The 6 Most Underrated Caribbean Beach Towns You Need to Visit

Most travelers land here with the same idea: find a stretch of sand, park up at a beach club, order something cold, and leave winter behind for a week. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, the beaches in the brochures tend to be crowded, expensive, and more suited to tourists than locals. But if you’d like to experience everyday life (with a stunning coastal backdrop), there are many smaller beach towns where you’ll have a much more authentic visit. These are a few of my favorites.

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Port Antonio is a small coastal town on Jamaica’s northeastern coast that’s home to a little over 12,000 residents. The town is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Blue Mountains to the south — where the world-renowned Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is grown on steep hillsides. Port Antonio is home to some of the Caribbean’s best white-sand beaches — including Winnifred Beach, San San Beach, and Frenchman’s Cove.

The Boston Jerk Center sits on Boston Beach in Port Antonio and is said to serve the island’s best jerk — as the style of jerking meat originated in the nearby hills. Boston Beach is also an excellent spot for surfing, and the town’s charming markets and tropical fruit stalls are sure to keep you busy. Port Antonio is a stomping ground for the world’s wealthiest vacationers but remains surprisingly affordable and practical for budget travelers — thanks to its numerous hostels, small guesthouses, and boutique hotels. There’s also a nice selection of Airbnb options, ranging from magical cabins for under $200 per night to lavish group-sized villas with all the bells and whistles.

If you ever tire of the beach, the dreamy rainforests, rivers, and lagoons beckon. Bamboo raft on the Rio Grande or explore remote waterfalls in the Upper Rio Grande Valley — less than a 30-minute drive from the town center.

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This endearing colonial beach town is located on the Dutch-speaking island of Curaçao. Unlike the expansive white-sand beaches that typically land on Caribbean postcards, Willemstad’s beaches are tucked into intimate — and often secluded — coves and inlets. Some have facilities that charge a small user fee — such as at Mambo Beach — while others remain wild and free with plenty of personality.

Blue Bay Beach offers water sports and activities such as snorkeling, fishing, catamaran sailing, and kayaking, all of which can be arranged at dive shops right on the beach, so you don’t need to bring your own equipment. As you snorkel in Curaçao’s azure waters, you may spot sea turtles, squid, octopus, and scores of colorful fish. Afterward, you can grab some delicious seafood prepared from the day’s catch right on the beach or take a day trip into town to explore the restaurants, markets, and Ostrich Farm.

Curaçao is small enough that you can base yourself in one spot and explore most of the island by car, and staying in or near Willemstad puts you close to the city’s cafes, museums, and Dutch colonial architecture. Coastal neighborhoods like Jan Thiel and Piscadera offer easy beach access and a quieter, more residential feel, while Pietermaai, just east of downtown, is a walkable area with restaurants, live music, and colorful townhouses that open onto backyard pools or the sea. In Pietermaai, you’ll find a restored 300-year-old one-bedroom villa ($625 per night) with a modern kitchen, a king bedroom with an open-style ensuite bath, and a private garden pool overlooking the ocean beyond the wall. Another option is a two-bedroom house ($290 per night) with direct ocean access, ensuite bedrooms, and a wraparound porch facing a mineral-based pool and a small public beach just below the steps. Both properties are within walking distance of Willemstad’s bars and restaurants, but thick stone walls and gated parking help keep the atmosphere calm and private, whether you’re here for the city’s culture, the coastline, or a mix of both.

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Trinidad is the larger of the two islands that comprise the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Outside of Carnival season, Trinidad is not as heavily visited as other islands on this list — which means you can explore without beach peddlers trying to sell you souvenirs.

But, instead of merely transiting through Trinidad to get to Tobago, leave the Piarco International Airport and spend a few days in the north coast beach towns of Maracas Bay and Las Cuevas. These beaches are mainly popular with locals but are home to the country’s best bake and shark — a beloved Trinidadian street food made with deep-fried shark meat sandwiched between fluffy flatbread and the condiments of your choice. The waves here are rough compared to other beaches on this list but offer excellent surfing and bodyboarding opportunities. Venture a bit farther along the North Coast Road to the sleepy beach town of Blanchisseuse — a place that still bears the legacy of a time when northern Trinidad was occupied by the French. The beach stretches wide with white sand dotted by coconut trees.

