caribbean (48)

A Quick Peek at the Best of Bonaire

12403642676?profile=RESIZE_930xMatt Kieffer


One of the “ABC” islands* of the Dutch Antilles, just 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela, this 111-square-mile island is a welcoming and tranquil trove of eco-adventure (which they play up with the tourism tagline “It´s in Our Nature”), and it´s known especially for its diving and snorkeling. For a nice, laid-back slice of the old Caribbean (albeit a pretty arid one, so please don´t go expecting luxuriant greenery), many travelers in the know very much appreciate this off-the-beaten

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11 of the Best Experiences in Haiti

12390393872?profile=RESIZE_930xSPC Gibran Torres


Haiti, really? You´re no doubt wondering. Well, yes, the Americas´ most impoverished country has been an abject basket case for many years, and its current tragic vicissitudes with violence and instability approaching near collapse make it seem unlikely to recover any time soon. But here´s a reminder of what a fundamentally beautiful country this is, how rich is its history, how vibrant its culture, and how friendly its people – as I can attest when I visited way back in 26 y

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6 Highlights of French St. Martin

12239387653?profile=RESIZE_930xPaul Sableman


The northern part of the island shared with Dutch Sint Maarten was colonized by the French in the early 17th century, and today Saint-Martin (population just over 39,000) is a “collectivity” of France, an overseas territory with considerable autonomy. This side of the island is known for its French influence, gastronomic delights, and beautiful beaches.

 

 

Marigot

The capital of French St. Martin (pop. 5,700, above and top) is a laid-back blend of French and Caribbean culture filled

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Martinique, C´est Magnifique!

12366990483?profile=RESIZE_930xDavid Stanley


One of the four islands of the Antilles Françaises, with around 370,000 inhabitants, Martinique was settled by the French beginning in 1635 and today is an overseas département (meaning an integral part) of France. It’s packed with a vibrant blend of French and West Indian cultures; stunning landscapes, nature, and beaches; rich historical sites; fantastic rum; and a chill, laid back vibe. I visited here around 15 years ago and still remember it fondly and fairly vividly. Here´s a

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12280909253?profile=RESIZE_930xJosh Duncan



The smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands – just seven miles long and three miles wide (roughly 11 by five kilometers) and with a permanent population just under 99,000 – is the favorite of some because it´s less developed and more pristine-feeling than St. Croix and St. Thomas. Some of its highlights include:

 

12280930053?profile=RESIZE_930xMatt Wade


Cute, Laid Back, Welcoming Towns

On its west coast, St. John´s largest settlement is Cruz Bay (above pop. around 4,200), where  Mongoose Junction and Wharfsi

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Based in Montego Bay, the famous Caribbean resort chain founded in 1981 by legendary Jamaican entrepreneur Gordon "Butch" Stewart was instrumental in pioneering the "all-inclusive" concept - paying one (usually very attractive) rate to cover all food and drink as well as many activities and amenities, in addition to just a room. Sandals properties now number 18 on eight islands, and they´re especially popular with (and indeed, marketed to) couples and especially honeymooning couples. You can ge

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12244840289?profile=RESIZE_930xJavier_Art_Photography


The "Isle of Enchantment" offers an amazingly diverse menu of options to visitors, in capital San Juan and well beyond - history and culture, for sure, but also tasty eating, drinking, and beaching, along with memorable partying and much much more. But one side of Puerto Rico you should definitely not miss is its wealth of eco opportunities, from glowing "bioluminescent" bays to spectacular waterfalls, and most especially a large swath about an hour's drive from San Juan:

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Julie-Hatfield-Nevis-Food-PIN.jpg?profile=RESIZE_930xPhotos: Timothy Leland, except where noted


Visiting tiny Nevis - just 36 square miles - is treat enough, with its ravishing nature, pristine beaches, friendly, laid back locals and charming inns (including several in centuries-old former sugar plantations). But it´s also packed with 40 or so of some of the finest restaurants anywhere, with food from local farm-to-table and sea-to-table found on culturally diversified menus on a par to what you might find in some of the world´s culinary capit

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What might be the most surprising thing to travelers concerning Havana is how well-rounded the city is. The art lovers will be delighted by the extensive collection of Cuban artwork on in the Museum of Fine Arts. People who love history will likely be in awe of the artifacts displayed at the Museo de la Revolucion while readers will be giddy when they see Finca Vigia, Hemingway's former residence. To really experience Havana's charm, take a stroll through the lively streets (streets) that make u

