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Southern Caribbean

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A tourist avoiding jungle vines as he explores a jungle path at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad, Trinidad & Tobago Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad, Trinidad & Tobago - stock photo

Marc Guitard/Getty

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Overview

You can feel the heat and the beat of South America in the Southern Caribbean. Trinidad & Tobago is less than seven miles off the coast of Venezuela, while the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) range from 18 to 50 miles away. As a result, the continent's music, language and flavors pervade these islands – mixing with the influences of indigenous, African, European and North American cultures.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Cactus stands tall in Christoffel National Park, with Mt. Christoffel in the background, Curacao. (Marjie Lambert/Miami Herald/MCT)

    Christoffel National Park

    Curaçao

    This 1800-hectare preserve is formed from three old plantations, including the Savonet Plantation, which is now the excellent Savonet Museum; combination…

  • Natural Pool Santa Cruz Aruba; Shutterstock ID 1031342485; Your name (First / Last): William Broich; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial ; Full Product or Project name including edition: Aruba

    Natural Pool

    Aruba

    Powerful wave action has worn this depression into the coastal limestone ridge. The surrounding rocks break the surf, so – with waves crashing all around …

  • Coral reef Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) on coral reef in Bonaire; Shutterstock ID 155480753; Your name (First / Last): Alicia Johnson; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial ; Full Product or Project name including edition: Bonaire

    Bonaire National Marine Park

    Bonaire

    Bonaire National Marine Park is the island's star attraction, a unique and precious resource that allows divers and snorkelers to explore miles of…

  • Pirates Bay, Small Antilles, Tobago, Caribbean

    Pirate’s Bay

    Tobago

    Past Charlotteville's pier, a dirt track winds up and around the cliff to concrete steps that descend to Pirate’s Bay, which offers excellent snorkeling…

  • Museum Kura Hulanda

    Museum Kura Hulanda

    Willemstad

    Located in a 19th-century merchant's house and slave quarters, this excellent museum documents the brutal history of slavery in the New World, including…

  • Eagle Beach, Aruba

    Eagle Beach

    Aruba

    Fronting a line of low-rise resorts just northwest of Oranjestad, Eagle is a long stretch of white sand that regularly makes lists of the best beaches in…

  • Corbin Local Wildlife Park

    Corbin Local Wildlife Park

    Tobago

    Established by hunter turned conservationist Roy Corbin in Tobago's forest-covered interior, just inland of the windward coast's Hope Bay, this nonprofit…

  • Queen’s Park Savannah

    Queen’s Park Savannah

    Port of Spain

    Once part of a sugar plantation, formerly home to a racecourse and now the epicenter of the annual Carnival, this public park is encircled by a 3.7km…

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