Is it possible that you traveled all the way to an idyllic Caribbean island and found yourself watching an NFL game on a big screen at a pool bar surrounded by a bunch of people you could easily meet at a strip mall sports bar?
When you want the convenience of an all-inclusive resort without the crowds, here are five resorts to help you step out of the box.
Jamaica is where the idea of the all-inclusive vacation was born, and there are many properties here that lure tourists onto their compounds with the lure of alcohol, food and water sports.
The S Hotel Jamaica in Montego Bay is a great base for a different type of Jamaica stay. The hotel is located on Doctor's Cave Beach, which is five minutes from the airport, and it mixes Jamaican contemporary art with the sophistication of South Beach.
Jamaican ex-pats return to the island for a visit, style-setters from Kingston and the like, as your fellow guests. The sky pool on the rooftop looks like it was made for social media and is a great place to watch the sunset.
The Rockland Bird Sanctuary is located in the hills outside town and you can feed the hummingbirds there.
There are some essential things to do in Jamaica.
Get trusted guidance to the world's most breathtaking experiences delivered to your inbox weekly with our email newsletter.
The entire island of Dominica is an English speaking Guadeloupe island between the two French Antilles countries of Martinique and Guadeloupe in the eastern Caribbean.
Dominica is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Dominica's verdant foliage has already grown back nearly as lush as before.
The Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica is located at the edge of a national park on the island's northeast coast and is close to waterfalls and hiking.
It is a must to swim at the Champagne Reef, located near the island's capital in Roseau. Dominica's pristine coral-covered walls are a great place to dive on a boat.
The hiking passport will allow you to go off the beaten path.
If you want to avoid the pervasiveness of all-inclusives in the Dominican Republic on your next visit, stay at an independent property with plenty of other perks.
From Cabarete on the north coast to the Saman Peninsula, there is a collection of six independent properties. Mint puts the island's amazing natural landscapes at your doorstep, instead of just another pool bar and beach.
All of the properties are stunning, but our favorite of the bunch is the 12 free-standing, A-frame bungalows at the Punta Rucia Lodge, which epitomize the barefoot luxury Caribbean beach life you've come for.
You can launch a stand-up paddle board from the private dock at the property or head out by boat to the small island of Cayo Arena, which has excellent snorkeling and diving.
The Dominican Republic has a lot of road trips.
The all-inclusive vacation life is offered at a number of large resorts in the area. You may begin to wonder if the compound vacation life is really for you once your plastic wristband is snapped on tightly.
You can add to your independence by staying at Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun, a spectacular luxury property located right near the ferry dock.
Fiesta Americana is a Mexican owned hotel chain with many all-inclusive resorts. The Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach is more of a luxury hotel than a all-inclusive one, with excellent Mexican food.
The suites overlook the pool and Caribbean Sea at the north end of the Zona Hotelera. The Gem Spa is one of the best spas in the world.
If you want to go for an adventure, walk a few steps over to Playa Caracol, which is right next to the hotel, and you can catch the 30-minute ferry to Isla Mujeres, an offshore island where you can hire golf carts to tool around the back streets.
Cancn is one of the best places to go for a day trip.
Nassau can feel overrun with visitors due to the fact that neither of the two all-inclusive resorts is an all-inclusive resort.
For an old-school Bahamas vibe in a quiet setting, set your sights west to Love Beach at Compass Point Beach Resort, where a collection of colorful bungalows sit right at the ocean's edge.
The hotel has a restaurant and a sundowner bar that overlook the water.
The Gambier neighborhood has a wildly popular roadside stand called Dino's Gourmet Conch Salad, which sells one of the island's tastiest local treats: conch salad spiked with tropical fruits.
There are many things to do in The Bahamas.
The article was first published on December 19th.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
