The top Caribbean islands for TEFL teachers working online
Even a mention of the Caribbean is usually enough to conjure up images of cloud-white beaches and azure seas, palm-threaded coastlines and cocktail shacks on the sand. These days, this gorgeous corner of the globe doesn’t have to be the preserve of the jet setters. There are lots of Caribbean islands for TEFL teachers working online that offer low cost of living and even make it simple to settle in as a digital nomad. Here’s our pick of five of the very best.
Barbados
Of all the Caribbean islands for TEFL teachers, Barbados is the one that’s gone the furthest to lure in remote workers. The authorities here recently launched the Barbados Welcome Stamp, a 12-month entry that allows digital nomads to settle in the country for up to a year. And, as if that’s still not enough, the island is famously stunning. You can head to Oistins on the south-west shore to devour fish fries on white-sand beaches. You can venture to Bottom Bay Beach to see coconut palms stooping to meet the turquoise Caribbean. It’s paradise. It really is.
Dominica
Dominica isn’t really like the islands around it. It’s English speaking and has managed to remain largely off the beaten tourist trail. Even the cruise ships that float across the Caribbean Sea by their thousands haven’t yet found a foothold. The result? A place that’s ripe for adventure-hungry travelers, tempted by the prospect of volcanic lakes and lush mountains ringed by hiking trails and dashed with tropical orchids. The beaches are small and not really as picture-perfect as the rest of the Caribbean (AKA it’s not the place to chase white sands). But this is the place to go for rainforest treks, scuba diving, and hot springs.
Dominican Republic
Picture-perfect golf courses, white-sand beaches lapped by the waves of the Atlantic, whale-filled bays, supreme surf, soaring mountains dressed in tobacco farms – you’re almost better off asking what the Dominican Republic doesn’t have! Situated on one half of the largest island in the Caribbean, this one’s a multi-faceted destination. Luxury seekers usually head straight for Punta Cana, where there are five-star resorts spilling into the sea. Adventurers often prefer the surf towns of Cabarete and beyond, which have excellent waves and windsurfing. But there’s also something to be said for working online from the capital of Santo Domingo, which boasts one of the most incredible old town areas in the whole region – founded by Christopher Columbus’s brother, no less!
Aruba
Aruba has loads going for it. First off, it’s a long way outside of the usual Atlantic hurricane belt, which means that there aren’t the same heavy storms rolling over the island in the summer months and into October. On top of that, it’s blessed with a pretty darn gorgeous climate that means temps sits pretty in the low 80s for virtually the whole year. Oh yea, and it’s one of the best-connected of the Caribbean islands, with flight connections going here from all over North and Latin America. There’s a wonderland of rocky coves like Conchi on the north shore, too, along with the strange lava fields of the Arikok National Park, and a backcountry that looks more Mojave than Bahamas. It’s basically great for adventurous digital nomads who want to dodge the region’s rainy season.
Grenada
Grenada is known as the Spice Isle for its plantations of nutmeg and cardamon. It’s also famed for its beaches, which span from the cotton-tinged sands of Grand Anse to the scythe of ivory powder that is Morne Rouge Bay – both complete stunners. Inland, the island turns to verdant hilly vistas that creep up to lookout points and even historic estates that date back centuries. Perhaps more than anything, though, Grenada has an overload of excellent short- to medium-term villa and condo rentals that are simply perfect for the budding remote worker to settle in for a few months of teaching online. Oh, and 100%, broadband coverage doesn’t hurt, either!
This guide offers just a taster of the incredible Caribbean islands for TEFL teachers that are out there. There are many, many more, and if you’d like to add any, feel free to drop your thoughts into the comments below. Or, if you think it’s time to get a-teaching, head over to our courses page and check out our TEFL qualifications.