Earn Those Daiquiris With the Caribbean’s Toughest Hikes

When Americans want a quick getaway to relax and reset on a sandy beach with a margarita in hand, the Caribbean is a reliable standby. But assuming these islands only have sunbathing and pristine beaches to offer is fool’s play. 

The Caribbean is one of the most culturally and geographically diverse regions in the world, and adventure travelers can also get their hiking fix on many of the islands. So, if you’re struggling to choose between a “beach or mountain” type of vacation, now you don’t have to. Here are some of the most memorable and exhilarating hikes in the Caribbean to help you work off some of those cabana cocktails.

If you plan to hike anywhere in the world, it’s wise to purchase travel insurance with medical evacuation services included. To find the best deal, search on a site like Squaremouth to compare plans.

If you think trekking Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp is strenuous, let St. Kitts’ Mount Liamuiga humble you. My hike there was the most challenging I’ve personally experienced (and yes, I have hiked Kilimanjaro).

At 3,793 feet, Mount Liamuiga is the tallest peak on the island of St. Kitts. To summit the stratovolcano, be prepared to scale rocks and use tree roots to pull yourself up. Keep an eye out for monkeys along the way, since the mammals were brought to the island by early French settlers in the 17th century. The hike up takes about three hours, and once you’re at the top, if you turn right, you’ll see views of a crater rim after scaling just a few more rocks.

The trails are not clearly marked, which means it’s easy to get lost. To ensure safety, hire O’Neil from O’Neil’s Rainforest Tours. He is a legend on Mount Liamuiga, making the journey as often as seven times a week for just shy of 50 years. 

I can speak from personal experience that O’Neil nearly saved my life. On the trek down, sudden rain made for unsafe conditions on the muddy trails fairly quickly. I slipped and ended up with a nasty quadriceps contusion, but O’Neil patiently helped me down the mountain while cracking jokes, making what would have been a pretty horrid experience into a fun memory, injury aside. I’d avoid this hike if there’s even a small chance of rain, but otherwise, be prepared to break a serious sweat.

Where to stay: Royal St. Kitts has villas with private pools, which is a great way to unwind after an intense journey. The property is closely situated to many great restaurants to fuel up before or after your hike, like Rock Lobster, which is less than a 10-minute walk away. Order the Lobster Thermidor for one of the most decadent meals of your life.

One of the most underrated Caribbean islands boasting incredible hikes, pristine beaches, friendly locals, and one of the best food scenes in the region is St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I have been to over a dozen islands in the region, and this gem remains one of my favorites.

St. Vincent is home to La Soufriere, an active volcano with trails that begin at sea level and snake way up to the 4,048-foot summit. The hike up to the crater takes approximately two hours and is bound to make you sweat, especially under that intense Caribbean sun, but you’ll be happily distracted from the difficulty thanks to the ample flora and fauna along the way. Panoramic views of the vibrant blue Caribbean Sea make the journey a pleasant one, with dots of mountainous islands throughout. There are several trails on La Soufriere, but the most popular one, the Rabacca Trail Head, is a four-mile round trip trek from the east side near the city of Georgetown. Regardless of which trail you choose, a guide is required for all hikes.

Where to stay: You’re going to need to make sure you’re well-rested before and after your hike, so stay at the best hotel on the island, Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The all-inclusive resort has spacious rooms with butler service, but if you really want to go for the gold, book a two-story overwater bungalow, the only one of its kind on the island.

If you want a fun party fact, Saba’s got you covered. The 5-square-mile island, located 28 miles off of the coast of Saint Martin, is home to the highest peak in the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the aptly named Mount Scenery. How is this possible? Well, Saba is a Dutch territory, and Mount Scenery is a 2,854 summit, making it the tallest. The stratovolcano is dormant, meaning it can erupt at essentially any time, though the last time that happened was all the way back in 1640.

To reach the summit, give yourself two-and-a-half to three hours. The beginning of the hike has steps, making for an easy initial climb. However, as you trek along, be prepared to go through the rainforest, with some spots being particularly slippery. If you’re not interested in going all the way to the top, you can venture Mas’Cohones along the way, a much easier route with less than a mile trail to the summit, taking about 45 minutes. Regardless of which peak you reach, be prepared to be stunned by the colorful views of Saba, with the cobalt blue sea, strikingly contrasted with the signature white houses with red roofs.

Where to stay: You won’t find any chain hotels on Saba. For a prime location with quick access to the trails at Mount Scenery, Juliana’s Hotel in Windwardside is a great place to rest while exploring the island. A dip in the pool is a much-needed reward after reaching the highest peak in the Netherlands.

No Caribbean hiking list would be complete without a journey to a waterfall. With 18 to choose from on the island of Grenada, Seven Sisters Falls is one of the most popular hiking trails in the country. Located close to Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve, the site is made up of seven waterfalls. With an entry fee of $2 per person, Seven Sisters Falls has a 600 feet elevation gain and takes about one hour to complete. Along the way, expect a moderately challenging hike, largely due to the slippery, muddy terrain. Take your time and bring walking sticks.

Once you reach the falls, there’s a natural swimming pool, so bringing a swimsuit is just as crucial as wearing the right shoes. If you want to continue further, about another 20 minutes of trekking will lead you to Honeymoon Falls. There’s only one trail that leads to Seven Sisters Falls, and it’s not too difficult to navigate. If you prefer to go with an experienced guide, Explorer Grenada Tours is a solid choice.

Where to stay: Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort is a prime choice if you’re looking for a mix of wellness and adventure. The resort can help you organize snorkeling and diving tours, non-motorized water sports usage right on the property (like kayaking and paddleboarding), yoga, and even rum tastings.

St. Lucia is a classic honeymoon destination for good reason. The island is the epitome of luxurious romance in a seriously scenic setting. St. Lucia’s signature feature is its Piton Mountains, a pair of volcano spires named Gros Piton and Petit Piton. While many travelers choose to simply take in their views from a speedboat or from the poolside of their hotel, hiking Gros Piton is quite the feat, and will give you a different perspective on the island.

This hike is not for the faint of heart, including rock climbing without clearly marked trails. The first half is relatively tame, but the second half gets notably steeper. Because of its challenging nature, a guide is required, and you’ll be in good company if you go with Dannyboy & Co. Since this hike takes upward of six hours, it’s recommended to start early in the morning to avoid too much sun exposure. When you reach the 2,618-foot summit, you’ll be greeted with views of Soufriere, Vieux Fort, and even St. Vincent in the distance.

Where to stay: When it comes to luxury lodging, St. Lucia knows no bounds. For one of the best of the best, it really doesn’t get better than Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences. Every room here provides panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea.

Perhaps the most challenging hike on this list, Boiling Lake in Dominica is an 8.5-mile trail full of steep terrain that takes approximately seven hours to complete. Hiking poles are highly recommended, and a guide is required.

If you’re willing to risk the rigorous hike, be prepared to get wet, muddy, and generally quite dirty. Boiling Lake in Dominica is one of the most unique features of the island, which is dubbed “The Nature Island” for good reason. It’s the second largest of its kind in the world, with waters ranging between 180 degrees and 197 degrees Fahrenheit (so, no, you cannot take a dip in the water). Since you’re likely going to be sore after your hike, make plans for the next day to go to Ti Kwen Glo Cho Hot Springs to soak those tired muscles.

Where to stay: InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa is a vacation within a vacation. With pools surrounded by the island’s mountainous landscape, a spa offering a mud bath, and the sweet incentive of earning points through IHG, it’s the perfect resting spot to unwind after your adventures.