The Safest Caribbean Islands

What makes Aruba so safe?

Aruba very rarely experiences natural disasters like hurricanes or bad storms, because it's slightly south of the hurricane belt. This means that you can travel to Aruba even during the Caribbean hurricane season (June to November), and you most likely won't be impacted by a hurricane. In fact, there's usually only one hurricane in Aruba every 28 years!

Aruba has a crime index of 30.81, which gives it a low level of crime. Things like violent crime are rare, and reports show a very high level of safety during the day and a high level at night.

Are there any risks to Aruba?

Although Aruba has both a low risk of crime and natural disaster, as with anywhere, instances can still occur. Petty theft does happen, so ensure you keep your belongings close to you, and there will occasionally be a bad storm.

Adhere to standard safety advice, such as keeping your wits about you, being respectful, and avoiding dark, isolated areas when alone.

What makes St. Barts so safe?

Saint Barts is one of the safest Caribbean Islands thanks to its very low crime rate, especially when it comes to violent crime. The most common type of criminal activity in Saint Barts (although still extremely low) is petty theft.

You'll be safe exploring Saint Barts, day or night. However, it's recommended to keep expensive possessions, such as jewellery, out of sight at night to further ensure you're not targeted by thieves.

Are there any risks to St. Barts?

Saint Barts does experience natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods. Hurricane season runs from June to November, which can lead to severe flooding, so it's best to avoid these periods.

What makes Barbados so safe?

Barbados is located on the edge of the hurricane belt, meaning it's much less susceptible to hurricanes as well as other natural disasters caused by hurricanes, such as flooding and landslides. Barbados also has a low level of violent crime.

Are there any risks to Barbados?

While Barbados' violent crime score is low, its general level of crime is higher than the other islands on this list. It has a crime index of 44.68, which is considered a moderate level of crime. There has been an increase in crime over the last few years, particularly with theft-related offences.

Barbados has a moderate score for safety when it comes to walking at night, meaning it's in your best interest to stick to populated, well-lit areas if you're out after sunset.

Avoid dark, isolated areas

While many of the safest locations listed on this page have high levels of safety at night, you're still going to want to be cautious about isolated areas. Wherever you go, crimes can still occur, and opportunists are more likely to target someone who's entirely alone.

Stay in contact with loved ones

By staying in contact with friends and family, such as sending them a quick message each day, they'll know you're safe. That way, if they suddenly stop hearing from you, they'll know something's wrong and will be able to alert authorities.

Keep valuables hidden

To avoid falling victim to theft, keep expensive valuables out of sight. Avoid wearing flashy jewellery at night and keep your phone in your bag. Don't leave items unattended, such as at the beach. Many hotels will have safes and lockers, which are great for keeping items that you really don't want to lose, like your passport or sentimental belongings.

Know the local laws

Depending on where you're going, the laws may be different to what you're used to. For example, some of the islands have weed consumption as a criminal offence. There are also quite a few Caribbean Islands that criminalise homosexuality, including Grenada and Barbados. While punishments can vary, it's essential to know the laws of each country to avoid unknowingly putting yourself at risk of detention.