7 Caribbean Destinations You Can’t Miss in 2026 

With 2026 fast approaching, many of us are starting to think about the places we’d like to go. If a Caribbean escape is calling, you’re in luck. Beyond the steady supply of sun, sand, and sea, the region is buzzing with fresh energy for the year ahead, particularly in its culinary scene and with the debut of several new resorts. Whether you’re chasing award-winning dining experiences or eager to be the first to check into a new property, we’ve pinpointed the seven Caribbean destinations that belong on your 2026 radar.

Just outside of Old San Juan, Santurce offers the best of both vacation worlds: a vibrant, artsy neighborhood with beautiful beaches nearby. The district is also enjoying a renaissance with a recent influx of restaurants, hotels, and galleries. While you’re in Santurce, immerse yourself in culture with a visit to the Museo de Art Contemporáneo, followed by a delicious meal at a culinary hotspot like Santella, MUSA, or Vianda. Another can’t-miss spot is La Placita de Santurce, which is a traditional marketplace during the day. At night, it turns into a lively street party with food vendors, music, and dancing, especially on weekends.

For accommodations, one of the latest hotel openings in the Santurce neighborhood is Veranó San Juan, a contemporary 40-room boutique hotel. Transformed from a former 1950s-era office building, the hotel offers design-forward suites and a chic rooftop lounge. And when you’re ready for that beach break, Ocean Park Beach and Condado Beach are just a five-minute ride away. 

You can’t go wrong with a trip to Aruba, a Dutch island that experiences over 300 days of sunshine a year. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a repeat visitor, next year make plans to check into the St. Regis Aruba Resort, which made its debut earlier this year on the famous sands of Palm Beach. The property offers five dining options, including a rooftop restaurant, a 7-treatment room spa, and six pools.

You can also explore Aruba’s rugged, wild side with a visit to Arikok National Park, which covers nearly 20% of the island. The park is home to unique geological formations, ancient caves with indigenous drawings, and stunning natural pools. It offers a great day trip for hiking, Jeep tours, and seeing a different side of Aruba’s landscape.

Located along the West Coast of Barbados, the island’s Platinum Coast area earned its nickname for its elevated hotels and gorgeous white-sand beaches like Brighton Beach and Paradise Beach. One of the newest additions to the Platinum Coast is Royalton Vessence Barbados, an all-inclusive, adults-oriented (16+) resort that will welcome visitors in the summer of 2026. Each of the property’s 220 suites has oceanfront views, swim-out access, or ocean views, and you can turn up the notch on your stay by booking a Diamond Club suite category, which includes butler service.

If you plan to visit sooner, consider booking a stay at Colony Club, A Luxury Resort Barbados. This former 1930s private estate recently opened with redesigned guest rooms and expanded dining options. Barbados has also made a name for itself for its culinary options. The Platinum Coast is also home to fantastic beachfront restaurants like Paul Owens at The Beach House, Lone Star, and La Cabane, underscoring the island’s reputation as a destination for foodies. 

Saint Lucia is not just for honeymooners, though if you’re here for that, the island’s twin peaks and golden beaches make an ideal romantic getaway. But if your holiday wish list includes snorkeling, hiking the Pitons, or a mud bath in the Sulfur Springs, Saint Lucia’s a sure bet for that too. For a stay that combines one of the island’s best beaches with convenience, consider Reduit Beach. It offers a sense of seclusion while remaining close to the restaurants and bars of the popular Rodney Bay area. 

Consider basing yourself at Sapphire Sands Villas on Reduit Beach. This intimate property offers just nine villas, each of which can be configured into one-, two-, or three-bedroom accommodations. The villas come equipped with a full kitchen, a living room, and a spacious balcony. You can easily spend your whole vacation lounging on the beach or exploring the dining options at the nearby Rodney Bay Marina by sampling waterfront cuisine at Jacques Waterfront Dining or enjoying the views from Matthew’s Rooftop. 

On Panama’s Caribbean coast, travelers can experience unspoiled beaches backed by a lush rainforest in Costa Arriba de Colon. For a taste of Caribbean and Central American culture, check out the recently opened Ordovician Beach Resort, a 47-room luxury resort within Portobelo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its impressive 17th and 18th-century Spanish colonial forts. The resort sits on a private beach and offers overwater bungalows, the first of their kind in Costa Arriba.

The resort’s national park location offers access to rainforest trails and curated day trips to the nearby San Blas Islands, an archipelago famed for its turquoise waters. Costa Arriba de Colón is full of history, too; it has attractions like Fort San Lorenzo, which offers a peek into the country’s colonial past. Easily reachable within about 2 hours of Panama City, Costa Arriba de Colón is a blend of nature, history, and Caribbean relaxation.

One of the latest additions to Grand Cayman’s coastline is the soon-to-open Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa, a modern, beachfront property with six dining options and an expansive spa. The hotel is located at the southern end of Seven Mile Beach, known for its powdery-soft sand and impossibly clear water. Spend your days alternating between the resort’s water activities like paddleboarding, snorkeling, or kayaking, and head to the famous Sting Ray City.  

Off the water, Grand Cayman has upped its food game with a slate of new bars and restaurants in the last two years. Some of the latest additions include a collection of elevated Caribbean-Asian restaurants, such as LIU Chinese Kitchen, Koijima Izakaya, and Coconut Room. And while rum often rules the region, Cask, a whiskey bar opened in 2024, gives travelers another reason to venture off Seven Mile Beach. 

If you’re looking for something a little less visited, Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the perfect answer. In 2026, the tiny island will welcome Nobu Beach Inn, an ultra-luxe property featuring 17 multi-bedroom bungalows and 25 four- and five-bedroom residences on Princess Diana Beach. There’s no shortage of dining options with several planned restaurants and bars, alongside the already-open Nobu Barbuda. 

Princess Diana Beach is a 1.5-mile stretch of unspoiled beach named after the late Royal, who vacationed here with her family. The beach is known for its pinkish hue and calm waters, and its secluded location makes it perfect for swimming and relaxing in privacy. While waiting for the Nobu Beach Inn opening, you can book a nearby stay at Barbuda Cottages, a collection of eco-friendly beachfront cottages on Coral Group Bay.