Three Caribbean destinations have earned spots on The New York Times’ list of places to visit in 2026, with the newspaper highlighting sustainable tourism, new resort development and improved access as key factors behind the selections.

Saba is the highest listed Caribbean country at No.9 on the list.

The five-square-mile island, located about 12 miles from St Maarten, was praised for maintaining its low-impact tourism model while introducing new, environmentally conscious accommodation.

The Times noted that the 30-room Scenery Hotel, scheduled to open in early 2026 in Windwardside at the foot of Mount Scenery, will increase the island’s total hotel capacity by nearly 30 per cent. 

The publication highlighted Saba’s sustainability efforts, including its daytime reliance on solar energy and a ban on single-use plastics.

At No.29 was the Miches, Dominican Republic

Once a quiet beach town, Miches is emerging as a new resort hub about 90 minutes north of Punta Cana. 

The New York Times pointed to the opening of several large-scale resorts, including Zemi Miches Punta Cana, Viva Miches by Wyndham, and two Hyatt properties, Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort and Spa and Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort and Spa. A Four Seasons resort is expected to follow in 2027.

The area’s appeal is strengthened by its proximity to the Cordillera Oriental mountains and Los Haitises National Park, known for its Taino petroglyphs and limestone islands, as well as improved air access through increased flights into Punta Cana.

Guyana secured the No. 39 spot, with the Times citing infrastructure upgrades and growing accommodation options as factors boosting its tourism potential. 

Construction of a new terminal at Cheddi Jagan International Airport is set to begin in 2026, while new upscale international-brand hotels are opening in Georgetown.

The publication also highlighted eco-tourism experiences in the country’s interior, including wildlife encounters in the Rupununi region, safari-style excursions at Saddle Mountain Ranch, and visits to Kaieteur Falls, one of the world’s tallest single-drop waterfalls.