Lonely Planet names three Caribbean islands as top destinations to unwind, connect
Dominica lands the top spot as the best destination to unwind in the latest list by travel magazine’s Lonely Planet.
The list, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2023, “offers a comprehensive set of itineraries” on the 30 countries they’ve picked to help travelers explore the world. It is comprised of four categories: best places to eat, journey, connect, learn and unwind.
“Uniquely curated by local experts around the world, each destination’s carefully crafted itinerary is designed to help you dream, plan and go to the places that will be buzzing in the year ahead,” the Lonely Planet said.
Dominica tops the list of countries best visited to unwind, and is also joined by Jamaica. Guyana made it to the list of best places to connect.
Lonely Planet described Dominica as one that leaves visitors in “awe at the sheer dramatic majesty of the place,” and an island that “which few in the Caribbean can compete.”
The travel magazine suggested the Dominica Museum, Old Market, and Botanic Gardens as top destinations to check out in what they called as “the Caribbean’s most unspoiled jewel, offering a respite from life’s chaos.”
“Hurricane Maria wreaked absolute havoc on Dominica in 2017, from which the island is still painfully – but determinedly – recovering,” Lonely Planet said.
Indeed the island has been building back better infrastructure and services, with a private developing company MMC Development Ltd. overseeing most of Dominica government’s massive projects for the island and for its people. This include residential areas, healthcare facilities, schools, and the island’s first international airport.
Jamaica’s Half Moon Beach and every surfer’s paradise Boston Bay Beach are some of the special mentions made by Lonely Planet about the island that “comes with its own soundtrack.” Not to be missed are the Bob Marley Museum and the Blue Mountain Peak in Jamaica, too.
Meanwhile, Guyana’s “raw adventure” has earned the Caribbean country a place in the list of best countries to connect.
“Although the country has a troubled history of political instability and interethnic tension, underneath the headlines of corruption and economic mismanagement is a joyful and motivated mix of people who are slowly turning the country into the continent’s best-kept ecotourism secret,” the travel magazine said.
Some of the must-visit places Guyana are St George’s Cathedral, Botanical Gardens, Promenade Garden, and Austin’s Book Services.
Photo from © Michael Lees/Lonely Planet