The Ultimate Guide to Filming in the Caribbean

The Caribbean has always been a dream location for filmmakers, photographers, and creative directors. It offers more than just turquoise waters and sandy beaches—it’s a mosaic of islands, each with its own story, culture, and visual identity. From the elegance of St. Barts to the colonial charm of Puerto Rico and the untouched beauty of Vieques, the region provides an endless canvas for productions of every scale.

At 1st Choice Productions, we’ve worked across the Caribbean helping brands, agencies, and studios bring their visions to life. This guide breaks down the essentials of filming here: where to shoot, how to navigate permits, what crews you’ll need, and how to make your production seamless from day one.

Why the Caribbean?

• Unmatched variety: Beaches, rainforests, luxury villas, historic towns, and modern resorts all within a few hours’ flight of each other.

• Year-round accessibility: Tropical weather and long daylight hours keep productions moving without seasonal restrictions.

• International infrastructure: Film commissions, airports, and experienced local crews ready to support projects big and small.

Put simply: the Caribbean looks like paradise, but it works like a professional backlot.

Permits & Regulations

Every island has its own rules, and navigating them is key to keeping your schedule on track.

• Bahamas: Streamlined permitting process, especially around Nassau and Paradise Island. Many private estates grant exclusive access quickly.

• Puerto Rico (Main Island): Managed by the Puerto Rico Film Commission, with clear processes for public areas like Old San Juan or El Yunque.

• Vieques & Culebra: Smaller municipalities with simpler rules—ideal for nimble crews.

• St. Barts: Permits often tied to private estates and resorts; confidentiality and exclusivity are the norm.

• Barbados: Film-friendly government, quick turnarounds, and diverse looks from historic towns to rugged coasts.

• St. Thomas (USVI): U.S. territory—permits are straightforward, making it a favorite for American productions.

We handle permits on your behalf, cutting through the paperwork so you can focus on the creative.

Crew & Local Fixers

Your shoot is only as strong as your crew. Local talent is not only cost-effective but also critical for unlocking access.

• Local Advantages: Lower travel costs, insider knowledge, cultural fluency.

• Roles We Provide: Fixers, assistants, location managers, drivers, catering teams, wardrobe, and security.

• Our Network: From Puerto Rico to Barbados to the Bahamas, we connect you with vetted professionals who have worked on international campaigns.

Top Filming Locations in the Caribbean

Bahamas

The Bahamas is a blend of luxury estates, historic gardens, and picture-perfect islands.

• Versailles Gardens & Cloisters: Iconic European-style stone arches and manicured gardens overlooking Nassau’s harbor. Perfect for fashion shoots and luxury brand campaigns.

• Nelson Gay House (Eleuthera): A stately beachfront estate with interiors that scream old-world charm. Recently used for a high-fashion editorial, the space offers both elegance and intimacy.

• Old Fort Bay: Exclusive property with fortress architecture, perfect for upscale commercials.

• Rose Island: Secluded beaches just minutes from Nassau, ideal for music videos and lifestyle productions.

• Outer Islands (Exumas, Eleuthera, Abaco): For those “untouched” Caribbean visuals—sandbars, remote beaches, and turquoise waters that stretch forever.

Case Example: A European swimwear brand recently shot in the Exumas with 1st Choice Productions. We secured a private sandbar accessible only by boat, ensuring exclusivity and a dramatic backdrop that looked like it belonged to no one else.

Puerto Rico (Main Island)

Puerto Rico combines convenience (no passport for U.S. citizens) with world-class backdrops.

• Old San Juan: Cobblestone streets, pastel buildings, and historic forts—ideal for fashion, film, and lifestyle campaigns.

• El Yunque Rainforest: Waterfalls, jungle canopies, and misty mountains—perfect for adventure or luxury-meets-nature concepts.

• Condado & Isla Verde: Modern beachfront districts with high-rise hotels and stylish cityscapes.

Case Example: A major beverage commercial chose Old San Juan for its colorful colonial backdrops. Our team managed permits, traffic holds, and coordinated with local police to ensure smooth filming in the bustling district.

Vieques & Culebra (Puerto Rico)

For productions seeking intimacy and untouched landscapes, the smaller Puerto Rican islands deliver.

• Vieques: Black Sand Beach, hidden coves, and luxury villas. Its bioluminescent bay adds a magical night-time option.

• Culebra: Flamenco Beach—consistently ranked one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Perfect for global campaigns needing “remote paradise.”

Case Example: A destination wedding shoot in Vieques captured both the vibrant energy of Esperanza and the quiet romance of hidden beaches—all within a single day.

St. Barts

St. Barts is synonymous with luxury.

• Resorts & Villas: Some of the most exclusive properties in the Caribbean, catering to high-fashion brands and celebrity shoots.

• French-Caribbean aesthetic: Elegant architecture and yacht-lined harbors add sophistication to any production.

Case Example: A couture fashion house filmed in a private villa overlooking Gustavia Harbor. Our team coordinated discreet permits and ensured the location matched the brand’s luxury image.

Barbados

Barbados balances history with raw natural beauty.

• Historic Bridgetown: UNESCO World Heritage site with colonial architecture.

• East Coast: Dramatic cliffs and surf crashing against rugged landscapes—ideal for adventure or fashion shoots.

• West Coast: Calm turquoise beaches, luxury villas, and resorts perfect for lifestyle or travel campaigns.

Case Example: A global fitness brand shot along the East Coast, using the wild cliffs as a metaphor for strength and resilience.

St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands)

St. Thomas offers U.S. convenience with Caribbean flair.

• Beaches & Resorts: Perfect for commercials and lifestyle photography.

• Charlotte Amalie Harbor: Colorful facades and bustling port life.

• Yacht Culture: Luxury charter shoots are popular here.

Case Example: A music video production used St. Thomas’s yacht marinas as a luxury setting, combining aerial drone shots with cinematic beach scenes.

Logistics You Need to Know

• Access: Major hubs include Nassau (Bahamas), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Barbados, and St. Thomas. Ferries and charters connect smaller islands like Vieques and Culebra.

• Accommodations: Talent-friendly resorts, boutique hotels, and crew lodging available on every island.

• Transport: Vans, ferries, and small planes are often part of inter-island moves.

• Gear: Depending on scale, equipment can be rented locally or shipped—we coordinate customs and clearance.

Cost Considerations

Budgets vary, but the Caribbean can work for both boutique and blockbuster productions.

• Permits & Insurance – depends on island and scope

• Location Fees – estates, villas, public landmarks

• Crew Rates – local vs. imported

• Travel & Lodging – inter-island flights or ferries

We prepare transparent budgets with line items so there are no surprises.

How 1st Choice Productions Supports Your Shoot

We’re not just location scouts—we’re partners from start to finish.

• Tailored location decks & file pulls

• Full permit management

• Crew coordination with trusted professionals

• On-the-ground logistics (transport, catering, security)

• Access to private estates, villas, and hidden locations

Final Takeaway

Filming in the Caribbean isn’t just about the scenery—it’s about the experience. Each island offers something unique: the elegance of St. Barts, the raw cliffs of Barbados, the historic streets of San Juan, the exclusivity of Nelson Gay House, and the untouched beauty of Vieques and Culebra.

With the right partners, your production can move smoothly across islands, capturing everything the Caribbean has to offer.

Ready to film in the Caribbean? Contact 1st Choice Productions today for a custom location deck.