Flamenco Beach

The Caribbean holds beaches that have kept their natural shape and offer travelers a different view of the region. Some sit on small islands, others along coasts protected by coral reefs. Eagle Beach in Aruba draws visitors with its white sand, while Flamenco Beach on Culebra in Puerto Rico is known for its clear water. Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman stretches along the western shore, and Anse de Grande Saline in Saint Barthélemy remains secluded and backed by hills. Tulum in Mexico pairs beach with Mayan ruins, Bathsheba in Barbados shows rocky coastal formations, and Treasure Beach in Jamaica is a quiet fishing village with dark sand. Caribbean beaches vary in character and location. Rendezvous Bay in Anguilla and Long Bay in Saint Martin offer wide stretches of sand, while Half Moon Bay in Antigua stands out for its protected cove. Shoal Bay in Antigua is popular with snorkelers, Sorobon Beach in Bonaire sits in a shallow mangrove area, and Pigeon Point in Tobago features a long wooden jetty. Zoni Beach on Culebra sees few visitors, La Sagesse Bay in Grenada is lined with palms, and Varadero in Cuba runs for several miles along the northern coast. These beaches work as starting points for travelers looking to explore the region beyond the standard tourist circuit.

Puerto Rico offers more than the beaches and colonial fortresses of San Juan. The island contains dozens of natural swimming pools, remote coastal sections and protected forest reserves. The northern coast holds limestone caves with pre-Columbian petroglyphs, while the southwest region includes bioluminescent bays and extensive salt flats. The interior features waterfalls cascading over volcanic rock and hiking trails through mountain canyons with native vegetation. Historic sites include 19th-century lighthouses on rocky promontories, Spanish fortifications guarding harbor entrances and archaeological sites like the indigenous ceremonial center of Tibes near Ponce. Coastal areas offer natural swimming holes separated from the sea at low tide, including Las Paylas in Luquillo and Pozo de Jacinto in Isabela. The dry coastal forests of Guánica and the wet rainforest of El Yunque show the range of the island's ecosystems. Visitors reach these locations via local roads that are often unpaved and poorly marked. Many natural pools and waterfalls require short hikes over uneven terrain. The best conditions occur during the dry season from December through April, when river flows run lower. Some locations like Reserva Natural Las Cabezas de San Juan require advance booking for guided tours, while others remain freely accessible year-round.