Western & Eastern Caribbean: Mexico & Bahamas

Miami is a city of perpetual reinvention — the Art Deco jewel of South Beach giving way to the street-art murals of Wynwood, the Cuban rhythms of Calle Ocho, and the glass-and-steel towers of a skyline that has redrawn itself every decade since Julia Tuttle convinced Henry Flagler to extend his railroad south in 1896. Must-dos include strolling the pastel-fronted Ocean Drive at dusk and exploring the world-class collections at the Pérez Art Museum Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay. November through April delivers idyllic weather — warm and dry — while summer brings heat, humidity, and hurricane risk. Miami handles cruise departures elegantly, with the Port of Miami a short taxi ride from the best neighbourhoods.

Key West is the southernmost point of the continental United States, a tropical island of Victorian conch houses, Hemingway's six-toed cats, and the only living coral reef in the country. Must-dos include touring the Hemingway Home, tasting authentic Key lime pie and conch fritters, and watching the sunset spectacle at Mallory Square. November through April offers the most comfortable weather with lower humidity and warm ocean temperatures.

Ocho Rios is Jamaica's waterfall-blessed north coast resort town, home to the iconic Dunn's River Falls and Ian Fleming's GoldenEye estate where every Bond novel was written. Must-dos include climbing Dunn's River Falls, tasting jerk at Scotchies, and sampling Blue Mountain coffee. December through April offers the driest, most comfortable conditions.

Grand Cayman is the Caribbean's most refined island — a place where the world's finest offshore finance sits comfortably beside Seven Mile Beach, consistently ranked among the hemisphere's most beautiful stretches of sand. Stingray City, where southern stingrays congregate in the shallow waters of a natural sandbar, offers one of the ocean's most magical wildlife encounters, while the reefs along the island's north wall deliver exceptional diving in crystalline visibility. George Town's duty-free shopping and exceptional dining — particularly fresh Caribbean lobster — complete a very polished package. November through April brings the most reliably sunny, dry weather.

Sacred pilgrimage island of the ancient Maya and now Mexico's most celebrated diving destination, Cozumel offers two distinct experiences in perfect combination. The vast Palancar Reef — part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef system — delivers some of the Caribbean's most spectacular underwater scenery, with drift diving through canyons draped in black coral and sea fans. Ashore, San Miguel's colourful streetlife, fresh ceviche, and handcrafted silver jewellery invite leisurely exploration. Diving conditions are excellent year-round, though November through April brings the clearest visibility and the calmest seas for surface excursions.

Miami is a city of perpetual reinvention — the Art Deco jewel of South Beach giving way to the street-art murals of Wynwood, the Cuban rhythms of Calle Ocho, and the glass-and-steel towers of a skyline that has redrawn itself every decade since Julia Tuttle convinced Henry Flagler to extend his railroad south in 1896. Must-dos include strolling the pastel-fronted Ocean Drive at dusk and exploring the world-class collections at the Pérez Art Museum Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay. November through April delivers idyllic weather — warm and dry — while summer brings heat, humidity, and hurricane risk. Miami handles cruise departures elegantly, with the Port of Miami a short taxi ride from the best neighbourhoods.

Half Moon Cay, a private island paradise in the Bahamas, is renowned for its stunning beaches and serene atmosphere. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like conch fritters and exploring the vibrant markets. The best time to visit is during the winter months when the weather is pleasantly warm and inviting.

Amber Cove is a purpose-built cruise gateway on the Dominican Republic's northern coast, just minutes from the historic city of Puerto Plata — where Spanish colonial fortresses and a Victorian-era cable car await beneath the shadow of Isabel de Torres mountain. The port itself offers a tiered freshwater pool complex, watersports, and a curated market of amber jewelry, featuring some of the finest specimens in the world with prehistoric insects preserved inside. The surrounding Cibao Valley is prime territory for zip-lining through rainforest canopy. Visit November through April to enjoy the island's most reliably sunny season.

Grand Turk, the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is a captivating port known for its rich history and stunning natural beauty. Must-do experiences include savoring local dishes like conch fritters and exploring the nearby paradise of Providenciales. The best time to visit is from December to April, when the weather is most pleasant and ideal for beach activities.

Nassau wears its layered past lightly — pirates once commanded these shores, and the elegant colonial facades along Bay Street still whisper of British rule — but today the Bahamian capital is above all a place of cerulean water and indolent pleasure. The Queen's Staircase, 65 steps hand-carved from solid limestone by enslaved labourers in the late 18th century, and the clifftop ruins of Fort Fincastle reward those who venture beyond the waterfront boutiques. Paradise Island's Harbour island, accessible by water taxi, delivers some of the Atlantic's most celebrated pink-sand beaches. Nassau is year-round in climate; November through April brings the most reliably perfect weather.

Miami is a city of perpetual reinvention — the Art Deco jewel of South Beach giving way to the street-art murals of Wynwood, the Cuban rhythms of Calle Ocho, and the glass-and-steel towers of a skyline that has redrawn itself every decade since Julia Tuttle convinced Henry Flagler to extend his railroad south in 1896. Must-dos include strolling the pastel-fronted Ocean Drive at dusk and exploring the world-class collections at the Pérez Art Museum Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay. November through April delivers idyllic weather — warm and dry — while summer brings heat, humidity, and hurricane risk. Miami handles cruise departures elegantly, with the Port of Miami a short taxi ride from the best neighbourhoods.