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Are you wondering what are the best Caribbean islands to explore without a car? Then, we have all the answers for you in this article.
Many of the Caribbean islands have efficient public transportation systems and hence as a visitor it is easier to get around on a budget.
The buses which names vary based on the island often have a sticker to indicate their route and at times there is a conductor/ assistant who you can ask for help.
In this article, we summarize some of the best Caribbean Islands to visit if you do not have a car.
So let us get into all the details,
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1. Barbados
Our first suggestion is the beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados.
Located in the Southern Caribbean region, near the island of St Vincent & the Grenadines, Barbados is loved for its magical caves, white sand beaches, amenities and lively nightlife atmosphere.
Top Things To Do In Barbados
Cave Tour- Harrison Cave is truly one of the island’s natural wonder where you can tour a network of limestone caves using electric trams. There are also refreshments at the facilities as well as souvenir shops.
🎁BOOK Harrison Cave Adventure Tour
Fish Friday is Oistins is one of the biggest items on the weekly entertainment calendar. It is the place to visit for music, dancing, food and to mingle with the locals.
Tour The Capital City- The capital city of Bridgetown and its Garrison holds tremendous history with many archaeological buildings to explore. This could be combined with a food tour to experience the many local dishes that Bajans enjoy.
Ride the St Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway– during this tour you can see a great house, museum and distillery. This activity is wheelchair accessible.
Atlantis Submarine Day Tour- sailing around the island in a Catamaran may be awesome activities to consider. Experience the awesome coral and sea life of the island.
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Where To Stay In Barbados
The South Coast is an excellent region to stay as there are a number of restaurants, bars, grocery stores, fast food chains which makes life without a car seamless.
On a whole, hotels in Bridgetown and Christ Church are excellent regions to consider as they are near to the city centre and other amenities.
Budget Options– Pirate’s Inn and Coral Mist Beach Hotel
Mid-Range Options– Coral Sands Beach Hotel and Coconut Court Beach Hotel
Luxurious Options– Savannah Beach Club, Hilton Barbados Resort, Courtyard By Marriott Bridgetown
2. Grenada
Another amazing option to consider is the spice of the Caribbean which is Grenada.
Located near Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada is an exceptional destination for white sand beaches, chocolate, waterfalls, rainforest and hiking trails.
Top Things To Do In Grenada
Day Tour- spend a day visiting Concord Waterfall where you can bathe and relax in the pool. Also explore the Grand Etang lake region where you can possibly spot the mona money. The Diamond Chocolate Factory will give you insight into how chocolate is harvested and processed into delicious chocolate bars.
Rivertubing Adventure– visit the Balthazar river in the Grand Etang area and float with the river’s current.
Be on the look out for the mona monkey in this region. This tour also involves a stop at the Annandale Falls near the capital city.
Authentic Grenadian Experience– this tour truly embraces Grenada’s trademark of beng the isle of spice which involves visiting the House of Chocolate Museum in the capital city. The tour them goes to De La Grenadine Industries and Annandale Waterfall.
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Where To Stay In Grenada
The Grand Anse Area is a suitable place to stay in the South of the island. Woburn is also a lovely residential area with an efficient bus route system.
Communities such as Point Salines in the South of the island are off the bus route.
Furthermore, the bus does not go near the Morne Rouge beach or BBC Beach area. If you book a hotel in this region you will need to walk to the bus route.
Budget Options– Woburn Villas, Siesta Hotel
Mid-Range Options- Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, Blue Horizon Garden Resort
3. St Lucia
Our next destination is the beautiful island of St Lucia that is all about mountains, waterfalls, hiking trails and entertainment.
Known globally for its stunning UNESCO Heritage site called the Pitons, St Lucia is a spectacular destination for nature enthusiasts.
The Gros Piton is the designated hiking trail while the Petit Piton seldomly climbed.
The taller of the two is named Gros Piton which stands at 2,530 feet while the Petit Piton is 2,438 feet.
Top Things To Do In St Lucia
ATV Tour– explore the natural beauty of the island on ATV. This tour allows you to drive through rainforest, rural communities, historical sites and plantations.
