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Visiting Aruba

Sandy Mitchell — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:30:43 +0000

Beautiful ocean view of Aruba. Flickr

Aruba, located just north of South America is an arid, almost desert-like island with a long stretch of white sand beach, a number of international resorts, a constant breeze, and predictably good weather. In other words, the island is an ideal place for a beach vacation or honeymoon. The Dutch colony is just less than 20 miles long and getting around the island is easy.

A Brief History

Aruba was first “discovered” by Spanish explorers in 1499. The island was conquered by the Dutch in 1636 and remains a part – albeit a self-governing part – of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Dutch influence can be seen in the island’s architecture, cuisine, and customs. Although English is widely spoken, Dutch is still the official island language.

Aruba Attractions

Most of Aruba’s attractions revolve around the island’s natural wonders, such as the interesting rock formations and beaches found there. Among the island’s sights are:

• Natural Bridge - On the island’s northern coast opposite Oranjestad, this limestone arch is the nation’s most photographed attraction. The formation stretches twenty-five feet in the air and spans approximately one hundred feet of water.

• Arikok National Park - Covering twenty percent of the island, this ecological preserve includes many caves that were once inhabited by various Amerindian tribes. Fontein Cave is decorated with primitive drawings, and nearby Baranca Sunu cave has a quaint heart-shaped entrance giving it the nickname the “Tunnel of Love.”

A lizard enjoys and snack! Flickr

• Wilhelmina Park - Within walking distance of downtown Oranjestad, this small park includes a meticulously maintained tropical garden with a statue of Queen Wilhelmina as the highlight, emphasizing the island’s Dutch heritage.

• The Beaches - With less than twenty inches of annual rainfall, Aruba’s beaches are perfect for serious sunbathers. Many beaches can easily be accessed by taxi for a moderate fee (taxi rates in Aruba are all flat fees – agree on a price before beginning the drive), and hotel beaches offer a variety of watersports including scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, and water skiing.

Shopping and Dining

Aruba’s Dutch heritage can be seen in the island’s shopping and dining options. Oranjestad is known for its duty-free shopping. Among the best buys are chocolate, cheese, Dutch liqueurs, jewelry, crystal, and china.

Dutch and Indonesian food combine with island specialties to form an interesting variety of food choices. In addition, traditional American and Continental cuisine are offered at the larger international resorts.

Visiting Aruba

Aruba is easily accessible via non-stop flights from New York, Miami, San Juan, and Amsterdam, among other cities. In addition, visitors from hundreds of cities around the world can reach the island via connecting flights. Most of the island’s hotels and resorts are located on the eastern coast of Aruba, along Palm Beach, and in Oranjestad, the island’s capital city. Popular resorts include the Marriott, the Hyatt Regency, and the Bucati Beach. All-inclusive resorts are also becoming popular on the island.

A car rental is a plus for vacationers wishing to explore the island and to go to Oranjestad for shopping and for meals. However, those honeymooners just wanting to relax on the beach can do without a car.

photo credit: medium as muse

photo credit: Charlie bosmore

photo credit: angela7dreams

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Visiting Aruba

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Visiting Jamaica

Sandy Mitchell — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:30:52 +0000

A Jamaican Beach at Sunset

A trip to Jamaica can be relaxing, active, formal, or casual… but it’s always enjoyable. Jamaica, the third largest of the Caribbean islands, is a beautiful, wild, and diverse place. It’s the home of reggae and ska music, the Rastafari movement, miles of uncrowded white sandy beaches, luxury and laid-back resorts, and spicy Creole cuisine. Whatever your interests, there’s sure to be a place in Jamaica for you.

Montego Bay
Located on the northwest coast of Jamaica, Montego Bay is home to the country’s largest airport as well as a handful of luxury, beach front resorts, historic sugar plantations, rum distilleries, and a vibrant nightlife. “MoBay,” as residents call the town, started as a Spanish outpost in 1511. After the British took over in the 18th century, the city became a major Caribbean sugar port. More recently, it’s been home to cliffside celebrity villas, scenic golf courses, and glamorous beachfront resorts converted from gracious sugar plantations, such as Tryall and the Ritz Carlton. Montego Bay’s Doctor’s Cove Beach is a sparkling five-mile stretch of beach, and site of MoBay’s first tourist resort. The smaller Walter Fletcher Beach is popular with families, and Cornwall Beach boasts an underwater marine park, a big draw to snorkelers and scuba divers.

