Are you looking to have something different than the tradition of a “White Christmas”? Then, the Caribbean may be for you. The tropical, balmy breeze with white sandy beaches on turquoise waters offers an unforgettable blue Christmas. As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, I spent many winters in the Caribbean and love sharing tips. So, read on to learn more on 7 top Caribbean Christmas vacation destinations.
Top 7 Caribbean Christmas
Vacation Destinations
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has it all for a getaway with its beautiful beaches, the El Yunque National Forest and historical gems in San Juan. The San Juan City Wall protects the western side of Old San Juan and includes 3 iconic fortresses. El Morro, San Cristobal & La Fortaleza. Old San Juan is perfect for a walking tour as everything is compact with historic, pedestrian streets.
After travelling to most of the Caribbean San Juan is my favorite in December. The vibrant Christmas decorations and lights may be the most festive in the Caribbean. Puerto Ricans love music and dance. Their Christmas songs, Aquinaldos spread joy during the holiday season. Being the “Rum Capital of the World,” the Christmas drink is the coquito, a creamy egg nog made with rum, coconut milk and spices.
Puerto Rico has one of the longest Christmases in the world. They extend Christmas for 8 days during Octavitas. Even later, officially Christmas ends in Puerto Rico in the 3rd week of January in San Juan for the San Sebastian Street Festival.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to San Juan, Puerto Rico and 20 Top Attractions
Antigua and Barbuda
The 2-island nation, Antigua and Barbuda is a hidden gem in the Caribbean, adorned with 365 beaches. The beautiful beaches are reason enough to visit this island. It’s also known for its stunning coral reefs and snorkeling. Stingray City is must-see for marine life. Being in eastern Caribbean, there’s less crowds and more serenity to rejuvenate and relax.
The port city, St. John’s is a hub for a lot of the Christmas festivities. On Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass happens at the St. John’s Cathedral. Carols by Candlelight happens at its botanical garden. Afterwards, festivities continue with parades and dancing along with steel drum music. The culinary dishes will surprise, such as, spicy jerk turkey and the festive black cake. It’s a dark fruit cake soaked in rum.
Related: Antigua & Barbuda Attractions – The Caribbean Jewel of 365 Beaches
Dutch Caribbean ABC Islands – Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao
I am a big fan of the ABC islands aka the Dutch Caribbean in the Leeward Antilles. All 3 are among my top choices for a blue Christmas. They lie just 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela. A major plus is they lie outside of the Caribbean’s Hurricane Alley.
They all share their connection with the Kingdom of Netherlands. Aruba and Curacao are now municipalities, while Bonaire is still a part of the Kingdom of Netherlands. The ABC islands’ climate is an atypical, riverless desert. They are world-renowned for their incredible beaches, diving sites and snorkeling. Also, their unique pastel-colored, Dutch Caribbean colonial architecture is picturesque.
If you go to these islands in November/December, you can experience Christmas twice. Late November/early December, the Dutch Sinterklaasavond (St Nicholas Eve) happens, when Sinterklaas delivers gifts. So, these islands offer a Dutch Christmas 3-4 weeks before an American Christmas on the 25th.
Aruba
Aruba refers to itself as “one happy island.” At Christmas, it becomes “one jolly island.” Festive lights and decorations are everywhere to celebrate. Most of the beaches lie on the southern and western sides of the island, because this area is sheltered from large ocean currents. People come from all over the world to snorkel, dive and swim here. Top beaches include Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, and Baby Beach. Fireworks explode over the beaches during the holiday season.
The capital, Oranjestad, is a hub with the international airport and cruise port. The city is a hotspot for shopping, accommodations and beaches. In Oranjestad, Sinterklass arrives on Dec. 5th by “boat from Spain” marking the beginning of the festive season. Children line up for gifts, candy and music.
The beach bars and resorts play a blend of reggae and soca versions of classic carols. Seroe Preto is a hill in the countryside most known for its unique decorations. An island tradition is hanging 3 pieces of aloe tied with a red ribbon on the doors. Venezuelan culture influences the Christmas food and music. You may hear Gaitas music playing and find ayaca, “Venezuelan tamale” served on the menu.
