How to get a hotel job in the Caribbean

Caribbean hotels and resorts hire for every kind of job, from housekeeping and kitchens to front desk, spa, watersports and management. This guide explains how hiring works and how to give yourself the best chance.

Where the jobs are

The biggest hotel industries are in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, Barbados, Aruba and Saint Lucia. Smaller islands such as Antigua, Turks and Caicos, the Cayman Islands and Grenada have fewer, often more upmarket hotels. Each island page lists open jobs and explains the local minimum wage, work permits and hiring season.

When hotels hire

For most islands the busy season runs from mid-December to April. Many hotels recruit in September, October and November so new staff are trained before it starts, and big all-inclusives hire all year. The hurricane season runs from June to November, when some smaller hotels cut hours or close for a few weeks. Set up a job alert and you will hear about new jobs the day they are posted.

If you live on the island

Most hotel jobs go to people who already have the right to work on the island. You do not need a work permit, and employers usually have to show they tried to hire locally before they hire from abroad. Apply directly, keep your phone on, and be ready for a quick interview, often by WhatsApp.

If you are coming from another island or abroad

You will usually need a work permit, which the employer applies for. Rules differ by island; our work permit guide covers each one. Citizens of OECS countries can work in other OECS member states without a permit, and some CARICOM nationals can move with a skills certificate; see CARICOM free movement.

Hotels most often hire from abroad for jobs that are hard to fill locally: managers, specialist chefs, spa therapists, dive and watersports instructors, entertainment staff and sales roles. Jobs on this site say when the employer helps with a work permit.

What employers look for

• A friendly, calm manner with guests, and good English (Spanish too in the Dominican Republic, and Papiamento or Dutch help in Aruba).
• Hotel experience for most jobs, but many entry-level jobs in housekeeping, stewarding and food service train new people.
• Clean references and, for permits, a police record.
• A short, clear CV. See how to write a hotel CV and how to prepare for a hotel interview.

Check the pay and the package

Compare offers on the full package, not just the hourly rate: service charge or tips, staff housing, meals and transport. Our guides to Caribbean minimum wages and service charge, tips and housing explain what to ask.

Never pay for a job

Real employers never ask you to pay for a job, a uniform, training, a medical or a work permit. Fake "resort recruiters" often promise free flights and housing and then ask for a fee. Read how to spot a fake job offer and report anything suspicious.

FAQ

Can I get a hotel job in the Caribbean with no experience?

Yes, for some jobs. Housekeeping, stewarding, laundry, bussing and kitchen helper jobs often train new people, especially at large resorts. If you are not a local, though, employers rarely get work permits for entry-level jobs.

Do Caribbean resorts provide staff housing?

Some do, especially on small or remote islands where rents are high, such as Turks and Caicos, the Cayman Islands and the Out Islands of The Bahamas. Jobs on this site say when housing is included and on what terms.

Can I come on holiday and look for a hotel job?

You can look, but you must not start work until you have a work permit or another right to work, and some islands make first-time applicants wait for the decision outside the country.