The Caribbean is packed with romantic destinations but which one will you choose for your honeymoon? Whether you’re beach buddies or intrepid explorers, you’re sure to find the perfect island to enjoy post-wedded bliss.
After all the hard work of planning your big day, nothing can soothe the stress quite like a honeymoon in the Caribbean. Imagine lazing on one of Antigua’s 365 beaches, climbing the rainforest-draped Pitons of St Lucia or soaking up the colonial elegance of Barbados.
If choosing between them is a tall task, why not combine a few different islands into a special bespoke honeymoon? You can design your own multi-center stay, or pick a base that’s well placed for island-hopping.
To help you decide what’s best for you, we’ve compiled this handy guide to the best places to honeymoon in the Caribbean. We’ve included the lowdown on each of the most-visited islands, with advice about why to go, what to do and where to stay.
Check them all out or skip straight to the island you’re interested in using the menu below.
Barbados
With its idyllic beaches and plush resorts, Barbados is the Caribbean’s most in-demand honeymoon spot. Whether you want to laze your days away or conquer every activity on offer, this Caribbean gem ticks all the boxes for the honeymoon of a lifetime. Also known as ‘Little England’, the island’s take on British culture is evident wherever you roam. You can snuggle up at a cricket match (the national sport), enjoy a spot of afternoon tea together or wander hand-in-hand around elegant colonial buildings. The Bajan people are warm and welcoming, and most are fluent in English which is the official language of the country.
Best for: Beautiful beaches, British vibes, friendly locals, couples looking for luxury.
Highlights: Apart from the outstanding beaches, top attractions in Barbados include botanical gardens, plantation houses, rum distilleries, underground caves, wildlife preserves and numerous historic landmarks. Oistin’s Fish Fry is the place to be every Friday night – it’s an authentic Bajan experience. For couples who like to party together, the famous Crop Over Festival runs though the summer and attracts visitors from across the globe.
When to go: The best time to go depends on your own personal preferences. If you visit in the winter months you can expect great weather but your honeymoon will be more expensive. If you visit in the low season, it will be quieter and your trip will be cheaper, but you risk some rain.
Where to stay: Whether you’re splashing the cash or honeymooning on a budget, you’ll find a wide range of accommodation options. Over on the west coast are posh resorts like Royal Westmoreland and Sandy Lane. Stay on this side of the island for fine-dining, designer shopping and top golf courses. The south coast, also known as the ‘fun coast’ is more heavily developed and has cheaper accommodation and amenities.
Jamaica
Choosing where to honeymoon in the Caribbean is all about matching your personalities with the right island. Jamaica’s appeal is that honeymoons here are so varied. The largest and most diverse Caribbean island, it really does offer something for everyone. One day you’ll be scaling famous mountains and waterfalls, the next you’ll be kicking back on the beach and barbecuing with the locals. In the evening, sip rum cocktails while you watch the sunset, or dance until dawn to some traditional reggae music. It can be as lively or as laid back as you want.
Best for: Quick trips from the US. Couples who think that variety is the spice of life.
Highlights: In the north, the beaches are backed by famous natural attractions like Dunn’s River Falls and the Blue Mountains, while in the south, beaches like Lover’s Leap cannot fail to inspire romance. Music fans should visit Bob Marley’s childhood home which is is open for tours all year round. For amazing sunsets, head over to Rick’s Cafe in Negril’s west end – you’ll also see fearless cliff divers plunging into the sea.
When to go: With average temperatures among the highest in the Caribbean, keeping warm is rarely a problem in Jamaica. The sea stays warm all year too, so you can comfortably swim or snorkel whenever you go. Winter is generally the driest time to visit although some honeymooners prefer to visit at other times of the year, when there are fewer crowds and lower rates.
Where to stay: Unlike some Caribbean islands, Jamaica has a huge variety of accommodation. You’ll find everything from cozy condos in affordable resorts to plush villas where you can kick back in ultimate style. Ideal for romance, many vacation homes in Jamaica come complete with a private pool, a personal chef and complimentary resort membership.
The Dominican Republic
One of the most popular Caribbean honeymoon destinations, the Dominican Republic is so much more than just the beach. Friendly locals, a vibrant culture and an abundance of affordable resorts all attract honeymooners to this colorful, Spanish-flavored island. You can take a cable car up to the peak of Mount Isabel, spot humpback whales off the coast of Samana, check out the nightlife scene in Punta Cana or go on safari through the incredible countryside. Santo Domingo, the island’s capital, was founded in 1498 and is the oldest colonial city of the Americas.
Best for: Couples looking for adventure in the sun.
Highlights: Protected by a barrier reef, Cabarete on the north coast is one of the Caribbean’s best kitesurfing meccas. Another must-visit is Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial with its cobblestone streets and beautifully-restored buildings. Once the home of Spanish colonialists, it’s an area brimming with museums, churches, restaurants, theaters and parks. Along the way, visit the oldest sites in the Americas including the first paved street, the first cathedral, the first university, the first hospital and the first military fortress.
When to go: Time your honeymoon between December and April if you want perfect weather pretty much guaranteed. Trips between June and November will be quieter and come with the chance of rain. In addition there are two ‘shoulder’ seasons in the spring and autumn when you’re likely to get the best of worlds.
Where to stay: Some of the best resorts for honeymooners are located along the Dominican’s’ southeast coast. At places like Casa de Campo you’ll find a wide range of condos and villas that are perfect for romantic stays. You’ll find incredible resort amenities too including a private beach, golf courses, a marina, a tennis center, an equestrian center and a variety of restaurants and bars.