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10934512856?profile=RESIZE_930xGrahampurse


Served by its own very nearby airport (the Caribbean's biggest and busiest), the third largest city in Jamaica (as well as the English-speaking Caribbean, with a population of around 110,000), MoBay has since the 1960s been an anchor of Jamaica's tourism industry, and one of the island's most visited spots, as well as a very popular cruise port of call. Located in the island's northwest, the city's main draw remains the gorgeous, white-sand beaches with tranquil, aquamarine waters f

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In Cuba, Go West, to Pinar del Río & Viñales

L2F-Apr-17-pic-Cuba-Pinar-del-Rio-Viñales-mogotes-with-cowboy-Shutterstock-640x427.jpg?profile=RESIZE_930x

marcin jucha


For visitors to Havana, one of the most popular day and overnights trips besides colonial wonder Trinidad is a visit to the far west of Cuba, the mostly rural province of Pinar del Río (whose locals, by the way, have over the years endured much teasing by other Cubans as guajiros – "country-bumpkin" peasants – though at least these days inaccurately, as far as I’ve been able to tell).  It’s home to not only the eponymous city – which makes for a charming visit in its own right – b

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5 Highlights of the Holidays in Puerto Rico

9885285894?profile=RESIZE_930xTexPhoto

 

There may be no snow - and precious little ice skating or hot cocoa - on this lush, tropical Caribbean island, but there’s certainly holiday cheer, and lots of it, for a good long time – in fact, Puerto Rico takes pride in having the world’s lengthiest season of Navidad (Christmas), around 45 days or so, beginning right after Thanksgiving (meaning the third Friday in November) and lasting through mid-January. Along the way are various festivities, activities, and highlights not to mis

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9009005671?profile=originalChocolate lovers pay attention!

Get your fill of chocolate at Costa Rica’s fourth annual Chocolate Festival in Puerto Viejo on the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. Sample chocolate from local artisan producers and top Costa Rica chocolate makers, try pairing chocolate with single malt whiskey or red wine, and attend workshops and fun events all starring chocolate.

Better than trick-or-treating, the Puerto Viejo Chocolate Festival 2015 will be held Halloween weekend, Oct. 30 through Nov. 1,

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9008977288?profile=originalVacation … we dream about it when we’re working. Time to relax, to unwind, to stop the “fast-paced rat race” and just enjoy.

But how many of us find ourselves finally on vacation and not really relaxing out of our frenetic pace until mid-way through or nearly the end of our holiday?

There is no better quick entry into that unstressed relaxation mode on vacation than getting a massage or spa treatment. It really is amazing how 60 or 90 minutes of making your muscles and body relax can instantly pro

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When we go on vacation, it’s time to do new things, discover new places, try new foods, and generally renew ourselves.

 

At Caribbean Costa Rica Hotel Le Caméléon, they live the mantra: “every day is a new day.”

 

9008974469?profile=originalThe location of the Costa Rica luxury hotel is definitely rejuvenating: on beautiful Playa Cocles, where wild rainforest meets golden sand and the dazzling, turquoise Caribbean Sea. Hotel Le Caméléon rests on the road connecting the vibrant, bohemian beach town of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

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With spring at our doorstep, why not escape to Caribbean Costa Rica for a romantic vacation on the beach in the rainforest.

9009039096?profile=originalWith dozens of flights to Costa Rica available from the U.S., Canada and Europe, getting to Costa Rica is easier than ever. Come enjoy the fun-in-the-sun Caribbean lifestyle at the best value travel destination for 2016, resting in luxury at one of the best Costa Rica luxury hotels: Hotel Le Caméléon.

9008974469?profile=originalPicture yourself lounging on a day bed under shady palm trees with soft whi

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Travel can change the world.

At least former U.S. President Bill Clinton thinks so. “The travel industry has the potential – and the responsibility – to spread peace and change the world,” Clinton told travel executives while speaking at the World Travel & Tourism Council's 13th annual Global Summit in Abu Dhabi in April 2013.

Student travel organizations like EcoTeach and People to People also think so. The two U.S.-based educational student travel organizations promote global awareness, peace an

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