Americans Can Fly Nonstop To These 3 Underrated & Safe Caribbean Destinations

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White sands stretching as far as the horizon, seas of the turquoise-most blue, and all the fresh fruit and delicious empanadas you can get your hands on: ahem, cue the voice: in classic Jet2 style… ‘nothing beats a Caribbean holiday!‘.

It’s where everybody goes year in, year out, and let’s face it, if it’s an authentic Caribbean experience you seek, not the usual polished, American-friendly tourism bubble, it’s not like those overtouristed spots inspire the most… intrigue.

The good news is the Mexican Caribbean is not the only slice of paradise within easy reach of the U.S.

It may boast the best connectivity, sure, but you can still fly nonstop from the States to 3 alternative tropical gems that are yet to be spoiled by the masses—and guess what, they’re much safer, too:

La Romana, Dominican Republic

A resort town straddling the Dominican Republic’s Caribbean side, La Romana is rapidly growing as an alternative to Punta Cana due to its chilled-out atmosphere and safety record.

Although you do get the five-star enclaves encroaching pristine waters, right next to it there’s real, un-staged daily life: public markets, colorful graffiti, and public beaches, like Caleta, where music is blasting day-round, and Dominican kids play on the sand.

When stepping out of your resort, make sure you grab a cold Presidente in one of the many coffee shops in the vicinity of the main square, sit for a while, and cheer on the fiercely-competitive abuelos in the midst of their domino matches.

Oh, chances are there’ll be bachata buskers around, so make sure you carry a few coins of pesos to tip them.

Is La Romana, Dominican Republic Safe For Americans?

The Dominican Republic is officially considered a Level 2 destination by U.S. authorities, which means Americans must exercise ‘increased caution’ when visiting.

This comes in the form of avoiding suburban zones where crime levels may be higher, bewaring of your surroundings in crowded spaces (e.g. when taking cash out from an ATM in a busy thoroughfare), and avoiding displaying valuable items, like expensive jewelry, in public.

The situation on the ground is even more nuanced: popular areas like Bayahibe and Casa de Campo, where most of the tourist facilities are centered, are usually very safe, with a strong police presence and staff being familiar with foreign visitors.

Bottomline: though crime does exist, it’s unlikely to affect you in downtown La Romana. Nevertheless, do keep a watchful eye for pickpockets and opportunistic robbers.

Fly Nonstop To La Romana (LRM) From The U.S.

Airport	Airlines(s)	Flight duration (approx.)	Approx. round-trip fare (USD)
Miami (MIA)	American Airlines	2h30	$300–$380

Roatán, Honduras

Lying off the Caribbean coast of Honduras, just slightly larger than the state of Virginia, Roatán is one of the Tropics’ last-truly unspoiled paradisiacal islands.

We’re talking small, vibrant communities not crumbling under the weight of gentrification, sprawling nature parks, and slower-paced living: less traffic, less crowds, and wild beaches bordered by crystal-clear waters, stretching for miles on end without a single Meliá in sight.

Don’t get us wrong: the infrastructure is still there, after all, Roatán remains one of the most popular ports of call for Royal Caribbean cruises, but instead of larger-than-life resorts, picture rustic, barefoot luxury boutique hotels right on the beachfront.

Oh, and if it’s authenticity you seek, you can’t miss West End Village: the most picturesque settlement on the island, dotted with colorful, palapa-style houses, with the classic thatched roof, and kerb-side kiosks dishing out pupusas and freshly-caught seafood.

Is Roatán, Honduras Safe For Americans?

This is where the lines between official safety advice, and actual risks on the ground start looking blurry a little: if you’re following U.S. advice by the letter, you would avoid Honduras as a whole as it’s been classed as a Level 3 destination.

At this level, travel isn’t expressly discouraged, but Americans must ‘reconsider’ visiting due to higher-than-average rates of crime.

While that’s largely true on the mainland, where gang activity and arbitrary law enforcement are rampant, Roatán is widely considered by travel experts and travelers alike a safe destination.

Even the typically-conservative U.S. Government acknowleges that in the Bay Islands (which include Roatán), there is a larger ‘concentration of resources’, and tourist areas are ‘better policed’.

In short, pickpocketing and theft from rental cars does exist, but let’s face it, you’re highly unlikely to enter Honduras’ murder statistics as serious crime against tourists on the island is rare. The best approach is not to leave unattended belongings and not be the average obvious gringo.

Fly Nonstop To Roatán (RTB) From The U.S.

Airport	Airlines(s)	Flight duration (approx.)	Approx. round-trip fare (USD)
Miami (MIA)	American Airlines	2h40	$350–$600 (season/advance booking dependent)
Houston (IAH)	United Airlines	2h50	$450–$850+
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)	American Airlines	3h30	$500–$900 (often seasonal)
Atlanta (ATL)	Delta Air Lines	3h00	$500–$900+ (season affects price)
Denver (DEN)	United Airlines	4h00	$550–$1,000+ (winter seasonal)
Minneapolis (MSP)	Sun Country Airlines	4h25	$600–$1,100+ (winter seasonal)

Guadeloupe, French Caribbean

Guadeloupe is a French Caribbean island with a mix of French and Creole cultures, traversed by jungle-clad volcanic peaks, and boasting a whopping 300 miles of coastline, interspersed with tranquil villages, hidden coves, and sandy beaches.

This is what your typical day in Guadeloupe goes like: you basically get a morning rainforest adventure with waterfalls and nature vibes, then switch to classic Caribbean beach mode in the afternoon: think chillaxing on the sand with killer food.

Guadeloupe is, in fact, made up of two main islands: Basse-Terre concentrates most of the volcanic peaks, including La Soufrière, rising 4,813 ft above sea level, waterfalls, and jungle trails, whereas Grande-Terre is where you’ll find those postcard-ready white sands and calm lagoons.

Both are connected by frequent ferries, and if you’re asking us, Basse-Terre is the best island to be based in: it’s where the charming coastal capital Pointe-à-Pitre is located, with its spice markets and colonial architecture, and the dramatic landscapes are hard to beat.

Is Guadeloupe Safe For Americans?

Guadeloupe is an integral part of the French Republic. We know it may be hard to envision, but this means the duo of islands is every bit as part of France as a city like Paris or Lyon.

Guadeloupe citizens are, well, just French citizens, you’ll be paying for your colombos—a traditional Guadeloupéen curry—in euros, and it’s French gendarmerie you’ll see policing the back streets of Pointe-à-Pitre.

Needless to say, Guadeloupe benefits significantly from being an overseas region of a European country, particularly considering the iffy safety levels across much of the Caribbean. In other words, France isn’t exactly keen on letting a chunk of its national territory turn into a drug hub.

Violent crime affecting tourists is almost unheard-of, and even petty theft is not as widespread-an-issue as it is in other Caribbean hubs.

It’s no wonder U.S. authorities have placed Guadeloupe, as well as the entirety of the French Caribbean, under Level 1. This means it’s even safer than mainland France, which remains at Level 2 due to the ongoing threat of terrorism.

Fly Nonstop To Guadeloupe–Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) From The U.S.

Airport	Airlines(s)	Flight duration (approx.)	Approx. round-trip fare (USD)
Miami (MIA)	American Airlines	3h15	$465–$650