The 8 Safest Travel Destinations in the Caribbean Right Now

By Lilly LeClair From Oyster.com

Unless you have the monetary means to jet off to Mustique (the ultra-swanky private island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines), then one might need to consider safety when traveling to the Caribbean. Crime is more prevalent than some realize, and even though violence rarely touches the nearly 26 million tourists who go there every year, incidents (mostly petty crimes) can happen anywhere and at anytime.

Online research shows that — while generally nonetheless safe — popular destinations like the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago seem to have more criminal activity than others Caribbean islands.

The nations that make this list of the safest in the Caribbean, on the other hand, are consistently rated among travel websites as the safest and most secure for tourists. Of course, it’s always a good idea to look for updated government-issued advisories before booking a vacation — and follow standard safety precautions when in unfamiliar surroundings, especially at night. But these eight travel destinations are some of the safest in the Caribbean for travelers right now.

1. Turks and Caicos

Beach at the Grace Bay Club
This British Overseas Territory — southeast of the Bahamas — includes 40 islands and cays, only 12 of which are inhabited by roughly 31,000 residents — a stark contrast to the 450,000 annual tourists who visit by plane, not to mention 650,000 cruise ship tourists arriving to Grand Turk Cruise Port each year. So it should come as no surprise that protecting tourists is a major government priority.
Turks and Caicos is a popular vacation spot for water enthusiasts due to its gentle turquoise waves and average year-round temperature of 85 degrees, with ittle rain, and rare hurricanes. Providenciales is home of 12-mile-long Grace Bay Beach, which Conde Nast calls the “Best Beach of all Tropical Islands in the World,” particularly known for sunsets.
Crime here is minimal, but it can happen in rental villas. According to TurksandCaicos.org, armed invasions of rental villas are the greatest crime concern — and even then only a handful of these happen each year — but staying in a hotel or resort will greatly reduce the risk of theft.
Hotel Pick:
Grace Bay Club 4.5
Providenciales

2. Anguilla

The main pool at Viceroy Anguilla
Anguilla, like many of its neighboring islands, has experienced a growth spurt in the last few decades with the rise of upscale accommodations like the Viceroy, pictured here. While this British Overseas Territory depends on luxury tourism — the rich and famous, like Jennifer Aniston and Jimmy Buffet, frequently travel to Anguilla — it hasn’t lost its charm or relaxed authenticity. There are miles of white-sand beaches (like Rendezvous Bay, overlooking neighboring Saint Martin island), as well as secluded coves reached by boat, such as at Little Bay. After a day in the sun, hit up great restaurants, as well as a low-key nightlife with live music that spans from reggae to string bands. Crime is low — probably the lowest in the region. According to Anguilla-Beaches.com, crimes against tourists are extremely rare here. The biggest problem is teen gangs in the capital who fight each other over territorial turf; as a result, tourists are relatively unaffected by this crime.
Hotel Pick:
Viceroy Anguilla 5.0
Anguilla

3. Cayman Islands

The Caribbean Club in Cayman Islands
Yet another British Overseas Territory, the Cayman Islands consist of three islands in the the Caribbean Sea, west of Jamaica, and include some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches — as well as some of the world’s best scuba diving, including notable spots like Bloody Bay Marine Park, Stingray City, and Keith Tibbetts shipwreck. Other attractions include a lovely nature preserve, turtle farm, and forested hiking trail to the island’s undeveloped center.
Cayman is also considered one of the richest islands in the world thanks in part to its banking industry — in fact, the islands have no direct taxation, making them a popular spot for incorporations. TripAdvisor says that petty theft does occur on occasion, but it should not deter visitors from coming to Grand Cayman. Perhaps a bigger concern is the history of hurricanes during summer season.
Hotel Pick:
Caribbean Club 5.0
Seven Mile Beach

