Top 3 Best Caribbean Winter Sun Destinations in January

January is a great time to visit the Caribbean. In January, the Caribbean gets a break from both tourist season and hurricane season. There is no better time to find low prices and sunny skies. While it’s hard to go wrong in the Caribbean, here are some of the top destinations.

These are the results from our survey where we asked our visitors for the top 3 best Caribbean winter sun destinations in January.

The best Caribbean winter sun destination in January is Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman offers one of the best coral beaches in the world and has easy access to its two sister islands. January is part of the Carnival season in Aruba, and Barbados is always a great choice for culture and wildlife.

In this article, I will tell you about the best options for winter in the Caribbean: Grand Cayman, Aruba, and Barbados.

1. Grand Cayman

Of the three Cayman islands, Grand Cayman is the largest and has the most to do. It is slightly larger than Washington, D.C. making it possible to drive from one end of the island to the other in only a few hours.

There is so much to do on Grand Cayman, whether you want to experience the things you love or try something new. 

Nature

There are many beautiful beaches on Grand Cayman, but one stands out above the rest. Seven Mile Beach is consistently named one of the best beaches in the world, and with clean sand, and crystal-clear water, I can’t disagree. The sand on Grand Cayman is coral sand, created by particles from the coral reefs that surround the island.

Found on the western side of the island, Seven Mile Beach is free to everyone. Whether you want to snorkel, parasail, or just lay out on the beach for the day, you need to visit.

The beach is also a big hub on the island. As you walk along the beach, you will pass many restaurants, shops, bars, and hotels.

To Do

If you manage to drag yourself away from the beautiful beaches for a day or two, there is so much more to see around the island.

Take a look at some of the best things to do in Grand Cayman:

• The Cayman Craft Market is held in George Town, the capital on weekdays. The market features a huge variety of creations from local vendors. There is food, jewelry, clothes, and other souvenirs. This is also a great place to meet and speak with the locals to learn more about life on the island.
• Although the Cayman Turtle Center has sharks, crocodiles, and even birds, the turtles are the stars of the show. Swimming with the turtles is an additional fee, but there are many informational talks and animal feedings throughout the day that are free to watch.
• The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is a great place to spend the day. Many of the plants, butterflies, and birds in the park can only be found in the Cayman Islands. The Park is also home to a blue iguana habitat, whose breeding program has saved the species from extinction.
• If you want to learn more about the history and culture of the Caymans, you must take a trip to the Cayman Islands National Museum. The museum features both permanent and rotating exhibits to educate guests on the history of all three of the islands.
• Stingray City offers trips to several sandbars just off the main island. You can choose from several packages that allow you to swim or snorkel with stingrays, turtles, and starfish. Of course, there are plenty of other little fish who drop in along the way. If you are staying along Seven Mile Beach, there is free pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or condo.

Day Trips

While you are spending time on Grand Cayman, it is a great opportunity to check out the other Cayman islands, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, as well. Cayman Airways offers several flights every day between the islands, and there are also private boat companies that can transport you. Book your tickets early to save money, and look for cheaper rates later in the week. 

Little Cayman

Only 10 square miles (16 square km), Little Cayman doesn’t have many attractions but is a beautiful place to spend a day at the beach. With a population of under 200 people, there are a few restaurants that primarily serve tourists.

Little Cayman also has its own tiny island just to the south, Owen Island. Untouched by construction or residents, the island is a beautiful place to relax and soak up some sun. Grab a picnic basket and spend the day away from it all!

Cayman Brac

The word Brac is Gaelic for “bluff,” which is exactly what you will find on Cayman Brac. The island is bisected by a steep limestone bluff, or cliff. The bluff hides many treasures including caves and Caymanite, a gemstone only found on this island.

Cayman Brac is also a great place to spot many different endangered bird species. Bird lovers should also visit the Cayman Brac Parrot Reserve. The island offers free wildlife tours led by experienced guides every weekday.

Accommodations

There are all types of accommodations on Grand Cayman. Wyndham Reef Resort is the only all-inclusive resort on the island, but there are plenty of hotels to choose from in different price ranges. Many of the hotels are located on Seven Mile Beach which is very convenient but tends to be a more touristy area.

Apartment and condo rentals can be an excellent choice for longer stays. Typically there are more location options with rentals, so if you want a more authentic experience, an apartment or condo is a good choice.

2. Aruba

Located in the Caribbean, Aruba is a territory of the Netherlands. The island is the same size as Washington, D.C., which allows you to experience the entire island no matter where you choose to stay. The average temperature in January is in the low 80°s F (around 26-28°C).

Carnival

January and February mark the height of the four-month Carnival celebrations in Aruba. This bright and colorful celebration offers many events around the island throughout the month. The Carnival celebrations are marked by bright costumes, live music, and many parades.

Things To Do

One of the highlights of Aruba is the beautiful blue water and white sand beaches. There are lovely sand dunes on the north end of the island. A little further inland you can find several natural caves. There is also a mountain in the center of the island called Hooiberg. At the top, you get a view of the entire island stretched out around you!

Art is very important to the Arubans. There are many murals around the island, and lots of art galleries featuring glass, painting, and ceramics. There are also several different studios that offer art classes!

Cuisine

The food in Aruba is known for being full of flavor. If you do not like spicy food, make sure to steer clear of the popular Madame Janette pepper, which has the same heat rating as a habanero pepper. Seafood is a big part of the cuisine, but Aruba also has its own signature dishes including stew of beef, cornmeal mash, and pastechi.

If Caribbean cuisine isn’t for you, the island has food from around the world. European, Asian, or American, there are over 250 restaurants to choose from.

Accommodations

There are many all-inclusive resorts on the island that can be an excellent choice for shorter stays. There are also a variety of hotels, from family-friendly to casino hotels. If you are going on a longer trip, or simply wish to stay in a less touristy area, there are apartment and condo rentals all around the island.

3. Barbados

The independent country of Barbados is located in the western belt of Caribbean islands. Music fans may recognize the island as home to singer Rihanna. With beautiful beaches and natural caves, the island is a great place to relax and rejuvenate.

If you are looking for activities, I recommend visiting these places to start:

• Barbados is the first documented producer of rum in the world. Several companies offer informational rum tours to different plantations and distilleries, or you can visit the landmarks at your own pace.
• Atlantis Submarines provides narrated tours on the ocean floor that are truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Both day and night tours are available, and booking tours online early can save you money.
• At the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, you don’t just watch animals from the other side of a partition, you are inside with them! There are many different animals at the reserve, but monkeys are a favorite among guests. Visit during feeding times to get the best experience.
• George Washington only left the United States once in his life- to travel to Barbados. The house he stayed in has been turned into the George Washington House and Museum. Unfortunately, the historic house does not have an elevator, and the museum portion is on the second floor.
• The Flower Forest Botanical Gardens are a wonderful display of the beautiful tropical plants native to the island. The 53-acre garden’s beauty makes it a popular location for weddings!

How this Top 3 list was made

The top 3 list was derived from a survey where we asked about their top destination for a particular month and region. From these results, we made each month a top 3 for North America, the Caribbean, Middle/South America, Europe, and Asia (including the Middle East). Sometimes, we have combined several individual destinations from a single country into the country itself.