Americans can fly direct to three safe, underrated Caribbean destinations.

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You’ll find white sand beaches stretching to the horizon, turquoise waters, and fresh fruit and delicious empanadas available. “Well, in classic Jet2 style… “There’s nothing like a Caribbean vacation!”

That being said, when you add in the constant bombardment of Cancun, the not-so-exclusive Punta Cana vacation travel deal can really start to become a pain.

It’s a place that everyone goes to year after year after year, and let’s be honest, if it’s an authentic Caribbean experience you’re looking for rather than the typical sophisticated American tourist bubble, over-touristy spots are the least…interesting.

The good news is that Mexico’s Caribbean isn’t the only paradise easily accessible from the United States.

While they may certainly have the best connectivity, you can fly nonstop from the US to three tropical gems that are yet to be spoiled by the masses. And it’s also much safer.

La Romana, Dominican Republic

La Romana, a resort town straddling the Caribbean side of the Dominican Republic, is quickly becoming an alternative to Punta Cana due to its calming atmosphere and track record of safety.

You’ll find a five-star enclave spread out on pristine waters, but right next to it lies real, unstaged everyday life: public markets, colorful graffiti, public beaches like Caleta where music blares all day long, and Dominican children playing in the sand.

When you leave the resort, be sure to grab a cold Presidente at one of the many coffee shops near the main plaza, sit back for a while, and cheer on the abuelos as they compete fiercely during a game of dominoes.

Oh, and there may be bachata buskers, so carry a few peso coins to tip them.

Is La Romana in the Dominican Republic safe for Americans?

The Dominican Republic is officially considered a Level 2 destination by U.S. authorities, meaning Americans must use “extra caution” when visiting.

This takes the form of avoiding suburban areas where crime levels may be high, being aware of your surroundings in crowded places (e.g. when withdrawing cash from an ATM on a busy high street), and not displaying valuables such as expensive jewelry in public.

The situation on the ground is even more delicate. Popular areas such as Bayahibe and Casa de Campo, where most tourist facilities are concentrated, are usually very safe, with a strong police presence and staff familiar with foreign tourists.

Bottom line: Crime exists, but it’s unlikely to affect you in downtown La Romana. However, be careful of pickpockets and robbers.

Fly non-stop from the United States to La Romana (LRM)

Roatan, Honduras

Located off the Caribbean coast of Honduras and slightly larger than Virginia, Roatan is one of the last truly unspoiled paradise islands in the tropics.

We’re talking about small, vibrant communities that haven’t crumbled under the weight of gentrification, vast natural parks, and a slower pace of life. There is little traffic, little crowds, miles of rugged beaches surrounded by crystal clear water, and not a Melia in sight.

Don’t get me wrong. After all, Roatan still has the infrastructure and is one of the most popular ports of call on Royal Caribbean cruises, but instead of a larger-than-life resort, imagine a rustic, barefoot luxury boutique hotel on the beachfront.

Oh, and if you’re looking for authenticity, you can’t miss West End Village. It is the most picturesque settlement on the island. Dotted with colorful palapa-style houses with classic thatched roofs, there are also curbside kiosks serving pupusas and freshly caught seafood.

Is Roatan, Honduras safe for Americans?

This is where the lines between official safety recommendations and actual risks on the ground start to get a little blurry. If you were to follow the US recommendations to the letter, you would avoid Honduras altogether as it is classified as a Level 3 destination.

At this level, travel is not explicitly recommended, but Americans should “reconsider” traveling because of higher-than-average crime rates.

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

Even the typically conservative U.S. government has acknowledged that there is a greater “concentration of resources” in the Bay Islands (including Roatan) and that tourist sites are “better policed.”

I mean, pickpocketing and theft from rental cars do exist, but honestly, serious crimes against tourists are rare in Honduras, so it’s very unlikely to make it into Honduras’ homicide statistics. The best thing to do is to not leave your belongings unattended and don’t be a normal obvious granger.

Fly nonstop from the United States to Roatan (RTB)

Guadeloupe, French Caribbean

Guadeloupe is a French Caribbean island with a mix of French and Creole cultures, with nearly 300 miles of coastline dotted with jungle-covered volcanic peaks, quiet villages, hidden coves and sandy beaches.

A typical day in Guadeloupe looks like this. Basically, you’ll have a rainforest adventure in the morning enjoying the waterfalls and natural atmosphere, then switch to classic Caribbean beach mode in the afternoon. Think relaxing on a sandy beach while eating delicious food.

In fact, Guadeloupe is made up of two main islands. Basse-Terre Island is home to most of the volcanic peaks, waterfalls, and jungle trails, including La Soufrière Island, which is 4,813 feet above sea level. Meanwhile, Grand Terre Island has postcard-perfect white sand beaches and a calm lagoon.

Both are frequently connected by ferries, making Basse Terre a great island to base yourself on. Basse-Terre is home to spice markets, colonial architecture, dramatic scenery and the charming coastal capital Pointe-à-Pitre.

Is Guadeloupe safe for Americans?

Guadeloupe is an integral part of the French Republic. Although it may be difficult to imagine, this means that these two islands are, in every sense of the word, part of France, as cities like Paris and Lyon are.

Guadeloupe citizens are, well, just French citizens. You pay for your Colombo, a traditional Guadeloupe curry, in euros, and the back streets of Pointe-à-Pitre are guarded by French gendarmerie.

Needless to say, Guadeloupe benefits greatly from being an overseas region of a European country, especially considering the questionable level of security in much of the Caribbean. In other words, France is not keen on turning parts of its territory into drug hubs.

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

No wonder U.S. authorities have placed Guadeloupe and the entire French Caribbean at Level 1. This means it is even safer than mainland France, which remains at level 2 due to the continuing threat of terrorism.

Fly non-stop from the United States to Guadeloupe Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP)

Vinicius Costa

As Travel Off Path’s senior lead writer, Vini has covered over 60 countries (and is currently weaving stories about Paris!) and has a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will make you want to pack your bags.