Waterfall Adventure– due to the volcanic nature of the island, you can enjoy mineral and mud baths at the Diamond and Toraille Waterfalls.
Project Chocolat- enjoy delicious chocolate grown and processed on the island. Additionally, you can enjoy delicious cocoa cuisine such as cocao burger and icecream.
Where To Stay In St Lucia
The best place to stay is in the Gros Islet region as there are many restaurants, bars, major supermarket, banks, mall, marinas and more establishments in this region.
Bay Garden Hotel, Coco Palm and Harbor Club, St Lucia Curio Collection by Hilton are all phenomenal locations to stay in the heart of Gros Islet with easy access to buses to the capital city, Castries.
4. St Vincent & the Grenadines
St Vincent & the Grenadines is another great destination to explore without a vehicle.
It is an excellent destination for black sand beaches and white sand beaches. The island is also home to the oldest botanical garden in the Western hemisphere.
Top Things To Do In St Vincent & the Grenadines
Climbing La Soufriere is one of the most popular attractions on the island of St Vincent
Visitors tend to begin from Bamboo Range on the Windward side of the island. The mountain peak stands at an elevation of 4,048 feet and consists of nine miles.
Due to the complexity of the hike, it is advised that persons complete this trail with a local guide.
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This green lush garden is located in mountains of Mesopotamia Valley which is the bread basket of the island.
It was created by Timothy Vaughn and embodies the words peace and tranquility.
It spans a glorious seven acres and features many flora, fauna and wildlife of St Vincent.
Nature enthusiasts at heart will find this venue a treat.
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An extraordinary feature of St Vincent and the Grenadines is that it is the home to the oldest botanical garden in the Western Hemisphere.
The garden has facilities such as bathrooms so you are free to spend a few hours admiring the wildlife and exotic flora of the island.
Furthermore, the garden has a descendant of the original breadfruit tree brought to the Caribbean by Capital Blyth of the Bounty fame in 1793.
The botanical garden is only a short bus ride away from the capital city of Kingstown and is a serene place to visit.
✨✨✨BOOK A Botanical Garden Scenic Tour
Where To Stay In St Vincent & the Grenadines
For ease of moving around without a car, we strongly recommend that you stay on the Windward side of the island.
Communities such as Villa and Arnos Vale are active places which are nearby primary beaches (Villa Beach and Indian Bay) as well as the Joshua Centre.
In the Arnos Vale area there is a large Massy Supermarket which has an ATM machine and fast food chain KFC.
We recommend that you consider booking at Paradise Beach Hotel and Mariners Hotel for ease to the bus route.
For a more luxurious experience, we recommend Young Island Resort which is accessible via a short boat ride to the mainland.
Celebrities often stay on Young Island as it offers privacy, seclusion and tranquility.
5. St Kitts & Nevis
St Kitts & Nevis or fondly called Sugar City is an excellent destination for history buffs, golfing, persons who love day trips to a smaller island as well as white sand beaches.
The smaller dependency Nevis is excellent for persons seeking peace and tranquility.
Top Things To Do In St Kitts & Nevis
A unique attraction to experience in St Kitts is the scenic railway tour. The rail was built between 1912 and 1926 to bring sugar cane from the plantations to sugar factories on the island. This activity is perfect for individuals of all ages.
Nevis is the dependency of St Kitts and consists of only 36 square miles. You can sail from the mainland of St Kitts to Pinney Beach in Nevis. This is the most famous beach on the island.
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Where To Stay In St Kitts & Nevis
The best place to stay in St Kitts and Nevis is at a hotel in the capital city of Basseterre.
Ocean Terrace Inn which is walking distance from the city is a perfect for persons who do not have a car.
If you are booking a taxi you can consider Seaview Inn or for a more upscale experience the Marriott Resort in Frigate Bay is an excellent option to consider.
The Frigate Bay area is a great place to night time entertainment and many bars and restaurants are within walking distance.
Tips For Exploring The Caribbean Using Public Transportation
Locals often say Good morning or Good Evening when they enter the buses.
Most of the buses have conductors who you can ask to for directions and also to drop you off at a specific location.
