The Best Caribbean Islands Close to Texas

Cruise from the Southwest to the Western Caribbean

By Mary Luz Mejia | Published: March 31, 2023 | Updated: March 9, 2026

There are plenty of Caribbean islands close to Texas, including Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, Mahahual and Jamaica. But sand, surf and sun isn’t all you can expect when you leave from a Galveston.

Wear your comfiest shoes because Caribbean weekend getaways from Galveston, Texas, are all about sightseeing before or after your cruise. This coastal resort city and port is located on the state's southeast coast on Galveston Island, just 45 miles from downtown Houston. With family-friendly attractions, Texas coastline beachcombing for miles, fishing off local piers and plenty of cultural activities and architectural marvels, Galveston has something for everyone!

This blog will guide you through the best Caribbean islands close to Texas and help you fill your itinerary with activities while you’re island hopping or spending time in the Lone Star State.

Key Takeaways

● Mexico has several amazing stops for your weekend cruise, including Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, Mahahual, Tulum and San Gervasio.

● Hike waterfalls like Dunn’s River Falls or go cave tubing in Jamaica.

● Lounge on the tranquil Seven Mile Beach or snorkel with stingrays in Grand Cayman.

● In Honduras, visit the country’s first national park, Parque Nacional La Tigra, offering hiking and bird watching.

● See the second-largest coral reef system in the world in Belize.

● Explore western Caribbean cruises offered by Royal Caribbean to see these places for yourself.

Sail To The Western Caribbean

Enjoy your pick of Caribbean weekend getaways out of Texas with a cruise to the western Caribbean. On a short cruise, you'll stop in Cozumel, Mexico, or Puerto Costa Maya, where you'll be greeted by warm, crystalline waters, tropical reefs ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling and impressive Mayan ruins.

Divers and snorkelers should head to Chankanaab National Park to take in the riot of colorful tropical fish and reefs. Or head over to the Great Maya Reef, which stretches from Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula south to Honduras Bay. At almost 700 miles long, this is the Western Hemisphere's largest barrier reef (second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef).

Then, soak up a laid-back afternoon and relax in the port village of Mahahual, where you can sip on a frosty michelada — a drink made with beer, lime juice and savory sauce that does wonders to cool you off in the tropical heat.

If you’re looking for a trip that’s close to Texas, but outside of Mexico, there are several stunning options. Other western Caribbean islands include Belize, the Cayman Islands, Honduras and Jamaica. Enjoy white-sand beaches, pristine water and tons of adventurous excursions, no matter which islands near Texas you choose to explore.

Explore The Sights And Sands Of The Western Caribbean

Maya Ruins

Start by trekking up the Maya ruins of Kohunlich on the Costa Maya to view the famous Temple of the Masks, which was built around A.D. 500. You'll notice six- to eight-foot-tall sculpted masks around the lower side panels of the pyramid and a set of central stairs leading to upper-level chambers. Climb to the top to get a close-up view of the intricate mask carvings and the jungle canopy surrounding the temple.

Tombs, Pyramids and Culture

From Cozumel, island-hop to nearby Tulum or San Gervasio, where the largest ruins date back to about A.D. 300. Or visit the less touristy Ek Balam (meaning black jaguar in the Yucatec Maya language) near Tulum to behold the pyramid where Maya king Ukit Kan Lek Tok is buried in a tomb in the largest pyramid on the site.

As you explore these ancient sites, keep in mind all those who have come before you to really take in how special an experience it is.

When I walked the steep pyramid steps of what's called Structure 35 Sub at Ek Balam, I was taken aback by just how hot it was. Climbing the stairs next to me was a Mexican mother with her bundled infant, so I asked her in Spanish if she was OK. She smiled and said, "Of course. I'm sharing this amazing country's cultural legacies with my baby, who will grow up proud to have been born here." My husband and I were honored that she shared that with us and were duly impressed, as this climb is not easy. The exertion to get up and down these steps is not to be underestimated, but the sweeping views from the top make it well worth the sweat.