A coral reef just off the coast.

Negril
Negril is famous for its spectacular seven-mile beach, one of the Caribbean’s finest, as well as its carefree, laid-back lifestyle. Located on the far west coast of Jamaica, life is easy at Negril. This is not formal, British Colonial Jamaica. Dressing up here means wearing shoes and a shirt. Activity in Negril centers on the beach and the many small inns, watering holes, and island restaurants that sit just back from the shore. This area is also a favorite of divers and snorkelers, and features a large coral reef just off shore. Watching the sunset at Rick’s café here is a sort of local tradition and one that rarely disappoints.

Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios is a lush and beautiful spot. Located on the north shore of Jamaica, Ocho Rios is home to some of the most exclusive resorts on the island, including the all-inclusive Sans Souci and the gracious Jamaica Inn. A favorite of tourists here is Dunn’s River Falls, a 600- foot natural rock stairway with cascading water and spectacular sea views. The area is also home to Dolphin Cove, an interactive marine exhibit, where visitors can actually swim with the dolphins. History buffs will enjoy visiting “Firefly,” the former home of 20th century, British playwright, Sir Noel Coward or James Bond creator, Ian Fleming’s former home, “Goldeneye.” The beaches are lovely here also. Try Mallard’s Bay Beach, a favorite swimming beach, or San San Beach, voted by the U.S. Navy as one of the best beaches in the world.

Thatch Umbrella

Kingston
Any true Jamaica vacation should start in Kingston. The city is the seat of Jamaica’s government and its cultural and historical capital. The British founded Kingston in 1693 after the port city of Port Royal, infamous as a pirate hangout, was completely destroyed by an earthquake. Today, visitors can take a 20-minute ferry to see the ruins of that city, home to swashbuckling pirates like Henry Morgan. Kingston is also the former home of musician, Bob Marley and the world headquarters of reggae music. Marley’s residence, painted in Rastafari red, green, and yellow, is now a museum and offers visitors a glimpse at the singer’s recording studio. Also worth seeing is Devon House, a gracious mansion and the former home of one of the Caribbean’s first black millionaires, George Stiebel.

The Blue Mountains
No Jamaica vacation would be complete without a trip to the Blue Mountains, the towering ridge of peaks that dominate the inland area of eastern Jamaica. The lower elevations are home to dozens of small coffee farms, which produce the coveted Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, the most expensive, and arguably the best, coffee in the world. The higher elevations are a part of the Blue Mountain – John Crow Mountain National Park, an idyllic spot for hiking, bird watching, and climbing.

Wherever you choose to spend your Jamaica vacation, you’re sure to enjoy the friendly people, tropical climate, lush inland rain forests, and long expanses of white sand beach. Consider Jamaica for your next island getaway.

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Visiting Jamaica

Jamaica For All Kinds of Travelers A Jamaican Beach at Sunset A trip to Jamaica...

Visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands

Kathryn Vercillo — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:30:51 +0000

credit: Shark Shots

You want to visit an exotic location. However, you’ve never traveled outside of the United States before and you’re a little wary about trying your hand at international travel. A nice happy medium for many people is to take a vacation to the United States Virgin Islands. These islands are located in the Caribbean and provide all of the wonder of traveling to a strange new land but are an insular area of the United States so they don’t require the traveler to know the ins and outs of international travel.

Basics of the U.S. Virgin Islands

These islands are located in the Caribbean in an area of the world that’s known for being particularly beautiful. Made of volcanic activity (like Hawaii) the U.S. Virgin Islands are hilly areas which lead down to stunning white sand beaches. The temperature of the area is moderate all year round although there is a rainy season (August to November) that you may want to avoid as a tourist. This is also the time during which the area is at most risk of natural disaster from hurricanes.

credit: lucianvenutian

The islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands

There are many small islands that make up the United States Virgin Islands. However, there are only four main islands that most people consider to be destination spots for traveling to in the area. Those islands are as follows:

• Saint Croix – Known to locals as “Twin City”, this is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are two main cities on this island where you would be likely to stay if you were visiting the Virgin Islands. Christiansted stands out because of its cobblestone streets and historic European architecture. Frederiksted is a port town with a more modern style.
• Saint John – Known to locals as “Love City”, this is the smallest of the three main islands. (Water Island is smaller but is considered distinct from the three “Saint” islands). Despite its small size, it is home to Charlotte Amalie, the capital and largest city of the islands. People who are interested in also visiting the British Virgin Islands usually come here and then ferry over.
• Saint Thomas – Known to locals as “Rock City”, this island is popular with tourists particularly because it is home to Magens Bay, the most famous white-sand beach in the islands. It has often been called the most beautiful beach in the world.
• Water Island – This island is considerably smaller than the other three main islands but it is often a destination point for travelers because it is a historic district. Additionally, it is considered one of the most romantic areas of the islands and is favored by couples enjoying honeymoons and anniversaries in the area.

