Discover Caribbean UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Cultural and Natural Treasures of the Caribbean Islands

Looking for something special in the Caribbean islands? These wonderful places have been deemed worthy by UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Centre of being of significant cultural or natural value.  These sites preserve our heritage – Our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations!

When it comes to the Caribbean islands as well as coastal areas of the Americas, this includes archaeological Indigenous sites, well preserved historical European structures, along with breathtaking and rich bio-diverse natural sites.  UNESCO’s intent is to strengthen the Caribbean’s sustainable development and the role of local communities, which is vital for heritage protection and management. A well protected World Heritage site contributes directly to environmental, social and economic development and helps better the life of local communities in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean has 31 (including seven tentative) Cultural sites, 19 (including seven tentative) Natural sites along with 4 (including two tentative) Mixed (Both Cultural & Natural) sites.  Three of these sites are in danger of irreparable damage due to direct and indirect human activities – They are Belize’s “Natural” Barrier Reef Reserve System; Venezuela’s “Cultural” Coro and its Port; and Honduras’ “Natural” Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve.

Our favourite ‘Cultural’ World Heritage sites in the Caribbean include:

Saint Kitts & Nevis – Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park

This well preserved Fortress makes for an imposing sight.  The fortress is built on a steep volcanic hilltop, approximately 755 feet (230m) high, yet seemingly a natural part of the Caribbean island’s main mountain range.  This fortification must have been extremely intimidating in it’s day.  The fortress is an excellent example of British military architecture used in the Caribbean in the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s – This is the earliest surviving example of “Polygonal System” design.  Covering almost 40 acres (150k sq. m), the main features of the multi-leveled fortification include it’s massive stone wall, with it’s commanding view (read cannon range) of the surrounding coastline and Caribbean Sea, along with it’s main building the Citadel, also know as Fort George.

For more information on the Sister Islands, click on our St. Kitts & Nevis Active Vacations page

Puerto Rico – La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site

Over the last 500 years, a series of defensive structures have been built in this Caribbean Island to protect it’s Capital, San Juan.  These fortifications provide an excellent example of European military architecture traditionally used in the Caribbean to protect important cities and ports.  These Spanish built structures reflect Italian Renaissance, Baroque, and French Enlightenment designs and construction.  This Heritage site includes the structures of La Fortaleza, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, Fort San Juan de la Cruz, the Devil’s Sentry Box, as well as the town now known as Old San Juan.

La Fortaleza has been used as a fortress, an arsenal, a prison, the residence of the Governor-General, as well as the residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, for which it is still used today.  Castillo San Felipe del Morro, or just “El Morro” for short, with it’s dominating command over the entrance to the Bay of San Juan, was probably the most iconic and feared Spanish built fortress in the Caribbean.  The remaining fortifications were an expansion to the over-all system.

Few other Caribbean islands offer tourists a place for a full day’s walk-about of sight-seeing featuring old fortresses and protective stone walls (almost three miles [5km] long) along with the charming town of Old San Juan itself – Great for indulging in history, culture, and shopping!

For more information on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico and the tons of fun that can be had there, check our our Puerto Rico Active Vacations page

Cuba – Old Havana and its Fortification System

Built by the Spanish on the northern shores of the west end of this Caribbean island, the capital Havana grew over the centuries into an eclectic combination of residences and defensive fortifications.  The old historic centre, with it’s plazas and narrow streets, retains it’s 17th and 18th century European architecture – Featuring grandiose commercial buildings along-side private homes with balconies, wrought-iron fences and enchanting internal courtyards.

Some of the oldest and largest stone fortifications in the Caribbean islands were built in Cuba starting in the early 1500s, right up to the 1900s.  The complex system of fortifications that protected Havana, its port and its all-important dockyard is comprised of: the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña – one of the largest fortresses in the Caribbean; Castillo de la Real Fuerza – one of the oldest fortifications in the Caribbean; Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta; Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, along with a number of other smaller fortifications.

Mexico – Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen Itza 

When you think of the iconic Mayan pyramid, Chichen Itza has to come to mind.

