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Editors' picks: Best Caribbean beach vacations

Editors' picks: Best Caribbean beach vacations

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 Need some time to unwind? The Caribbean is more accessible to budget-minded travelers than ever. Whether your idea of the best beach vacation for the buck is an all-inclusive resort on a glittering strip of white sand, an adventure vacation organized around your favorite activities, or a small bed and breakfast situated strolling-distance from cafes and local beaches, you'll find it here. We've collected some of our favorite beach vacations in the Caribbean to help you choose.

Destinations
  1. Turks and Caicos
  2. Puerto Rico
  3. Dominican Republic
  4. Bonaire
  5. U.S. Virgin Islands
You want it all -- remote, windswept strands, glittering resort beaches and easy access to diving and snorkeling. Then you'll never want to leave Turks and Caicos, made up of six primary islands and many more uninhabited cays. Start at Grace Bay on the beautiful and most developed main island, Providenciales. After that it's easy to get away to Salt Cay, where you'll find some of the best sand in the Caribbean. Here, you'll also find dozens of prime snorkeling and diving sites.
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Popularity index:  #1 in Providenciales
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Popularity index:  #2 in Providenciales
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Most people visit the beach to catch some sun, but for a more unusual Caribbean glow, visit Bioluminescent Bay or Mosquito Bay on a moonless night. The curious, natural green light created by bioluminescent microorganisms in the water is unforgettable. For more classically beautiful beaches, try Culebra, an island nature preserve where you can relax on the white sand of Flamenco Beach. Or visit the gorgeous, much-photographed Luquillo Beach, near the El Yunque National Forest. Any visit to Puerto Rico should include San Juan, the second-oldest city in the Americas. The beach at Isla Verde, just east of the city, is both energetic and polished. Stroll the winding, cobblestoned streets of historic Old San Juan, the heart of the capital.
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Popularity index:  #5 in Rincon
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Popularity index:  #1 in Rincon
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The Dominican Republic's varied terrain and affordable prices draw vacationers with diverse interests and budgets. Hikers can explore waterfalls tucked among the country's five mountain ranges, and the many rivers will tempt white-water rafters. Of course, everyone appreciates the gorgeous beaches. Many resorts, such as those in Punta Cana and La Romana, offer so many activities that there's no need to venture further. But those who visit the small rural towns will find friendly people and fabulous bachata music. Sosua Beach is fun and energetic, with a small, busy boulevard and powder-fine, golden sand. The delightful artists' community of Altos de Chavon, near La Romana, has an expansive open-air amphitheater, coral fountains, and beautiful arts and crafts. On the northeast edge of the island, the Samana Peninsula is the place to enjoy quiet, serene beaches, particularly during the summer season.
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Popularity index:  #1 in Punta Cana
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Popularity index:  #2 in Punta Cana
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Come here for diving or snorkeling and you'll be spoiled for any other locale. Bonaire is known for plentiful shore dives off sandy beaches, so you don't have to get in a crowded dive boat. Have a light picnic, then shore dive off Klein Bonaire. In fact, you can choose from the dozens of pristine, ecologically protected dive sites in the Bonaire Marine Park. Don't overlook Bonaire if you're not a diver, though. The island also has a rich Dutch heritage to explore. And since the vast majority of resort guests are usually diving, there'll be plenty of beach chairs available!
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Popularity index:  #3 in Bonaire
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Popularity index:  #2 in Kralendijk
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A fascinating mixture of cultures converges on the U.S. Virgin Islands. St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix anchor this island group, which also includes over 50 tiny cays. Of the three islands, St. Thomas has the widest variety of accommodations. Charlotte Amalie is the island's port city; Coki Beach is celebrated for its great snorkeling. Most of the land on laid-back St. John is part of the U. S. Virgin Islands National Park. The park was established after philanthropist Laurence Rockefeller, impressed by the island's pristine beaches, bought half the island and donated a large portion of it to the government. St. Croix is the largest island in the group, though it is not as developed as St. Thomas. The main town of Christiansted is a traditionally charming Caribbean port. To learn about the history of St. Croix's grand sugar plantations, visit Whim Estate, built in the 18th century.
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Popularity index:  #1 in Christiansted
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Popularity index:  #1 in Charlotte Amalie
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