When night falls in Puerto Rico, the forest comes alive. The steady, melodic chirp of the coquí — the island’s iconic tree frog — fills the air. At Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, guests follow the sounds through the trees under the soft beam of a flashlight, guided by anthropologist and Environment Ambassador Camille Arroyo. It’s not a nature documentary — it’s just another evening at one of the Caribbean’s most luxurious resorts, thanks to a growing travel trend called noctourism.
Once, a typical day in the Caribbean ended with sunset cocktails, dinner, and a quiet retreat to your room. Now, travelers are seeking more meaningful, nature-connected experiences — and increasingly, they’re doing it after dark.
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At Dorado Beach, it all began with programming for kids — stargazing nights and “creatures of the night” forest walks designed to spark curiosity. But soon, the grown-ups wanted in.
“We started to see how excited the adults got about what the kids were experiencing,” says Arroyo. “They began to ask, ‘Can I do this too?’”
That curiosity evolved into a full lineup of nighttime experiences for all ages, creating opportunities for guests to reconnect with the natural world — and each other. The “Coquí Experience” remains a guest favorite, offering guided walks through the forest to observe the coquí and other native wildlife. Guests don’t just get a casual glance; Arroyo, with her deep understanding of the environment, brings them closer to nature in a respectful and intimate way.
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“There’s a longing for a simpler, more connected kind of travel,” Arroyo explains. “People are seeking intimate, multi-sensory experiences that help them feel part of the environment — whether they’re with their family or a partner.”
Dorado Beach’s nocturnal offerings now include stargazing with telescopes, hot chocolate under the stars, and relaxing on mats while wrapped in blankets, gazing up at constellations. It’s Caribbean luxury, redefined through nature and wonder.
But this isn’t just happening in Puerto Rico.
At The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, guests can set sail at sunset for nearby St. John, dine at a local restaurant, and return on a starlit cruise complete with dessert, coffee, and digestifs served under a glittering sky. It’s equal parts romance and adventure.
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Meanwhile, over at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, guests dive into the sea after sunset with the Night Snorkel experience. The underwater world transforms at night: octopuses hunt, sea turtles rest, and nocturnal marine life reveals a different side of the reef. For a more grounded cosmic connection, guests can enjoy private telescope stargazing to explore planets, stars, and satellites.
From moonlit forest walks to ocean voyages and underwater adventures, Marriott’s Caribbean resorts are embracing the night in imaginative and immersive ways. These after-dark offerings allow guests to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience the islands from a different perspective — one that’s quiet, magical, and deeply memorable.
Noctourism may be the Caribbean’s newest travel trend, but its roots are timeless: wonder, discovery, and the simple joy of being fully present — even after the sun goes down.
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