Share The Article

White sands stretching so far as the horizon, seas of the turquoise-most blue, and all of the recent fruit and scrumptious empanadas you will get your fingers on: ahem, cue the voice: in basic Jet2 model… ‘nothing beats a Caribbean vacation!‘.

Be that as it might, the fixed bombardment of Cancun provides, or these not-so-exclusive Punta Cana getaway offers can actually begin to grate.

It is the place everyone goes yr in, yr out, and let’s face it, if it is an genuine Caribbean expertise you search, not the standard polished, American-friendly tourism bubble, it is not like these overtouristed spots encourage essentially the most… intrigue.

The excellent news is the Mexican Caribbean is just not the solely slice of paradise inside straightforward attain of the U.S.

It might boast the very best connectivity, certain, however you’ll be able to nonetheless fly nonstop from the States to 3 various tropical gems which are but to be spoiled by the lots—and guess what, they are much safer, too:

La Romana, Dominican Republic

A resort city straddling the Dominican Republic’s Caribbean facet, La Romana is quickly rising as an alternative choice to Punta Cana as a result of its chilled-out environment and security file.

Though you do get the five-star enclaves encroaching pristine waters, proper subsequent to it there’s actual, un-staged day by day life: public markets, colourful graffiti, and public seashores, like Caleta, the place music is blasting day-round, and Dominican youngsters play on the sand.

When stepping out of your resort, be sure you seize a chilly Presidente in one of many many espresso outlets within the neighborhood of the primary sq., sit for some time, and cheer on the fiercely-competitive abuelos within the midst of their domino matches.

Oh, likelihood is there will be bachata buskers round, so be sure you carry a couple of cash of pesos to tip them.

1. What’s your supreme trip environment?

Genuine & Actual

I would like native markets, actual neighborhoods, and tradition.

Polished & Gated

I choose a manicured resort bubble the place all the things is ideal.

2. Decide your Friday night time vibe:

Chill & Native

Beers at a nook store, bachata music, and domino video games.

Occasion & Golf equipment

Coco Bongo, foam events, and dancing till 4 AM.

3. How “Road Sensible” are you?

Assured Explorer

I’ve frequent sense and do not thoughts a bit grit for an excellent expertise.

Zero Worries

I need to really feel 100% safe in a vacationer zone always.

Is La Romana, Dominican Republic Protected For Individuals?

The Dominican Republic is formally thought-about a Degree 2 vacation spot by U.S. authorities, which implies Individuals should train ‘elevated warning’ when visiting.

This comes within the type of avoiding suburban zones the place crime ranges could also be increased, bewaring of your environment in crowded areas (e.g. when taking money out from an ATM in a busy thoroughfare), and avoiding displaying helpful objects, like costly jewellery, in public.

The state of affairs on the bottom is much more nuanced: standard areas like Bayahibe and Casa de Campo, the place many of the vacationer amenities are centered, are often very secure, with a sturdy police presence and workers being aware of international guests.

Bottomline: although crime does exist, it is unlikely to have an effect on you in downtown La Romana. However, do hold a watchful eye for pickpockets and opportunistic robbers.

Fly Nonstop To La Romana (LRM) From The U.S.

Airport Airways(s) Flight length (approx.) Approx. round-trip fare (USD)
Miami (MIA) American Airways 2h30 $300–$380

Roatán, Honduras

Mendacity off the Caribbean coast of Honduras, simply barely bigger than the state of Virginia, Roatán is likely one of the Tropics’ last-truly unspoiled paradisiacal islands.

We’re speaking small, vibrant communities not crumbling below the burden of gentrification, sprawling nature parks, and slower-paced residing: much less site visitors, much less crowds, and wild seashores bordered by crystal-clear waters, stretching for miles on finish with no single Meliá in sight.

Do not get us fallacious: the infrastructure remains to be there, in any case, Roatán stays probably the most standard ports of name for Royal Caribbean cruises, however as an alternative of larger-than-life resorts, image rustic, barefoot luxurious boutique inns proper on the beachfront.

Oh, and if it is authenticity you search, you’ll be able to’t miss West Finish Village: essentially the most picturesque settlement on the island, dotted with colourful, palapa-style homes, with the basic thatched roof, and kerb-side kiosks allotting pupusas and freshly-caught seafood.

1. What’s your lodging model?

Barefoot Luxurious

I would like rustic boutique inns the place I can stroll on the sand.

Mega Resort

I need a large lodge model like Meliá or Hilton.

2. What’s for dinner?

Road Meals

Give me recent seafood & pupusas from a kiosk in West Finish Village.

White Tablecloth

I choose air-conditioned nice eating with a costume code.

3. Security Consolation Degree?

Journey Savvy

I perceive that Roatán is a secure bubble, even when the mainland is not.

Zero Danger

If the nation is “Degree 3,” I am staying dwelling, interval.

