In the United States, the minimum legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages is 21 years of age; the two exceptions are Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands where the age is 18.

Most Caribbean islands have a legal drinking age of 18, making them popular destinations for younger international travelers. This includes major hotspots like the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, and St. Lucia. In the French West Indies (like St. Barts and Martinique) and the Dutch islands (like Curaçao), the age is also 18. It is important to note the exceptions: in the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John) and Puerto Rico, the legal drinking age is 18 for consumption, which is a rare exception to the U.S. national standard of 21. However, some individual resorts or cruise lines in these territories may still enforce a 21-plus policy for their private bars. In contrast, the British Virgin Islands and several other English-speaking territories have moved to clarify their laws, but 18 remains the most common standard across the region in 2026. Always carry a photo ID, as high-end resorts and clubs in places like Nassau or Punta Cana have become much stricter with "carding" guests to maintain their liability standards.