To stop many of the Caribbean buses you need to knock the upper side of the bus for it to stop. Pay attention to what the locals do here. In other buses, you will see a buzzer to press to stop the bus.
For ease of making payment, it is best to have USD$1 notes. Change will be given in the local currency where applicable. As a general rule, buses are unable to process credit and debit card payments.
The Caribbean islands are still traditional and conventional. Thus as a result, public transportation is limited on Sundays. Nevertheless, if you need a taxi, the receptionist at your hotel should be able to book one for you. Alternatively, you can consider a tour with pick up and drop off arrangements for Sunday.
Visitors should not wear swim suits or mini shorts in the streets, stores or in public transport.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Caribbean Islands Are Easy To Travel Between?
It is easy to travel between the Caribbean islands in the Southern Caribbean of St Lucia, Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe. Likewise, in the Northern Caribbean, there are ferries that connect St Maarten, St Kitts, St Barths, Saba, St Eustatius, St Martin and Anguilla.
What Is The Least Touristy Caribbean Island?
The Emerald Isle of Montserrat is the least touristy island in the Caribbean. The island has suffered tremendous devastation due to the Soufriere volcano which caused massive migration. Currently, there are about 5,000 inhabitants but Montserrat has stunning black sand beaches with a rich culture.
Which Caribbean Islands Are Walkable?
There are several Caribbean islands that are walkable such as Grenada, St Lucia, Barbados and Aruba. These islands have a reputation for being incredibly safe and you will get the opportunity to enjoy their capital cities, visit cafes, admire the historic architecture as well as mingle with locals.
Which Caribbean Islands Are Not Worth Visiting?
Caribbean islands such as Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago are not worth visiting. Haiti has been crippled with political instability for many years and as a result internal fights and demonstrations are prevalent. On the other hand, Trinidad & Tobago has a high rate of crime and violence.
Final Thoughts: Best Caribbean Islands To Visit Without A Car
We trust that you found this information helpful as you explore the Caribbean islands without a car.
The islands listed above are generally safe and locals are willing to provide directions if required.
So pack your bags and prepare to have loads of fun.
More Best Caribbean Guides:
Best Caribbean Islands To Visit
Best Beaches In The Caribbean
Best Caribbean Islands For No Mosquitoes
Caribbean Travel Planning Guide
What is the best way to book your Caribbean accommodations?
For Caribbean hotels, Booking.com is the best site to consider.
Nevertheless, if you prefer apartments or houses VRBO is the best option to explore, which is often cheaper than Airbnb.
What’s The Best Site To Buy Cheap Flights?
To find cheap flights, we recommend Skyscanner.
Are Private Jets Available To The Caribbean?
Yes, booking a flight is easy with Villers Jet . They provide efficient private jet service to numerous Caribbean islands so you can arrive in comfort and style.
Should I buy travel insurance?
Absolutely, Many Caribbean islands are situated in the hurricane belt and are susceptible to severe weather from June to November annually. The island’s landscape is also mountainous and if you are planning on driving it is best to protect yourself.
World Nomads Insurance provides coverage against hurricanes, street crime, medical emergencies and more- starting at $5 per day.
Is It Safe To Rent A Car In The Caribbean?
Yes- Renting a car is the easiest way to explore the islands. We recommend, Discover Cars which reviews both local and international rates to ensure that you are getting best value.
Want To Save Money On Your Next Cruise To The Caribbean?
For learning powerful money saving cruise tips and insider tricks, we recommend the course How To Cruise For Less by Emma Cruises.
Do I need a VPN while vacationing in The Caribbean?
Yes You Do! VPNs ensure that your in internet connection is protected while you travel.
This makes it challenging for hackers to steal your data.
I don’t speak the language? Can I still vacation in the Caribbean?
Absolutely! Learn languages quickly with the iTalki app. Just a few minutes a day and you are well on your way!
What Is The Best Site To Find Tours?
To find a wide selection of tours, we recommend Viator.
Are You Planning On Visiting The Beach While In The Caribbean?
Protect our reefs and coral life with reef safe sunscreen. Also, do not forget to pack insect repellant as mosquitoes can be plentiful especially during the rainy season and a water bottle to stay hydrated.
