Share the article
Last updated
If you’re looking for an underrated paradise destination in the Caribbean, here’s why you should consider one of these two popular islands for your next vacation.
Curaçao and Grenada are two lesser-known islands in the Caribbean that are currently setting new tourism records.
Unlike the Dominican Republic, which receives well over a million tourists every month and is the most visited destination in the Caribbean, these two islands remain under the radar for many travelers.
However, they are slowly growing in popularity – Curaçao just had one record month in March 2024 with more than 63,000 visitors, while Grenada is on track to become a record-breaking first quarter of the year with a growth of more than 10% compared to the previous record of 2019.
Here’s why you should consider Curacao or Grenada for your next trip.
Less crowds and less development
One of the biggest reasons to choose Curacao or Grenada for your next Caribbean vacation is because you can avoid the crowds and overdevelopment that plague many islands.
Although Curaçao is close to the most popular island of Aruba, it is much less developed than its neighbor ABC Island. You won’t find any of Aruba’s high-rise resorts and restaurant chains in Curacao.
Instead, you can discover pristine beaches and beautiful nature on this largely undeveloped island. (That said, the capital Willemstad is a vibrant city with plenty of shopping and dining options.)
Grenada is a similar story. It lacks the extreme tourist crowds and overdevelopment of many popular Caribbean destinations, while still boasting beautiful beaches.
Great beaches
One of the main reasons why you go on holiday to the Caribbean is of course the beaches. Luckily, both Curacao and Grenada have some of the best beaches in the entire country world.
Cas Abao beach is my favorite beach on Curaçao. It has some of the clearest, brightest blue water I’ve ever seen, and it’s a great place for swimming and snorkeling.
In Grenada, Grand Anse Beach regularly ranks among the best beaches in the world.
If you are looking for an unforgettable beach holiday, these two islands will not disappoint you.
New resorts and flights
One of the biggest reasons these two underrated islands are growing in popularity and setting new tourism records is because of new resorts and new flights.
In Curaçao, Hilton has just launched the Reef at Mangrove Beach Corendon Curacaoa new all-inclusive resort. Dream Curacaoanother all-inclusive resort, just expanded to include an adults-only section.
When it comes to flights to Curacao, nonstop routes are available from half a dozen cities in the US and Canada, including recently relaunched flights from Atlanta to Curacao on Delta Air Lines.
In Grenada, Six Senses has just opened a new luxury property, the Six senses La Sagesse, this month. Another luxury resort, Silversands beach housejust opened in February.
Currently you can only fly direct to Grenada from a few cities. There are nonstop flights from New York, Charlotte and Miami, and JetBlue just launched new nonstop flights from Boston. In addition, Air Canada started non-stop flights from Toronto at the beginning of this year.
Get back to nature
Both Curacao and Grenada also offer amazing nature and a chance to immerse yourself in the island’s unspoiled natural beauty.
Curacao is more about beaches and underwater beauty, which is why it is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling. There are some truly stunning dive sites around the island.
The north side of Curacao is still very undeveloped, but you will find the best beaches there.
Grenada is nicknamed Spice Island because of its nutmeg production.
While Grenada has beautiful beaches, it also has more diverse beauty, including waterfalls and lush rainforests.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
