Americans can fly nonstop to these four beautiful colonial cities in the Caribbean

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We all love the Caribbean for its heavenly white sandy beaches, seas of the most impossible turquoise color, and of course the luxurious all-inclusives where even ordinary people like us are treated like royalty.

That said, sometimes you want something more than a bottomless brunch and margaritas by the pool. Every now and then the culture lover in you comes out, and glitzy hotel zones just don’t cut it.

Anyway, we don’t really feel like flying across the pond this season to freeze our soils in Europe. It turns out that you not must go to the Old Continent to experience that historical flair.

This 5 beautiful colonial cities in the Caribbean feel like an extension of Europe in the New World, minus the gray skies and rainy Fridays:

Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena, the colonial center of Colombia, is a city full of culture that has been almost entirely preserved from colonial times.

Yes, it has skyscrapers and a chaotic commercial zone that doesn’t exactly set it apart from the rest of South America, but at its core it houses a UNESCO protected walled centrecomplete with cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages and ornate Baroque churches.

On the edge of the historic center, Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is a Spanish-built fortress on the coast of the Caribbean, with tunnels and hidden passages galore for history buffs.

If beaches are your main draw, you’re spoiled for choice: from the white sands of Playa Blanca to the palm-lined shores of the Islas del Rosario, postcard-perfect turquoise waters are always within easy reach.

Fly non-stop from the US to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG)

Willemstad, Curacao

Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, an island in the Dutch Caribbean that is rapidly rising in popularity, is a colonial gem has yet to be (really) discovered by the masses.

With northern Mannerist houses a la Amsterdam, except they are candy-colored and lively street markets where they don’t sell syrup waffles and salted herring, but also fresh fruit and spicy curry takeaways, Willemstad is the perfect marriage between the Dutch and Creole cultures.

Nothing less than the Caribbean spiritual sister of Amsterdam, in fact crossed by canalswith a floating Queen Emma Bridge connecting the lively neighborhoods of Punda and Otrobanda, where you’ll find traditional restaurants serving cornmeal dumpling soup, beef stew and other Curacao delicacies.

This is still the Caribbean after all, and a short walk from the historic center, Mambo Beach has the white sands and calm waters you’re looking for, while Sea Aquarium Beach is lined with lively bars and eateries, making it ideal for an easy, lively beach day.

Fly non-stop from the US to Willemstad, Curacao (CTG)

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo, the first city ever built by European settlers in the New World, is one open air museum that are typically overlooked by travelers heading to Punta Cana.

With a heavily fortified bay, a monumental stone cathedral dominating a cafe-lined central square, and a colorful colonial core peppered with family restaurants, this is the cultural Caribbean retreat you need to cleanse your palette.

Not to be missed while exploring Santo Domingo’s UNESCO World Heritage Site of a Historic Center: the Cathedral Primadathe oldest cathedral in America, Alcazar de Colónthe former palace of Columbus, and Fortaleza Ozamaa 16th-century fortress on the banks of the Ozama River.

Santo Domingo may not be as resort-oriented as Punta Cana, but neighboring Boca Chica also has clear blue seas and white sandy beaches, and even better, it’s just a 30-minute drive from the city.

Fly non-stop from USA to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)

Santiago, Cuba

Forget Havana: Cuba’s most popular destination for 2025 is the unusual, not-yet-destroyed Santiago.

It’s not the oldest European-based city in the Americas, as Santiago takes precedence, but it is one of the first to be founded, with a start date dating back to 1515. Oh, and believe us when we say: it has the architectural grandeur to back that up:

A fortress included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Castillo del Morro has been guarding Santiago Bay for centuries, and it is one of the best preserved Spanish military sites in Cuba.

At Céspedes, the historic heart of the city, you’ll find a cathedral-surrounded central square, a monumental town hall and an abundance of museums and cafés to explore. It’s the perfect place to soak up the culture and experience Cuban life without the hustle and bustle of Havana.

Other notable sights include Casa de Diego Velázquezthe oldest surviving house in Cuba, and the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, where Cuban revolutionary heroes such as José Martí and Fidel Castro rest.

Fly non-stop from the US to Santiago, Cuba (SCU)