Top 10 places in the Caribbean

Do you want to discover the best destinations in the Caribbean?

Talking about holidays in the Caribbean means dreaming about turquoise waters, idyllic beaches, dreamy seas, incredible landscapes and beautiful spots surrounded by tropical vegetation that make for experiences you will never forget.

In this article, you will discover our top 10 places in the Caribbean in Punta Cana and Riviera Maya:

1. Isla Pasión, Holbox

 

Isla Pasión is an untouched island located 15 minutes from Holbox (Yucatán Peninsula – Riviera Maya) and it can be reached as part of a tour that visits a couple of other islands.

The beauty of the island is that it seems to be far away from the world, in an intimate and romantic setting, ideal for unique moments with that special person.

The main attraction is that you can walk all the way around the island. It doesn’t have a beach, but the sandbanks are very extensive and the tide barely reaches your knees, so there are no obstacles at all.

The island has a lookout point, made of 100% natural materials, and you can climb to the top to enjoy fantastic views of the sea.

It’s important to note that there are no shops or restaurants on the island, so you will have to carry your own food and drinks.

If your plan is to get away from it all, this is the perfect place for you.

And if the tour of Isla Pasión wasn’t enough for you, we recommend that you return to Holbox at nightfall to take a walk along the beach under the stars, where you will witness the incredible phenomenon of bioluminescence, the process through which living organisms produce light as a result of a biochemical reaction.

♦ To get to Holbox, you must first arrive at the port of Chiquilá from which you can take a ferry with several daily routes to Holbox. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.

It is 2 hours from our Princess hotels in Playa del Carmen.

2. Playa Bávaro, Punta Cana

Probably the best known area in the Dominican Republic, and one of the most important Caribbean tourist destinations of the moment, located in the southeast of the island. This area is where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, and it benefits from kilometres of white sand and turquoise sea, all framed by coconut trees.

It is the perfect place for a holiday as a family, couple or with friends. If you love sun, relaxation and beach sports, it is the place for you! You can enjoy your favourite cocktails during the day and dance the night away to catchy Caribbean rhythms such as bachata, salsa or merengue.

♦ This idyllic setting is where you will find the Princess Hotels in Punta Cana, which are specially designed to ensure that everyone has their dream holiday.

3. Punta Sur, Cozumel

Cozumel island (Riviera Maya) is known for having the second largest coral reef in the world. It is an island paradise, visited mainly for its incredible underwater landscapes, but it also offers spectacular views above water.

One of the most emblematic places on the island is undoubtedly Punta Sur, home to a large lighthouse, a crocodile reserve and the most beautiful beach in all of Cozumel. Punta Sur is an eco-tourist park located in the extreme south. This nature reserve is open to the public and it is an unforgettable experience.

As you enter the park, your first stop has to be the Celerain lighthouse, which is now a cultural and navigation museum. The main attraction is that you can climb to the top of the lighthouse and appreciate the beautiful scenery from above.

Next, you should head to Chunchacab beach, which will impress you with its turquoise waters and white sand.

To finish the excursion, you can take a boat ride around the Colombia reef and pass by the crocodile reserve, a sight that will leave you speechless.

♦ This iconic island is 2 hours away from our Princess Hotels in Riviera Maya.

4. Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic

Historically, this was the first island that Christopher Columbus set foot on, in the colonial area of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Here, we find the beginnings of the New World.

Many cities have colonial areas, but the Dominican Republic has the first of them all. As you stroll around the cobbled pedestrian streets you will find:

• Alcázar de Colón: What was once the presidential palace of Diego Colón now houses a very interesting museum that recreates what life was like in colonial times.

• Catedral Primada de América: Also known as the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, this is the oldest cathedral in the Americas. The style is somewhere between Gothic and Plateresque Gothic and is notable for its spectacular ribbed vaults, altarpieces and paintings.

• Casa del Cordón: This house is named after the decorative stone cordon that frames the main door. It is believed to be the first ever constructed two-storey house.

• Monasterio de San Francisco: One of the most important ruins in the city, declared a Dominican heritage site. It is a magical setting for your photos.

• Fortaleza Ozama: Considered a World Heritage Site, this is the oldest fortress in the New World.

• Puerta de la Misericordia: The first gateway to the city of Santo Domingo.

♦ UNESCO World Heritage Site.

However, today, we want to suggest an additional and complementary plan, and that is to enjoy a wonderful walk through the Botanical Garden in the capital.

These are carefully tended gardens, inspired by different styles, from Asian to tropical, with thousands of species of plants, trees and flowers, where you can stroll peacefully, enjoying a true paradise.