This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres ever built on Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula.  Influenced by close to a thousand years of diverse habitation, the area demonstrates the fusion of Maya and Toltec construction, as well as monuments and art.  Buildings that still remain today from the Mayan-Toltec civilization include the Warriors’ Temple, El Castillo (pyramid) and El Caracol circular observatory.

Dominica – Fort Shirley (Tentative List)

The Fort is located on the south side of Cabrits National Park, on a small point jutting into the Caribbean Sea on the west side of the north end of the Caribbean island.  Nestled between two hills, the fortifications were first built by the English, then augmented by the French.  The area provides an amazing vantage point over the beautiful Bay of Portsmouth and the rugged landscape of Dominica.  The Fort and Park provide a calm area to relax in, for those coming from the strenuous travel through the island’s mountainous geography.  Fort Shirley consists of a main garrison with seven gun batteries, seven cisterns, powder magazines, ordnance storehouses, bakeries, iron forge and barracks for officers, hundreds of soldiers as well as their support staff and slaves.  This site is of historical significance for the following two reasons.

In 1802, the 8th West India Regiment revolted, with African slave soldiers taking over the garrison for three days.  They protested living conditions and the constant threat of being sent to work on the plantations. The revolt resulted in all slave soldiers in the British Empire being made free a few years later.

The Fort was successfully defended by the English from French attacks on numerous occasions in the late 1700s and early 1800s, although it is a sea battle that is it’s claim to fame.  The Battle of the Saintes, considered to be one of the the most important naval battles in the history of the Caribbean – An offshoot of the American Revolutionary War, the naval battle took place within view of the fort in early April, 1782.  England’s Admiral Rodney was victorious, re-confirming Britain’s ownership of their colonial territories in the Caribbean.

For more information on the Nature Island of the Caribbean, check out our Dominica Active Vacations page

Our favourite ‘Natural’ World Heritage sites in the Caribbean include:

Belize – Barrier Reef Reserve System

This amazing area contains the largest barrier reef complex and one of the healthiest eco-systems in the northern hemisphere – Making it a top candidate for the most rewarding place in the Caribbean for snorkeling and boating.  Seven protected areas encompass reefs, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries, as well as offshore atolls and hundreds of sand and mangrove cays.  The area provides habitat for threatened species such as marine turtles, manatees and the American crocodile.  This natural paradise is home to over 200 types of marine flora, over 500 fish species as well as bird colonies of red-footed booby, brown booby and the common noddy.

The Reserve System is comprised of: Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve; Blue Hole Natural Monument; Half Moon Caye Natural Monument; South Water Caye Marine Reserve; Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve; Laughing Bird Caye National Park; and Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve.

Dominica – Morne Trois Pitons National Park

Perhaps the most dramatic mountains in all of the Caribbean islands are found on this quiet isle.  The Park, along with two Forest Reserves, are full of diverse rugged beauty making Dominica one of the most challenging Caribbean islands for hiking.  The National Park combines lush tropical forests with barren volcanic features and is home to the 4,400 feet (1,342m) high volcano peak of the Trois (three) Pitons.  The Park’s 27 square miles (70 sq. km) are dominated by a rugged mountain range filled with steep peaks and narrow canyons – Here you can find dozens of fumaroles and hot springs, a couple of freshwater lakes, a number of volcanoes as well as a lake with water so hot, it boils!

While the Park contains the massive pitons and Dominica’s largest lakes, Boeri Lake and Freshwater Lake, perhaps the most impressive and interesting areas lie further south-east. Here you will find the aptly named Valley of Desolation, an unworldly barren rocky valley of volcanic activities including hot springs, fumaroles and bubbling mud holes.  Of course there’s also Boiling Lake, a waterfall fed flooded fumarole whose water is a constant rolling boil.

For more information on the Nature Island of the Caribbean, check out our Dominica Active Vacations page

Jamaica – Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park

The Park is home to one of the Caribbean’s largest mountain ranges and the highest peaks in Jamaica.  It’s tallest, Blue Mountain Peak stands 7,402 feet (2,256 m) above sea level.  While driving the roads in the area are an adventure unto themselves, this is one of the best areas in the Caribbean for hiking and mountain biking.  This massive Park covers 100 square miles (260 sq. km) of heavily forested mountainous landscape.  The elevation variations in the Blue and John Crow Mountains provide a diverse natural system consisting of tropical montane rain-forest, a unique mor-ridge forest as well as an elfin forest.

