Top 5 Safest Caribbean islands - Avila Beach Hotel Curacao (2024)

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What are the safest Caribbean Islands to travel to? And which islands are wise to avoid or have higher crime rate? Important questions to ask yourself when planning a trip to the Caribbean.The safest Caribbean islands in our list consists the wealthier islands in the Caribbean. It’s rare to find a vendor trying to sell you anything on the beach, which contributes to your sun and fun feel good feeling. Here’s a list of the 5 safest Caribbean Islands:

Curacao

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Curacaois an excellent choice when planning your trip to the Caribbean. The island is an autonomous territory inDutch Kingdomwith residents of the Dutch origin.

Low in crime andbelow the hurricane belt. Which means it is safe to travel to 365 days a year. Also,people speak multiple languages(English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamentu), so it is not a lost case if you only speak English or if you don’t speak English at all.

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The main road conditions in Curacao are relatively good and traffic always drives on the right-hand side.Tap water is perfectly safe to drinkand there is an arid climate, which means that it is not a tropical rainforest with its (dangerous) insects and lots of mosquitos.

Most world travelers will not need a visa to prove their identity. Curacao has thehighest number of museumscompared to other Caribbean islands. This says nothing about the safety of Curacao, but it does about the good development of the cultural side of this sun-sure island.

Last but not least, Curacao hasmore than 30 beautiful beacheswhich makes Curacao the perfect vacation island.

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Bonaire

Top 5 Safest Caribbean islands - Avila Beach Hotel Curacao (7)

Just like Curacao (and Aruba), Bonaire is locatedbelow the hurricane belt. Bonaire, just like St Eustatius and Saba – the Caribbean Netherlands – have acquired a new status as special municipalities.

On Bonaire you pay with US Dollars and therearen’t any traffic lights; it’s that small. Also on Bonaire, you drive on the right side of the road and the international traffic rules apply.

Bonaire has the same good weather like its neighboring island Curacao. Seeing someone pass by very slowly by car and you are on a scooter? Chances are that the friendly people of Bonaire are trying to see if you’re not lost or need any help.

Bonaire is widely recognized as one of thesafest Caribbean islandsand thefriendlyBonairean peopleare part of that reason.

St. Barths

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St. Barths or Saint-Barthélemy officially – is aFrench islandand renowned for being a playground of therich and famous. official language is French, although you will find most people speak good English.

St. Barts is incredibly safe and there is very little to no crime on the island. The island is also marked as one of thesafest Caribbean islandsdue to itsmurder rate of zero. It is so safe that you can even leave your car and house unlocked, as many locals do.

Being on the road is just as easy but do know that honking your horn is considered extremely rude.

Hurricane seasonnormally runs from June to November but the islandsrecovered very quickly from Irma’s destroying visit. Like in many other Caribbean countries, probably the greatest danger to travelers to St. Barths is overexposure to the sun.

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Anguilla

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Anguilla offers the best beaches you can imagine, so it comes in handy that this little piece of paradise is one of the safest islands in the Eastern Caribbean.

It is so small thatyou can’t even get lost, even if you try very hard. Anguilla police man surely don’t get stressed over crimes against tourists as those are extremely rare here.

Although they pay with Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollars, it is easier and sometimes cheaper when using US Dollars.

Crime rates are low, but the reason why this island isn’t higher on the list ofsafest Caribbean islandsis because it is in thehurricane belt, although Anguilla has bounced back from hurricane damage.

Montserrat

Top 5 Safest Caribbean islands - Avila Beach Hotel Curacao (11)

This island has thelowest crime ratesin the entire Caribbean. In Montserrat most visits are trouble-free. Why this island isn’t on the top of this list ofsafest Caribbean islands? Because of theSoufrière Hills Volcano.

Montserrat today is actually two islands: theSafe Zone, to the north, which is lush and green; and the southernExclusion Zone, which looks like a movie set with restricted access.

On occasion, southern winds blow ash and volcanic gases across the entire island, which can lead to flight cancellations. Montserrat is great to explore when hiking and it is perfectly safe to do so (in the Safe Zone).

Traffic is mild, there areno traffic lightsjust like in Bonaire. Monserratians’ warmth, optimism and cheer is something that truly stands out.

If hitch-hiking is on your bucket list, do it here as it is perfectly safe during the day and early evening. The island is remarkably quiet and a peaceful place. It's stillrecoveringfrom a hurricane and volcanic activity during the 1980s and 1990s but the sepia-toned landscape makes it even more special.

The most dangerous Caribbean islands

Top 5 Safest Caribbean islands - Avila Beach Hotel Curacao (12)

Crime can happen anywhere, and there are no guarantees.Always take the same common-sense precautions you would at home, such as locking doors and windows, not carrying carry too much cash or flaunting expensive jewelry and last but not least;using your common sense.

On the basis of murder rates, the least safe countries include and violent crimes, the most dangerous wasJamaicafollowed bySt. Kitts and Nevis,Trinidad and Tobago,Bahamas,Puerto Ricoand theDominican Republic.Haitiis unfortunately often victim of nature’s spell and therefore not on this list ofsafest caribbean islands.