credit: muha…

Beaches of the U.S. Virgin Islands

You really go to the Virgin Islands to enjoy time on the beach. There’s not a bad part of the beach to go to in this beautiful part of the world. However, there are different beaches that are best for different activities. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular beaches in the islands:

• Bluebeards Beach. If you’ve ever wanted to go windsurfing there is no better place to do it than on Saint Thomas. Other activities can be enjoyed here as well or you can just relax under the palm trees and soak up the sun.
• Cinnamon Bay. Many people who are at the Virgin Islands find that all of that relaxation makes them restless. That restlessness is easily cured with trail hiking and water sports like kayaking. These can easily be found at the National Campground located at Cinnamon Bay on Saint John.
• Coki Beach. One of the things that you’ll find yourself saying over and over again in the Virgin Islands is “the water is so clear”. You’ll think it can’t get any clearer and then you’ll go to Coki Beach on Saint Thomas and you’ll be surprised enough to say it yet again.
• Colony Cove Beach. Some people head to this part of the world looking for reefs. This one on Saint Croix is one of the best to be found.
• Columbus Landing Beach. If you’re seeking a little bit of history with your beach then you might want to check out this section of Saint Croix where Christopher Columbus reportedly landed.
• Hawksnest Bay. This is the beach on Saint John where you’ll want to go if you’re looking for a combination of activity and privacy. It’s possible to go swimming and snorkeling at this beach but it’s not overrun with other tourists.
• Hull Bay. People who are looking for a beach where they can do some fishing will want to check out this quiet part of Saint Thomas.
• Limetree Beach. If your idea of a great vacation is getting to see some local wildlife you’ll want to plop yourself down on a beach towel at this Saint Thomas beach and wait for the iguanas to start coming around.
• Magens Bay. This beach is known as one of the most beautiful in the world. It is the stereotypical beach that you would imagine if you drew what a Hollywood spot of relaxation might look like. Palm trees, white sand, perfect water temperatures … it’s all here and it’s the main reason that people choose to spend time at Saint Thomas.
• Morningstar Beach. Are you the type of person who finds the tourist beach where you can rent anything and everything you might want to use while you’re in the area? This Saint Thomas island beach is for you then.
• Shoy’s Beach. This Saint Croix beach is popular with tourists because it offers all of the basics and a little bit more. A beautiful stretch of land with snorkeling opportunities and great sunshine makes it stand out from its neighboring beaches.
• Trunk Bay. Located on Saint John, this beach is famous for its underwater snorkeling trail. There are other water activities here as well but people go primarily to look at the creatures under the water. There’s also intense foliage surrounding the area so it’s a good place to go get some shade while enjoying the beach.

credit: Amir Fathi

The Languages of the U.S. Virgin Islands

You will be happy as a traveler to know that English is widely spoken throughout the United States Virgin Islands. It is the primary language of most of the residents of the area. However, you are also likely to hear other languages being spoken while you are in the area. There is a large Latin population (primarily from the Dominican Republic) so you shouldn’t be surprised to hear Spanish. You may also hear a language that has some familiarity but sounds foreign; that would be the French Creole that is still spoken in many parts of the islands. A twist on this called Virgin Island Creole may also be heard.

Planning a Visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands

This is such a tourist destination that you really can’t go wrong when visiting here. There are different types of accommodations to choose from ranging from camping to luxury resorts. There are all types of dining from seafood-on-the-beach to fine dining in the cities. The style of trip that you’ll have here is really up to you. Take the time to do some planning in advance so that you make sure to stay in the places that are right for you and see the beaches that will offer you the best experience of the area. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to travel the world!

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Visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands

The Beautiful British Virgin Islands ...

Top Ten Caribbean Spots for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

Rachel Sawyer — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:07:57 +0000

A queen angel fish from from the Netherland Antilles.

The Caribbean is a great place for beachcombers, but if you’d like to exert yourself a little more, it’s also a great place for snorkeling or diving. Anyone can snorkel, but diving requires some instruction. Fortunately most places with great diving also offer diving courses. Or, you can learn to dive before you take off. There are a variety of options out there.

Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda are almost completely surrounded by coral reefs, walls, and shipwrecks, providing excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling. Underwater visibility is good and tropical marine plants and animals are diverse and plentiful. One of Antigua’s best-known offshore sites, Cades Reef, is now partly contained in a designated underwater park. Another popular destination is the wreck of the Andes, a three-masted merchant ship that sank in 1905 and now rests in less than thirty feet of water in Deep Bay. Some others:

John’s Cave at Ariadne Shoal: A long rocky ledge with barracudas, parrot fish, trumpet fish and grunts.
Pillars of Hercules: The site is named for the limestone formation in the cliff above the site. The site is mainly composed of large boulders which have fallen from the cliff above. Sergeant majors, chromis and blue tang snappers can be found here
Mary K: Lobsters, barracudas and lots of small fish are usually present among the small ledges found here.
Billy’s Grotto: A large knoll with rocky ledges, the site contains sea fans and soft corals as well as nurse sharks, turtles, barracudas and large schools of small fish.
Sandy Island Barge & Knoll: Site features lots of soft and hard corals and a sunken barge. Home to stingrays, barracuda, Atlantic spade fish, parrot fish, snappers, grunts and chromis.

Bahamas

(Photo via flickr cc)

New Providence Island has several popular dive sites. The Lost Ocean Hole is dotted with coral and teeming with fish — grunts, margate, jacks, pompano, amberjack, and nurse sharks. Lyford Cay Drop-Off plummets from a 40-foot plateau almost straight into the mile-deep Tongue of the Ocean. The wall has sponges, black coral, and wire coral. Along the wall, grunts, grouper, hogfish, snapper, and rockfish abound.

On Grand Bahama, Ben’s Blue Hole is a ledge overlooking a blue hole, a pool of fresh water floating on saltwater. Pygmy Caves is a formation of overgrown ledges that cut into the reef. At Shark Junction reef sharks hang out, along with moray eels, stingrays, nurse sharks, and grouper. Lucayan National Park is the site of an underground cave system, the longest of its type in the world. The largest cave contains spiral staircases that lead visitors into a world of shrimp, mosquito fish, fruit bats and freshwater eels.

Pelican Cays National Park is a popular dive and snorkeling area on Great Abaco Island. The park is filled with sea life; turtles are often sighted, as are spotted eagle rays and tarpon. Snorkelers will want to visit Mermaid Beach, just off Pelican Shores Road in Marsh Harbour, where live reefs and green moray eels make for some of the Abacos’ best snorkeling.

Exuma Cays National Land and Sea Park is a 22-mile long nature preserve with spectacular reefs, flora, and fauna. Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park is known for its undersea caves–a special treat for divers.

Snorkelers on Bimini can see black coral gardens that are easily accessible from shore.Divers can check out the wreck of a the Sapona, a yacht owned by Henry Ford, which sank in 1929.

Bonaire

Bonaire underwater/(Photo via flickr cc)

This island in the Dutch Antilles offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world thanks to its status as a marine sanctuary. The reef that surrounds Bonaire is a National Marine Park from the high water mark down to a depth of 200 feet.

Bonaire’s narrow reef startclose to the shoreline and extends 984 feet offshore. About 55 species of coral can be found in Bonaire. And the waters sport 469 species of fish, including parrot fish, angel fish, sergeant majors, and butterfly fish. Sea turtles, eagle rays and sea cucumbers are prevalent as well. Bonaire is also home to 170 different species of birds.

British Virgin Islands

(Photo via flickr cc)

Just off the Coast of Salt Island lies the most famous dive site in the Caribbean–the RMS Rhone. The Rhone sank in the Great Hurricane of 1867 and now lies broken in half along the ocean bottom. Wreck diving is prominent in the British Virgin Islands with both natural and man-made disasters. Near Cooper Island sits wreck alley, a field of ships sunk by local dive shops and the government. Anegada, is home to more than 500 vessels, victims of the coral reefs surrounding the area.

Norman Island, Robert Louis Stevenson’s inspiration for Treasure Island, is home to the Caves, four tunnels that provide the sensation of a night dive even in the sun.

Snorkeling is found in the islands that form the southern boundary of the Sir Frances Drake Channel, with 11 notable sites. But the best snorkelling site is found at The Baths on Virgin Gorda. Large granite boulders form caverns and grottoes filled with shallow wading pools. Some of the individual stones are as large as three-story houses, and are encrusted with coral and sponges.

