Beach vacations are perfect for families traveling with kids of all ages and the best Caribbean Islands for families include a wide variety of options. For those with young kids, islands like Puerto Rico and Jamaica are great because everything is straightforward, taking a lot of the stress out of travel.
Have children a bit older and want more options for activities? Islands like the Caymans and the Dominican Republic are full of things to do. And there’s always sunny Puerto Rico which is perfect for families and you don’t need a passport to visit.
The best Caribbean islands for families include:
- Jamaica
- Dominican Republic
- Puerto Rico
- Cayman Islands
- Saint Lucia
Ready to start planning your Caribbean island vacation? Use Troupe to help keep track of all the details and let your family vote on their favorite islands or hotels!
The best Caribbean islands for families
1. Jamaica
We love Jamaica as a family getaway in the Caribbean because life on the island is easygoing. And that applies to visitors, too.
Jamaica has a wonderful sense of culture– introduce the kids to reggae music and jerk-spiced everything. If you’re looking for fun family activities on the islands, you’ll find zip-lining, waterfall treks, snorkeling adventures, and Water Parks. Just looking to relax? Stay in Negril where you can spend your whole vacation on the Seven Mile Beach, with plenty of space to spread out and beautiful blue waters that are calm enough for little ones to enjoy safely.
If you want to stay on Seven Mile Beach, Skylark Negril is the perfect laidback beachfront hotel with a retro vibe that families will love. If you want to be able to dive headfirst into the water from your guest room, check out our favorite swim up rooms in Jamaica.
2. Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is one the best Caribbean islands for families because you can really choose your own adventure in DR. Want to do something out of the ordinary? Try parasailing or white water rafting in Jarabacoa. Traveling with grandparents or other families with children? Consider renting a villa in the quiet enclave of Las Terrenas so you can all stay together in one spot.
At the Hard Rock Punta Cana, parents and kids will both find plenty to do that everyone will enjoy. With a bowling alley, loads of daily activities, and water sports, the Hard Rock is truly great for all ages. You’ll also find incredible family-friendly swim-up suites in Punta Cana.
Punta Cana is also home to one of our favorite all-inclusive water park resorts.
3. Puerto Rico
If you’re craving a beach getaway last minute but haven’t gotten around to getting the kids’ passports, you still have a great option for family travel in the Caribbean. As long as everyone is a U.S. citizen, you can visit the territory of Puerto Rico without hassle. It’s also one of the shortest flights from most of the United States which means less time entertaining kids on the plane.
Puerto Rico is one of the best Caribbean islands for families because there are plenty of kid-friendly resorts like the Caribe Hilton in San Juan. In addition to playgrounds, a kid’s fountain pool, koi ponds, and kid’s menus, the Caribe Hilton also offers babysitting services for parents to enjoy some R&R. Not to mention, children up to 18 can stay for free in their parent’s rooms.
Traveling with tiny tots? Don’t forget to pack these important baby travel essentials.
4. Cayman Islands
Miles of white sand beaches make the Cayman Islands one of the best Caribbean islands for families looking to enjoy plenty of time by the water. One of the best family-friendly water activities in the Caymans is swimming with stingrays in an area known as Stingray City. You can also choose to take a kayak or catamaran after dark to experience the bioluminescence in the bays. At the Cayman Turtle Centre, the whole family can swim with sea turtles in lagoons and enjoy the 100-foot long Turtle Twister Waterslide.
At the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort the whole family will have access to unlimited water sports like jet skis, kayaks, and sailing. There’s also a kid’s club for ages 5-12.
5. St. Lucia
With plenty of calm water beaches and fun inland activities alike, St. Lucia is great for families. Kids of all ages will find something to enjoy here. This island is a great place to rent a car and explore as a family. You can tour a “drive-in” volcano, visit rushing waterfalls, or stop into tiny fishing villages. In addition, you can take walks through the rainforest or climb aboard a catamaran for a sunset boat tour.
Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa is a great option for families. Located in a safe, walkable area, the hotel also has unlimited access to Splash Island Water Park. The water park is full of floating trampolines, climbing walls, slides, and swings that kids will love.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out some more of our favorite destinations below. And make sure you have everything you need by consulting our group trip planning checklist!