Is Roatán, Honduras Protected For Individuals?

That is the place the strains between official security recommendation, and precise dangers on the bottom begin trying blurry a bit: if you happen to’re following U.S. recommendation by the letter, you’ll keep away from Honduras as an entire as it has been classed as a Degree 3 vacation spot.

At this stage, journey is not expressly discouraged, however Individuals should ‘rethink’ visiting as a result of higher-than-average charges of crime.

Whereas that is largely true on the mainland, the place gang exercise and arbitrary regulation enforcement are rampant, Roatán is extensively thought-about by journey consultants and vacationers alike a secure vacation spot.

Even the typically-conservative U.S. Authorities acknowleges that within the Bay Islands (which embrace Roatán), there’s a bigger ‘focus of sources’, and vacationer areas are ‘higher policed’.

Briefly, pickpocketing and theft from rental vehicles does exist, however let’s face it, you are extremely unlikely to enter Honduras’ homicide statistics as severe crime towards vacationers on the island is uncommon. One of the best method is to not depart unattended belongings and never be the typical apparent gringo.

Fly Nonstop To Roatán (RTB) From The U.S.

Airport Airways(s) Flight length (approx.) Approx. round-trip fare (USD)
Miami (MIA) American Airways 2h40 $350–$600
(season/advance reserving dependent)
Houston (IAH) United Airways 2h50 $450–$850+
Dallas/Fort Value (DFW) American Airways 3h30 $500–$900
(usually seasonal)
Atlanta (ATL) Delta Air Strains 3h00 $500–$900+
(season impacts value)
Denver (DEN) United Airways 4h00 $550–$1,000+
(winter seasonal)
Minneapolis (MSP) Solar Nation Airways 4h25 $600–$1,100+
(winter seasonal)

Guadeloupe, French Caribbean

Guadeloupe is a French Caribbean island with a mixture of French and Creole cultures, traversed by jungle-clad volcanic peaks, and boasting a whopping 300 miles of shoreline, interspersed with tranquil villages, hidden coves, and sandy seashores.

That is what your typical day in Guadeloupe goes like: you mainly get a morning rainforest journey with waterfalls and nature vibes, then swap to basic Caribbean seaside mode within the afternoon: assume chillaxing on the sand with killer meals.

Guadeloupe is, the truth is, made up of two essential islands: Basse-Terre concentrates many of the volcanic peaks, together with La Soufrière, rising 4,813 ft above sea stage, waterfalls, and jungle trails, whereas Grande-Terre is the place you will discover these postcard-ready white sands and calm lagoons.

Each are linked by frequent ferries, and if you happen to’re asking us, Basse-Terre is the very best island to be based mostly in: it is the place the charming coastal capital Pointe-à-Pitre is situated, with its spice markets and colonial structure, and the dramatic landscapes are onerous to beat.

1. Decide your day by day itinerary:

Motion & Chill

Mountaineering waterfalls within the morning, seaside within the afternoon.

Seashore Solely

I simply need to lie on the white sand and by no means transfer.

2. How’s your cultural urge for food?

Euro-Caribbean

I really like the thought of paying in Euros and consuming French crepes within the tropics.

Acquainted Comforts

I choose locations the place everybody speaks English and accepts USD.

3. What’s your security precedence?

Most Security

I would like Degree 1 security requirements (safer than mainland France).

Journey First

I do not thoughts a bit grit or edginess in my vacation spot.

Is Guadeloupe Protected For Individuals?

Guadeloupe is an integral a part of the French Republic. We all know it might be onerous to ascertain, however this implies the duo of islands is each bit as a part of France as a metropolis like Paris or Lyon.

Guadeloupe residents are, effectively, simply French residents, you will be paying to your colombos—a standard Guadeloupéen curry—in euros, and it is French gendarmerie you will see policing the again streets of Pointe-à-Pitre.

For sure, Guadeloupe advantages considerably from being an abroad area of a European nation, significantly contemplating the iffy security ranges throughout a lot of the Caribbean. In different phrases, France is not precisely eager on letting a bit of its nationwide territory flip right into a drug hub.

Violent crime affecting vacationers is nearly unheard-of, and even petty theft is just not as widespread-an-issue as it’s in different Caribbean hubs.

It is no surprise U.S. authorities have positioned Guadeloupe, in addition to the entirety of the French Caribbean, below Degree 1. This implies it is even safer than mainland France, which stays at Degree 2 because of the ongoing menace of terrorism.

Fly Nonstop To Guadeloupe–Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) From The U.S.

Airport Airways(s) Flight length (approx.) Approx. round-trip fare (USD)
Miami (MIA) American Airways 3h15 $465–$650

The Journey Off Path Benefit: Your Journey Toolkit

Subscribe To Our Newest Posts

Enter your e-mail deal with to subscribe to Journey Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.