Paradise Calls: 7 Best Places To Travel To The Caribbean In May

May is one of the best months for a vacation in the Caribbean, where tourists can enjoy its beautifully warm and dry weather. The safest Caribbean Islands that draw in plenty of visitors are known for their breathtaking natural beauty, seen in their pristine beaches with powdery white sands, and diverse landscapes featuring lush rainforests and rugged mountains.

Such varied landscapes and spectacular beaches, complemented by the perfect weather, make up for a May getaway like no other. This month is also part of the shoulder season in the Caribbean, offering adventurers the perfect balance between excellent weather and affordable accommodations.

Here are some of the best places in the Caribbean to visit in May, suitable for those searching for exciting outdoor adventures, cultural fusion, or the ultimate luxury in world-class beachfront resorts.

7 Barbados

Dive into the captivating allure of “the land of the flying fish,” renowned for its vibrant beaches, world-class rum, and delicious cuisine

Barbados, one of the Caribbean Islands with a real pirate history, is an incredible place to visit in May to enjoy its perfect weather and lower hotel prices compared to peak holiday seasons. This Caribbean gem is known for its diverse beaches, with Mullins Beach, a quintessential paradise ideal for motorized watersports, and Heywoods Beach, a relaxation haven, being some of the top choices to visit in May.

Food lovers can have their share of fun at the Oistins Bay Garden every Friday night, with meals ranging from fish to chicken accompanied by local beverages. Aside from sampling the food and drinks, travelers enjoy dancing to the music while shoppers browse the market for unique handmade crafts like jewelry, paintings, pottery, ceramics, and wood carvings.

Better yet, Barbados hosts exciting events like the Barbados Gospelfest, held during the last week of May. This event features local, regional, and international gospel artists performing live Christian music in choral, jazz, and African-inspired styles.

6 Dominica

Dubbed the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” this is the ideal spot for nature lovers seeking dramatic views of mountainous landscapes and coastal formations

Known for its mountainous landscapes, Dominica is one of the low-key Caribbean Islands, where tourists can experience a different but beautiful side of the region.

This Caribbean destination is a nature lover’s dream, with its lush tropical rainforests, tumbling waterfalls, and towering mountains best explored in May after the high-peak tourist season. Adventurers can experience Dominica’s lush scenery when they visit Morne Trois Pitons National Park, recognized as a World Heritage Site for its natural wonders like the Boiling Lake.

Travelers can reach the lake via a strenuous trail requiring terrain familiarity or a guide to see its bubbling gray-blue-hued waters forming whirling clouds of vapor. The park is also home to the renowned Emerald Pool, formed by a 40-foot waterfall. This is the park’s most accessible waterfall, offering the perfect background for Instagram-worthy photoshoots.

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5 Puerto Rico

A Caribbean paradise with a blend of colonial history, diverse landscapes, and stunning beaches

Puerto Rico is one of the most beautiful Caribbean destinations for its natural beauty, stunning tropical beaches, and rich cultural history. Traveling to this incredible island in May means fewer crowds and lower costs for accommodation due to the end of the busy December to April holiday season.

Additionally, the weather is pleasant for outdoor adventures or relaxing along the island’s awe-inspiring beaches set along the coastline, stretching for over 250 miles.

As a beach lover’s paradise, Puerto Rico boasts approximately 300 beaches, including the world-renowned Flamenco Beach, featuring calm turquoise waters ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Situated on Culebra Island, this public white sand beach also delights day trippers with its amenities and the iconic graffiti-covered Tank located on the western side.

4 Saint Lucia

The majestic Piton Mountains, beautiful hiking trails, and pristine beaches make this Caribbean paradise bucket list worthy

The best time to explore Saint Lucia’s lush forests, volcanic landscapes, and pristine beaches is in May, when the rainfall is relatively lower.

Nature lovers can hike the Tet Paul Nature Trail, offering a blend of stunning landscapes and cultural attractions like the Traditional House awaiting exploration. The trail leads hikers to a viewpoint boasting jaw-dropping vistas of the majestic Pitons, Jalousie Bay, Martinique Island, St Vincent Island, and Saint Lucia’s southernmost town, Vieux Fort.

On the other hand, thrill seekers can experience Saint Lucia’s breathtaking scenery during a ziplining canopy adventure in Morne Coubaril Historical Adventure Park featuring a 1700s cocoa plantation. The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival also happens during the first two weeks of May, drawing music lovers with a diverse line-up of local and international artists.

3 Anguilla

A secluded Caribbean Island with white-sand beaches, laid-back charm, and ecologically important coral reefs

Anguilla is one of the Caribbean’s off-the-beaten-path destinations worth visiting in May. During this time, vacationers avoid the hurricane season, not to mention the lower hotel prices that makes travel plans more manageable if visiting on a budget.

Vacationers can also enjoy attending key events like the Anguilla Culinary Experience, attracting food lovers seeking a curated culinary experience and delicious dishes made with fresh farm and sea ingredients. The event also raises funds to support the culinary education of upcoming chefs.

Anguilla also hosts the Anguilla Regatta in May, which celebrates the territory’s sailing heritage that dates back to the 19th century during its trade with Nova Scotia, Canada. This event draws local and tourist boat enthusiasts who cheer and follow their favorite teams by accompanying them in the water or using binoculars at various vantage points.

Anguilla’s rating as one of the safest Caribbean Islands for solo female travelers also adds to its appeal.

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2 Grenada

Explore the “Island of Spice,” which packs a punch when it comes to incredible things to do

Grenada is a Caribbean paradise, known for its unspoiled beaches, a vibrant cultural scene, and abundant recreational activities that make it a bucket-list destination. However, visiting this Caribbean gem in May rewards vacationers with pleasant temperatures, ideal for exploration or lounging along gorgeous beaches like Grand Anse Beach.

Situated along Grenada’s southwestern coast, this famed beach deserves all the hype for its clear turquoise waters framed by powdery white sand. Beach lovers soak in the sun while watersports enthusiasts explore the underwater world by scuba diving and snorkeling.

Travelers can also immerse themselves in the local culture during events such as the week-long Grenada Chocolate Festival held in May. The festival draws chocolatiers and chocolate lovers who adore the taste of Grenada’s decadent chocolate in various chocolate-inspired treats.

1 Curaçao

An idyllic Caribbean island with diverse marine life, colorful colonial architecture, and breathtaking beaches

May is the perfect month to visit Curaçao for travelers looking for a relaxed island getaway without fighting peak tourist crowds, as it falls in the shoulder season.

Moreover, the weather is ideal for exploring this Dutch Caribbean’s attractions, ranging from dazzling beaches to natural wonders like the Hato Caves. Knowledgeable guides lead curious visitors through the caves as they offer insights into their historical and cultural significance. Along the way, visitors can marvel at the cave’s colony of bats and one-of-a-kind stalactites and stalagmites, some with intriguing names such as the Sleeping Giant and Mother Maria.

More cave adventures await travelers at Shete Boka National Park, known for its sea turtle nesting areas and rocky coastline. The park features a cavern where visitors can sit along the edge and listen to the crashing waves.