4. British Virgin Islands

The beach at Rosewood Little Dix Bay
The British Virgin Islands (a.k.a. the B.V.I.) is the name given to an archipelago of more than 60 islands, some of which are uninhabitable, with protected national parks, white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and rainforests. This is a big boating destination where sailboats can make stops between the hubs of Tortola, a popular cruise ship port, and Virgin Gorda, where smaller boats can put down anchor and head for shops and restaurants in the village of Spanish Town. Wikitravel reports that the B.V.I. has a much lower incidence of crime than many other Caribbean countries, and wandering about alone, even at night, is not considered particularly high risk. Another reason crime is low: Penalties for possession and supply of narcotics can be severe.
Hotel Pick:
Rosewood Little Dix Bay 4.5
Virgin Gorda

5. Martinique

Hotel Plein Soleil
The French territory of Martinique is somewhat of a secret gem, especially considering that it one of the Caribbean’s most cosmopolitan destinations for those who prioritize gourmet beach cuisine, live music, French fashions, and natural beauty in the way of white-sand beaches and tropical rain forests — not to mention a live volcano that looks over the harbor town of St-Pierre. Visitors can choose between big luxury resorts, stylish small hotels, or private luxury villas. Caribbean magazine editor Ed Wetschler told Yahoo Traveler: “[Martinique] is for sophisticated travelers who want not just beach. They want history and culture, geography, and cuisine…It helps if you can speak French.”
Hotel Pick:
Hotel Plein Soleil 3.5
Le Francois

6. Guadeloupe

La Toubana Hotel and Spa
Another French overseas territory, Guadeloupe is a group of five islands in the Lesser Antilles for outdoorsy Francophiles who seek authentic culture and natural beauty. The two largest islands, separated by a river and accessed by bridges, resemble a butterfly: On the easter side is Grande-Terre, where several uncrowded beach towns offer visitors long stretches of sand for relaxing and waters sports, while on the west is the more mountainous Basse-Terre, boasting the Guadeloupe National Park, where visitors can hit the two-hour trail to see a spectacular active volcano. Another day-trip: Ferry over to Les Saintes, recognized as one of the most beautiful bays in the world by UNESCO. Guadeloupe rarely sees criminal activity, but Lonely Planet says that occasional islandwide strikes can disrupt travel; the site also warns visitors to avoid the shady side of Pointe-à-Pitre.
Hotel Pick:
La Toubana Hotel & Spa 4.0
Sainte-Anne

7. St. Martin/St. Maarten
Sonesta Ocean Point Resort
French and Dutch have been friendly neighbors on St. Maarten/St. Martin for centuries (since 1648 to be exact). While more expensive, the French side is quietly sophisticated with colorful cliffside vistas, reminiscent of a Mediterranean fishing village — it also has some of the best food in the Caribbean. Cross over to the Dutch side (there are no customs or borders), where visitors can find casino hotels, and a more bustling nightlife. This 37-square-mile island offers plenty of white-sand beaches, sailing, and water sports — great for families. TripAdvisor says that, while generally safe, one of the biggest crimes here is passport theft. Because of this, travel experts recommend carrying a driver’s license and a photocopy of your passport with you, leaving your physical passport in your hotel safe.
Hotel Pick:
Sonesta Ocean Point Resort 4.5
Maho Bay

8. St. Barts

Le Sereno Hotel
It’s perhaps no surprise that St. Barts (short for Saint-Barthélemy) is quite safe considering it is the Caribbean’s most elite (and most expensive) island, pulling in the rich and famous, many who show up in the capital’s harbor in their sleek yachts. For everyone else, there are only two ways to arrive to this small, volcanic island in the northwest Caribbean Sea – either via a small prop plane from St. Martin, or by ferry. This French overseas territory offers 22 white sand beaches, charming gingerbread-style cottages, designer shops, colorful beach bars, and luxury spas. In terms of safety, perhaps WorldofWonderlust.com says it best: St Barts is incredibly safe and very little to no crime occurs on the island so it is safe to leave your car and house unlocked — as many locals do!
Hotel Pick:
Le Sereno Hotel 5.0
Grand Cul-de-Sac

For more on this story and to get hotel prices go to: https://www.oyster.com/articles/54600-the-8-safest-travel-destinations-in-the-caribbean-right-now/