Accommodations near Blanchisseuse can be scarce, so instead consider finding a comfortable place first and then plan day trips along the coast. This one-bedroom apartment in Paramin ($191 per night) is a great option: set on the top floor, the suite has panoramic views over the rainforest, Maraval Valley, and the Caribbean Sea, with a private rooftop perfect for sunset or morning yoga. Inside, there’s a king-size bed facing floor-to-ceiling windows, a freestanding soaking tub, an open-plan living area, and a small kitchen. The apartment is about 15 minutes from Maracas Bay and under an hour from the airport, making it an easy jumping-off point for exploring the North Coast while staying in a spot that feels both private and connected to the landscape.

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True Blue is a tiny beach town on Grenada’s south coast, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. The area is home to a popular marina and dive shop. Fine restaurants, shops, commercial centers, and some of the best beaches on Grenada’s south coast — including Grand Anse Beach — are all within a one-mile radius.

Grenada’s only international airport sits less than a mile and a half from True Blue, making it easy to get around. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a 30-minute cab ride from True Blue to catch the Osprey Lines Ltd. ferry to Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the other two islands that make up Grenada’s tri-island state. Time your visit to catch the annual six-day Grenada Chocolate Festival in May. Convenient shuttles to the festival depart directly from town.

When it comes to where to stay, Grenada isn’t big, so you can prioritize finding a vacation rental that fits your needs over location. If you have the funds, this Airbnb is baller. The two-acre waterfront retreat ($636 per night) will make one heck of a base for exploring the island. The five-bedroom estate comes with concierge services, housekeeping, a tennis court, and is just a stone’s throw from the waterfront of Westerhall Point. For something more realistic, this eco-cabin ($85 per night) is another top listing with glowing reviews from previous guests. The one-bedroom sits high in the trees overlooking Saint George’s harbor. Or, if you need more space, this two-bedroom villa ($250 per night) in Crochu has everything you need: a pool, ocean views, and a beach at the bottom of the garden.

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One can never grow tired of the beach in Antigua. Antiguans quip that the island has 365 beaches — one for every day of the year. Freetown is a sleepy town on Antigua’s southeastern coast — home to the beautiful pink sands of Half Moon Bay Beach. The sand here gets its pink hue from crushed coral. This charming stretch of coast lacks standard beach infrastructure, so be sure to bring everything you’ll need — including food and drink. From Half Moon, you can walk to other popular beaches like Exchange Bay Beach. If you feel up to it, rent a car or take a taxi from Freetown to explore other attractions within a 10-mile radius — such as Antigua’s Donkey Sanctuary, Stingray City, and Devil’s Bridge National Park in Willikies.

Antigua is small and easy to get around by car or taxi, so you can cover a lot of coastline without much hassle. Even if you base yourself in one area, it’s never far to another beach or village. If you want front-row views of the regattas, consider this four-bedroom villa ($1,058 per night) with an infinity pool overlooking turquoise water, a generous deck, and direct access to a private dock. The property sits inside a gated community and includes a tropical garden and secure covered parking for two cars, handy if you plan to rent a vehicle. For a simpler stay, this colorful holiday apartment ($200 per night) is five minutes on foot from the center of Jolly Harbour and just steps from Jolly Beach, though it doesn’t have a pool.

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Rodney Bay is a beach town on St. Lucia’s northwestern coast in the Gros Islet District. The town has a busy marina, an active nightlife scene, and popular white-sand beaches — including Reduit and Pigeon Island Beaches. Make sure to hit up the street party, which happens every Friday night in Rodney Bay and features live DJs spinning zouk, reggae, rhythm and blues, and calypso. A two-mile drive takes you to Donkey Beach for a more secluded beach vacation. You can even continue farther south to the remote Grand Anse Beach — where you might spot St. Lucia’s sea turtles. Also, the dramatic Gros and Petit Piton volcanic peaks on St. Lucia’s southern coast make for another delightful day trip from Rodney Bay.

To make the most of St. Lucia, you’ll want to rent a car so you can explore the island’s varied coastline and mountain interior at your own pace. There are some jaw-dropping vacation homes. One option with panoramic views is this eco-villa ($1,750 per night), set high on a hillside above the Pitons and the Caribbean Sea. The open-air design includes a large infinity pool, two plunge pools, and a deck for cooling off in the afternoon. The host can arrange private dining, spa treatments, or a driver. Snorkeling is excellent nearby, and Soufrière, the old French capital, is just half a mile away with a market and plenty of restaurants. For something simpler, this one-bedroom treehouse ($159 per night) in Gros Islet has a furnished deck facing neighboring islands and an indoor-outdoor layout that stays connected to the landscape.