Cenotes

With just a few days in the western Caribbean, you need to indulge in all the sunshine, sand and surf that define these destinations. Don't miss out on an opportunity to take in the sensory experience that is a cenote: a natural sinkhole that occurs when limestone bedrock collapses and exposes fresh groundwater. The ancient Maya used them for various purposes, including as a fresh water supply and, more spiritually, as a sort of gateway to the afterlife. These were treated as sacred places by the Maya, who performed various rituals in and around them. You can access a cenote on a guided tour, where you can truly experience these tranquil spots and take in the best of Mother Nature's majesty.

When I visited a cenote in the Riviera Maya, we walked through a tropical jungle with a Mayan guide. Another two guides were waiting for us at the cenote's entrance, where we were given life vests and asked to wash off first to avoid contaminating the water with sunblock and lotions. When we left, I heard rustling in the surrounding brush and one of the guides told us that a jaguar had been tracking us on our walk, which is a sign of luck. I like to think the spirit of the Maya was with us, and it was the perfect end to my western Caribbean getaway.

Hiking and More

Start or End Your Weekend Trip In Texas

In the 19th century, Galveston was the largest and wealthiest city in the state. This explains why the city, named after Spanish governor Bernardo de Galvez, houses so many beautiful architectural mansions and gems. The city's seaport helped to make this a prosperous and politically important city. Today, Galveston is a popular spot for western Caribbean weekend getaways.

Caribbean weekend getaways are made all the more special when you take a few extra days to soak in Galveston's marvellous historic architecture before you sail off. The city's fifty-block, tree- and flower-lined East End Historical District is renowned for its stunning Victorian architecture. In the 19th century, the wealthy resided in the city's first residential neighborhood, characterized by buttercream and pastel-colored mansions, including the famous Moody Mansion and Bishop's Palace.

While exploring, take a moment to admire the neighborhood's tree sculptures, which include everything from whimsical dolphins and dogs to geishas and guitars, crafted by artists using uprooted trees left over from Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Then, head downtown to the Strand, where you'll see a spate of historical styles and motifs, including Neo-Renaissance, High Victorian, Greek Revival, Gothic, Beaux Art and Romanesque, intermingle for a veritable feast for the eyes. You might notice oddities such as brick lined with stucco to resemble stone, interlaced with granite, cast iron and marble details to create these various period looks. Experts agree that Galveston's commitment to preserving its architectural gems while ensuring they are suitable for modern-day use and living is a truly remarkable feat.

If shopping is on the to-do list, check out one of several quaint galleries, shops and boutiques while you're there. Then, end the day with a feast of some quintessentially southwestern cuisine like gumbo or shrimp and grits and look forward to the rest of your Galveston weekend trip ahead.

Dive Into Top-Rated Texan Beaches

Can't wait to hit the lush beaches of the Caribbean on your weekend vacation? You don't have to! Galveston has some of the most postcard-worthy beaches that will whet your appetite for all the tropical bliss awaiting during the best Texas cruises to the Caribbean.

If you're standing on Stewart Beach, Jamaica Beach, East Beach or Galveston Beach on your weekend trip, you're where Houstonians and other Texans flock when they want local sand and surf. Right in the center of town, you've got Galveston Beach that sits next to the 61st Street Fishing Pier. Pull up a chair and try your luck at reeling in some speckled trout, black or red drum fish, sand sea trout or flounder. More of a sandcastle person? Head over to East Beach on the northeastern end of the island and catch the AIA Sandcastle Competition, where sixty teams compete for the coveted Golden Bucket Award every summer.

For those who prefer to be in or on the water, make your way to Pier 21 and prepare to get soaked with an adrenaline-pumping speed jet boat thrill ride replete with 90-degree turns, tricks and spins. If dolphin sighting is more your speed, you can take a boat ride on the Gulf's Galveston Bay to spot bottlenose dolphins, the only species native to Texas. Galveston is the ideal starting point for an epic cruise vacation.

Maximize Your Caribbean Vacation