Island-by-Island Guiding You Into 2024

The Caribbean is a top destination to escape the cold northern hemisphere. It’s also where island life and rum go hand-in-hand. However, a significant surge in cruise bookings makes this the busiest festive season yet – the FOMO is real. So, we’ll guide you on festive celebrations, good spots for New Year or ‘Old Year’s Night’ as it’s called, rum distilleries and  rum bars. With a little planning, your vacation memories can be all the more magical.

In this guide, we’ll share some local rum producers, where to enjoy rum, and what events are being held on the island. With it being high season, and naturally some businesses will close for the holidays, you’ll need your game face on to make the best trip ever. Each island has a unique culture, we cover festivities, and a few spots to enjoy rum. And, remember to use our map to find those all-important rum distilleries.

There are about 130 distilleries in The Caribbean region, but many island distilleries close for a few days at Christmas and re-open in early January. Check what’s open for your trip dates and aim to book before you go. It’s often best to plan your itinerary around what’s open, and where it is. Boat trips and cruises might have special trips or tastings if regular services are not available and may be more enjoyable than traffic jams.

ABC-islands: Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao 

Aruba is a popular cruise destination. There are a few rum distilleries with tours, tastings, and events but check in with them on our map. At New Year expect Pagara, Chinese firecrackers, special dinners, and parties at restaurants, bars, and resorts in Oranjestad. Then, on New Year’s Day “Nieuwjaarsduik” or New Year’s Plunge at the beach.

Sip Aruba Ariba cocktails, and go down south to Baby Beach and Rum Reef. Bonaire is smaller and more laid-back, it has the Cadushy distillery in the centre of Rincon. Expect Maskarada, on New Year’s Day. Try Rum Runners in Kralendijk. Curaçao’s colourful Willemstad fireworks on New Year’s Eve. At Netto Bar try the green rum, Ròm Bèrdè (rum blended with herbs and spices).

Antigua

 English Harbour, and Jolly Harbour Marina are where the festivities are. Antigua Distillery is in English harbour or go rum tasting at the Academy of Rum at Galleon Beach. Check out The Great House to see a glimpse into the past. For rum bars try these; The Rum Shack, The Nest Beach Bar, Kon Tiki Bar, Rum Bus Beach Bar, and Skullduggery Bar.

Bahamas

The Bahamas is the top destination and is a vast archipelago with more than 16 distinct destinations across the islands. The Atlantis Paradise Island is popular for the holidays and New Year. Nassau is where the main distilleries are, check ahead what’s open and when to go.

On Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, Nassau hosts the traditional Junkanoo Parade on Bay Street. Expect the rum to flow at Rake-and-scrape performances and Freetown Festival during the holidays. For rum bars try; Harbour Bar, Rum Runners, Rum Cay Lobby Bar, or Rum Cay Lobby Bar, and don’t forget to have a Bahama Mama cocktail!

Barbados

Barbados is a paradise for rum lovers and is regarded as the birthplace of rum. Home to four main distilleries they are must-visits for any rum enthusiast. They are spread out, so it’s best to coordinate and take in local nearby experiences. There are 1500 rum shops, small local bars where you can hang out with locals and small buses fly up and down the west coast.
The island is busy over the holidays, so book ahead for New Year celebrations. For New Year’s Eve on the West Coast, there’s 1st Street, Holetown, Alleynes Bay, and Paynes Bay. In Bridgetown, on the beach outside the Hilton Barbados Resort. On the South Coast, there’s Hastings Boardwalk, St Lawrence Gap, or Carlisle Bay Beach.

For exclusive experiences, there’s Shady Lane, The Cliff, or the Atlantis Gala. For a more local atmosphere, head to the Oistins Fish Fry for the lively street party or the Harbour Lights for family-friendly fireworks. Bars in Speightstown on the West Coast, the Horny Ram Pub on the road out of Holetown, or The Tiki bar at Rockley Beach. Our advice is to go early to avoid the traffic.

British Virgin Islands

BVI is the New Year’s Eve capital of the Caribbean. On Tortola, there’s one of the oldest continuously operating pot distilleries in the Caribbean at Callwood Rum Distillery. Virgin Gorda is a cruise stop, and Jost Van Dyke although the smallest of the four main islands; is where the party is for New Year’s Eve. As a yachting destination, expect New Year’s boat-hopping, so make sure you have rum for the “Old Year’s” at Trellis Bay celebrations. Popular spots for rum are Foxy’s Bar, Soggy Dollar Bar, or Hendo’s Hideout.