The Park contains one of the richest bio-diverse areas found in all of the Caribbean islands, with an exceptionally high proportion of endemic plant and animal species – Indicating that Jamaica evolved somewhat separately from other islands.  Plants include rare lichens, mosses and a variety of flowering plants.  Home to several species of amphibian, bird and mammals, the Park is a protected area for the conservation of a number of globally endangered frog and bird species.

For more information on the Caribbean island of Jamaica, including the wide variety of adventures and tourist attractions to enjoy, click on our Jamaica Active Vacations page

Honduras – Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve

The tropical reserve protects some of the most diverse plant and wildlife in Central America, as well as being home to more than 2,000 indigenous people who are managing to preserve their traditional way of life.  Bordered by the Caribbean sea on the north, the mountainous Reserve is part of a conservation complex which includes another Reserve as well as a National Park.  The Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve contains rain-forests, wetlands, Savannah as well as coastal lagoons.  Home to over 500 plant species and more than 400 types of birds, 200 types of mammals, as well as over 100 reptiles, amphibians and fish.  Of note is the critically endangered Mexican Spider Monkey, the endangered Central American Tapir and Great Green Macaw, the vulnerable Giant Anteater, West Indian Manatee and pheasant like Great Curassow, as well as the near-threatened Jaguar, boar like White-lipped Peccary and Guiana Crested Eagle and Harpy Eagle.  A number of ancient sites, some with petroglyphs can also be found in the area.

Cuba – Desembarco del Granma National Park

Found at the south-west tip of the Caribbean island, this remote and quiet Park covers approximately 124 square miles (320 sq. km), including more than 23 square miles (60 sq. km) of marine territory.  The land in the Park is an excellent example of ongoing geological processes, featuring a dramatic karst landscape filled with sinkholes, caves and canyons.  The magnificent coastal cliffs provide beautiful natural views as well – From the land and the sea!

Mexico – Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Located on the Yucatán peninsula, bordering the Caribbean Sea, the massive Reserve, translated from Mayan as the ‘Origin of the Sky’, covers over 1,540 square miles (4,000 sq. km) of land, including 75 miles (120km) of coastline along with a large number of mangroves.  The Reserve contains tropical forests, palm Savannah along with well preserved wetlands filled with mangroves, marshes, lagoons and sand beaches.  There’s a large marine area in the park as well.  The Reserve is home to over 300 species of birds, hundreds of types of fish, along with amazing and rare wild cats such as Jaguar, Puma and Ocelot as well as the Central American Tapir. Of special geological interest in this Biosphere is the hundreds of ‘petenes’ or small islands, that appear/disappear in the marsh lands as is the ‘cenotes’ or karst sinkholes, found further inland.

Saint Lucia – Pitons Management Area

Perhaps the most iconic image in all of the Caribbean islands, St. Lucia’s Pitons rise sharply from the sea, making for fantastic photo-ops as well as hiking. Covering almost 12 square miles (30 sq. km), the area encompasses the Piton Mitan ridge with it’s two volcanic spires, hot springs and fumeroles, including the renowned Sulpher Springs, along with a marine area approximately 7 miles (11km) long and just under a mile (1km) off shore – This marine area is full of coral reefs and steep underwater walls – Like a subterranean extension of the Pitons themselves.  At 2,526 feet (770m) and 2,438 feet (743m) high, the Pitons are an imposing home to tropical forests and dry forests as well as elfin woodlands at higher elevations. The area is home to over 100 hundred plant species – including eight rare species of trees, 27 types of birds along with small mammals (including bats), as well as a number of reptiles and amphibians.  Off the coast of St. Lucia, the sea contains over 100 species of fish, along with an assortment of corals and sponges.  Ancient Petroglyphs have also been found in the area.

For more information on the beautiful island of St. Lucia, including a long list of things to do on the island, check out our St. Lucia Active Vacations page

For the complete list, click on our UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Caribbean page

For an overview of what the Caribbean has to offer intrepid vacationers, check out our Active Caribbean Travel page

Enjoy!

ACT Staff