Caribbean cruise port excursions

Ships anchor off Cap Cana and tender guests ashore. From the marina, the Dominican Republic's top beaches, cenotes, and colonial villages are a short drive away.

• Know the port: 15–20 min tender to Cap Cana Marina (no beach on site)
• Starting or ending here: Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) is ~20 min away
• Region: the DR's eastern tip, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean
• 2 hours: Juanillo Beach or the Hoyo Azul cenote at Scape Park
• Half day: palm-lined Bávaro Beach and surf-friendly Macao Beach
• Full day: Altos de Chavón's stone village and Bayahibe's calm coast

Ships dock at Manga's cruise terminal, a 15–20 min drive from the UNESCO-listed Walled City. Colonial plazas, Spanish forts, and island beaches fit one port day.

• Know the port: Manga terminal, with a free pier shuttle and an aviary
• Starting or ending here: Rafael Núñez Airport (CTG) is ~25 min away
• Region: Colombia's Caribbean coast, a Spanish port founded in 1533
• 2 hours: walk the Walled City from the Puerta del Reloj (Clock Tower)
• Half day: Castillo San Felipe fortress, then colorful Getsemaní
• Full day: Isla Barú's Playa Blanca and a dip in El Totumo mud volcano

Ships dock on the Ozama River beside the Colonial Zone, the oldest European city in the Americas. Cathedrals, caves, and calm beaches are all close to the pier.

• Know the port: walk in from Don Diego; Sans Souci is a short drive
• Starting or ending here: Las Américas Airport (SDQ) is ~30–45 min away
• Region: the DR's capital on the south coast; UNESCO-listed old town
• 2 hours: Calle El Conde, the First Cathedral, and Alcázar de Colón
• Half day: Los Tres Ojos cave lakes and the Columbus Lighthouse
• Full day: Boca Chica's shallow beach and quieter Juan Dolio

Ships dock at Freeport, minutes from Doctor’s Cave Beach and the Hip Strip. Beyond town, plantation great houses, river rafting, and Negril's cliffs fill a port day.

• Know the port: Freeport pier is ~10 min by car from the Hip Strip
• Starting or ending here: Sangster Airport (MBJ) is ~15 min away
• Region: St. James Parish on Jamaica's north coast; USD widely accepted
• 2 hours: swim at Doctor’s Cave Beach, then have jerk chicken nearby
• Half day: Rose Hall Great House and Martha Brae bamboo rafting
• Full day: Negril's Seven Mile Beach and the cliffs at Rick's Café

Ships anchor offshore and tender guests to the Fort Street Tourism Village. Maya temples, jungle rivers, and caves lie an hour or so inland by private car.

• Know the port: 15–20 min tender to the Fort Street Tourism Village
• Starting or ending here: Goldson Airport (BZE) is ~25 min away
• Region: English is official; the Belize dollar is pegged 2:1 to USD
• 2 hours: St. John's Cathedral and Government House, steps apart
• Half day: climb the Maya temples of Altun Ha, about an hour north
• Full day: Lamanai's jungle-wrapped Maya temples via Orange Walk

Ships dock at Bridgetown's Deep Water Harbor, a 25-min seaside walk from the UNESCO-listed old town. Rum distilleries, caves, and beaches are under an hour away.

• Know the port: dockside berths; free shuttles run to the terminal
• Starting or ending here: a major homeport; BGI Airport is ~30 min away
• Region: the Caribbean's easternmost island and the birthplace of rum
• 2 hours: Carlisle Bay's calm beach and the historic Careenage harbor
• Half day: rum tastings at the Mount Gay and Foursquare distilleries
• Full day: Harrison's Cave, then Bathsheba's wild Atlantic coast