The Best Caribbean Islands to Enjoy a Great Holiday with Kids

Everyone knows that planning a family trip to the Caribbean is a very exciting thing to do, especially when you want to ensure that everyone in your group will have fun! From the young ones to the old ones, this region is known for having activities for everyone!

The Caribbean is home to some of the most beautiful islands in the world, each offering unique experiences, breathtaking landscapes, and family-friendly activities.

Whether your family enjoys relaxing on pristine beaches, exploring nature, or discovering rich cultures, the Caribbean offers it all, making it the perfect destination.This guide will show you some of the best places to visit with kids, ensuring your family enjoys a memorable trip!

1. The Bahamas

The Bahamas is an archipelago with around 700 islands (and that’s actually a lot!). Such a unique thing makes it a really ideal vacation stop for families, having many options to have fun under the sun, sea, and sand. It’s a really nice place to have a holiday with your loved ones!

For those asking why the Bahamas is one of the best Caribbean Islands with kids, there are really good reasons to back it up.

You must check Paradise Island, home to the famous Atlantis Resort. Why? Well, because this place has plenty of kid-friendly activities, to keep them entertained with the Caribbean style! It includes the Aquaventure water park, lots of marine habitats, and interactive things like swimming with dolphins!

But Atlantis isn’t everything: the whole family can check the Pirates of Nassau Museum, Blue Lagoon Island for meeting animals real close, or simply go for a day trip to the Exumas to swim with pigs (it’s a unique adventure, believe me!). These waters are perfect for children, ensuring everyone can relax.

2. Jamaica

Jamaica is one of those vibrant islands a very rich culture and natural wonders that you must not miss (it makes a perfect choice for a family vacation).

As for the best family-friendly places, Ocho Rios is a specifically designed vacation spot for families, with a whole variety of sports suitable for all ages. Dunn’s River Falls, wherein entire families can go and try to climb the waterfalls, is another must-visit.

Not very far, the Dolphin Cove offers a unique opportunity to swim with dolphins, while the Mystic Mountain presents interesting zip-lining and bobsledding opportunities for the kids. For a more laid-back day, head to Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay, where the clear, warm waters are best for children.

Jamaica’s all-inclusive resorts often include everything focused on families, ensuring the well-being and entertainment of children and elders.

3. Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an awesome destination for families seeking out a combination of entertainment, historical places, and beach relaxation.

San Juan (the capital of the island), is a breathtaking starting point to the trip. It has many well-preserved historic forts like El Morro and Castillo San Cristobal that are amazing to visit, no matter the ages. You and your children will love to walk through these stone castles!

Families can also go for a walk through the colorful streets of Old San Juan, and visit the renowned Children’s Museum, perfect for kids to have a fun day. They can also experience an afternoon at the huge Carolina Beach, where the entire family can rest and have some food after.

As for nature lovers, El Yunque National Forest is a must-see. It is the only tropical rainforest within the U.S. National Forest System, so you have to check it out!

These forests are extraordinary to hike, leading to amazing waterfalls. You can also take a guided excursion to see the flora and fauna. Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays, which include Mosquito Bay in Vieques, are also a magical place to captivate kids and adults alike.

4. The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is known by tourists for its lovely beaches, a great and rich culture, and all-inclusive hotels that can be a paradise to families of all ages. Punta Cana is a world renowned vacation spot, with numerous family-friendly resorts focused on entertainment for young and old people.

But that’s not all: the beaches are also amazing! Bavaro is ideal for youngsters, offering very calm waters and smooth sands. If you want to take your family to a cultural getaway, then you must check the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park, a personal reserve with freshwater lagoons perfect for a swim.

Don’t forget to also visit Altos de Chavón, an almost perfect replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village, in which children can learn about the local history and art of the place.

5. Aruba

Aruba is recognized for its year-round sunshine and beaches, making it the perfect choice for families that want to relax under the bright skies and sunbathe. Since the island isn’t really large, it’s also really easy to explore, with very welcoming surroundings and heartwarming locals that make you feel at home.

If you go with kids to Aruba, then you must visit Palm Beach! This place is the hub of family-friendly activities, which range from calm waters perfect for swimming to a wide variety of water sports for teenagers and adults.

The Butterfly Farm is another interesting place for both adults and children, giving an opportunity to have fun while learning. The same goes for “the Donkey Sanctuary”, a place for children to interact with those gentle and cute animals.

If you want to have a walk, then head to Arikok National Park, perfect to discover caves, hike to hidden beaches (with not many tourists!), and see local wildlife.

Aruba’s also known for having a good variety of family-oriented hotels, like the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort, which offer children’ places and daily activities to keep the young ones entertained while you enjoy a good cocktail at the beach.

6. Barbados

Barbados is an island where the warmth of the local culture and the beauty of the landscape combine to create a perfect family vacation spot. The island’s west coast is known for its calm, clear waters, ideal for swimming with younger children.

Paynes Bay Beach is a favorite among families, offering safe swimming conditions and the opportunity to snorkel with turtles just offshore. Harrison’s Cave, a stunning limestone cavern, is a must-visit, with its underground streams and impressive formations.

For animal lovers, the Barbados Wildlife Reserve is home to green monkeys, peacocks, and other exotic species.

Families can also explore the Andromeda Botanic Gardens or take a tram ride through the lush Welchman Hall Gully. Barbados’ family-friendly hotels, such as the Sugar Bay Barbados, provide excellent facilities for kids, including pools, kids’ clubs, and entertainment.

7. Turks and Caicos

The Turks and Caicos is a collection of 40 islands (that’s a lot!) that is known by visitors as a haven for beach-loving families. Providenciales, or Provo, is the most advanced island available to visit, which houses the famous Grace Bay Beach, one of the top-highest ranked beaches worldwide.

The shallow, turquoise waters of this country makes it an amazing place for children, and the beach’s sand is so good that you’ll be constructing sandcastles in no time.

For a day of adventure, families can take a ship trip to discover the nearby cays, an amazing opportunity to snorkel, see iguanas on Little Water Cay, or simply to experience a seashore picnic. But that’s not all: ride a horde along the beach with Provo Ponies!

8. Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are recognized for their crystal-clean waters and diverse marine life. This place is an amazing vacation spot for families who really love the sea; no matter their age. Grand Cayman is the largest of the islands and gives a variety of kid-friendly activities.

Seven Mile Beach has very calm waters and soft sands, ideal to relax after a full day of swimming and sunbathing. Don’t forget to visit the Cayman Turtle Centre, where kids can find out about and have interaction with sea turtles, or check Stingray City, where they can interact with stingrays.

For a more educational trip of all ages, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park offers nature trails and a chance to check the endangered blue iguana. The Cayman Islands has many family-friendly hotels, including the Westin Grand Cayman, offering spectacular facilities and activities for children.

Conclusion

Choosing the best Caribbean islands with kids might seem hard, and it definitely depends on your interests and the ages of your children. Still, there’s something for everyone. What are you looking for? Entertainment, relaxation, cultural experiences, or a bit of everything? Everything is here!

It really doesn’t matter what island you choose either: Puerto Rico is amazing, so is Barbados. Want to check Jamaica? Sure! All of them offer something unique, ensuring that your family will live unforgettable memories for the rest of their lives!