Cayman Islands

Another top cruise destination, and home to the Caribbean’s most famous rum cake. Grand Cayman has Cayman Spirits Co and Tortuga rum. Check ahead to see what’s open over the holidays. Get over to Rum Point Club at Rum Point and enjoy some rum cocktails. And, there are plenty of options along the seven-mile beach, or Silverside Rum Bar in George Town. New Year’s Eve on the waterfront, seven-mile beach fireworks, ballrooms, bars, and restaurants are where it’s at, but book ahead!

Cuba

Cuba is a top rum-producing country. The two main spots rum tourists can see are the rum museums in Havana and Santiago de Cuba. The Cuban government restricts general access to distilleries, so you can’t just turn up in a hire car and wander around. Parrandas de Remedios has a Christmas festival. Visit the famous El Floridita Bar for Daiquiri, La Casa del Ron, or the Bar at the Hotel Nacional for some old-world charm.

Americans can travel to Cuba by ticking the OFAC form that says, ‘Support of the Cuban People’ and follow a few easy rules. This includes enjoying rum cocktails in soaking up the local vibe. Exploring the countryside, drive to the small town of Trinidad, visit the Valley of the Sugar Mills, soak up the culture, and good food. Havana has the biggest New Year’s Eve party and puts on a show.

Dominica

Dominica is a beautiful island with a rum tradition. Rivers Hope Estate Distillery is worth a visit it’s open. But beware of the local bush rum, or s they call it mountain dew. Dominica is a natural beauty island, and where neighbouring islanders come to get away from it all, so has a more laid-back vibe.

Dominican Republic 

In the capital, Santo Domingo, festivities take place in Zona Colonial, live-music free concerts on Plaza Espana. There are a few rum bars to explore like SugarCane or La Casa Del Ron. On the north coast, Puerto Plata, and Sosua Beach beaches and resorts will have festivities and special New Year’s Eve events. Taino Bay Rum Bar is a good spot in Puerto Plata to try the many local rums.

In hedonist’s dream destination, Punta Cana seek out these rum bars; Rum Republic, Rum & Juliet Bar, Don Queco Cigar Bar, and Coco Bongo host the big New Year celebrations – enjoy the local Barceló rum. Try the local festive food pasteles en hoja (beef pockets) and Dominican ponche (rum eggnog). Spanish traditions of eating 12 grapes, with every stroke of the clock at midnight.

Grenada

The Spice Island is a top 10 Caribbean destination over the holidays. With four distilleries to visit displaying the old ways and new innovative distillers. From resorts to a laid-back atmosphere, gorgeous beaches, and lively street parties. Explore the island, on Friday nights, go to the north-west coast fishing village of Gouyave.

For New Year’s Eve, the Grand Anse beach party and the street party in St. George. The New Year’s Day Junkanoo parade is also in St. George. Dress up for plush ballroom events to see in the new year. Check out Umbrellas Beach Bar, and Esther’s Bar for rum punch, and try a Guinness Punch while in Grenada
Want to know what rum is – check out our painless guide here

Guadeloupe

The Butterfly Island and Marie Galante experience family time over the festivities. Hire a car to visit the many local rum distilleries, and plan ahead to know what’s open. There’s less of a stay at a big resort here, so not so many big hotel gala dinners as other islands, expect a later start for New Year dining and book ahead.
The annual fireworks on New Year’s Eve are at Gosier on the south coast of the island of Grande-Terre. And, much like neighbouring Martinique, Ti Punch or Planteur Punch are the local rum drinks to enjoy.

Jamaica

Jamaica is a top festive destination. Many of the island’s distilleries, are spread out and need some planning, check ahead which are open over the holidays. The distilleries also host parties and events, but close at Christmas. And, there are thousands of local rum bars like you see in Barbados, where you can immerse yourself in the culture. Try local rum punch, rum & ting, or boom energy drink, and sorrel juice made with ginger and rum.

On Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, expect to see traditional Jonkonmu parades, Pantomime, a New Year’s Eve Ball, and firecrackers. New Year’s Eve parties in Montego Bay, boat parties, or Ocho Rios on the north coast. In Kingston, head to Ocean Boulevard at the Waterfront for the celebrations. Book ahead for resort and ticketed events.

Martinique

The Island of Flowers boasts many beautiful gardens to visit, with many of the distilleries having the best botanical gardens. Getting around the rum distilleries in Martinique requires some planning, there are so many to see. Like Guadeloupe, it’s best to hire a car to get around. Most distilleries will be closed at Christmas and will reopen at New Year. They won’t be in production because the sugarcane harvest begins in February. The North is the least populated, the south has the beaches and bars.

Festivities centre on the central region of the Fort-de-France Bay for Christmas and New Year. Ti Punch or Planteur Punch are the island staple rum drinks. Book ahead for any special events. Check out the many Martinique distilleries here

Puerto Rico

The rum capital of the world is the top 3 vacation destination over the holidays. Plan ahead your rum tours as they are spread out, especially if you go to Crab Island! For the many distilleries, here’s their Rum profiles. Check ahead for tours, tastings, and any special events.

