There’s a wilder side to the Caribbean. A rainforest path that leads to a Mayan temple. A rugged hike to the edge of a boiling lake. A plunge into a perfect blue hole.

Far beyond the soft beaches and turquoise water, the Caribbean is one of the world’s great adventure playgrounds — a region of mountains, rainforests and frontiers. In places like Andros, Dominica and Belize, nature is more than just scenery. It is the experience.

Some hotels across the region lean into that spirit. They’re built for travelers who come to hike and dive, who want to paddle through mangroves and follow rivers upstream, who see the Caribbean as a living, breathing ecosystem to explore. Who want to get out there.

These are the best adventure hotels in the Caribbean right now.

The Los Establos Boutique Resort in Panama.

Los Establos Boutique Resort, Panama Perched in the lush highlands above Boquete and spread across a historic coffee plantation, Los Establos is a mountain-retreat adventure outpost cloaked in cloud-forest mystery. From your terrace you can look out toward Volcán Barú, its peak often wrapped in shifting mist, with each day bringing a different kind of thrill.

This is an all-inclusive resort with a twist — daily curated excursions are part of the experience. You can wander through the estate’s working coffee fields, hike to hidden waterfalls, zip-line across the canopy, raft mountain rivers or explore hanging bridges deep in the forest. The resort is designed to be both serene and adventurous, where the adventures feel personal and connected to the landscape.

Though you’re elevated among the clouds, the experience is grounded. The suites are spacious and elegant, with sweeping volcano views and gardens framing the plantation. Here, adventure doesn’t just happen outside the hotel — it starts the moment you step out your door.