of them. You cannot classify your experience in the Caribbean as something boring!
If you have time trying to plan your vacations, thinking about which destination on the planet to choose to visit among thousands, then here you have very good options for your enjoyment. Not everyone can be wrong in saying that the Caribbean has the best beaches, but knowing it is not enough, you have to discover it, live it, and share the experience with others!