Business Insider makes an annual list of the top Caribbean Islands for visitors and in 2017, Cuba has taken the top spot. The ranking utilizes a method that measures an island destination’s accessibility, its average hotel room price, number of attractions, and beach density. In selecting Cuba, Business Insider cited the fact that it was only about 3.5 hours from New York City, and its relatively low average hotel room price of $124 per night. Cuba’s attractions included its retro 1950s taxis, the architecture in Havana, and its fine beaches. Because the many years of United States embargo, much of the island is undeveloped in comparison with other Caribbean destinations, and while this means fewer modern hotels, it also illustrates the lure of more unique accommodations via Airbnb and local paradores. Havana hosted 1.7 million visitors in 2015, and the Tourist Ministry projected growth of 37 percent for 2016. Some observers believe that Cuba is in danger of becoming over-crowded with tourists, citing the already popular Varadero Peninsula, which, while still offering much lower beach density than comparable locales like Cancun in Mexico, is ripe for hotel expansion should the government decide to allow it.
Photo Courtesy | Instagram @sjobergevelina