St Lucia
St Lucia has long been one of the most coveted Caribbean destinations for honeymooners. For sheer beauty, you couldn’t wish for more than its striking sandy beaches and jungle-clad Piton mountains. In the north, Rodney Bay offers lazy days and modern conveniences, while in the south, Soufriere has hidden beaches, historic plantations and some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the entire Caribbean. Over on the west coast, Castries is the capital city and a major tourist destination in its own right. It has a busy cruise ship port with duty-free shopping near the harbor. High-speed catamarans to Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica also run from here, making it an ideal base for island hopping.
Best for: Natural beauty, island-hopping.
Highlights: Golden in the north and mostly grey in the volcanic south, St Lucia’s beaches are beautiful and diverse. Adventurous honeymooners will love the island’s dense rainforest, vast banana plantations and soaring twin peaks. It’s also home to the world’s only drive-in volcano.
When to go: As with all Caribbean islands, peak season runs from mid-December through April. During these months, accommodation rates are generally higher but the weather is usually at its best. Rates are cheaper in the summer and autumn months, when it’s hotter and wetter.
Where to stay: The picturesque resorts of Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay are the destinations of choice for most honeymooners. If you want a night out you should head to the main strip through Rodney Bay Village where you can hang out with the locals, drink bottles of local Piton beer and try your hand at karaoke. Elsewhere on the island, life after dark is much lower key.
Saint Martin/Sint Maarten
At once French and Dutch, this diverse island offers a unique mix of cultures that can be found nowhere else in the Caribbean. The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) is in the south and the French side (Saint Martin) is in the north but travelling between them is easy, which means more variety for honeymooners. Seeking sophistication? Then chill out in Saint Martin – it’s a bit posher, a bit quieter and has wine that is out of this world. Prefer to hit the casinos and party all night? Then go Dutch in Sint Maarten. Be aware that you will need your passports to travel across the border so be sure to pack them in your beach bag!
Best for: Flitting back and forth between two very different cultures.
Highlights: Tear yourself away from the duty-free malls and head to the beach. Taking its name from its pink sand is Baie Rouge, one of the most beautiful beaches in Saint Martin. Also worth a visit is Lover’s Beach, the smallest beach in Saint Martin, named that way because it only has room for two people at a time! For a sneaky bit of skinny dipping there’s Orient Bay, the first choice for visitors seeking a full body tan.
When to go: April through to June are the best months to visit as the weather is warm and relatively dry. Airlines and resorts tend to drop their prices as the peak season comes to an end (around April) so you should be able to pick up a good bargain.
Where to stay: You’ll find a wide range of hotels and resorts all over the island.
St. Barthelemy
This chic French island is perfect for honeymooners looking to savor the good life. It exudes the style of the French Riviera while retaining the charm and laid-back warmth of the Caribbean. You can sun yourselves on white-sand beaches, indulge in world-class shopping, dine on delicious fusion food or party ’til dawn at trendy nightclubs. If you’re looking for adventure, there’s ample opportunity for kite-surfing, wreck diving, surfing and sailing. History buffs will also enjoy the island’s colorful heritage at its many museums, churches and historic sites.
Best for: Upscale stays. St. Bart’s is the place to see and be seen.
Highlights: Every visitor, sun worshipper or not, should check out the island’s pristine beaches. You can get your shopping fix at Gustavia, the main town where you’ll find designer outposts like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Valentino and many more. Many of the beachfront restaurants have romantic appeal and offer the option to dine on the sand.
When to go: November through June is the best time to visit St. Bart’s although April to June is a more affordable sweet spot. Clouds and showers sometimes interrupt the sunny weather through the summer and fall.
Where to stay: Away from the crowded hotels and cruise ships, a villa in St. Bart’s provides the ultimate romantic getaway. You’ll find plenty to choose from, all with fantastic sea and hillside views.
Turks and Caicos
If your idea of honeymoon bliss is jetting off to an island paradise, then Turks and Caicos should fit the bill. This cluster of Caribbean isles offers bags of unspoilt beauty, plus plenty of fun activities to tick off your honeymoon bucket list. Less busy yet more upscale than many of its Caribbean counterparts, the region boasts plenty to do while retaining an intimate charm unlike more mainstream honeymoon destinations.
Best for: Couples looking for sun, sand and plenty of relaxation.
Highlights: The island of Providenciales (or Provo as it is known locally) is the largest island and home to the majority of resorts and amenities. You’ll find Grace Bay here, a 12-mile stretch of beach voted as one of the best in the world. Provo also has a golf course, spas, restaurants and shopping malls.
When to go: Turks and Caicos is at its best in the winter and early spring, when the climate is sunny and dry. It has warm sea too making it perfect for water-based activities. You can spot migrating humpback whales around the islands of Grand Turk and Salt Cay from late January through early April.
Where to stay: Whether you seek a dreamy beachfront retreat or a hilltop hideaway there’s no shortage of places to stay in Turks and Caicos. A top spot for romance, Grace Bay has beachfront resorts and villas offering beautiful sea views.
Tempted to book a Caribbean honeymoon?
Top Villas offers a wide range of condos and villas perfect for honeymoons in the Caribbean. Book with us and not only will you get beautiful accommodation at great prices, you’ll also benefit from amazing round-the-clock customer service plus access to a wide range of travel extras such as car hire, airport transfers or help with arranging a romantic experience.
How to book
Follow the simple online booking process and you can secure your Caribbean vacation rental instantly without any phone calls or fuss. It’s easy to check availability, get a quote and book instantly online. Alternatively, submit an enquiry and the team will get straight back to you.
See all of our Caribbean villas here
Other useful resources
Amazing Caribbean villas for winter sun
The cheapest time to visit the Caribbean
50 cool things to do in Jamaica