Do note that tourists arerarely targetsof violent crime. It may be worth to bear that list in mind as you plan your Caribbean trip; not to discourage you from traveling, but so that you take the standard security precautions seriously when traveling to a destination known to have a significant crime problem.

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Top 5 Safest Caribbean islands - Avila Beach Hotel Curacao (2024)

FAQs

Is Curacao safe for tourists? ›

Travel advisory: All travel advisories consider Curacao a safe destination. Crime rate: Crime in Curacao mostly affects the local residents; tourists need only worry about petty theft and car theft.

Which island has the lowest crime rate in the Caribbean? ›

The Safest Islands in the Caribbean
  • The British Virgin Islands. ...
  • Antigua and Barbuda. ...
  • St. ...
  • Montserrat. ...
  • Caiman Islands. ...
  • Martinique. ...
  • Aruba. ...
  • Bonaire. As if being located outside of Hurricane Alley wasn't enough, this Dutch municipality doesn't have much crime at all.

Is Aruba or Curacao better? ›

Most tours you'll find in Aruba revolve around water activities, nature, and casinos, while Curacao puts a lot more focus on its food, heritage, arts, wellness activities, and nature. Aruba also feels more “Americanized” while Curacao feels more authentic in the sense that it sticks to its Dutch and Caribbean roots.

Which Caribbean islands have the worst crime? ›

The Most Dangerous Caribbean Destinations, According To Research
  • Haiti. Rotorhead 30A Productions/Shutterstock. ...
  • Trinidad and Tobago. Debralee Wiseberg/Getty Images. ...
  • Kingston, Jamaica. Photo Spirit/Shutterstock. ...
  • Montego Bay, Jamaica. ...
  • Georgetown, Guyana. ...
  • Nassau, Bahamas. ...
  • Tiger Beach, Bahamas. ...
  • Dominican Republic.
Mar 30, 2024

Which Caribbean islands have travel warnings? ›

Learn about your destination
AdvisoryLevel
Saint Lucia Travel AdvisoryLevel 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Sint Maarten Travel AdvisoryLevel 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines Travel AdvisoryLevel 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Trinidad and Tobago Travel AdvisoryLevel 3: Reconsider Travel
143 more rows

Is Curaçao cheap or expensive? ›

If you are asking yourself, whether or not Curacao is expensive, I've got the answer: it depends. Curacao is a lot cheaper than Aruba. If you are coming from the US, you'll experience Curacao as relatively cheap.

Do they speak English in Curaçao? ›

The official languages in Curaçao are Dutch, Papiamentu, and English, but of those Papiamentu is used the most in local TV shows, in parliament, and on the street.

What is special about Curaçao? ›

With centuries of history Willemstad, capital of Curacao is a captivating town being the only World Heritage Site in the Caribbean, with world-class museums, and unique hotels, a great atmosphere for and wandering around shopping and sightseeing.

Which Caribbean islands are not worth visiting? ›

The most dangerous Caribbean islands. On the basis of crime rates, some of the least safe Caribbean Islands to visit include Puerto Rico, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago. As we noted though, most crime in the Caribbean is an internal problem and is linked to inner-city areas well away from tourist resorts.

What is the poorest island in the Caribbean? ›

Haiti remains the poorest country in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region and among the poorest countries in the world.

What is the safest Caribbean island to visit in 2024? ›

Safest Caribbean islands for your spring break getaway
  • Curacao.
  • Dominica.
  • Grenada.
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis.
  • Saint Lucia.
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
  • Sint Maarten.
  • U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas)
Feb 5, 2024

Where to avoid in Curaçao? ›

Areas that are traditionally considered unsafe (especially at night) are: Koredor, Punda, Otrabanda, the Mambo Beach parking lot, the neighbourhoods of Scharloo, Fleur de Marie, Seru Fortuna, Marchena, Seru di Kandela, Souax, Koraalspecht, Seru Loraweg, Dein, Kanga, and most beach areas.

What are the downsides of Curaçao? ›

Petty theft and street crime are a concern. There are violent crimes related to the illegal drugs world, but the main tourist areas are generally safe. Take precautions such as: avoiding isolated areas, including beaches, after dark.

How many days is enough in Curaçao? ›

How long should I stay in Curacao? That said, with even just 4 days in Curacao, you could have a wonderful getaway. A shorter trip would likely focus on Willemstad and Curacao's beach resorts. A longer trip, such as one week in Curacao or more, gives you more time to get out and explore the island's more remote ends.

Is Jamaica or the Bahamas safer? ›

The State Department considers the Bahamas a slightly safer destination, with a Level 2 advisory (exercise increased caution), due to crime.

What is the cheapest and safest Caribbean island to live on? ›

Dominica and Grenada show the lowest average cost of living. However, estimated costs in all those countries are relatively low and do not exceed $700 a month for one person. Where is the cheapest and safest place to live in the Caribbean? Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Cuba show the lowest cost of living.

Is the Dominican Republic safer than Mexico? ›

Safety Considerations for Travelers

Mexico has a lower absolute crime rate (54) than the Dominican Republic (61), so on a numbers basis you're safer in Mexico. However, in both cases, if you keep to the resort or stay in the tourist areas, you're unlikely to encounter a problem.

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