Cayman Islands

(Photo via flickr cc)

With visibility of 100 feet or better, the waters off the Caymans feature great dives. Here’s a small sample:

Stingray City is a great place for both divers and snorkelers to interact with the southern stingray.
The MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, a Russian frigate was sunk in September 1996. An excellent dive for snorkelers as well as divers, more than 100 species of marine life have been spotted here.
The Big Tunnels are coral formations with networks of canyons and crevasses. The dive site is home to the barrel sponge, the black coral, gray angels and eagle rays. The trinity caves are also located in this area. Here, one can see a system of four coral canyons that converge on the surface of a vertical wall.
The West Wall is among the most popular dives sites on Grand Cayman. Home to a large variety of fish and other marine life such as grunts, snappers and angelfish, the wall in also close to the Orange Canyon where you can see tons of orange elephant ear sponges.
Bloody Bay Marine Park off Little Cayman encompasses 22 of the little island’s dive sites. Grouper, horse-eye jacks and triggerfish can be found here.
Tarpon Alley is named for the more than 100 tarpon who swim here. Hawksbill turtles also live here, as do barracuda, stingrays and yellowtail snapper.

(Photo via flickr cc)

Curaçao’s Underwater Marine Park is a great place for snorkeling. The park is 12 miles long and dotted with the remains of sunken ships. You can also see fish in every color of the rainbow.

For divers, Curaçao offers a number of attractions.

The car pile–An artificial underwater reef made from wrecked cars now partially overgrown with coral.
The sponge forest–With varieties of sponges found only in the Caribbean.
Piedra di Sombré–Contains forests of elk antler and hartshorns coral, fan coral and feather gorgons.

St. Croix

(Photo via flickr cc)

St. Croix boasts the largest living reef of any Caribbean island as it is almost completely surrounded by a barrier reef. Most of the diving is off the island’s northern and western shores.

Buck Island is the most well-known snorkeling and diving spots. Visibility around the colorful coral reef tops 100 feet. More than 250 species of fish, plus a variety of sponges, corals, and crustaceans, have been found here. Other good spots for snorkelers and/or divers:

Scotch Banks: A flat sandy submerged mountain top east of Christiansted harbor. Barracuda, angel fish, elephant ear sponge, horse eye jacks and once in a while a eagle rays, manta rays and even whale sharks can be spotted here.
Cane Bay: The most popular beach and boat dive features a wall dive with great coral gardens.
Gentle Winds: A mile-long stretch of spur-and-groove reef starts here, offering hard and soft corals, scorpion fish, flat worms, lettuce sea slugs and lobsters.
Salt River Canyon East Wall: Tons of sponges, soft and hard corals can be found here. Horse eye jacks, hogfish, and snappers swim off the wall as do black bar soldier fish, angel fish, parrot fish and grouper.
St. Maarten

(Photo via flickr cc)

The island offers reef, wreck, night, cave, and drift diving.Dive sites include Ilet Pinel, for shallow diving; Green Key, a barrier reef; and Tintamarre, for sheltered coves and geologic faults.

One of the most popular dive sites is the wreck of the British man-of-war HMS Proselyte, which sank in 1801. Its remains lie atop a reef a mile south of Great Bay. Another common destination is the freighter Teigland, sunk deliberately on Cable Reef in 1993. Friar’s Bay is a good site for both divers and snorkelers. You will see numerous small reef fish and extensive gardens of purple sea urchins. The northeastern shores of French St. Martin have been classified as a regional underwater nature reserve. The Réserve Sous-Marine Régionale which protects the area around Flat Island, Ilet Pinel, Green Key, Proselyte and Petite Clef.

St Vincent and the Grenadines

(Photo via flickr cc)

There is no shore diving here but each island in this archipelago gives divers something different: St Vincent’s steep black coral walls, Bequia’sschools of fish, Mustique’s currents, Canouan’s hard corals and the nurse sharks of the Tobago Cays. Here’s a sample:
- New Guinea Reef: A black coral paradise where sea horses drift lazily by.
- Bottle Reef: Shoals of fish swim through a coral garden littered with antique liquor bottles from the English fort that overlooks the site.
- The Forest: Swim amid giant sea fans up to 10 feet tall
- The Garden: An array of coral and abundant fish makes this a perfect site for photography.
- The Wall:: A steep drop from 20 feet to 100 feet, encrusted with black coral and heavily populated with fish.
There are also interesting wreck dives, 13 in Kingstown Harbour alone.

