10 best things to do in a Caribbean port

A cruise to the Caribbean gives you the chance to partake in many fun and diverse shore excursions. Whether you want something action-packed or laidback, you can find your ideal activities ashore. Consider these:

Ziplining

Many Caribbean islands have ziplining parks. While in port in St. Martin/St. Maarten, visit Loterie Farm at Pic Paradis, where you’ll find not only ziplining but also an obstacle course high up above the trees.

Rainforest hike

If you’re on one of the islands that has a rainforest, consider hiking. Lush and green, St. Lucia is a prime Caribbean port for this activity. See the island’s exotic flora and fauna, and learn about the rainforest’s history and ecology — and its effects on the island — from your guide.

City tours

You may be visiting an island, but the Caribbean still has some lively and exciting cities to visit. A city tour through San Juan, Puerto Rico, is ideal due to the many historic places located right in the city center. An expert guide can share the stories of the sites and help you see as much as possible before having to board your ship again.

MORE: Eastern Caribbean Cruise Guide

Shopping

With local crafts and high-end duty-free stores, shopping ’til you drop in the Caribbean is easy to do. In St. Thomas, an island especially known for its duty-free shopping, partake in an excursion that takes you to some of the best shopping spots on the island.

Snorkeling

Nearly all Caribbean ports of call offer snorkeling — after all, these locations are tough to beat. The Antilla Shipwreck in Aruba is a favorite spot, as it’s shallow enough for snorkelers (not just scuba divers) to get a good look at the wreck.

MORE: Six best places to snorkel/dive in Cozumel

Waterfalls and swimming holes

You don’t need to just swim in the sea while visiting the Caribbean. In Jamaica, visit Dunn’s River Falls (see video here) and swim in the water at its base. In Aruba, visit the Natural Pool, which is formed in the middle of large rocks in a scenic location by the island’s coastline.

Play with sea life

If you’re an animal lover, the Caribbean is going to make you love them even more, with the opportunity to see dolphins, monkeys, lizards and ride horses along the beach. At Stingray City in Grand Cayman, you can swim with hundreds of stingrays who make their home in the bay and are used to human touch.

MORE: Western Caribbean Cruise Guide

White-water rafting

Zigzag down a river while in the Caribbean on an exhilarating white-water rafting shore excursion in the Caribbean. A popular place to do this is in Jamaica down the Rio Bueno River, which takes you through fast rapids and tropical scenery.

Local drinks

A distillery or brewery tour is a tasty way to get in touch with the local side of an island. In the Dominican Republic, try some sips of its famous rum while visiting a local distillery.

MORE: Southern Caribbean Cruise Guide

Ancient sites

The Caribbean isn’t just beaches and tropical adventures; you can also view the remains of buildings left over from ancient civilizations. Many Caribbean cruises make stops along the eastern coast of Mexico near Cancun. While there, visit the ruins of Tulum to see remnants of the way ancient Mayan civilizations lived.

Can’t decide which activity you most want to do? Don’t worry — most Caribbean cruises visit multiple islands, meaning you can enjoy a different type of excursion in each port. For adventurous and diverse activities onboard as well, check out family-friendly cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.

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