With its dramatic scenery and atmospheric towns and cities, the Caribbean exudes naturally cinematic qualities. And visitors looking to inject vacations with celebrity-infused excitement can find a number of interesting ways to experience sites where movies and television shows were filmed, as well as where celebrities have stayed.
This year is an especially festive time to visit Jamaica, for example, as it marks the 80th anniversary of GoldenEye, the former Ian Fleming estate where the author wrote all 14 James Bond novels. The property has introduced the Ian Fleming’s GoldenEye at 80 package, which includes four nights’ accommodations, a guided snorkeling excursion at Fleming Reef, an on-property nature tour curated by experts like conservation ecologist Ann Sutton and — depending on availability — a tour of the five-bedroom GoldenEye Villa, where Fleming wrote Bond classics such as “Casino Royale” and “Live and Let Die.”
This year marks the 80th anniversary of GoldenEye.
Credit: 2026 GoldenEye
GoldenEye isn’t the only Jamaica property offering easy access to Bond-related sightseeing, though. Sandals Dunn’s River is located near several key sites, including Dunn’s River Falls and Laughing Waters Beach, both of which were featured in “Dr. No.”
Royalton Hotels & Resorts also touts its proximity to Bond filming locations. Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters in Montego Bay, which is situated close to “Live and Let Die” sites, is set to reopen this September after repairs following Hurricane Melissa. Royalton Chic Jamaica, scheduled to open in late 2026 on Runaway Bay, will provide stays conveniently close to filming locations for “Dr. No."
Pirates and Other Island Adventures
Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise will also find lots to love in the region. In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, for example, the picturesque Wallilabou Anchorage cove and beach served as the setting for Port Royal — and visitors can still view film artifacts there. Nearby, the Tobago Cays archipelago appeared in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”; today, the national marine park offers great snorkeling conditions, with opportunities to view sea turtles and other marine life. Sandals Saint Vincent is an all-inclusive option that’s close by.
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In Dominica, Secret Bay offers guided tours along the Indian River, which was featured in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.” Guests can even spot the set used as a witch’s house in the film.
The Dominican Republic is home to multiple Hollywood filming locations. Ani Private Resorts in Rio San Juan appeared in the 2023 romcom “Shotgun Wedding,” starring Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel. This spot is also an interesting example of the region’s ability to substitute for other places; the movie was set in the Philippines but filmed in the Dominican Republic.
Playa Grande Beach Club appeared in the 2023 movie “The Killer.”
Credit: 2026 Playa Grande Beach ClubAlso in the nation’s northern region is Playa Grande Beach Club, which appeared in the 2023 movie “The Killer” with Michael Fassbender and Tilda Swinton. Full buyouts of the property’s oceanfront villa, Casa Las Olas, allow guests to immerse themselves fully in the hideout of the titular “killer.” The property also hosted filming of the Peacock streaming series “Leopard Skin” with Carla Gugino and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. The 2021 M. Night Shyamalan film “Old,” meanwhile, was partially filmed on Playa Grande Beach.
Barbados, the Bahamas and More Big Names
Netflix series "Outer Banks” provides a stellar reason to visit Barbados; the show was filmed in multiple locations around the island, including Bridgetown, Bathsheba Beach and Port St. Charles. An interesting tie-in experience is a guided tour from O2 Beach Club & Spa of Welchman Hall Gully, where the show’s jungle scenes were filmed. The 5.5-hour Nature’s Heart Tour includes walking along scenic trails with an expert nature guide. Royalton Vessence Barbados, which opens this month, is also located near multiple “Outer Banks” sites.
In the Bahamas, the British Colonial Nassau hotel combines Hollywood glamour with historic roots. Built in the early 1900s, the property appeared in two James Bond films: “Thunderball” and “Never Say Never Again," both starring Sean Connery. Even the nearby waters served as backdrops for underwater sequences.
The British Colonial Nassau appeared in two James Bond films.
Credit: 2026 British Colonial NassauOn the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, The Potlatch Club served as a celebrity magnet for decades; stars who stayed there include Greta Garbo, Richard Widmark and Paul McCartney, who honeymooned there in 1969. Following a massive renovation, the property reopened in 2024 to welcome guests.
Additional properties in the Bahamas with Hollywood connections include Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas, which has appeared in “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion” and “Holiday in the Sun,” starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Puerto Rico is yet another rewarding destination for movie fans. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” and “Fast Five” are just a few of the films that showcased the island. Caribe Hilton, which has hosted countless celebrities since opening in 1949, has been featured in movies including “The Rum Diary,” “22 Jump Street” and “Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie.”