Turks and Caicos

(Photo via flickr cc)

Places such as Birch’s Lookout, the Northwest Reef, and the waters off of Blue Hills are the final resting places for a host of sunken ships off the waters of Turks and Caicos. Summer is the best time to dive when the water reaches 80 degrees and the weather brings more aquatic life to the area.
- The Amphitheater – This bowl-shaped dip in the sand starts at 85 feet and curves into the Caicos Passage, where whales, sharks, and manta rays often swim by.
- Chimney – This 10-foot-wide hole in plate coral is home to garden eels.
- Dax Canyon – The underwater wall starts at 45 feet and drops to a shelf at 150 feet below.
- Shark Hotel – Reef and blacktip sharks live among and near this wall with a drop-off of about 130 feet.
- Coral Gardens – Located in an unspoiled area of Grace Bay, this snorkeling spot easily accessible right off the beach.
- Smith’s Reef – Ranked one of the top-10 snorkeling destinations by National Geographic. It has a limestone entry and abundant marine life.
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credit: laszlo-photo

credit: laszlo-photo

credit: laszlo-photo

credit: laszlo-photo

photo credit: lazlo

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Top Ten Caribbean Spots for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

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Destination: Puerto Rico

Erin Raub — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:40:54 +0000

As you dig into a spicy, citrusy ceviche and down a typical rum drink, you’ll know that coming to Puerto Rico was a fantastic choice.

An island of 24-hour fun, Puerto Rico is Spanish for “rich port.” Surrounded by temperate aquamarine waters and featuring a saucy blend of Latin culture and American ways, this Caribbean island is a popular destination for families, friends, and groups of all kinds.

The island offers a little for everyone: Outdoorsy types can go scuba diving into waters populated by brilliantly-colored fish, history buffs can visit El Moro, and everyone will enjoy a glass-bottom boat tour of the famous Phosphorescent Bay. Explore Vieques and Culebra, two islands just off the coast, full of incredible, indigenous flora and fauna. Take yourself out to a merengue bar late at night, enjoy local beats, and let someone teach you the basic steps.

Reasonable prices and startling beauty will make your trip to this lively island an experience you’ll never forget. Stretch your dollars and indulge in an oceanfront horseback ride, grab a massage at a local spa, or pack a picnic dinner for a startling sunset meal.

As an American territory, travel to and from is relatively easy, and communicating when on-island doesn’t present the same challenge as many other Spanish-speaking locales, so book your next group getaway to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.

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Destination: Puerto Rico

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Porta Caribe: Beyond San Juan

Sandy Mitchell — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:40:57 +0000

Sure, San Juan is vibrant, with a nighlife that goes until the wee hours of the morning, but if you’re looking for Puerto Rico’s natural beauty without the crowds and the hubbub, look to the southern coast, to Porta Caribe.

Porta Caribe, located along the south central coast of Puerto Rico, includes the city of Ponce, the second largest city in Puerto Rico, as well as Guayanilla and Salinas.The pace is slower here, with miles of white sand beach and remnants of the island’s Spanish heritage.

Attractions

In addition to the myriad beach and water sports, there is the historic Catedral de Nuestro in downtown Ponce, the city’s renowned art museum, and some of the best restaurants in Puerto Rico.

Where to Stay

Porta Caribe has no shortage of luxury hotels. Among the best are:

Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort: This beachfront hotel, just outside of Ponce, has 253 rooms and suites. Facilities include a spa and sauna, a 27-hole golf course, a fitness center, and one of the largest casinos in Puerto Rico.
Holiday Inn Ponce and Tropical Casino: Set atop a mountain with a sweeping view of the coastline and the city of Ponce, has a 24-hour casino, a spacious pool area, and 116 rooms.
Parador Guanica 1929: Built in the 1920s, this charming Spanish-style inn, in the heart of Guanica, is surrounded by spacious verandahs. The 27 rooms are individually decorated and cozy–ideal for honeymooners and romantic weekends away.

How to Get There

Porta Caribe is easily accessible via flights to the San Juan and Ponce airports. Since Puerto Rico is a territory of the U.S., United States citizens can travel to Puerto Rico without a passport; all you need is a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license.

