I've Visited the Caribbean for 20+ Years-and This is My No. 1 Tip for Anyone Traveling to the Region

"With everything so accessible, though, it's easy to miss out on the most lasting effect of travel: real human connection. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with using travel as a vehicle to rest. I've often planned my dream beach getaways with the intent of doing nothing more than having tasty cocktails and holing up in a comfortable hotel bed. I've stared in a trance-like awe at the sunset at Silversands Beach House in Grenada without a single desire to move."

"The Caribbean, in particular, is often approached with a level of escapism, thanks to its warm temperatures, all-inclusive hotel comforts, and stunning shorelines where time slows down. But as someone who has visited the region for more than 20 years, the number one tip I give to anyone traveling to the region is this: Make it a point to leave your resort, too."

"I'm a notoriously detail-oriented person, particularly when it comes to travel, but some of my best visits to the Caribbean have involved a derailed itinerary. I've had memorable conversations in lively taxi rides to Carnival parties in Trinidad, on casual walks through St. Lucia's cocoa farms, and with a bartender over a glass of rum poured in a near-empty watering hole in Barbados. I've happily gotten lost in outdoor markets serving local delicacies and museums housing stories that were never in my history books"

Warm-weather resorts in the Caribbean provide abundant comforts—oceanfront five-star hotels, pools, spas, restaurants, and bars—that make staying on property easy and restful. Many travelers intend to relax, enjoy cocktails, sunsets, and comfortable rooms. However, leaving the resort opens access to local people, traditions, markets, museums, cocoa farms, Carnival celebrations, and everyday encounters that deepen travel experiences. Spontaneous, derailed itineraries often yield the most memorable moments: animated taxi conversations, walks through farms, intimate bar chats, and discovering regional foods and histories. Prioritizing off-resort exploration fosters meaningful human connection and enriches visits beyond leisure and luxury.

Read at Travel + Leisure