Readers” Choice: This is the best of the Caribbean
Mar 02, 2018
By: 10Best Editors
Source: 10Best
While the Caribbean was hard hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, much of the region was spared from damage, and many impacted islands are on the road to recovery and eager for travelers to return.
To help shed light on this slice of tropical paradise, 10Best asked our readers to help us name the Caribbean”s best resorts, beaches, attractions, bars, distilleries and restaurants that are open (or will be open) in 2018. After four weeks of voting, the results are in.
Click on each category below to see the full list of winners:
Best Caribbean Attraction: El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico
El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. forest system — Photo courtesy of iStock / dennisvdw
This fascinating slice of wildlife is an easy day trip from San Juan. More than 100 billion gallons of rain falls each year on the 28,000-acre forest, and more than 240 species of trees, 50 species of ferns and 20 varieties of wild orchids are represented here.
Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Attractions »
Best Caribbean Beach: Grand Anse Beach in Grenada
Beach goers can see the capital from this silky stretch of sand — Photo courtesy of Grenada Tourism Authority
Many a visitor to the Caribbean”s Spice Island never leave the 2-mile stretch of creamy white sand known as Grand Anse Beach. Located conveniently close to St. George”s, the beach has an old Caribbean feel, plenty of room for walking and loads of restaurants, hotels and shops to meet any beach-goer”s needs.
Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Beaches »
Best Caribbean Beach Bar: Tamboo Bar & Seaside Grill in Puerto Rico
This Puerto Rican beach bar is a perfect spot to watch a sunset — Photo courtesy of Joe Jungmann / Flickr
Diners and drinkers at Tamboo Bar & Seaside Grill sit on a two-level deck right above the sand of a popular Rincon surfing beach. The menu features Puerto Rican-American fusion, with standouts like grilled lobster and plantain-crusted shrimp.
Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Beach Bars »
Best Caribbean Dive Site: Bianca C in Grenada
Divers come from around the world to explore the wreck of the Bianca C — Photo courtesy of Grenada Tourism Authority
The Bianca C, a 600-foot cruise liner nicknamed the Titanic of the Caribbean, sunk in 1961 and remains upright beneath the water. Divers who visit the wreck often spot eagle rays, moray eels, nurse sharks, barracuda and even schools of Atlantic spadefish.
Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Dive Sites »
Best Caribbean Golf Course: Old Quarry Golf Course in Curacao
This winning golf course follows the contours of Tafelberg Mountain — Photo courtesy of Old Quarry Golf Course / Facebook
The Pete Dye-designed Old Quarry course at the Santa Barbara Golf & Beach Resort in Curacao affords views of both the Caribbean and the craggy limestone formations of Mount Tafelberg. The course itself is characterized by wide, rolling fairways, raised greens and a sense of seclusion thanks to separations between holes.
Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Golf Courses »
Best Caribbean Resort: Mount Cinnamon Resort in Grenada
Guests of the resort enjoy easy access to the Caribbean”s best beach — Photo courtesy of SaritaJG84 / Flickr
Mount Cinnamon Resort, an eco-luxe retreat on the Caribbean”s Spice Island, comprises 30 villas and suites overlooking the magnificent Grand Anse Beach. The Green Globe Certified resort also features two restaurants, a pool and a beach club for non-motorized water sports.
Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Resorts »
Best Caribbean Rum Distillery: Barbancourt Rum Distillery in Haiti
Barbancourt is one of Haiti”s oldest and most famous distilleries — Photo courtesy of Rhum Barbancourt / Facebook
Nestled among the sugarcane fields north of the airport in Port-Au-Prince, Barbancourt Rum Distillery offers weekly tours of its facility, giving visitors insight into the distillation and aging processes. The tour culminates in a tasting of the popular Estate Reserve rum, aged for 15 years.
Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Rum Distilleries »
Best Restaurant in the Caribbean: Sheer Rocks in Antigua
Diners at Sheer Rocks enjoy tapas poolside — Photo courtesy of Sheer Rocks
Perched atop a sunset-facing bluff, Sheer Rocks specializes in tapas, cocktails and an a la carte menu with dishes made from locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Everything is handmade in house, and all the seafood is line-caught or hand dived.
Full list of winners: Best Restaurants in the Caribbean »