For old-world charm and good rum bars in Old San Juan visit La Casita de Rones, La Factoría, Jungle Bird, and Scryer Rum. For New Year’s, Condado beach has fireworks, and most hotels, restaurants, and bars have special New Year’s Eve events, gala dinners, and fireworks.

Saint Barthélemy

In Saint Barts, Port de Plaisance in Port of Gustavia is where superyachts hang out. There is a rum brand from St Barts made with cane juice. And, there was the famous Rhum Room, with the largest Agricole Vieux collection but it has closed down. You can visit La Case St-Barth instead.

The harbour becomes packed at New Year with exclusive parties, DJ’s, and tastemakers hang out. The New Year’s Regatta is where sailing meets party atmosphere and the rum flows!

St. Kitts & Nevis

Sugar Mas Carnival starts mid-December until the New Year with festivities and the Grand Carnival Parade on New Year’s Day. There are a couple of rum distillers to seek out, Clifton Estate on Nevis is the local rum, as is Hibiscus spirits. You can check out the old Wingfield Sugar Estate.

Enjoy some rum at Discovery Beach Bar, and Shipwreck Beach Bar. On Nevis, try the Crowned Monkey rum bar. Local Kittsian’s drink Ting & Sting (rum and grapefruit soda). For New Year’s Eve, South Frigate Bay is the favourite spot for special dinners and celebrations.

Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia has one distillery, near Marigot Bay, which is a good place to hang out. Boat trips will pop in for drinks at the Beach Club, Rum Cave or Zoëtry. Arriving by boat can be more pleasurable than the Lucian roads! Christmas festivities include the Festival of Lights and bamboo bursting.
On New Year’s Eve there are fireworks and parties in the north at Rodney Bay and Gros Islet, where there’s plaenty of bars, and dinners – but book ahead. Expect traffic jams if not already staying there. Many take boat trips along the southwest coast to the Pitons at Soufrière and sip St Lucia Rum Punch.

St. Martin/Sint Maarten

Home to Topper’s Rhum Distillery, try the local Guavaberry Rum, and Rhum Ma Doudou. On New Year’s Eve, people flock to Philipsburg, the capital to watch the fireworks from Great Bay Beach Promenade over Great Bay. Enjoy rum at Dirty Sanchez Crew Bar, or La Part des Anges, Grand Case Bar in St Martin.

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago have a big rum tradition. There’s just one distillery now, so check out when it’s open if here over the holidays. Festivities include Parang, a popular folk music originating from Venezuela. And, soca parang, which is an energetic mix of traditional parang and the tempo of Trini soca.

For New Year’s Eve, there are lots of parties at hotels, Port of Spain, or San Fernando check out the rum shops for a local experience. And, enjoy the Trinidadian Rum Punch or a Queen’s Park Swizzle. For a more laid-back vibe visit Tobago, they have plenty of rum shops as well.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Like other islands, Junkanoo is a colourful festival that is celebrated on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Fireworks light up the sky over Grace Bay Beach. At the cruise centre there’s the largest Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville in the Caribbean. Grand Turk has the Sandbar, Jack’s Shack, and Da Conch Rum Bar.

U.S. Virgin Islands

The Crucian Christmas Festival is on St. Croix and runs until New Year. St. Thomas, St. John, or Tortola expect special dinners and events at hotels and resorts, with fireworks on New Year’s Eve. St. Thomas is the main cruise drop-off, and among the duty-free port of Charlotte Amalie you’ll find plenty of rum to stock up on and the Rum Island Pub. And, check if the local rum distilleries are open while you are there!

Some general advice for the best rum trip is to book ahead distillery visits and take in local bars or restaurants nearby. When distilleries are spaced out, it can be better to go local. Split up the days rather than trying to conquer them all.

Hiring a driver, or mini bus and going early can save you sitting in a traffic jam. New Year events are often best reserved, some places allow serendipity but don’t rely on it.

Even if you’re on a cruise, you’ll have the chance to pop into a local rum distillery or bar, we highly recommend you do. It’s often a vacation highlight. Our map can help you locate the nearest and it’s up-to-date. Each island has its vibe and culture, they’re not all the same, so it’s worth going on an adventure. Check your liquor allowance, as there will be opportunities to bring something unique home.

In The Caribbean, visiting a rum distillery is a cultural experience, it’s often the best place to learn about local history and enjoy a stroll around a botanical garden even if you don’t drink alcohol.

For more information check out the rum producers map, and a shout out to our rum producers for their input to this article. Check out destination socials for parties and here’s some island sites; 

Bahamas  Barbados   Cuba   Jamaica  Dominican Republic  Puerto Rico