By David Sims, for The Modern Green
Introduction
In a world where travel is no longer just about “getting away,” it’s about showing up,
belonging, and experiencing destinations that reflect your black luxury identity. According to the
Black Travel Alliance, representation and safety remain vital factors for Black travelers when
selecting where to go. Black Travel Alliance+2Pinterest+2
But beyond that, luxury travel for us is a statement—it’s about aesthetics, culture, bespoke
experiences, and having a sense of elevated sanctuary in every location. Drawing on trending
visuals from platforms like Pinterest (where boards like “Black Travel Luxury Lifestyle” are
booming) Pinterest+1 we’ve curated six destinations + experiences that satisfy both the soul and
the standard
1. Cape Town, South Africa: Private Wine Estates & View-Draped Villas
Imagine sipping a vintage Pinotage at sunset, wrapped in a cashmere throw, overlooking Table
Mountain from your own infinity-pool villa. Cape Town blends modern African luxury with
ancestral roots. Visit boutique estates in the Constantia valley, arrange a private cultural dinner
with a local sommelier, and combine it with a sundowner yacht trip off the Atlantic coast.
Travel tip: Book a villa with live-in staff, and ask about “Origins” dinner — where each course
is paired with a story by a local Black chef.
2. Cartagena, Colombia: Afro-Caribbean Heritage Meets Resort Glamour
This walled city of pastel facades and tropical nights is on many Black-luxury radar lists. The
cobbled streets, vibrant historic center, and the nearby Rosario Islands create a layered getaway
— immersive culture by day, rooftop cocktails and DJ sets by night. The destination is emerging
as a major hub for Afro-Latin luxury travel.
Travel hack: Stay in a restored colonial boutique hotel in Getsemaní, request the rooftop
penthouse, and book a charter boat for your day-trip to the coral reef off the islands.
3. Zanzibar, Tanzania: White-Sand Beaches + Spice-Island Elegance
When you want full service + culture + diaspora resonance, Zanzibar ticks all boxes. Think
private beach estate with Swahili architecture, dhow-sail synergies, and Mijikenda wood-carved
decor. By day explore Stone Town’s labyrinth, by evening enjoy a fire-lit seafood feast under
palm trees.
Luxury value: Choose a “all-villa resort with butler service” model — you get the tails of
luxury with the depth of African heritage.
4. Maui, Hawai‘i: Tropical Wellness Elevated for Black Travelers
Wellness travel is surging in 2025 — and Pinterest trend reports show the next wave is “quiet
luxury + experience first.” Condé Nast Traveler+1 Maui is often seen through the familyoriented lens, but if luxury is your aim, go for an ultra-private resort on the west side, schedule a
sunrise yoga session on a catamaran, and end the evening with an ocean-front platinum-level spa
ritual under the stars.
Black luxury note: Browse for resorts known for cultural sensitivity, inclusive guest
experiences, and elevated service without needing to compromise your identity.
5. Tulum, Mexico: Boutique Jungle-Chic & Black-Owned Collaborations
Tulum continues to shine as a hotspot for the design-aware Black traveler. Stay in a villa with
concrete-and-thatched-roof architecture, wake to jungle birds, and book a dinner at a Blackowned beachfront restaurant offering Oaxacan mezcal pairings. Expect curated experiences that
lean into culture, craftsmanship and community.
Insider tip: Use Pinterest mood-boards (#blackluxurytravel #tulumjungle) to curate your ideal
vacation layout and then ask your villa host to craft a “lifestyle day” based on it.
6. Dubai, UAE: High-End Iconic Experiences with Global Afro-Dub Influence
If you’re after ultra-luxury, global prestige and major statement travel, Dubai remains
unmatched. Black entrepreneur networks and diaspora creatives are increasingly claiming Dubai
as “their playground.” Choose a Burj-view suite, book a private art-gallery tour featuring Afrocontemporary work, then dine on a super-yacht at sunset.
Luxury hack: Request a “culture concierge” service from your hotel — someone to organize
Black-led fashion pop-ups, Afro-fusion dinner clubs or private mystery-tour dune rallies.
🖋️Final Thoughts
Luxury travel for Black explorers in 2025 is no longer about showing up—it’s about arriving.
It’s about choosing destinations that honor your aesthetic, your heritage, and your place at the
table. Whether it’s sipping Tanzanian coffee at dawn or dancing to a rooftop DJ in Cartagena, the
world is now your curated canvas.
Let the blog be your platform to document, elevate and inspire others to travel with identity,
intention and unapologetic style.
