When many travelers plan of a Caribbean vacation, they’re dreaming of activities such as relaxing at the pool or catching some rays on the beach. But for running and hiking enthusiasts, an island getaway can be filled with exciting action as well as gorgeous scenery.
Here are some of the best running and hiking locations and events around the Caribbean.
Where to Hike in the Caribbean
Destinations large and small offer an array of possibilities for exploring by foot. Dominica, for example, is far from the Caribbean’s biggest island, but it’s home to what is reportedly the longest hiking trail in the destination: Waitukubuli Trail, which runs some 120 miles and is divided into 14 segments, some of which pass through villages and rainforests, with photo-worthy views of waterfalls, rivers and mountains along the way. Some trails require site passes, and tourism office Discover Dominica Authority offers a “hike passport” that allows visitors to record their hiking experiences.
The U.S. Virgin Islands also offers multiple opportunities for hiking, including Magens Bay Discovery Trail, a 2.4-mile route in St. Thomas; the Jack and Isaac Bay Preserve Trail, a 3.6-mile hiking path in St. Croix; and the Bordeaux Mountain Trail, a challenging 1.2-mile trek that traverses the island’s highest peak as well as the ruins of an 18th-century rum distillery.
In Tobago, runners and hikers can come face to face with a variety of flora and fauna at Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its diverse flora and fauna, including 16 lizard species and 210 bird species.
In St. Kitts, one of the most scenic hikes is up Mount Liamuiga, the island’s tallest peak. The roundtrip hike from Newton Ground takes between six and seven hours and crosses through pristine tropical jungle, with lots of opportunities to spot hummingbirds and vervet monkeys before reaching the 3,792-foot peak at the volcano’s rim. The island’s Bat Cave is another popular destination with hikers; it follows Bloody River and leads to a cave that’s home to hundreds of bats.
Experienced and novice hikers alike can find an excursion to meet their abilities in Bonaire, where Washington Slagbaai National Park has three established hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty, with opportunities to hike to the top of a volcanic hill and past pink flamingos.
Several hotels in the Caribbean make it even easier for visitors to explore the islands on foot. In Guadeloupe, for example, Club Med Caravelle offers a guided one-day hiking excursion to the active Soufriere Volcano. And in the Dominican Republic, The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club features 7 miles of trails that are ideal for walking, running and cycling. The hotel’s running concierge service can even provide equipment and a map of the property’s trail.
In St. Lucia, Calabash Cove Resort & Spa arranges private climbs of Mount Gimie, the island’s highest peak, which soars more than 3,100 feet. Also in St. Lucia is Jade Mountain, which has a “hiking butler” program that provides a personal butler for trips up the Gros Piton volcanic mountains.
Clients can trek Mount Gimie on a private trek with Calabash Cove Resort and Spa.
Credit: 2024 Calabash Cove Resort and SpaRunning Events in the Caribbean
Runners will find lots of reasons to visit the Caribbean, too, thanks to the number of competitions that take place — generally in the winter, spring and fall, when temperatures are more comfortable.
In the Bahamas, Marathon Bahamas is celebrating its annual event in 2024, following a multiyear, pandemic-era hiatus. Scheduled for Jan. 14 this year, it will take place again in January 2025. The event includes a 26.2-mile marathon, a half-marathon and The Pink Run 5K (formerly known as Komen Bahamas), which raises money for breast cancer research and aims to increase awareness about the disease.
In Nevis, Nevis Marathon and Running Festival is on the calendar for Sept. 7, 2024, with a full marathon, a 13.1-mile half-marathon and 10K and 5K competitions. Also on the island is Nevis Triathlon, which is scheduled for November 2024 with a half-mile swim, 20-mile cycle route and 5K run. The event also includes a “Try a Tri” option for newcomers that includes a 0.06-mile swim, 5K bike ride and 2K run.
The highest-profile running event in Jamaica is Reggae Marathon, which will take place Dec. 8, 2024, in Negril, with a half-marathon and 10K races. Several tour operators (listed on the official site) offer packages timed with the event. Also in December is Barbados Marathon Weekend Series, which celebrated 40 years in 2023 with live entertainment, full and half-marathons and 5K and 10K races.
Runners and walkers alike are welcome at Sea to Scenery Run in Saba in early December. The event includes a run to what’s billed as “the highest point in the Dutch Kingdom,” Mount Scenery, and it’s open to walking enthusiasts, as well.
Travelers looking to combine running with cruising, meanwhile, may be interested in the Run for Fun Cruise Caribbean Adventure, slated for Feb. 24 to March 3, 2024. The cruise departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and makes stops for island run/walk events at ports of call including Tortola, Saint Lucia, Barbados, St. Maarten and St. Thomas.
