Looking for the safest Caribbean islands to visit? Start with Curaçao, Bonaire, St. Barths, Anguilla, and Montserrat. These wealthier islands offer a more secure and relaxed experience, free from the hassle of beach vendors. Knowing which islands are safe and which to avoid due to higher crime rates is essential for planning your perfect Caribbean getaway.
Curacao
Curacao is an excellent choice when planning your trip to the Caribbean. The island is an autonomous territory in Dutch Kingdom with residents of the Dutch origin.
Low in crime and below 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 is always on the right-hand side. Tap water is perfectly safe to drink, and there is an arid climate, which means that it is not a tropical rainforest with (dangerous) insects and lots of mosquitos.
Most world travelers will not need a visa to prove their identity. Curacao has the highest number of museums compared 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 has more than 30 beautiful beaches, which makes it the perfect vacation island.
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Bonaire
Just like Curacao (and Aruba), Bonaire is located below 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 there aren’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 the safest Caribbean islands and the friendly Bonairean people are part of that reason.
St. Barths
St. Barths or Saint-Barthélemy officially – is a French island and renowned for being a playground of the rich 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 the safest Caribbean islands due to its murder 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 season normally runs from June to November but the islands recovered 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
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 that you 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 of safest Caribbean islands is because it is in the hurricane belt, although Anguilla has bounced back from hurricane damage.
Montserrat
This island has the lowest crime rates in the entire Caribbean. In Montserrat most visits are trouble-free. Why this island isn’t on the top of this list of safest Caribbean islands? Because of the Soufrière Hills Volcano.
Montserrat today is actually two islands: the Safe Zone, to the north, which is lush and green; and the southern Exclusion 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 are no traffic lights just 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 still recovering from 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
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 was Jamaica followed by St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Haiti is unfortunately often victim of nature’s spell and therefore not on this list of safest caribbean islands.
Do note that tourists are rarely targets of 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.