♦ The capital is 2 hours and 45 minutes from our Princess Hotels in Punta Cana.

5. Chichen-Itzá: Mayan Ruins

 

Also recognized as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the Mayan ruins of Chichen-Itzá are one of the best places in the Caribbean and a must-see on any visit to the Mexican Caribbean.

Chichén → Mouth of the well + Itzá →of the water witches

This marvel was one of the most important cities of the Mayan world more than 1000 years ago, and many of the structures are still preserved today. These are the most noteworthy:

• Temple of Kukulcan: The imposing temple that springs to mind when you mention Chichen Itzá.
• Great Cenote Sagrado: Considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Mayan culture, to wchich people traveled from distant places in Central America.

♦ Chichén Itzá can be easily reached via the Cancun-Kantunil / Mexico federal highway, a 2.5 hour drive from our Princess Hotels in Riviera Maya.

6. Saona Island, Punta Cana

One of the essentials when you travel to the Dominican Republic is to go and see this incredible landscape for yourself. It is a protected national park with idyllic beaches, transparent water, all surrounded by coconut trees… In other words, it’s a picture-perfect paradise where you can take the photos of your dreams and make all your friends envious.

If you decide to go on this one-day excursion, we would like to remind you should pack sun cream and sunglasses.

♦ It is only 2 hours from our Princess Hotels in Punta Cana. You will find tour representatives in the hotel lobby who can help you to book an unforgettable day on Saona Island.

7. Isla Contoy, Riviera Maya

This island has been declared a Natural Reserve and National Wildlife Refuge since 1961. It is uninhabited by humans and home to a large number of birds.

It has an elongated shape, measuring 8 kilometres long and just 800 metres at its widest point. It is located on a reef, so you will find a large number of marine species and especially crustaceans there. You will also find hundreds of lobsters that seek refuge on the welcoming shores of Isla Contoy, as well as all the migratory birds.

Due to the fragile nature of the ecosystem, only 200 people are allowed to enter per day and they can only stay for a maximum of 2 hours.

The only facilities you will find on the island are a marine detachment that guards the coasts of Isla Contoy, as well as a small museum where you can learn more about the flora and fauna. There is also an observation tower that serves as a sentinel to the island and offers amazing views of the surrounding landscape.

♦ The boats that depart for the Isla Contoy day tour leave from Cancún and Islas Mujeres, just 2 hours from our Princess Hotels in Riviera Maya.

8. Montaña Redonda and Miches, Dominican Republic

 

Montaña Redonda is a setting that will leave you speechless. It offers great views of surrounding areas and you can take fun photos that make it look like you’re flying over the Dominican coastline. There is also a zip line that you can ride if you’re feeling brave!

After enjoying Montaña Redonda, we recommend finishing the day with a stroll around the Miches, a typical fishing village where you can enjoy delicious shrimp, walks along the incredible beach and see the Samaná peninsula on the horizon.

♦ A memorable excursion that is approximately one hour from the Princess Hotels in the Dominican Republic.

9. El Cuyo, Yucatan

El Cuyo is a small fishing village that has gained popularity in recent years.

The beach is practically untouched, you won’t find beach clubs or restaurants here, but you can enjoy the tranquillity of the sea. It may not be the best option for party goers, but if your plan is to relax, you will definitely enjoy yourself here.

With their unique structural style, the colourful houses of the Cuyo show no signs of the passage of time. It is a magical place, where everything seems to belong to another era, technology is scarce and the connection with nature is immense.

Although it may seem like it, El Cuyo has no outlet to the Caribbean Sea, as it is actually located in the Gulf of Mexico. However, given its proximity to Riviera Maya, it is a place you shouldn’t miss.

A very important thing to mention is that most of the places in town do not accept credit cards, so it is important to carry cash.

♦ Located in the northeast of the state of Yucatán, this lost paradise is only 2 hours away from the Princess Hotels in Playa del Carmen and is the perfect place for a short break.

10. Macao Beach, Dominican Republic

This wild beach is perfect for surfing enthusiasts. Enjoy a day on the beach without being surrounded by hotels, sample delicious fish dishes from one of the little stalls and why not surf the waves for a while.

♦ 20 minutes from the Princess Hotels in the Dominican Republic. Ask one of our tour representatives at the hotel for more information, because excursions to see Macau often include activities such as horseback riding, quads or buggies, to make your experience even more complete.

What do you think of our top 10? Which of these places in the Caribbean would you like to visit? Do you have any suggestions that we missed? We’d like you to share them with us!

Categories: Caribbean, Tips, Be inspired, Mexico, Punta Cana