With the current state of geopolitics and all the endless warfare, safety remains the primary concern for Americans flying abroad in 2025. In the Caribbean ,it’s no different:
It’s not like there’s a major regional conflict in the Tropics, at least not right now, but it’s hardly news that crime levels and gang activity are usually higher than desired. Think of popular vacation spots like Punta Cana or Cancun:
Though they’re largely safe for visitors, every now and then there are reports of shoot-outs in Hotel Zones and police corruption scandals, and the official travel advisories don’t lie:
According to the U.S. State Department, across much of the Caribbean, Americans must either exercise ‘increased caution’ when visiting due to crime, or ‘reconsider’ travel. Of course, there’s an exception to every rule, and in this case, five.
Here are 4 of the safest Caribbean islands Americans can visit this summer:
Aruba
Part of the Dutch Caribbean, a collective of islands under the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba is significantly safer to visit than your average tropical island in this part of the world.
Due to its ‘Dutch’ status, security here is a lot tighter than in places like Jamaica or the Dominican Republic, and though the island isn’t exactly free of gang activity, crime here is far, far less pronounced compared to the neighborhood.
It’s no wonder the U.S. State Department has cleared Aruba a Level 1 destination, telling U.S. citizens to exercise ‘normal precautions’ when visiting. In non-technical terms, this means Americans are unlikely to be affected by crime during their stay.
Even better, just recently, this U.S. budget airline has launched new nonstop flights to Aruba from as low as $109 this summer!
Curaçao
Yet another Dutch Caribbean gem, Curaçao is widely-known for its colorful, colonial-era buildings, white-sand beaches inhabited by wild pigs, and vibrant coral reefs. It’s gotten considerably more popular in recent years, but it attracts a different kind of crowd:
The kind who’s willing to pay upwards of $5,249 for a one-week vacation, and who’s actively looking to avoid crowded beach clubs and the drug-ridden party scene.
For that reason, Curaçao feels a lot more peaceful, and safer than other resort destinations in the Tropics. It’s no wonder it’s one of 4 lesser-known Caribbean destinations surging in popularity lately (beyond just the Bahamas).
Similarly to Aruba, it’s a Level 1 destination under the auspices of the U.S. State Department, and though petty theft can occur on occasion, most of the island is tourist-firendly.
St. Kitts and Nevis
One of the leading ‘adventure’ destinations in the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis appeals both to beach bums and the outdoorsy folks, offering laid-back stretches of golden sand hugged by crystal-clear seas, epic mountain hikes, and lush rainforests.
It’s way less commercialized than other Caribbean island-nations, so you’re unlikely to come across notoriously-big cruising crowds here, and as far as safety goes, it’s also featured in the State Department’s Level 1 list:
Violent crime is rare for tourists, and mostr of the petty crime tends to affect visitors who aren’t mindful of their surroundings, traveling alone in off-the-beaten-path routes, or who weren’t careful enough when booking accommodation or a guided activity.
Recently, St. Kitts and Nevis announced Americans will need a digital entry permit to enter the country. Read more about it here.
Barbados
Known for its stunning white-sand beaches, vibrant festivals, British colonial heritage, and delicious Bajan cuisine, Barbados is the quintessential Caribbean experience.
When it comes to economic development, and living standards, it is also on the wealthier end of the spectrum, scoring far better than most of the vicinity in most indicators, and recording a limited amount of violent acts and organized crime.
In tourist areas, most notably Bridgetown, Holetown, and St. Lawrence Gap, police and CCTV surveillance are widespread, which tends to discourage ill-intentioned individuals from striking, and tourists are rarely bothered by them.
Overall, Barbados is a low-risk, stable country where you’re unlikely to be confronted with criminals, or civil unrest, though bag snatching and pickpocketing do happen on some public beaches.
Piece of advice? Just keep your wits about you and don’t leave belongings unattended, as you wouldn’t elsewhere
How To Check Safety Guidance At Your Destination In Under 1 Minute
We know how confusing Travel Advisories and official Government websites can be.
More often than not, you’re skimming through numerous tab trying to find the relevant information that applies to you, and more often than not, it’s worded in such a complex manner you end up with more questions than answers.
That’s why we built the Travel Advisory Checker, where you can get instant, easy-to-understand advice based on the U.S. State Department’s own safety assessment, without the usual fluff.
Just type in the country in question, and we’ll tell you whether it’s a low, medium, high-risk, or no-go zone. Click on the ‘Tell Me Why’ button, and you’ll be able to understand, in only a few seconds, the reasoning behind the categorization, and how to stay safe regardless of destination.
Planning your trip to the Caribbean has truly never been easier.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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