San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is an intriguing blend of the old and the new. Founded in 1521, the city was a key port in the Spanish colonial empire, as evidenced by El Morro, the huge fortress that guards the harbor. Behind thick stone walls, Old San Juan retains its original character of blue cobblestone streets, elegant plazas and brightly colored heritage architecture. This lively center is the city’s – and island’s – cultural hub for museums, music, dining and more. The nearby Santurce district has emerged as the city’s hippest, with unique shops, cutting-edge restaurants and trendy nightlife. Just minutes from the heart of San Juan are the iconic beaches of the Condado and Isla Verde, whose stretches of palm-fringed sands are lapped by the azure waves of the Atlantic.
Road Town, Tortola, BVI
Tortola is at the heart of the British Virgin Island’s world-renowned sailing culture. Long, narrow and just over 21 square miles in area, the largest island of the BVI boasts a quintessentially Caribbean coastline of secluded white sand beaches, hidden coves and great natural anchorages. Inside a horseshoe-shaped harbor, the BVI capital of Road Town is the friendly, laid-back center for commerce, dining on fresh seafood and exploring nearby islets, tiny cays, reefs and dive sites. The 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum, VI Folk Museum, and Old Government House Museum showcase local history and culture in Road Town. Within Tortola’s mountainous interior, Sage Mountain delivers the best views from 1,714 feet, the highest point in the Virgin Islands archipelago.
Friars Beach, St. Kitts & Nevis
When you're searching for an island's most idyllic beach, it's a good idea to follow the locals - and in St. Kitts they'll inevitably lead you to South Friar's Beach. Head to the east end of the beach to enjoy world class snorkeling, or retire to one of the wonderfully ramshackle beach bars for an ice cold beer in the shade. Go a little further up the coast to Royal St. Kitts Golf Club for a glorious game or two, or to Royal Beach Casino to try your luck at the tables. Back at South Friar's Beach, soak up the scenery as you dine at one of the Caribbean's most elegant restaurants. The stylish eatery at Carambola Beach Club boasts an exquisite sushi menu and a 4,000-bottle wine cellar.
Gustavia, St. Barthélemy
Saint Barthélemy – better known as Saint Barth – represents a special brand of Caribbean luxury. Exclusive yet unpretentious, its barefoot elegance is distinctly Gallic in style. Around a scenic harbor filled with yachts and sailboats, the tidy capital of Gustavia is a chic mix of designer boutiques, galleries, and fine restaurants serving elevated French-Caribbean cuisine. The town is an ideal base for exploring the tiny island’s diverse array of white sand beaches, ranging from the tranquil natural beauty of isolated Colombier to the sleek hotels and exclusive beach clubs along Baie de St. Jean. Relaxing and laid-back by day, Saint Barth shows its glamorous side after dark, when partiers pack the bars and the dancing lasts until dawn.
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
For nearly 400 years, the Netherlands and France have shared the island known as St. Maarten on the Dutch side and St. Martin on the French. Home to 37 beaches and an array of tropical experiences, the island’s dual cultural profile sets it apart from other Caribbean destinations. Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side, is a bustling port with a lively waterfront, colorful shopping district, casinos, and restaurants serving international fare. Water sports, like sailing, and rainforest explorations are all within easy reach of its docks. Less than 10 kilometers away is the French capital of Marigot, with its cafés, patisseries and low-key vibe. The restaurants and bistros of Grand Case, a village on the north coast, are celebrated for serving the best of French-Caribbean cuisine. Orient Beach, also on the French side, is an island favorite thanks to its long expanse of sand.
St. John, USVI
The smallest of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John was an early pioneer in Caribbean eco-tourism. More than half of its 20 square miles are undeveloped — and will stay that way — as they constitute Virgin Islands National Park, created in 1956 from holdings donated by U.S. philanthropist and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller. Much of St. John’s glorious white-sand beaches, coastline and surrounding seas are also protected, either through the park or the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. Days here revolve around the beauty of unspoiled nature, with activities like hiking, swimming, snorkeling and sailing. On the southwest coast, the town of Cruz Bay is the island’s commercial and maritime hub, with shops, restaurants, bars and the landing for ferries and boats from St. Thomas, just four miles away. A winding road across St. John leads to Coral Bay, a peaceful village with a sheltered natural harbor and friendly, relaxed ambience.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is an intriguing blend of the old and the new. Founded in 1521, the city was a key port in the Spanish colonial empire, as evidenced by El Morro, the huge fortress that guards the harbor. Behind thick stone walls, Old San Juan retains its original character of blue cobblestone streets, elegant plazas and brightly colored heritage architecture. This lively center is the city’s – and island’s – cultural hub for museums, music, dining and more. The nearby Santurce district has emerged as the city’s hippest, with unique shops, cutting-edge restaurants and trendy nightlife. Just minutes from the heart of San Juan are the iconic beaches of the Condado and Isla Verde, whose stretches of palm-fringed sands are lapped by the azure waves of the Atlantic.
Places to visit 