Related: Aruba’s Best Beaches & Highlights – A Dutch Caribbean Paradise
Bonaire
Less touristy than Aruba and Curacao, Bonaire is a gem. Bonaire is known for being one of the best places in the world to both snorkel and dive with more than 90 dive sites. Its reef-lined coasts or fringing reefs provide many accessible snorkeling spots.
Also, just .5 mi (800 meters) west of Bonaire is Klein (“small”) Bonaire, known for incredible snorkeling. All reefs and beaches are protected by the Bonaire National Marine Park. Within walking distance from, the capital, Kralendijk, are the Chachacha and Coco Beaches. Sorobon Beach is popular for windsurfing and on Klein Bonaire is the pristine No Name Beach.
I found interesting Christmas decorations on my Bonaire south tour on a golf cart. Randomly on beaches, we discovered these painted wooden sculptures of Christmas trees and other festive designs. “Bon Pasku” means Good Christmas in the local creole papiomento language. Sinterklass arrives by boat end of November in Kralendijk’s Wilhelmina Plaza.
Related: Beautiful Bonaire South Tour on a Golf Cart to 10 Places of Interest & Snorkeling
Curacao
One of my favorite places for Christmas decorations and nightlife in the Caribbean (along with San Juan, Puerto Rico) is Willemstad. The town lights up with vibrant lights and music everywhere. The Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge illuminates a rainbow of color as the music echoes across the water. However, they change its lights to green and red in December.
Just like the other ABC islands, Curacao is known for its stunning beaches, diving and shopping. The nearby Mambo Beach is one of the island favorites. Like Bonaire, Curacao has a Klein (small), uninhabited Curacao island for snorkeling and diving.
Sinterklaas arrives by boat on December 5th in the capital city, Willemstad. The already festive island explodes into even more holiday cheer. Willemstad is a dream for Christmas decorations, lights and shopping. 3 festive markets happen in Landhuis Chobolobo Christmas Village, Christmas Fair at Kura Hulanda Village and Pietermaai Christmas Market.
Related: Colorful Willemstad, Curacao Top Attractions and Things to Do
Jamaica
Another Caribbean gem, Jamaica is known for its stunning beaches, waterfalls, snorkeling and jerk chicken. I would take jerk chicken for Christmas any day. A popular destination is the cruise port, Ocho Rios with the popular Dunn’s River Falls and Mystic Mountain. For music fans, this is the home of Bob Marley, so rise up to ‘One love’ for the holiday season.
Jamaica has some interesting Christmas traditions. Where else can you listen to a blend of Reggae with Christmas tunes? Every Christmas Eve, most of the main towns hold a Grand or “Gran’ Market” for festive shopping. Today, Jamaica still honors the Jonkonnu tradition from colonial times. It blends African masks with British Folk culture.
Related: Ocho Rios, Jamaica Top Attractions – A Day at Dunn’s River Falls & Mystic Mountain
Grenada
Known as the “Spice Island,” Grenada is a sanctuary for the senses. Located in the southeast Caribbean at the end of the Grenadines, tourists often overlook it. Therefore, visitors can experience this compact (11 miles wide and 21 miles long) and pristine island with less crowds. The climate and black soil are ideal for growing exotic spices and herbs. Thus, there are many Spice & Culinary Tasting Tours.
In Grenada you can experience a spicy and memorable Christmas! The festive music will most likely be the eastern Caribbean genre, parang. It mixes Spanish and African influences.
Here a farm to table spicy Christmas meal could be one of your most memorable. The Grenadian ham is cooked with cloves and pineapple slices. Alongside is the national dish, oil down. This is a stew made with breadfruit, meat, callaloo greens, dumplings and coconut milk with spices. A drink favorite is sorrel made from the hibiscus flower and spiced with cloves and cinnamon.
Related: A Grenada Travel Guide to the Caribbean’s “Spice Island”
Enjoy a Caribbean Blue Christmas!
Truly, anywhere in the Caribbean you can expect a blue Christmas. However, these 7 islands mentioned really stand out with festive fun and decorations. Sometimes, getting away from family traditions can be the best medicine with something new. If your Christmas travels bring you to the Caribbean, feel free to leave suggestions or tips below.
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