Caribbean Journal has been ranking the best beaches in the Caribbean for more than a decade, largely because we know how essential beaches are to the Caribbean travel experience (and we’ve visited more Caribbean beaches than any other publication on the planet).
Because no matter what the purpose of your trip to the Caribbean, a beach will almost always play a starring role. And that’s okay. While we love to tell the story of the region beyond sun, sand, and sea, when you’ve got the best beaches in the world, there’s no problem celebrating them. To paraphrase Mel Brooks, “when you got it, flaunt it.”
Our previous beach guides have taken readers all over the region, from the Bahamas to the north to Trinidad in the southern Caribbean, from far-off stretches of sand to familiar destinations.
However, we also recognize the diversity within the Caribbean beach ecosystem. Some beaches are perfect for long walks, others for getting out on the water; some for the bon vivant, and others for finding seclusion.
This year, we’ve decided to do things differently. We’ve narrowed down our favorite beaches in different categories, examining countless coastlines through varying prisms, all categorized for different travel motivations.
Cabarete, on the Dominican Republic’s north coast, has made the list of our favorite beaches in the Caribbean for 2025.
Cabarete, Dominican Republic, is the essential Caribbean surfing town. It has a cool, Euro-chic vibe and a plethora of great water sports options, including arguably the kitesurfing capital of the Caribbean.
