Best Beach Destinations in the Americas and the Caribbean: The Most Relaxing Spots in the U.S.

Travel and Tour World has a new list out of the top 30 countries in the Americas and the Caribbean for beach lovers.

I would perhaps argue that a few of the placements are a tad off-base, but it’s a pretty solid list. Here’s what they came up with, along with a note or two from yours truly.

Rendezvous Bay, Antigua. Photo Courtesy Antigua and Barbuda Tourism.

1. Mexico (I haven’t seen enough of the country to say, but I’ve been to fine beaches on the Riviera Maya and in Los Cabos)
2. USA (It’s hard to dispute a country that offers up Hawaii, Florida, California, Oregon, the Carolinas, Puerto Rico, the Great Lakes  and more. Given the variety, I’d give the edge to the States over Mexico.)
3. Brazil (alas, I’ve never been)
4. Turks and Caicos (Lovely beaches and incredible water, but they don’t have the surrounding geography that makes Hawaii’s beaches so attractive)
5. Bahamas (amazing beaches, but see Turks and Caicos)
6. Anguilla (I was there a dozen years ago, and I’m happy to report the beaches are sublime)
7. Antigua and Barbuda (haven’t been to Barbuda, but I love the variety of beaches on Antigua)
8. Colombia (have only been to Bogota, which is nowhere near a beach)
9. Dominican Republic (I particularly love Playa del Rincon, but there are tons of great ones to choose from)
10. Canada (a surprising entry unless you live in the country. There are fabulous beaches in British Columbia and Atlantic Canada, as well as in Ontario, where the Great Lakes offer up amazing stretches of sand.)
11. Costa Rica (have been dying to go, but haven’t made it yet)
12. Aruba  (also haven’t made it yet)
13. Cayman Islands (excellent choice)
14. British Virgin Islands (haven’t had the pleasure; where’s my invitation?)
15. Saint Lucia (extraordinary beaches near the Pitons)
16. Argentina (haven’t had the pleasure)
17. Bermuda (quite worthy of a high placement on this list)
18. Panama (never been)
19. Jamaica (great options include Half Moon Bay, Boston Bay, and Frenchman’s Cove)
20. Grenada (still haven’t been, but the photos look lovely)
21. Belize (haven’t made it yet)
22. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Bequia Beach, outer islands spectacular)
23. Barbados (great options. Crane Beach is a personal fave)
24. Nicaragua (haven’t been)
25. Curacao (many excellent choices, including Grote Knip)
26. Dominica (this island isn’t known for its beaches, but Batibou is a beauty)
27. Honduras (never been)
28. St. Bart’s (only visited for a short time on a cruise, but I thought there were some great options)
29. Cuba (haven’t made it yet)
30. Peru (ditto)

TOP CARIBBEAN BEACHES FOR WALKING

Caribbean Journal has a nice item on the best Caribbean beaches for a long walk. Here’s their list.

1. Rendezvous Beach, Anguilla
2. Orient Bay, Saint Martin
3. Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
4. Pink Sand Beach, Barbuda
5. Darkwood Beach, Antigua
6. Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos
7. Long Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos
8. Eagle Beach, Aruba
9. Ffryes Beach, Antigua
10. Seven Mile Beach, Jamaica
11. Meads Bay, Anguilla
12. Grand Anse, Grenada
13. Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas
14. Old Bight Beach, Bahamas
15. Valley Church Beach, Antigua
16. Cable Beach, Bahamas
17. Cabbage Beach, Bahamas
18. Reduit Beach, Saint Lucia
19. Cockleshell Bay, Saint Kitts
20. Playa Bavaro, Dominican Republic

TOP SUMMER U.S.A. DESTINATIONS: A FEW SURPRISES

Hapuna Beach on Hawai’i Big Island. JIM BYERS PHOTO

Welltory looked at Trip Advisor ratings for “summer mental reset” places in the U.S. and came up with an interesting list. Here’s their top 25 places.

1. Mount Desert Island, Maine (never heard of it!)
2. Galena, Illinois (never been)
3. Key West (so much fun)
4. Charleston (gorgeous destination)
5. Sedona, Arizona (same)
6. Hawai’i Big Island (sensational waterfalls, beaches and lava flows)
7. O’ahu (sure, there’s Honolulu, but you’ll also find spectacular beaches and rugged, deep green mountains)
8. San Diego (one of the best cities in the States)
9. Maui (a personal fave, with some of the world’s best beaches, great food and fabulous scenery)
10. Asheville, North Carolina (somehow haven’t made it, but the region is beautiful)
11. Kauai (rugged mountains and deep, jungle-green canyons, with spectacular hiking and wonderful beaches)
12. Nashville (my invitation must have gotten lost in the mail)
13. Boston (terrific city I’ll be visiting in a couple weeks)
14. Moab, Utah (great base for exploring U.S. National Parks such as Arches NP)
15. Las Vegas (not always relaxing, but those beautiful pools are tough to resist)
16. Miami (fantastic food and hotel options)
17. San Francisco (so many things to see and do)
18. New Orleans (amazing food and cocktail culture)
19. Miami Beach (terrific beach)
20. New York City (more stimulating than relaxing, but a spectacular city)
21. Anna Maria Island, Florida (fabulous, super relaxed vibe and a great beach)
22. Washington, D.C. (again, not what I’d call a relaxing place, but a great destination)
23. Los Angeles (great beaches, hiking, terrific culinary scene, fab museums)
24. Key Largo (solid choice)
25. Chicago (fabulous city; I was just there this week)