Caribbean Wildlife & Ecotourism

For animal lovers, ecotourism in the Caribbean provide endless opportunities to interact with local wildlife. Take a look at some of the best places to encounter Caribbean wildlife, many of which are not found anywhere else on the planet.

Barbados is one of the go-to Caribbean vacation spots for those who want to see hawksbill or leatherback turtles in their natural environment any time of the year.

One of the reasons Barbados is able to offer this unique ecotourism excursion is that there are numerous close-to-shore reef systems surrounding the island. These reefs are the perfect habitats for the turtles, and their proximity to shore allows visitors to easily spot the turtles throughout the year.

Off the coast of Grand Cayman, visitors are able to take part in a memorable excursion: feeding wild stingrays.

For decades, the shallow sandbars found off the coast of the island have witnessed a large growth in stingray population. These gentle creatures first gathered here to eat discarded pieces of food from fishing ships; over time, they have grown accustomed to snorkelers and divers feeding them by hand. Today, visitors to Grand Cayman's beaches are able to get up close to stringrays on this interactive outing.

Known as "The Nature Island," Dominica is home to an impressive number of hiking trails and waterfalls. But off the coast of this lush destination is an attraction of another sort involving Caribbean wildlife: whale watching.

Sperm whales breed in the deep waters off the coast of Dominica, and whale watching excursions are available to witness these majestic and massive creatures. Whale watchers may also encounter pilot whales and false killer whales, along with several types of dolphins.

One of the most popular ecotourism attractions in the Caribbean is in Costa Rica. The Sloth Sanctuary Rescue Center outside of Limon.The sanctuary takes in injured and abandoned sloths and rehabilitates them so that they can live peaceful lives.

Visitors can tour the adult sloth exhibit, see baby sloths, and learn more about this treasured creature of the rain forest.

Ready to see these exotic animals? Plan yourCaribbean vacationand discover which itinerary is right for you.