(Photo via flickr cc)

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Porta Caribe: Beyond San Juan

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Secluded St. Barths

Sandy Mitchell — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:40:43 +0000

With more and more Caribbean islands building large airports to accommodate jets from the United States and abroad and bigger and bigger cruise ship facilities, one island remains unspoiled. That island is St. Barthelemy, affectionately called St. Barths, a French island with Swedish roots located just southeast of St. Martin/Saint Maarten. St. Barths stands out as a bastion of secluded–and relaxed–beaches, fine food, and friendly people.

Getting to St. Barths
The primary reason St. Barths is sure to remain a peaceful island is the island’s topography–there’s just no space for a large airport. And the harbor at Gustavia, the island’s capital city, can only handle yacht-like watercraft.

To arrive at St. Barths via air, you first fly to St. Martin, where you board a 20-seat plane for the 20-minute flight to the island. The landing will give even the most seasoned traveler a start. The final approach takes you over a steep hill and the short runway ends right at the popular St. Jean Beach.

What to Do on St. Barths
You’ll realize the somewhat startling arrival is worth it when you explore the island, best done on a mini-moke, a jeep-like vehicle available to rent all over the island.

St. Barths beaches are uncrowded and lovely, ranging from the “see-and-be-seen” St. Jean Beach to the dramatic Grand Cul-de-Sac Beach on the island’s northwest side. The small island boast 20 beaches in all.

The port city of Gustavia is filled with red-tiled roof buildings, a yacht harbor, and dozens of elegant shops, loaded with French consumer goods and island foodstuffs and crafts. The island also has some of the best food in the Caribbean, with a generous supply of French restaurants that combine the fresh seafood of the region with classic French technique.

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Secluded St. Barths

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Scuba Diving Cozumel

Kathryn Vercillo — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 05:04:00 +0000

You want to go scuba diving in a beautiful exotic location. You know that you want to go to a foreign area, a place where the weather is beautiful and the culture is rich. And you know that you want to go to a place that’s known for its diving because you want to make sure that the experience is as safe as possible while exposing you to interesting underwater plant and animal life. You’ve narrowed down your choices to somewhere in the Caribbean, but you’re not quite sure where you want to go. You might want to start looking closer to Mexico.

Cozumel is an island located just off of the coast of Mexico in the Caribbean Sea, an island which is known for its diving and which is filled with plenty of other rich activities to supplement your scuba diving expedition. Cozumel became known for its scuba diving opportunities in the middle of the 20^th century when author Jacques Cousteau fell in love with the area and shared information about that love with others. The rich coral reefs of the area preserve much of the plant and animal life that is so interesting in the area. Scuba diving in Cozumel lets you see exactly the kinds of natural wonders that you want to experience when going diving. There are more than twenty five different reefs in the area from which you can go scuba diving. These range from shallow reefs to deep underwater caves. Perhaps the best thing about going scuba diving in Cozumel is that it’s a place that you can go as a diver at any level. Since it’s so well-established as an area for divers, and it’s such a high-tourist area, there are services to help beginning scuba divers learn everything that they need to know to dive safely in the area. And because it’s such a great place for diving, experienced scuba divers go back again and again to gain new insights into the area and to reach new depths in the water there.

Before you go scuba diving in Cozumel, you should check the expected weather in the area. It rains there from May through September so it’s best to go just before or after that if you can plan your trip that way. But don’t worry, even if you have to go during the summer, you can find days that aren’t raining to make your dives. And on the days that are too rainy, you can explore the island. It’s rich with history, beginning with the Mayan culture that once inhabited the area, and is filled with many sights. Head there in February to experience the brilliant Carnaval (South America’s version of Mardi Gras) or go at Christmas to see the area lit up for the holidays. While some times are better for scuba diving than others, Cozumel is a great destination at any time of year.

(photo credit flickr cc)
(photo credit flickr cc)
(photo credit flickr cc)

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Scuba Diving Cozumel

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Caribbean Travel Destination: Martinique

Kathryn Vercillo — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:26:00 +0000

Does a vacation in the Caribbean sound magnificent? How about a retreat to a small French destination? If you can’t decide which sounds better, you might want to think about spending your next vacation in Martinique, a French-owned island in the eastern Caribbean. It’s got all of the great culture (and foods) that France is known for but it also has the beauty of the Caribbean and the spice of the Creole culture which makes it a unique travel experience.

Many people like traveling to Martinique because it’s a European destination which travelers may be more familiar with. The money system there is the Euro so travelers who have spent time in Europe have no trouble adjusting to the change of money when they visit Martinique. There is also a bit of European charm to the area which is unique for a Caribbean destination and is enjoyed by many travelers.

Despite its European charm, Martinique is definitely a Caribbean destination with all of the beauty and wonder of the beaches there. People seeking a relaxing vacation in a location that has beautiful sunsets, warm ocean water and terrific spa resorts find that Martinique meets all of their traveling desires. People also love this island because of the diversity of the nature that can be seen there. In the southern part of Martinique are the beaches that are typically associated with the Caribbean. However, the interior of Martinique is filled with mountain ranges that are great for hiking and the northern part of the region is filled with rain forests. The northern part of Martinique also has astounding black sand beaches which impress visitors from all around the world.

Throughout the entire area are numerous opportunities for enjoying outdoor activity. Much of this activity is enjoyed on the water. Kite surfers and wind surfers find that the winds and waters in Martinique are terrific for spending the day out on the water. Boating, kayaking and diving are also enjoyed by people who are on vacation in the area. It’s quite the treat to get out on the water and indulge in the warm sun and interesting activities on the water. Of course, it’s also nice to just relax on the beach there.

In addition to the nature that people enjoy when spending time in Martinique, there is some urban activity to entertain visitors in the cities there. The capital of Martinique is Fort-de-France, a historic city which is filled with gorgeous architecture and rich cultural experiences. The marketplace there is always filled with people who are friendly; visitors can go shopping for souvenirs in this area or simply go take in some of the culture by people-watching there. Fort Saint-Louis and Saint Louis Cathedral are two of the popular tourist attractions in this city.

Martinique is one of those destinations that has a little bit of something for everyone. You really can’t go wrong with any sort of Caribbean vacation, whether you’re trying to get away with a romantic partner or you want to take your kids to experience a new culture in a safe destination. With Martinique, you get a destination that’s both culturally diverse and relatively familiar.

(photo credit flickr cc)
(photo credit flickr cc)
(photo credit flickr cc)
(photo credit flickr cc)
(photo credit flickr cc)
(photo credit flickr cc)

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Caribbean Travel Destination: Martinique

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Jamaica For All Kinds of Travelers

Amanda Kendle — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:22:41 +0000

Jamaica might be a pretty small island, but it’s a pretty big destination for travelers. All kinds of visitors go to Jamaica for all kinds of reasons: which kind are you?

Beachcomber:
You’d be crazy to holiday in Jamaica and not spend a bit of time on a beach, but if lying on the sand and taking a dip in some clear sea is the main point of your vacation, you won’t be disappointed. There are miles upon miles of good beaches, even near Kingston: if you’re staying in the capital, take a boat to Lime Cay for some fun in the sun.

Other famous beaches in Jamaica include Turtle Beach and Mallard Beach, both of which are popular with tourists and therefore have plenty of facilities for water sports and eating and drinking. Likewise, beaches around the Negril area are becoming extremely popular, although you are still close to nature and a bit of quiet time if you want. There are also quite a few nude beach resorts, if your entire body is craving the sun. For family beach fun, try Montego Bay, and especially Walter Fletcher Beach, since the sea is always calm here.

Newly-wed:
There’s plenty of romance to be had on Jamaica, and many luxury resorts waiting to spoil new brides and grooms (or even to host your wedding, if you’re so inclined). Resorts like Swept Away in Negril or the Jamaica Inn at Ocho Rios are full of all the facilities needed for honeymooning couples. In fact, hundreds of hotels and resorts around Jamaica specialize in romantic, luxury rooms, special meals and spas and pools with plenty of cocktails available: that’s my idea of a great honeymoon. Many resorts also offer marriage celebrants and arrange all the paperwork for you if you have to get married first before you can start the honeymoon.

Reggae fan:
What’s Jamaica without reggae? Coming out of Kingston in the 1960s, the relaxed feel of reggae music is a perfect fit to Jamaica, and it’s no wonder that Bob Marley emerged here. You can visit the Bob Marley Museum or join a Bob Marley tour to learn more about his life and his music. But whether you’re a Marley fan or just into some laid back grooves, there’s no shortage of entertainment for reggae fans on Jamaica. Annual festivals like the Reggae Sunsplash and the Reggae Sumfest are held each summer and several hundred thousand visitors usually turn up to dance and sing some sunny days away.

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Jamaica For All Kinds of Travelers

Visiting Jamaica Jamaica might be a pretty small island, but it’s a...

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Jamaica For All Kinds of Travelers